Single Master Image for multiple Dell PC's.

[guardiantORJ]

I am looking for a way to make a Single Master Image to be used on
multiple Dell platforms (GX260, GX270,SX270,SX260, GX620, Plus other
models) but am un sure where to start. From what I can find from the
reading on the internet is that you want to start with the oldest model
first and work your way up but from there I am unsure of the next step
of attack on this project. Does anyone have any ideas on where to find
information or know of a how to that would get me going on this.

I have read other posts such as those I have listed below but they have
made me a little more confused on where to start on this.

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...1bdtM-fznmYveKFViodJvFyF1KVGssCG6M4bE4B8G1Kbw

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...a1b4896f4e1?lnk=st&q=&rnum=1#76225a1b4896f4e1

Also if it helps I will be using Ghost 8 for my imaging.

Any help would be great.

Guardian

 

[Guest]

I have had amazing luck using Virtual PC rather than an actual hardware
platform to create my master image.
since virtual PC emulates very basic hardware (chipsets, drive controllers,
etc) it is seems like it is a lowest common denominator for all the models we
have. I have one image that i have been able to apply to GX110, GX150,
Gx240, GX260, GX270, GX280, GX620, Latitude C600, C400, C640, D600, D400,
D610, D620, D820, and a few precision workstations and laptops. I use OSD
pack for sms to image but i don't think it should be any different than ghost
as far as Sysprep is concerned. the one down side is that i have drivers for
all those models on the image, but for me it beats managing 10 images.

 

[Sabo, Eric]

Can you give more details on this?

Do you use the Virtual PC first to create the image and then use Sysprep to
install the drivers to the machine?

 

[guardiantORJ]

Yes. I actually use Microsoft BDD tools to basically create an action list
of items i want to configure via scripts and regitry edits, then install the
apps i need. I use BDD to create a custom WinPE ISO, attach that to the
virtualPC and boot to it. It allows me to build a number of builds
determined by what i have setup with the BDD tools (you can have many
different builds, but so far I have only needed the one). By scripting theimagethis way it ensures the same build every time. Then when the config of
theimageis completed on the virtual pc, i mount the ISOimageof my SMS OSD
capture CD which will then sysprep and capture theimage. I out all of my
drivers in C:\drivers and have a pretty long updatePNPDriversPath in my
sysprep.inf to point to them all. PNP detection during setup picks up the
drivers. Then I have the system autologon and run another config script
which uses WMI to detect which model it is and do other installations based
on that. Like installing the fullATI control panel applet or touchpad
driver. These still work through the drivers that install during setup, but
we like to have the application to go along with some of the drivers for
usability.







- Show quoted text -

Is there anyways you could email me or post the scripts you use and or
a document you might have that steps you through the process. The
process I am using now is rather tricky and I would like to find a
more consistent method like you are describing.

Thanks

Guardian

 

[Guest]

Crash wrote "drivers in C:\drivers and have a pretty long
updatePNPDriversPath in my sysprep.inf "

take a look at www.vernalex.com

He has developed a driver scanner that utilizes your C:\Drivers folder and
will put those entries into the registry which gives you more characters to
work with and it is automated. Takes about a second. View his video guide to
sysprep.

I would like to have detailed directions on who you pull this off. I also
have a convoluted process and about the same versions of Dell as were
mentioned in this post along with HP DC5000's. More so, I wonder how you get
the correct HAL to show up on your newer GX620's if you are using one image
for all.

You process may just save me a million headaches especially the WMI checks
to install driver programs.

To Cool..

 

[Trev]

Is there anyways you could email me or post the scripts you use and or
a document you might have that steps you through the process. The
process I am using now is rather tricky and I would like to find a
more consistent method like you are describing.

Thanks

Guardian- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hi
Have a look at http://www.dustan.co.uk there is some info that maybe
of use, you will need to use the address bar at the top because the
site is new and is not indexed in google yet.


Trev