🚀 go-pugleaf

"Russell" <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote in
message news:S4xXb.305370$I06.3124189@attbi_s01...
> Hi Ray,
>
> This behavior is achieved with an OEM Windows Pre-Installation Kit, which
> most OEM manufacturers use when building computers.  The software is
> included on a separate CD from Microsoft that is packed with bulk OEM
> operating system CDs.
Actually on W95, W98 & WME the OEM PPK was on the main OS CD (OEM CD's
only), but to access required running some obscure commands from the command
prompt.  W2000 & WXP included the PPK on a separate cd.  The PPK then gets
installed onto an already running computer.  On that already running
computer you then ran the config tool which created a boot floppy disk. This
config tool allowed you to set things like custom logos, custom strings on
internet explorer, set up links in the Internet Explorer favorites etc.  You
then booted the target pc with the floppy and OEM cd and it would start an
install process. Once that install process had finished it would have all
the customisations applied and boot you into a special mode called "audit
mode". From audit mode, you could install any additional software or drivers
as needed. Then once finished you would "seal" the computer, meaning that on
next boot it will prompt for username and key etc. If you were manufacturing
a bulk run, you would take an image of the drive just after (or before) you
sealed it, then you could put that onto all the resulting computers.  On all
versions of windows other than W98SE that have been imaged in this fashion,
you can get back into audit mode by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F3 keys at the first
screen where it asks for the username.
>
> Russell
> http://tastycomputers.com
>
> "ray" <ojay1@plastica.com> wrote in message
> news:403292dc.2702756@news-server...
> > I have recently purchased a 2nd hand pc that initially booted up into
> > windows98 and then presented  the familiar User and company dialogue
> > box followed by the windows cd key entry box.......after entering the
> > required data the machine loaded ok and has never done it since...the
> > salesman said that this would happen when i bought it so i was ready
> > for it......windows was fully loaded all the hardware drivers etc were
> > correclty loaded and i got straight into setting up internet and
> > applications......
> > however i am very interested to find out how this boot up procedure is
> > is achieved....
> > thanks for any tips
>
>