Hello XP forum readers

I would be much appreciated if you could advise me on the following issue:

We are in a pilot phase of Rollout project for Image Cloning/Distribution
using the System Preparation (Sysprep) for Windows XPSP1 Tool, in order to
prepare a working Windows XP installation to be cloned. After running
Sysprep, we use an OEM disk-duplication software (Mini PE XP Utils >
Drive Image 2000) to create and apply the images, on identical
Workstations.
**Both source and target workstations are IBM Desktops with identical HW
configuration (including Disk size) and similar SW setup**

We tried to test/validate a client/server application (called Profits) by
clicking on application shortcuts (located at Workstation's Desktop) in
order to sign-on.
These shortucts refer on executable files which reside on Server Shortcuts
folder (OS=Win2003 Srv SE).
When tried to map Server's shortcuts folder using net use command
net use z:\\10.200.253.10\profits /savecred,
net use /persistent:yes,

then we received an Unknown Publisher Security Warning message saying :
"Publisher could not be verified.
Are you sure you want to run this software? Name : Profits.exe ,Type:
Application , Location path : C:\..."

But after our further problem tracking, the net use command seems to work
as exected using (host) Server Name instead of IP address !!
1 net use z: \\ServerName\profits /savecred.
2. Provide username and password
3. net use /persistent:yes.

**Profits is a valid user profile defined at both Server & Client, who is
entitled to log on Profits application**
Even if we run or skip the security warning pop up msg, the application
doesn't work (fails even to sign on).

Fyi, I have already posted this article at local Ms Partner Support Channel
and I have clarified the following:
- Profits is a client/server application negoatiation, the verification
(authorization/authentication) process is being performed by the RDBMS (DB2)
access list which resides on Server side.
- Technote #843022 is not applicable in our case, since there is no exe or
add-in file to be downloaded via web browser.
- Technote #3314828 is also not applicable since the image has been created
using Sysprep tool which is supported by Microsoft.
- Technote #828287 is not applicable since the installation has not been
upgraded, the HAL is the same for source and cloned machines, and the OEM
image has been customized.


- Do you have any idea what might have caused this or how could we
overcome this problem?
- Any advise will be much appreciated, since it will faciltate our image
rollout deployment.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance

IT Specialist Advisory
IBM Wintel Middleware Support
(Websphere, DB2, Lotus Crypto)
IBM - ITS Athens Greece

(1) What are the "technotes" you provide? I didn't find them at
microsoft.com, are you refering to IBM technotes or another company's
technotes? Provide links if possible. (2) What do you mean by "the
OEM image has been customized"? That sounds funny because OEM
installations are no longer supported for reimaging, not even when
sysprep is used. Microsoft media and Volume Licensing Key are required
for reimaging per this document, reimaging.doc from Microsoft
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/.../volbrief.mspx (3) Are you
required to use Sysprep? If necessary client/server credentials are
lost by running sysprep then don't use it. You can change the SID
with NewSID from sysinternals. Other task included sysprep may be
missed.

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microsoft . public . windowsxp . setup_deployment