universal restore images

[ful56_uk]

hello

 

so whats the best way of having one image for different hardware specs?

 

lwts say i am doing a image for mfl department and they have 3 or 4 different spec'd laptops.

 

We use wds and mdt 2010 (for win 7 testing).

 

i think Acronis Universal Restore will do the job but i think you have to buy licencing for ever device you want to image, which works out rather expensive.

 

any suggestions?

[SYNACK]

Build your base image with software etc then sysprep /generalize it, use imagex or better MDT to image it and your sorted, universal hardware image. Chuck it in MDT and add any required drivers into the driver database and your good for any machines that don't have drivers bundled.

[ful56_uk]

does that work for xp as well?

[SYNACK]

does that work for xp as well?

 

No, only Vista and above. When XP came out multicore was almost unheard of for a desktop so they never bothered. The later ones are built to cope with modern hardware.

[ful56_uk]

cheers ill have a look for win 7 but i need to find something for xp , thanks for the info

[SYNACK]

Actually come to think of it if all the laptops are multicore it may be worth a go, xp sysprep can be put into a hardware recheck mode and MDT should be able to integrate the drivers. It may just work, but use a VM for a template to keep any 3rd party drivers out of the image. The main issue with XP sysprep was the HAL lockin issue for architecture.

[ful56_uk]

Is that the -factory switch?