Installing Windows on multiple computers, Ghosting.

[OrangeDoor]

Another task I have is ghosting windows. Setting everything up the way we want it on one computer and then being able to basically clone that config onto a bunch of others via the network. Is there a Microsoft utility for this? Any suggestions would be awesome, thanks.

 

[HypNoTic]

Option 1 : all PC with exact same hardware configuration (same HAL)

Install Windows, install your applications, configure it as you want, then Ghost the PC and activate the option to generate a new SID and ComputerName when installing. When you will deploy, Ghost will generate a new SecurityID and a random CN. If you use DHCP, you set to go as its almost PnP.

Option 2 : differents PC with slighly differents config

Install Windows, install your applications, configure it as you want. Run Microsoft SysPrep to generate a clean Windows install. SysPrep will erase personnal data from the computer and will also set windows to run a MiniSetup when re-lauched (ie. when installed on a new PC). The mini setup can be automated via script and the main advantage of running SysPrep is the fact that it will redetect all PnP hardware in the PC and generate a new HAL. After SysPrep complete the clean up of the PC, it will shutdown then you just have to Ghost the disk and deploy this image.

I highly suggest the second option since it will work on both Laptop and Desktop with the same image and this will also simplify the applications deploiement if you only deploy Windows in the Ghost. Differents dept can be setup to have specific applications installed. FYI, i've managed to have Windows XP Pro Corp, Novell Client 4.83, 97 differents drivers, 30meg of patches and few script all included on the same CDROM once Ghosted with VeryHighCompression (-z9). Putting it all on a single CD allow you to send CD to branch offices.

I've deployed Windows 2000 to 5000wks for a client and Windows XP to 4600 wks for another customer and they are both very happy with the effiency of this method. Less than 8 minutes to install Windows XP and join the NT Domain.

-Hyp

 

[OrangeDoor]

What do you recommend I use to Ghost? Thanks.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

I've done this before, with PowerQuest Drive Image Pro. It was a snap, we got 10 operating systems installed from 1 XP CD in about 1 1/2 ~ 2 hours...

 

[OrangeDoor]

Thanks guys, I'm not really sure how it's supposed to work but I guess after one comp is config'd and I install the program on it, it will tell me. The hardware is the same in all the comps but we had trouble getting networking to work on one of the crappy boxes (build for $300 each) so we mainly want to get around doing the same thing on 25 other comps, I hope it can work boot off a floppy disk or something and ghost clean from that. Wish me luck.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: HypNoTic
Option 1 : all PC with exact same hardware configuration (same HAL)

Install Windows, install your applications, configure it as you want, then Ghost the PC and activate the option to generate a new SID and ComputerName when installing. When you will deploy, Ghost will generate a new SecurityID and a random CN. If you use DHCP, you set to go as its almost PnP.

No! Use sysprep in both cases!

Sysprep and documentation can be found in the deploy.cab in the support\tools directory of the CD.

 

[HypNoTic]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink

No! Use sysprep in both cases!

Sysprep and documentation can be found in the deploy.cab in the support\tools directory of the CD.

Actually, Ghost 7.5 Enterprise does not require the use of SysPrep for same HAL. It's just a best practice and should always be use but its not absolutely required.

-Hyp

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: HypNoTic

Originally posted by: NogginBoink

No! Use sysprep in both cases!

Sysprep and documentation can be found in the deploy.cab in the support\tools directory of the CD.

Actually, Ghost 7.5 Enterprise does not require the use of SysPrep for same HAL. It's just a best practice and should always be use but its not absolutely required.

-Hyp

It has nothing to do with Ghost. The OPERATING SYSTEM requires the use of Sysprep. The tool is there for a reason. The reason it's there is to help customers clone operating systems in a fashion that Microsoft will support. Use it!