MED-V Solution: A Windows XP Image may not Auto-logon even after configuring it to do so in the VM Preparation Tool

re: MED-V Solution: A Windows XP Image may not Auto-logon even after configuring it to do so in the VM Preparation Tool

tbarney2 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:13:41 GMT

I found a solution that works. I might have extra steps in here, but this seems to be working for me.

Go through the MED-V Prereq tool and setup auto login of the administrator account, this will put the settings in the registry. If you want a different account you'll need to do your own testing.

My sysprep.inf looks like the examples above except encrypt password is set to No

Now run sysprep, by double-clicking on it, not command line. Select these options:

Don't reset grace period

Use Mini-setup

Shutdown Mode=Quit

Click Reseal

When sysprep is done it will close but the machine will stay running. Now open c:\sysprep\sysprep.inf

Remove the line that says AutoLogonCount=3, because it will be processed during the mini-setup on the next boot.

Now run regedit, go to hklm\software\microsoft\window nt\current version\winlogon\ Look for a DWORD called "AutoLogonCount", if it is there, delete it.

Shutdown the machine and pack your image. The next boot should run through sysprep, login as administrator, and you are good to go. I have Med-V run a script to rename and reboot the computer again, that works fine, PC logs in automatically every time.

re: MED-V Solution: A Windows XP Image may not Auto-logon even after configuring it to do so in the VM Preparation Tool

zimzimax — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:47:17 GMT

Hi all,

I have the same issue, after the sysprep all the parameters set before are lost, and despite in my sysprep.inf

[GuiUnattended]

AdminPassword = "TG33hY"

AutoLogon = Yes

AutoLogonCount = 3

EncryptedAdminPassword = Yes

can't be logged with my personal user admin, we are logged by default with the administrator account until the count of 3 is reached after we must enter credentials manually

Please i want a solution for making the sysprep without loosing the parameters of VM preparation tool

Kind regards

re: MED-V Solution: A Windows XP Image may not Auto-logon even after configuring it to do so in the VM Preparation Tool

Konsultancy — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:16:15 GMT

Hi Tom,

Ensure you change EncryptAdminPassword=No otherwise you will continue to receive password errors.

Cheers

Kings.,

re: MED-V Solution: A Windows XP Image may not Auto-logon even after configuring it to do so in the VM Preparation Tool

Tom Anderson — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:14:15 GMT

Just as a follow up to this, I have just tried ceating a second local account on the image that is a member of the Administrators group. I then populated the MED-V Prereq tool with this account info. I left the Sysprep admin password blank and increased the auto logon count to 3...however I am still prompted to logon when setup runs.

Troubleshooting this is annoying as it takes about an hour to make changes, recreate the package and then run the setup on the new host!

Tom

re: MED-V Solution: A Windows XP Image may not Auto-logon even after configuring it to do so in the VM Preparation Tool

Tom Anderson — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:51:03 GMT

Steve,

Thanks for this. However it has not worked for me. When running the MED-V Virtual Machine Prerequisites Tool you have the option to get MED-V to logon automatically. If you set it to do so you need to speicify a password. However as mentioned here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/200607 you have to have a blank Administrator password.

I have tried setting a blank admin password on the image, not setting MED-V pre-req tool to auto logon, electing not to change the password in the sysprep.inf and making the ammendment to the AutoLogonCount as suggested. But this does not work and I have to type the admin credentials for the setup to successfully complete.

I'm not sure of another way to do this as the image password needs to be blank for sysprep to work successfully and the MED-V Pre-Req tool password has to be set (or the option deselected) for the pre-req to successfully complete.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks,

Tom