Ghost Image

[nao619]

Hello.

I know I can build a Windows 2000 machine to the way I want it and then create a Ghost Image, but I was wondering - could I use Driver Pack (or something similar) on it, and then create an Image so it will work on "most" machines?

Thanks

[JuMz]

Hello.

I know I can build a Windows 2000 machine to the way I want it and then create a Ghost Image, but I was wondering - could I use Driver Pack (or something similar) on it, and then create an Image so it will work on "most" machines?

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is the exact definition of a sysprep setup with a reseal switch. What I would do, is look up how to deploy XP using sysprep.

[supertoast]

I wanted to do exactly that with XP - setup just right and using the unregisterable generic product codes provided by Microsoft.

I tried many different ways but ultimately you come up against problems stemming from differe hardware abstraction layers amongst different chipset problems that would kill my boot dead.

A company has come up with a way of doing it that includes a massive driver database as well as HAL independancy somehow. Nifty. But I can't remember the URL

Sysprep will do the job, maybe not right down to the very fine details you require though.

I now have resorted to my own OEM unattended install, with branding etc in it. And to perform my after-tweaks I'm currently learning the enigma that is "the registry" to perform them.

All good fun - if you class late nights, headaches and matchstick-propped-eyelids as fun that is.

Chris

PS. Just incase you were wondering how much testing I did on this, I really did get deep into it using Symantec's software primarily and scouring every last byte of the internet. I came to learn that simple ghosting for use on any (or even most) machines is accepted as nigh on impossible by the pro community. Think about it - this unattended install part of the site would probably not be here if we could all zap across a universal image! We can but dream...