How does everyone image Windows XP to different PCs?

[Rearview]

We have about 200 PCs that we will be upgrading to Windows XP Pro in the coming months. We have several different hardware combos. Most are Intel motherboards made over the past 4 years, but some are AMDs, etc. How can we image machines with the same software, same Windows settings, but with different hardware? It is so inefficient to do a seperate install on each machine one by one. Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance,

 

[paparazi]

It really depends on just how many variations of hardware setups you have, if it's only 4-5 differant setups then creating a drive image or ghost copy of the 5 or so combinations may still be the easiest way to go.
So in practice one setup then Ghost install 30-40 machines and then onto the next hardware variation etc.
If you have infinitesimal combinations of hardware setups this could be very difficult though.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Rearview]

We order PCs 5 or 10 at a time. At the most, we have about 20-25 machines that have the same motherboard. I would say we have 25 different PC types out there... I was reading about and trying syspart (maybe along with sysdiff). I duno... I downloaded a copy of sysdiff, but it gave me an error. Either way, I don't have a good document on how to use those programs to create a nice install image wiht my software and settings (I'd appreciate one)

 

[Deezul]

ghost or powerquest are preferable

 

[STEWARTH]

Don't forget you can ditch imaging altogether and use an Unattended Install instead. It is completely hardware independant but takes longer to load on each PC. If you do use imaging software then by using Sysprep in PnP mode you should only require 1 image for each HAL in your environment.

 

[mush216]

I use a program called Acronis TrueImage 6.0. I use one image for all the machines i have which are of different variance. the trick to that is with this software is when you create your base image, get the utility called Sysprep. Set that up so upon first startup of the computer, you can configure computer name, domain, etc. actually the utility lets you put all that in there including windows xp cd key. one thing to make sure you check is the box that says plug n play. that way it will detect motherboard and hardware differences from the image and setup them up. otherwise, if have one image, say for example with an intel motherboard, and you try to image a computer with an Asus motherboard, it will bluescreen upon startup after it images.

if you do decide to go with Acronis, and you need any help, please feel free to contact me @ mush226@yahoo.com. i am very good with there products. trust and use them highly.

--Aaron

 

[sixkks]

We bought three new computers which are going to be used to replace three older computers. The three older computers all have different hardware specs while two of the three new ones are exactly alike and the third having a cd/rw and the other two don't. All 6 computers are on XP. The three new computers already have XP installed by the manufacturer. Anyway, each of the three older computers have different programs so I would need to replicate the data from the old computers to the newer ones (i.e. user profiles, installed applications, email settings etc). Is Acronis TrueImage 6.0 the way to go for me?

 

[mush216]

Yeah you could use it. TrueImage 7.0 is the newest version. If you want it to work for you, just make sure you use the Sysprep utility and use the mini-setup option to make sure it doesn't blue screen on you. let me know if you have any problems

--mush

 

[bcastner]

It is not an Acronis vs. Symentac Ghost issue, it is how close the underlying image is for the machine.

I encourage all interested in this issue to investigate the site at MSFN:

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

I think STEWARTH had it right earlier: for substantially similar machines you can use a RIS image, for different machines use unattended install. To make life simpler, use unatteneded install.

 

[Rearview]

I started this thread long ago. We have been using unattended install on all of our machines for our company wide upgrade. We did Ghost a few when I would get a batch of new PCs, but this sometimes caused strange problems, even after running ghostwalk to change the SID. Nothing specific that I can remember, just strange things sometimes.

 

[bcastner]

Rearview,

Your experience duplicates mine. Hence the advice above.
Thanks for your comments. I just think this is a better way to handle the problem.

 

[richyd]

I've used a product called I-deploy which has been hughly successful in our company, been the cheapest option for large roll outs and can do several machine specs at once. otherwise try and program called Ghost, image the hard drives if the machines are simular.

A company called Systems Group International can deploy operating systems to PC's and servers from a local server using your pixie boot network cards in most 3com cards.

i-Deploy, your workstation/server deployment and management costs are reduced by up to 50%

i-Deploy allows organizations to rapidly deliver business-critical operating systems and software to a range of remote computing devices, including workstations, laptops and servers.

We have become an industry leader in this field by delivering accurate, quality solutions to a significant number of high profile customers.

http://www.systems-group.net/En/iDeploy/default.htm

Hope this helpds