Preparing and restoring disk image...

[Jake]

Hi,

We have a datalab with 20 Dell and 20 Compaq computers. Both of these
product lines have completely equal hardware.

We have made a 'standard' install for each of these two types with
drivers, applications and settings.

Now we want to sysprep each of them and save the two images to a file
server for easy restoring later on.

First about sysprep:

Does it erase the WSUS client ID stuff too, or do I have to do this
manually?

Should the workstation have workgroup network connection when sysprep is
run (it will be added to the domain during the first startup).

Is it possible to specify everything in the sysprep ini file except for
the computer name so *it will ONLY ask for this property* during the
first startup (domain name is filled in from ini file). And when cliking
OK at the computer name / domain name dialog the computer is added to
the domain and the installation is complete.

Secondly, if we want to restore these images inserting a bootable CD in
the workstations and establish network contact with the disk image
storage file server and start the restore process to the local disk.
Which tools are neatest to use (and possibly in the low-budget range as
of licensing...)

Thanks for comments and tips

regards

Jake

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Now we want to sysprep each of them and save the two images to a file
server for easy restoring later on.

Try posting this in microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment

 

[Mike Lowery]

Hi,

We have a datalab with 20 Dell and 20 Compaq computers. Both of these product
lines have completely equal hardware.

We have made a 'standard' install for each of these two types with drivers,
applications and settings.

Now we want to sysprep each of them and save the two images to a file server
for easy restoring later on.

First about sysprep:

Does it erase the WSUS client ID stuff too, or do I have to do this manually?

Should the workstation have workgroup network connection when sysprep is run
(it will be added to the domain during the first startup).

Is it possible to specify everything in the sysprep ini file except for the
computer name so *it will ONLY ask for this property* during the first startup
(domain name is filled in from ini file). And when cliking OK at the computer
name / domain name dialog the computer is added to the domain and the
installation is complete.

Secondly, if we want to restore these images inserting a bootable CD in the
workstations and establish network contact with the disk image storage file
server and start the restore process to the local disk. Which tools are
neatest to use (and possibly in the low-budget range as of licensing...)

Thanks for comments and tips

Don't know about all the questions you have with sysprep, but that's what I used
along with this boot disk:
http://www.netbootdisk.com/

You might also consider BartPE:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/