Imaging advice

[MarcusWendel]

Hello all,

I'd like some advice on which programs to use for the below situation, thanks.

We have bought ten identical computers that will be used for training (an additional ten will probably be used for the same purpose in the near future) and these should be reinstalled regularly as the users will be able to install what ever they want to on the machines during the training.

I'm naturally not interested in reinstalling each machine manually so I'd like to have something like this (feel free to suggest improvements):
1. Insert a CD into one of the machines and using this I create an image of the installation on for example a usb-drive,
2. This image is transferred to a DVD that is bootable.
3. When the machines need to be restored to their original self, start the computer with the bootable DVD and you can choose to apply the image.

Which program do you suggest using for this?
Thanks.

/Marcus

 

[jrbarnett]

If these are going to be on an Active Directory network, have a look at RIS. Its built into the server operating system, and fairly simple to set up. Needless to say, the server holding the images needs to be kept secure.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298750&sd=tech

If there's no active directory network, look at products such as Symantec Ghost.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=br&pvid=ghost10

John

 

[MarcusWendel]

Thanks John.
The machines will not be on a AD network.
I took a quick look at Ghost before posting my question but it seems to require installation on each machine and also one license for each machine, but prehaps I got that part wrong.

/Marcus

 

[TheLad]

Ghost does not need to be installed on each machine (because running Ghost from a bootable DVD will run the DOS version), but I think the licensing does require that you purchase a license per machine you ghost an image onto.

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[bcastner]

Use the free Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx

 

[MarcusWendel]

Thanks for the input so far.

/Marcus

 

[MarcusWendel]

I forgot, about how much space is a Ghost backup of a clean Win XP installation?

/Marcus

 

[GVN]

Probably at a minimum around 600 MB, and likely more depending on additional app that are included in the image, such as Office, etc...

Client licenses for Ghost are cheap. Give it a try, it's definitely worth using, especially on identical hardware machines.


GVN

 

[MarcusWendel]

Thanks again, I've just placed an order for Ghost so I can give it a try.

/Marcus

 

[Santei]

the best sollution for such purpose is true image from acronis! you can create images easily, and restore them in minutes, if you have some doubts what backuo prog to choose read this:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/drive-imaging-reviews.htm

here you can read more about true image:

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

 

[MarcusWendel]

I've done some testing with Ghost and if run from DOS it does what I want it to do nicely so thanks everyone.
Just a quick update in case anyone is interested

/Marcus