How do you use Symantec livestate recovery to install windows on computer via network

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EricB

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I just had a job networking and installing 15 computer at a daycare center. I have to manually install windows on each of them (that was a pain).

I want to set up a master computer to network install the computers, so in the future, the task will be a lot quicker and easier to do

I went and got Symantec livestate recovery (formerly V2i protector from powerquest), because I heard that it could do the job
 
This sounds as easy as Acronis. I have my image(s) stored via the network. I use a boot disk which is a recovery cd to install the images via the network. I reimaged 14 laptops at once 3 weeks ago with my syspreded image. Everything went flawlessly. From reading about and what you wanted to do, this seemed similar to what you are asking for.
 
So I'd have to make a boot cd and turn that computer on to access the network image right?
 
Probably the cheapest way to do this is with an unattended installation file. Basicly copy the i386 folder on to a server, then creating an unattended file on a floppy and going around and just executing it. If all goes well it should start copying and install the files.
For XP, steps are pretty much almost the same for 2000 Pro

http://www.hytekcomputer.com/Articles/XPInstall/1.shtml
 
Law said:
Probably the cheapest way to do this is with an unattended installation file. Basicly copy the i386 folder on to a server, then creating an unattended file on a floppy and going around and just executing it. If all goes well it should start copying and install the files.
For XP, steps are pretty much almost the same for 2000 Pro

http://www.hytekcomputer.com/Articles/XPInstall/1.shtml

Thanx. this seems to be heading in the right direction. I will post back to see if I get it
 
Heres additional information if you need it http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/depovg/depxpii.mspx

I think I was wrong when I said over the network, because M$ said you can only do it if you are upgrading and not a clean install over the network. I remember doing installation over the network at school before, so I don't know what the heck M$ really means.

This site was able to install 2000 server over the network http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~joyoung/unattended2ks/Page1.shtml
 
I appreciate the help. this way will have you using fdisk and etc. most people say a network install only take about 15-20 minutes. I would like to go that route if possible.

I really love the first link. I learned a bunch of new stuff.
on the second link how would you know your nic drivers before hand?
 
You won't be able to get information from DOS. Best way is to know the model of the computer, if this is a brand name you can look up the hardware specification. Your NIC card has to be PXE, not all card are supported. You will need to download MS Client 3.0, then find the driver for your NIC card from the manufacture. This site explains it more clearly http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~joyoung/msnetclnt/Page2.shtml

Follow the instruction on that site to start getting MS Client to work.
 
EricB said:
So I'd have to make a boot cd and turn that computer on to access the network image right?

correct. With Acronis, it recognizes the network drivers so I can browse the network easily and it only takes about 5 minutes or so to reimage the hdd depending on the speed of your network.
 
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