How best automate updates and backups?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phil McKerracher
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Phil McKerracher

I'm trying to help a group of mainly non-technical people get their PCs
updated and connected to the internet. At the moment it's voluntary but I
might be paid for doing it in future.

I'm a professional electrical engineer and C/C++ programmer (although not
specifically a Windows programmer), so the technical side is not a problem.
I can wire a phone extension and install a modem, sign them up with an ISP,
install a virus checker and firewall etc, even upgrade a motherboard if
necessary.

The problem is ongoing maintenance, especially with the added risks
associated with an internet connection. I can set up Windows Update to
install critical updates, the virus checker to check for new virus
definitions, and schedule backups, but as soon as a window pops up asking
"do you want to continue?" they take fright and it doesn't happen.

Two possible solutions occur to me:

1. For the minority that are on broadband or untimed dialup connections,
initiate updates and backups remotely using Netmeeting's "remote desktop
sharing" or similar.

2. For the rest, maybe mail a CD to them periodically. It would run an
installation script that installs the latest updates and maybe backs up
their files to the same CD, which they mail back. It would have to be
_completely_ unattended once started, and reversible in case of problems.

Does anyone know of programs that can do the above? It must be a common
problem, surely.

Or a more appropriate place to ask?

It doesn't have to be a perfect solution - anything is better than the
current situation. Restricting it to machines running 32-bit Windows would
be OK for now.
 
SUS might be a possible solution that would allow you to push updates:

810796 White Paper: Software Update Services Overview White Paper
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=810796

You can also set the machines with auto updates that will progressively
download when the modem is not in use which would allow the users to install
them on their own, that would leave you user training on what constitutes an
update and what doesnt.
 
Joseph Conway said:
SUS might be a possible solution that would allow you to push updates:

810796 White Paper: Software Update Services Overview White Paper
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=810796
Click to expand...

Thanks, that looks very useful.
You can also set the machines with auto updates that will progressively
download when the modem is not in use which would allow the users to install
them on their own, that would leave you user training on what constitutes an
update and what doesnt.
Click to expand...

I've tried that, but I find they don't want to install the updates. Even if
I tell them just to install them all. It has to be completely "silent".

These are people who will never open the bonnet of their cars or even check
the air in the tyres, in case they break something. They will reluctantly
fill up with petrol because otherwise the car would stop completely, but for
everything else they want to pay a mechanic.
 
Craig said:
Try www.powerquest.com and look at a product call V2i-
Protector workstaion. Sounds like it can do what you want.
Its is expensive though....
Click to expand...

Hmm, interesting, thanks. It certainly does some of what I want, at a price,
as you say.
 
That's perfect. Sell them a monthly maintenance service, install WinVNC,
and remotely logon and update their systems. Nice work if you can get
it.
 
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