Image copy process

[Barry]

I want to build a PC and then clone it.
Ive built my PC and installed all my apps and then run
sysprep. The system shuts down and then when I reboot it
runs trhrough the mini wizard.
At what point am I supposed to make the dupplication of
the hard drive image, before I run through the mini
wizard? if so how do I do that? do I have to boot up with
3rd party software? I have a copy of Ghost can I use that?
or do I just do the disk duplication process after the
reboot and after i run through the mini wizard?

 

[Dusko Savatovic]

The complete process is like this:

1. Install and setup your system.

2. Run sysprep.

3. Your system is shut down.

4. You insert boot media with cloning software. In your case this would be
boot floppy or CD that boots your system into DOS. Your floppy or CD also
contains ghost.exe program for cloning your system.

5. You run ghost.exe (or some other cloning sw). You specify that you want
to dump your disk or partition to a file, to another disk or partition, or
to the a network session (multicast or ghostcast session).

6. When you've got your image in a file, you may distribute it to other pc's
on your network. This is called image restore.

7. When your imaged pc's boot next time, they will run mini setup. This will
create new computer SID (each PC must have unique SID) and enter plug and
play discovery to detect new hardware.

Dusko Savatovic

 

[Blane]

Barry,

Thank you for your post.

You need to make your image after the system shuts down, and before the
reboot with the mini wizard. The mini wizard goes through and reconfigures
all the unique settings that sysprep removes.

Since you have a copy of Ghost you can use that software to make the image.
You will have to boot with the Ghost software. Please see their
documentation on how to create on image or visit their website at
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/ghost_personal/ (if this is the personal
edition of Ghost 9.0).

Best regards,
Blane Clark


This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
You assume all risk for your use.
(C) 2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved

 

[Barry]

Many thanks to you both for your help, I managed to get
the clone done with your advise.
Thanks once again.
Barry.

 

[Mark Jaster]

You may want to use Universal Imaging Utility when you're setting up
your system because it will eliminate the need to install drivers
manually on the client machines when you restore the image.