Preparing a PC ready to Ghost

[grazer10]

Hi,

I am looking to create a 'master' pc, then use Ghost to create an image copy this to 40 identical desktops.

My question is "What steps do I need to take on the master build to ensure that, once the imaged pcs hit user desks, the user can login under their own account that they will get all the loaded applications and shortcuts, without needing to run installs again?"

Should i install everything while logged on as local admin? Do I need to copy any directories to 'All Users' or similar before Ghosting?

Many thanks in advance,

 

[franklin97355]

I would create a custom default user profile and then run sysprep before creating the ghost. Microsoft has KB on this.

The answer is "42"

 

[cjelec]

I have found that you need to remove the domain before ghosting, but that was on an old version of ghost (2-3 years ago) because you wouldn't get a unique pid for the domain controllers to reference.

I only had the local admin account and basic drivers (graphics, nic) on my ghost images.

I used to ghost the drive, login as admin, join the domain, restart, login again, the apps would auto install from the domain, shutdown, deploy pc.

 

[Sympology]

The annoying thing is you may find they may not be identical. We have had many "indetical" machines, but you find they have slight tweaks to the Bios, they may have changed the odd chipset here and there.
Sysprep is the way.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004