Refurbished Computers - Prep for Sale

[zbert_2000]

Our company is starting to sell about 40 refurbished computers per month. We are thankful but the time requirement to prep our machines for resale is getting out of hand. Here is what we do to our machines:

1) Activate Windows
2) run burn-in test
3) Install all Windows updates
4) using Ninite we install Java, Reader, Thunderbird, Avast, MalwareBytes, LibreOffice
5) activate MalwareBytes Premium with a unique license code

I have been reading on different threads here on TN and have gathered it MAY be possible for me to prep a machine using list above using audit mode in sysprep, generalize, and then image the computer. Then I could load the image on all my other refurbished computers (most of which are different manufacturers and models) that have exactly the same OS. I would love to hear from some of you pros a) if this is possible and b) how might I do this. Since more updates will be coming out I realize I will have to update this image every couple of weeks or every month.

Thanks in advance for any knowledge you may have.

Brett

 

[Kitten Kong]

Hi Brett

Firstly with doing that many refurbs a month, are you part of the MS refurb program?. There is a sticky I wrote with a lot of the questions answered.

Secondly, look into sysprep. But in order to do sysprep, you would need to NOT put a licence code in for both W7, and Mbam pro. (Due to them being different licences on each machine).

 

[trevm999]

a. Yes definitely possible
b. Check out this thread http://technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43617&page=10 and this one http://technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54897

The key is to use sysprep. Then you can use whatever imaging method you want. There are many different ways people do this and you will have to figure out what is best for your situation. Personally, I wouldn't bother updating the image that often. A couple windows updates are pretty fast, and Ninite will give you the latest software. However, if you prep a batch at a time, it could be beneficial to do everything on the one and update it, then use it as the reference image.

One other thing to keep in mind is that if you are not a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher and thus you are not getting new Refurb licenses for these machines, you are supposed to only use the recovery media (partition or disk) to sell that machine as a refurbished computer. If you buy the machines as refurbs with refurb licenses already, you probably are not supposed to do it either.

 

[zbert_2000]

Thanks to you both. We used to be a part of the MRR program but we never utilized it. Now we just buy from Arrow (great company to work with) which is a MAR. So our computers come in via FedEx or UPS already imaged with Windows 7 HP or Pro. I will check out these threads you referenced.

Again, thanks.

Brett

 

[zbert_2000]

Thanks to you guys' help I was able to successfully image a computer and image another using sysprep and imagex! I only have one small question that maybe you can answer. I want to be able to activate Windows for my customers. When I try to activate and then sysprep /oobe it still prompts for product key entry the first time the customer turns it on. Any thoughts?

 

[trevm999]

Maybe if you use an unattend answer file with the product key it in when you do the oobe sysprep? ?:|

 

[mikeroq]

According to M$:

A new Windows license is not required for a refurbished PC that has:
1. The original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for a Windows operating system affixed to the PC, and
2. The original recovery media or hard-disk based recovery image associated with the PC.
The operating system identified on the original COA indicates the edition of Windows that was originally licensed for that PC and the refurbisher
can use either:
1. The original recovery media or
2. The original hard-disk based recovery image to reinstall the operating system software specified on the COA.
The original recovery option (described above) used to reinstall the software on a refurbished PC must accompany any distribution of the
refurbished PC. Prior to relinquishing a PC for refurbishment, the end user can contact the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the PC to
obtain the appropriate recovery media for a fee—subject to availability. Second-hand recovery media is sometimes offered for sale by individuals
in various forums and markets. Purchasing media from unknown sources is not recommended as it introduces the risks of copyright infringement,
improper licensing and infected/corrupted or incomplete software.
A new Windows license is required for a refurbished PC if:
1. The refurbisher did not obtain the original recovery media along with the system to be refurbished or
2. The PC does not have a hard-disk based recovery image.
The refurbisher must purchase a new Windows license in order to provide the purchaser of the refurbished PC with a genuine, licensed version of
Windows on the PC.
Why should I care whether the refurbished PCs I sell have the appropriate Windows licensing?
Selling a PC with an unlicensed copy of Windows can subject the refurbisher and retailer to liability for copyright infringement. If you sell a
refurbished PC with Windows installed, it is the responsibility of the refurbisher to ensure that the PC is properly licensed. It is the responsibility
of the retailer to ensure that it does not sell refurbished PCs that may infringe on Microsoft copyrights. Copyright infringement is taken seriously
by the software industry and law enforcement. Piracy reports are investigated and, in the appropriate cases, legal action may be taken. For more
information on infringement risks and “how to tell” whether software is genuine, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/piracy

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...efurbished_PC_Licensing_Guidelines_FY14Q2.pdf

 

[Kitten Kong]

When I try to activate and then sysprep /oobe it still prompts for product key entry the first time the customer turns it on. Any thoughts?

That's correct. Activation should be done by the client, not by us. In mickeysofts eyes that is. Which is why, if possible, you should have all the updates, and your programs ready installed, prior to the image being made.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I see why they want it done that way, but could see a lot of older clients who would be scratching their heads wondering what on earth they needed to do, and having to have a tech come out and do that for them. I have dealt with clients who are ok with computers, but they know only what they know and they don't stray from it. Be nice if they could allow a tech to preactivate the software and have it to where techs could set up the account, transfer the data into the account, etc, but have another oobe setup where the user accepts the terms to use the computer/windows and they log into an account a tech may have already set up and it's all just set and done.

 

[PBComputer]

I see why they want it done that way, but could see a lot of older clients who would be scratching their heads wondering what on earth they needed to do, and having to have a tech come out and do that for them. I have dealt with clients who are ok with computers, but they know only what they know and they don't stray from it. Be nice if they could allow a tech to preactivate the software and have it to where techs could set up the account, transfer the data into the account, etc, but have another oobe setup where the user accepts the terms to use the computer/windows and they log into an account a tech may have already set up and it's all just set and done.

What about selling them the pc, then as another service and extra income setting it up and data transfer. Or include it in the price of the system.

We end up setting each one we sell with data transfer and even plugging it in for some.

Paul

 

[jft135]

I see why they want it done that way, but could see a lot of older clients who would be scratching their heads wondering what on earth they needed to do, and having to have a tech come out and do that for them. I have dealt with clients who are ok with computers, but they know only what they know and they don't stray from it. Be nice if they could allow a tech to preactivate the software and have it to where techs could set up the account, transfer the data into the account, etc, but have another oobe setup where the user accepts the terms to use the computer/windows and they log into an account a tech may have already set up and it's all just set and done.

Yep, and because rather than calmly explain what needs to happen, Windows immediately starts throwing "Not Genuine" errors. Then we get nasty phone calls and word of mouth. It's not too hard to defuse when people actually call, but I really wish the activation messages were worded differently.

 

[zbert_2000]

I will try the unattend concept and see if I can get that to work. We charge our customers a fee to transfer files from old computer to new. While we have a lot of business clients many of our clients are retirees and need as much help as possible. We offer them a managed services package as well as remote support (both for a fee) but we like to install basic programs like antivirus and antimalware on as well as activate windows for the customer.

Thanks again for your assistance.