Creating a single Ghost image for multiple PC types 1

[Newtt]

We need to logon to the network and configure the PCs with all the apps and configurations then save an image that can be applied to several types of PCs.
We use all dell PCs and laptops.
Any help on this would be great.

I have asked the above question a while ago and I am now revisiting the subject in our environment.

 

[bcastner]

This is as good as it can get:

http://www.msfn.org/unattended/xp/gettingstarted.htm

You would go crazy attempting a pure image to fit all of those different hardwares. Use Sysprep and the unattended install.

 

[Newtt]

Thanks for this, I will look into it

 

[Ali147gta]

Ok this takes time but is well worth it.

you will need to create two seperate images, one for laptops and one for desktops. you can create one image for the two but it sent me round the twist and took me the best part of three weeks solid to resolve.

Ok so for desktop. (I'll use the GX280 as an example as this is our standard desktop)

Install the base OS, patches, AV, applications etc etc

expand the sysprep utility from the XP CD to c:\sysprep

expand all the drivers for ALL machines that you want to image from the corresponding Dell resource CD's if you want them left on the machine after the sysprep then create them create them at root level, if you dont then copy them under the c:\sysprep directory.

in device manager change the driver for your primary controller to the default microsoft driver (you may sometimes need to change hal.dll to a standard PC but more often than not

Switch off system restore at this point.

Run setupmgr and select your settings

see this post

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314479

for info on how to add OEM drivers to the sysprep.inf

Run sysprep select tick the boxes for detect hardware, make sure dont regenerate security ID's is left unticked, select mini setup if required. in the drop down box select do nothing for when sysprep has completed

click reseal

after it has completed, shut down the PC. reboot and create image as normal.

It does as bcastner take a lot of doing to sort out, but it is my preferred method of desktop/laptop deployment as opposed to unattended installs.

hope this helps

 

[Newtt]

Ali147qta,
Awesome info! I will start with this but I may need your assistance once I get rolling for some additional input
Thanks again

 

[Newtt]

ali147qta,
I am still having issues with the steps listed above
When you say to expand the drivers, do you meen the INF and sys files? also, what version of sysprep are you using cause I am not seeing the settings that you are describing above.
Thanks

 

[Ali147gta]

Hi Newtt,
What i do is run the resource CD and run the driver installs (so that it prompts and asks to where you want to save them) and then I cancel the actual setup routine

so on the HDD i have a folder structure like this

-Dell
- GX280 Nic
- GX280 Audio
- etc etc........

I'm using the sysprep exapnded from the deploy cab on the XP with SP2 CD that I received from MS I believe its 2.0

heres an extract of my sysprep.inf


;SetupMgrTag
[Unattended]
InstallFilesPath=C:\sysprep\i386
OemSkipEula = Yes
OemPnPDriversPath = dell\GX280 Chipset;dell\GX280 Nic;dell\GX280 Video;dell\D600 audio;dell\D600 Bluetooth Stack;dell\D600 chipset;dell\D600 modem;dell\D600 NIC;dell\D600 PCMCIA;dell\D600 video;dell\D600 Wnic;dell\GX280 Audio

[GuiUnattended]
AdminPassword=**********
EncryptedAdminPassword=NO
AutoLogon=Yes
AutoLogonCount=1
OEMSkipRegional=1
TimeZone=85
OEMSkipWelcome=1


[UserData]
ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
FullName="Registered User"
OrgName="My Company"

[RegionalSettings]
LanguageGroup=1
SystemLocale=00000809
UserLocale=00000809
InputLocale=0809:00000809

[SetupMgr]
DistFolder=C:\sysprep\i386
DistShare=windist

[Identification]
DomainAdmin=administrator

[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents=Yes

[sysprepcleanup]

 

[LadyH]

Have you looked at Big Bang Training?

http://bigbangtraining.com/

I work in an educational facility and we are strictly a Dell shop. The software is a combination of the Microsoft sysprep utility and a driver file for all types of hardware. Once the base system has been set, the software is installed and run, sysprep will run, the system will shut down, and then you make your ghost image (do not boot back into the OS prior to the image being made). I was testing this software for purchase by our facility and created a XP Pro/Office 2003 base image on a Dell XPS 500. I ran the software, created the image, and ghosted it to an 850, Inspiron 8200, Optiplex GX 280, and a Dimension 4100...all systems booted and showed no issues. The software does not support SCSI adapters and this posed a minor issue with our SCSI HD controller card, once the HD was connected directly to the motherboard the system booted with no issues. I have not tested with SP2 yet, and there are a few issues with it the company has work arounds for. When new devices are released, updates to the software are made available. If you're working with a device there is no driver for, notify the company and they will provide an update within a specified period of time (72 hours I think). The software is great, takes alot less time to work with and will reduce our image files drasticlly, probably to less then 10 images between both our labs and our administrative systems. There is an educational discount available and this software meshes beautifully with Ghost.


pcheather@yahoo.com