Sysprep c00000a error

[BuisyBizz]

After implementing SP2 on some Dell Latitude D610's and D620's, sysprep no longer works. I got the sysprep that came with the SP2 deployment tools and the exact same setup works on the D600's. I get the following errors in the logfile then it says windows must shut down:

Error:
Net Setup. The [Identification] section does not contain valid info for joining a domain or workgroup. Because this is full unattended mode, setup will proceed and leave the machine in the default workgroup.

Fatal Error:
Windows is unable to start because the registry cannot be updated. to address this problem, please contact your computer manufacturer. Windows must now shut down.

Warning:
Setup was unable to change the password for the user account Administrator because of the following error: SamChangePasswordUser returned status c00000a

Anyone seen this problem or even have a clue how to fix it?

[Nasty_Savage]

Not sure if this is directly related to your problem, but there appears to be a patch for the SP2 sysprep needed or it futzors up the default user profile.

[BuisyBizz]

I'm not familiar with the patch. I'm using the sysprep that came with the SP2 deployment tools. Is that what you're talking about?

[BuisyBizz]

So I found out that deleting the contents of the folder WINNT\System32\Microsoft\Protect\S-1-5-18\ allows sysprep to work. I found an old KB article that says minisetup will fail if sysprep cant decrypt the keys in this folder. As far as I know, windows encryption is not in use. Can anyone see any downside to deleting these files?

[Blitzrommel]

Actually, I think I read somewhere that you have to use the version of Sysprep that matches the original installation version.