How to clone a XP instalation

[Rosivaldo Fernandes Alves]

I have dozens of machines to install. All of then require to install Windows
XP (without any SP), the motherboard drivers, several applications, Office
2003, SP2 and dozens of updates more. I'd like to make one installation and
to clone it for the others. How can I do that? I tried to use ntbackup.exe
to backup the entire computer (with system state) but it was no good since
the subsequent installation, which uses ASR, requires access to the backup
file (3 GB, stored in a server) in the very beginning of the process, when
the network driver isn't installed yet.



Any one could help me?



Thanks in advance,



Rosivaldo.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Microsoft Policy Concerning Disk Duplication of Windows XP Installations
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314828&Product=winxp

Do not disk duplicate installed versions of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/162001/en-us

How to Use Sysprep: An Introduction
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/introduction.mspx

Preserving OEM Pre-Activation when Re-installing Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/oempreac.mspx

How to change the SID on a Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Windows NT computer
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ghost.nsf/docid/1999050308324125


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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:

| I have dozens of machines to install. All of then require to install Windows
| XP (without any SP), the motherboard drivers, several applications, Office
| 2003, SP2 and dozens of updates more. I'd like to make one installation and
| to clone it for the others. How can I do that? I tried to use ntbackup.exe
| to backup the entire computer (with system state) but it was no good since
| the subsequent installation, which uses ASR, requires access to the backup
| file (3 GB, stored in a server) in the very beginning of the process, when
| the network driver isn't installed yet.
|
| Any one could help me?
|
| Thanks in advance,
|
| Rosivaldo.

 

[Malke]

I have dozens of machines to install. All of then require to install
Windows XP (without any SP), the motherboard drivers, several
applications, Office 2003, SP2 and dozens of updates more. I'd like to
make one installation and to clone it for the others. How can I do
that? I tried to use ntbackup.exe to backup the entire computer (with
system state) but it was no good since the subsequent installation,
which uses ASR, requires access to the backup file (3 GB, stored in a
server) in the very beginning of the process, when the network driver
isn't installed yet.

You need to use an imaging program. Set one computer up perfectly and
image it. Then apply that image to all the other computers with the
same hardware. I like the Acronis enterprise products for this. You can
even apply to different hardware if you use one of the Acronis add-ons.
Go to www.acronis.com and contact them for answers about their
enterprise software.

Malke

 

[Rosivaldo Fernandes Alves]

Thanks, Carey. I'll give a look at those.

Rosivaldo.

 

[Rosivaldo Fernandes Alves]

Thank you, Malke. I'm just contacting them.

Rosivaldo.

 

[Guest]

Agree that in many cases you are better using an imaging program than
sysprep. One of the issues with sysprep is that it reverts the computer in a
'fresh out of box' condition, which might suit an OEM but is probably not
what you want on a network.