When you try to run the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) in Windows Vista, and you use the /generalize option, you may receive the following error message: The Setupper.log file may contain lines that resemble the following: Note The Setupper.log file is located in the \Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther folder.

Back to the top

This error may occur if the Windows Software Licensing Rearm program has run more than three times in a single Windows Vista image.

Back to the top

To resolve this issue, you must rebuild the Windows Vista image.

Back to the top

To work around this issue, use the <SkipRearm> setting in an XML answer file (Unattend.xml) to skip the Rearm process when you build the Windows Vista image.

The following text is an example of an XML answer file:

<settings pass="generalize">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <SkipRearm>1</SkipRearm>
        </component>
    </settings>

Note You must make sure that the <SkipRearm> setting is removed from the final unattended file that is used to deploy computers in a production environment. If <SkipRearm> is not removed from the unattended file that is used to deploy computers in a production environment, the KMS current client count does not increase for new clients that are added to the network.

Back to the top

The Windows Software Licensing Rearm program restores the Windows system to the original licensing state. All licensing and registry data related to activation is either removed or reset. Also, any grace period timers are reset.

To run the Rearm process in Windows Vista, use one of the following methods:

•	Run Sysprep /generalize on the computers that are used to build the custom Windows Vista image.
•	Run the Slmgr.vbs script in an elevated Command Prompt window. For example, run cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs –rearm.

Note Administrative credentials are required to run the Rearm process. The Rearm process can be run a maximum of three times in a Windows Vista image. For more information about the System Preparation Tool, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Back to the top