Quick imaging (Acronis) question

TriedandTested

TriedandTested

TriedandTested

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Not used it before, but heard it's the best.

If i have 6 laptops, and i get one exactly how i want all of them to be does Acronis allow me to create an image on a DVD, use it to boot each machine and then images it?

Is it that easy?!

Also, what should i know about changing the SID on each machine?

Thank you,
 
Dont know what SID is.

The business version of Acronis supports restore to non-identical hardware which seems to be what you are looking for.

The home version does not seem to support it.
 
do exactly as you've suggested, but firstly run sysprep it's on your xp disc under .. \SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB (open it in winrar/7zip or something, then drag that to say c:\windows\ and run it from there (can run it from anywhere))

it's microsoft's tool for repackaging your system up (it'll ask you for username, password and cd key upon rebooting :)) and the SID will be generated for each system -when you get say a new dell pc, they'll have sysprep'd then ghosted to your machine

-you can test sysprep on your live pc without harming it

once you know how to sysprep (a quick google for a manual for it if you want one) run sysprep, then turn off the machine, now turn it back on and acronis it before it reaches windows :)

phew!

-edit this will work even if the hardware varies a bit, i think it lets you change the network/audio/video card drivers if you need to (rescans them on first boot)
 
Sinizterguy said:
Dont know what SID is.

The business version of Acronis supports restore to non-identical hardware which seems to be what you are looking for.

The home version does not seem to support it.
Click to expand...

SID is a security identifier.

Thanks for info, but can it be done in the method i mentioned above; via DVD-based images or is it network only?

Like the idea of it being able to image to non-identicle hardware..not sure how that works with drivers etc.
 
I havent used the option personally - so they might not include the drivers in the backup - or it might just ask for what new drivers are required after windows starts up, just as if you installed a new piece of hardware.
 
bledd. said:
do exactly as you've suggested, but firstly run sysprep it's on your xp disc under .. \SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB (open it in winrar/7zip or something, then drag that to say c:\windows\ and run it from there (can run it from anywhere))

it's microsoft's tool for repackaging your system up (it'll ask you for username, password and cd key upon rebooting :)) and the SID will be generated for each system -when you get say a new dell pc, they'll have sysprep'd then ghosted to your machine

-you can test sysprep on your live pc without harming it

once you know how to sysprep (a quick google for a manual for it if you want one) run sysprep, then turn off the machine, now turn it back on and acronis it before it reaches windows :)

phew!

-edit this will work even if the hardware varies a bit, i think it lets you change the network/audio/video card drivers if you need to (rescans them on first boot)
Click to expand...

You replied as i was typing mine.

Thanks for the reply, this is the info i was looking for. Guess i'll have to have a little play.

To clarify:

Create image using acronis
burn image to DVD
sysprep laptop
boot to DVD - i presume acronis makes bootable discs?
image is written to laptop

That the gist of it?
 
Tried&Tested said:
Create image using acronis
burn image to DVD
sysprep laptop
boot to DVD - i presume acronis makes bootable discs?
image is written to laptop
Click to expand...

sysprep first
create image (can burn directly and add boot files within acronis i think, i've never used bootable, i just use network or external sata)
boot from dvd
write images to laptops
enter details that laptops want etc..

done :)

-you could do it the way you suggested i guess, but this way you'll only have to run sysprep once and its quicker then
 
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