Ghost Hard Drive

[slaughteredlamb]

Can anyone tell me if this is possible and if so how I do it?

2 months ago I had to totally re-build one of our audio PC's, the only thing we kept was the case, DVD drive and the dedicated audio cards apart from that everything else, even the cables, were replaced. In doing this I had to re-install Windows, get drivers etc etc.

Now it's been decided that we need to do the same to all the other audio PC's. Is there a way I can make a ghost image of the hard drive of the PC I upgraded 2 months ago and just use that to roll out on all the other systems.

All pc's will have the exact same hardware, all cards plugged into the exact same slots on the motherboard and all run the exact same software. The only possible difference is that the hard drives might be a different make but they'll all be the same size, speed, interface etc.

Where I think I going to become unstuck is in the Windows Activation. I know that I'm going to have to enter a different Windows serial number for each PC so how do I do that? In order to get all the other software, drivers, windows updates etc that I need into the ghost image I have to fully install Windows which means that I have to enter in a serial number but if I make a ghost image of that, i.e. of the system I upgraded 2 months ago or even of one new system I build, how can I then edit out the serial number and replace it with the correct one in order to then authorise it my M$?

[chavalier]

Use the Activation Wizard

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

If you have only a few volume licensing product keys to change, you can use the Activation Wizard.

Note Microsoft recommends that you run System Restore to create a new restore point before you follow these steps. For information about how to create a restore point by using System Restore, see the "To Create a Restore Point" help topic in Help and Support.

1.      Click Start, and then click Run.       
2.      In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.     
3.      In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents     
4.      In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.       
5.      Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.
6.      Click Start, and then click Run.       
7.      In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a       
8.      Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.     
9.      Click Change Product key.     
10.     Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update.

If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.     
11.     Repeat steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows is activated. You receive the following message:

Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.       
12.     Click OK.     
13.     Install Windows XP SP1 or a later version of Windows XP.

[Rosco]

I ordered 4 new Dells recently, all the same spec, so I set one up with Office, AVG etc then created a ghost image and cloned the other machines quickly... not had any activation problems so far, if you have a valid unused OEM license then you should be alright cos you can just phone the activation line

If you're looking for a free easy ghosting tool then I ended up going with PING (PartImage Is Not Ghost)

It did the trick, and because its essentially a linux live cd, it didn't cost a bean

[samhs]

Look up the Maxtor OneTouch 4 plus. It lets you do this, and works as a seamless transparent total automated backup system.

hth

Sam

[sickpuppy]

a seamless transparent total automated backup system.

House!! A complete line in buzzword bingo all in one sentence

[samhs]