Microsoft KB Archive/309276

= HOW TO: Distribute Office XP by Using the Microsoft Windows 2000 Remote Installation Services (RIS) =

Article ID: 309276

Article Last Modified on 5/23/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Office XP (Setup), when used with:
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q309276



IN THIS TASK
SUMMARY
 * Distribute Office XP by Using RIS
 * Troubleshooting



SUMMARY
Remote Operating System (OS) Installation, which is based on Remote Installation Services (RIS), is an optional service in Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. Remote OS Installation provides a mechanism for computers to connect to a network server during the initial startup process, while the server controls a local installation of Windows 2000 Professional. You can use RIS to push an installation of Office XP as part of a preconfigured hard disk image.

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Distribute Office XP by Using RIS
If all the computers in your organization are running Windows 2000, you can use Remote Installation Services to copy a preconfigured hard-disk image, with standardized versions of both Windows 2000 Professional and Office XP, to client computers. RIS requires that you already set up Active Directory and a Group Policy structure.

This method can significantly reduce deployment time. A remote installation of Windows and Office together takes only slightly longer than a remote installation of Windows alone. When clients download the disk image, Office XP is fully installed on the local computer, not merely advertised.

NOTE: If you want users to receive a managed Office installation, you must use the Software Installation Snap-In to assign Office to the test computer before you create your disk image.

To distribute Office XP by using RIS, follow these steps:
 * 1) On a test computer, install and configure Windows 2000 Professional for your organization.
 * 2) Install and customize Office XP on an administrative installation point.
 * 3) Install your customized version of Office XP from the administrative installation point to the test computer.CAUTION: Do not start or use any of the Office programs before you run the Remote Installation Preparation Wizard. Starting any of the Office programs will modify the registry, which will cause problems when Remote Installation Services is used later.


 * 1) Run the Remote Installation Preparation Wizard (RIPrep.exe) from the RIS server that will receive the hard-disk image.

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Troubleshooting
Remote OS Installation works only in a homogenous Windows 2000 environment, that is, Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional clients. You cannot use Remote OS Installation to install to clients that are running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or Microsoft Windows 98.

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