DOCUMENT:Q306447 08-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Sysprep.exe Generates Duplicate Computer Names PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::4.0,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kbsetup kbtool ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 described in this article and should be applied only to systems 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 on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal 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. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kbsetup kbtool Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp5 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400sp5 kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400sp6 kbWinNTS400sp5 kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTW400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400SP6a kbWinNTW400SP6a Version : :4.0,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.