Fastest way to install Parallels XP onto 100 laptops

[media]

Hi everyone!

What would be the fastest way to install Parallels and Windows XP onto 100 MacBooks?

Cloning the whole system from a master image onto each MacBook is not an option since all MacBooks are being used and have files on them that can't be wiped.

Is there a way to complete the Parallels installation and configuration onto one MacBook and then copy the file to the other MacBooks?

Of concern is the Parallels serial and Windows XP serial. If it's copied, is it possible to afterwards edit it so that each MacBook has it's own Parallels and Windows XP serial number that it should have?

Thanks!

[websyndicate]

You need a corp version of XP with X amount of activations. You done one install and then clone it to every computer. Its really not that hard unless you have differnt CD Keys for each install also use the unattened install

[dkp]

Install Parallels on the master system. Install Windows. Install all your applications. Create all your accounts or how ever you intend to handle Windows accounts. Shut down Windows.

Share your parallels vm directory.

Install Parallels 99 more times.

Copy the VM directory to all your 99 laptops. Me? I'd write a script and put it in the shared folder.

When you're done, work out the licensing issues with Parallels, Microsoft, and all the applications vendors.

[media]

Thanks for the replies.

It's not a corporate environment so site licensing isn't the way. The MacBooks are used in different locations and for individuals, not for a business.

Sorry if I wasn't clear in the first post. Each individual will go out to buy their own copy of Parallels and Windows XP. So I need to be able to install the software with their individual license/serial numbers.

I was hoping I could do some sort of copy and past of the application instead of installing it by hand manually from discs.

[unused_user_name]

You can...

Make a gigabit speed network share of an XP SP2 retail disk (which is what everyone will be running)

Then use the parallels fast OS installer to install them all.

You can also install it once and use techniques from MS to change the key after-the-fact... but this is quasi-legal with the non-site-liscened version.

[non-troppo]

If you were to use Parallels with bootcamp, Winclone can send out cloned windows images to groups of intel macs:

http://www.twocanoes.com/winclone/

[soundevolution]

There's an easy way to change the windows serial number after you install windows. Refer to this article I found on digg:

http://www.digg.com/tech_news/Microsoft_Released_Windows_Product_Key_Update_Tool

And here's the download link from Microsoft:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409

[websyndicate]

Sounds like its going to be alot of fun. I would problaly get the users to install parallels and windows XP at the same time. Also if you can extract the windows images "iso" it will go really quick on the install if you have to do mutiple installs. Other than a site license you will have alot of work in front of you. Thank goodness I have a window xp pro with unlimited acts for school it makes it really convinient

[milesce]

Windows has a utility called "sysprep" which allows you to preconfigure the image, then distribute it. The first time it boots, the user is prompted for the licensing information.

[media]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful!!! I now know I can do this:

1. Install Parallels and Windows XP onto one MacBook.

Parallels will be installed using Trial license and Windows XP with a real license.
Windows XP will be fully patched.

2. Copy winxp.hdd to a flash drive.

3. Get to an already used MacBook and install Parallels with Trial license or Permanent license if the owner has it.

4. Use Parallels Transporter to install winxp.hdd from the flash drive. This will save time because it takes longer to install Windows via disc and a lot of time to install patches.

5. Use Microsoft's Key Update Tool to change XP's serial number and activate it.