Weird Activation Status question

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win2000.setup (More info?)

We have a large number of desktop PC's that are being deployed. We set up a
"master" system, complete with apps, and sysprep'ed it. We then clone the
hard drives with Ghost. We restart the system and go through the mini-setup
routine, entering the license key for that particular unit.

After mini-setup, we do a number of minor modifications (install and
activate an Antivirus package, etc.) and then activate the Windows license.
After a 24 hour burn-in run, we deploy the system to the field, all set to
boot and go.

We run a number of scripts, once the machine is in the field, to capture
documentation about the site (mostly network info). As part of these
scripts, we run the msinfo32.exe routine to capture the final installed
hardware info.

On the System Info System Summary page, it has an Activation Status field
which shows "Activation Pending (30 days remaining). This was the status
of the original, master sysprep'd drive before we Ghost'ed it. I am sure
that each of these machines was activated in house before deployment. We've
done 4 machines now, each showing the same status. I went back and checked
the first of the systems we set up, which was installed in the field 3 days
ago, and it is still showing Activation Pending with 30 days remaining
status. The activation icon is no longer in the system tray, so I believe
that the license is activated. I could see missing the activation step on
one system, but not four . . .

Is this a bug in the System Info program, or what?

Any advice is appreciated. Please post any responses to the newsgroup.

Ken