Question on replacing OS image

[jeremy_ho]

We have a concern about how to deploy a new OS image for our product
out in the field, should the situation arise. The CF card cannot be
phsyically swapped out by the customers, but the BIOS of the computer
does support booting from USB mass storage device (thumbdrive, CF
reader etc).

The boot up from USB drive seems to be the best bet. Something that
will boot up from the USB, perform a deletion of all files on the
original CF card and then copy the new image over.

My question is what kind of OS should the USB drive be running to do
all this? Maybe norton ghost can be utilized here and copy the entire
partition over to the original CF card. That way avoiding things like
<automated> formating, bootprep etc.

I would like to know what others have done in situation like these?

Lastly I just find out about DUA. It seems like a good idea to include
this. Can it be used to replace the entire OS or it is simply suitable
for small/simple changes only? Can I use it to add an TD component
automatically or do I have to figure out all the file locations and
registry setting myself to have a shot at it?

 

[Gordon Smith \(eMVP\)]

We have a concern about how to deploy a new OS image for our product
out in the field, should the situation arise. The CF card cannot be
phsyically swapped out by the customers, but the BIOS of the computer
does support booting from USB mass storage device (thumbdrive, CF
reader etc).

The boot up from USB drive seems to be the best bet. Something that
will boot up from the USB, perform a deletion of all files on the
original CF card and then copy the new image over.

My question is what kind of OS should the USB drive be running to do
all this? Maybe norton ghost can be utilized here and copy the entire
partition over to the original CF card. That way avoiding things like
<automated> formating, bootprep etc.

I would like to know what others have done in situation like these?

Lastly I just find out about DUA. It seems like a good idea to
include this. Can it be used to replace the entire OS or it is
simply suitable for small/simple changes only? Can I use it to add
an TD component automatically or do I have to figure out all the file
locations and registry setting myself to have a shot at it?

Booting from USB key is perfectly fine as long as your BIOS supports it.
You could have a WinPE image or XPE image or XXXX, whatever works for you.
WinPE has the added benefit that it is a free run-time license. It supports
a subset of the Win32 API and does support utilities like diskpart, format,
etc. I'm not sure if it has enough support to run Ghost - I haven't tried
that yet.

DUA is a very basic background process that runs simple scripts. It doesn't
know about TD components so the burden is on you to make it work.

 

[Mike Warren]

WinPE has the added benefit that it is a free run-time
license.

I didn't know this. Can WinPE be obtained from my XPe
distributor?

-Mike

 

[jeremy_ho]

I would like to know as well, where can I find a copy of WinPE?

Thanks

 

[Gordon Smith \(eMVP\)]

I didn't know this. Can WinPE be obtained from my XPe
distributor?

-Mike

Yes. Please keep in mind though that WinPE is for use in limited scenarios
such as recovery CDs.