Sysprep.exe Generates Duplicate Computer Names (306447)

SYMPTOMS

When you deploy an image on your network computers, the computer names that are generated by Sysprep.exe may be duplicates. After this occurs, you may receive an error message that indicates that the computer names that were generated by Sysprep.exe already exist on your network.

CAUSE

This problem can occur after you used the Sysprep.exe tool to prepare a sample computer for cloning, and you used the "ComputerName=Auto" entry in the Sysprep.inf file to generate the random computer names. This problem can occur because the Windows NT 4.0 Sysprep.exe file version 1.1 does not use the proper logic to generate random computer names.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date        Time         Size     File name     Platform
   --------------------------------------------------------
   06-Sep-2001 10:52        245,008  Sysprep.exe   Intel

NOTE: Because of file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a.

Sysprep.exe Generates Duplicate Computer Names (306447)

SYMPTOMS

CAUSE

RESOLUTION

STATUS