Alternitives to Norton's Ghost

[baronvongogo]

we create an image file using Acronis on a master system, sysprep it etc then just throw the image on a server, we then use a lan bootup and load Acronis then select the server and image. Sadly we dint have the corporate edition or enterprise which allows a full network image, we have to manually go around each computer imaging it in this method but it works.

 

[EricB]

sysprep it etc

everybody take it for granted that we know this part. this is the confusing part to me.

I've never deployed windows before

 

[baronvongogo]

Your best bet is to work on a standalone pc with just basic windows installed nothing else and no net connection install a few apps and just mess with sysprep till you get to a point that you can test. Then use VMware to simulate the install and see if it works this resource is very good:

Kilian's Guide: Sysprep

How to Use Sysprep: An Introduction

the Kilian one has lots of references and links, once you get the c:\sysprep folder and get the deploy.cab extracted there then you can play. You can download the deploy.cab without using the windows cd here's the link:
Download details: Windows XP SP2 Deployment Tools for Advanced Users

the setupmgr in the deploy.cab will help you make a sysprep.inf with settings to automate the install here all we have to enter is computer name individually for each comp, everything else is then automated.

 

[EricB]

thanks for the info. I can now look into it,

 

[Win2kpatcher]

We use Ghost Cast server here and work and it works really well except for needing multiple images and floppy boot disks!! I tried the SMS OS deployment tool but never got the image working and never had time to monkey around with it.

The next thing I want to try is RIS. I am looking for a truely network based deployment method where I never even have to touch the other PC that needs imaging, but that may be asking a lot I know