WinXP deployement on Dell computers ?

[chrbar]

Hello,

How can I identify computers which have the same components?
I want to create ghost to deploy Windows XP Pro SP3 on several computers.

For example, I've many Dell Precision 360, but they come from different
orders and manufacturing dates, thus they have not exactly the same
components... and to apply the same ghost can give a bluescreen!

On IBM computers, there is a Model number which is common for all computers
with the same components.

Does this number/code exit for Dell computers?
If yes, where I can find it?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Johan Arwidmark]

In general the only driver that needs to be in the image is the
storage driver (unless youare using advanced deployment tools like
SCCM 2007). Other drivers can be injected during deployment based on
either pnpid or per model.

I recommend looking at MDT 2008, it is a free deployment solution from
Microsoft, it has a drivers repository that will help you create a
hardware independent image. MDT works with a thin image from a driver
perspective, it adds the boot critical drivers to the image (via the
sysprep process), and then inject all other drivers as part of the
deployment, detecting the hardware etc...

www.microsoft.com/deployment

Regards

Johan Arwidmark
Microsoft MVP - Setup / Deployment
http://www.deployvista.com

 

[nbauer]

Hello,

How can I identify computers which have the same components?
I want to create ghost to deploy Windows XP Pro SP3 on several computers.

For example, I've many Dell Precision 360, but they come from different
orders and manufacturing dates, thus they have not exactly the same
components... and to apply the same ghost can give a bluescreen!

On IBM computers, there is a Model number which is common for all computers
with the same components.

Does this number/code exit for Dell computers?
If yes, where I can find it?

Thanks,
Chris

Chris,
Depending on how many total machines you have, the Universal Imaging
Utility just released a new 4.0 version with a pre-imaging discovery
tool that lets you analyze all the machines in your environment to
determine driver needs before imaging. Then you use ghost to create
the image but the Universal Imaging Utility has over 26,000 drivers
and plug and play ids and will make that image universally deployable
to all your seperate hardware. Super cool stuff-you should check it
out. www.uiu4you.com
Good luck,
Nate