VISTA HOME BASIC INSTALL DVD FOR AN 8 PC NETWORK SETUP

In our Language School we have a Multimedia Language Lab (allowing the school
students to access through user name and password an internet platform to do
the exercise work after each class lesson).
This system uses Windows Vista Basic as operating system and is based on a
802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN.

I wonder if:
1. It is possible to create a Vista Install DVD allowing – in case of
serious problems with the hardware on one PC – to format the hard disk and
reload the Operating System, Configuration, Programs and LAN configuration
(not exceeding 2 or 3 GB of disk space for the image) just by loading the
Install DVD, without the need for calling any expert to solve the situation.
I have to explain that recently a similar situation occurred and it took
three hours of an expert’s time to reload the whole configuration and
programs on the PC concerned.
2. If the answer to the above point is yes, what are the simple steps to
follow to achieve what described at above point 1.

Thanks to everybody for your help.

Andylxi wrote:

> In our Language School we have a Multimedia Language Lab (allowing the
> school students to access through user name and password an internet
> platform to do the exercise work after each class lesson).
> This system uses Windows Vista Basic as operating system and is based on a
> 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN.
>
> I wonder if:
> 1. It is possible to create a Vista Install DVD allowing ? in case of
> serious problems with the hardware on one PC ? to format the hard disk and
> reload the Operating System, Configuration, Programs and LAN configuration
> (not exceeding 2 or 3 GB of disk space for the image) just by loading the
> Install DVD, without the need for calling any expert to solve the
> situation. I have to explain that recently a similar situation occurred
> and it took three hours of an expert?s time to reload the whole
> configuration and programs on the PC concerned.
> 2. If the answer to the above point is yes, what are the simple steps to
> follow to achieve what described at above point 1.

You're going about this the wrong way. What you want to do is create an
image of your perfect install, with all your programs, printers, network
stuff, etc. Then all you need to do is restore the image when things go
wrong, making the fix a matter of minutes.

Store the image(s) on a server or an external hard drive, whichever suits
your situation. I like Acronis True Image products. Look at their
Enterprise products if the workstations have different hardware and/or if
you want to restore from the server.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

That is definitely good advice. I believe that Norton offers very good
academic pricing on their Ghost product. This may also be an option to
consider.
--
-me.
Let this forum know if this helps or if you figure out the problem, so
others can benefit.



"Malke" wrote:

> Andylxi wrote:
>
> > In our Language School we have a Multimedia Language Lab (allowing the
> > school students to access through user name and password an internet
> > platform to do the exercise work after each class lesson).
> > This system uses Windows Vista Basic as operating system and is based on a
> > 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN.
> >
> > I wonder if:
> > 1. It is possible to create a Vista Install DVD allowing ? in case of
> > serious problems with the hardware on one PC ? to format the hard disk and
> > reload the Operating System, Configuration, Programs and LAN configuration
> > (not exceeding 2 or 3 GB of disk space for the image) just by loading the
> > Install DVD, without the need for calling any expert to solve the
> > situation. I have to explain that recently a similar situation occurred
> > and it took three hours of an expert?s time to reload the whole
> > configuration and programs on the PC concerned.
> > 2. If the answer to the above point is yes, what are the simple steps to
> > follow to achieve what described at above point 1.
>
> You're going about this the wrong way. What you want to do is create an
> image of your perfect install, with all your programs, printers, network
> stuff, etc. Then all you need to do is restore the image when things go
> wrong, making the fix a matter of minutes.
>
> Store the image(s) on a server or an external hard drive, whichever suits
> your situation. I like Acronis True Image products. Look at their
> Enterprise products if the workstations have different hardware and/or if
> you want to restore from the server.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> Don't Panic!
>

I have been given the information that Vista has a somehow hidden utility
that avoids the use of external software for image making like Norton Ghost
or ather SW.
This is the reason why I am trying and finding some specific instructions to
use the Vista IMAGEX COMMAND.
Thanks for your help anyway.

On Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:41:04 -0800, Andylxi
<Andylxi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I have been given the information that Vista has a somehow hidden utility
>that avoids the use of external software for image making like Norton Ghost
>or ather SW.

That information is wrong.

Andylxi wrote:

> I have been given the information that Vista has a somehow hidden utility
> that avoids the use of external software for image making like Norton
> Ghost or ather SW.
> This is the reason why I am trying and finding some specific instructions
> to use the Vista IMAGEX COMMAND.
> Thanks for your help anyway.

That isn't true. Imaging Vista with TI works just fine. I can't speak for
Ghost since I don't have it but I expect the latest version works well,
too.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

Ghost works fine.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:eHH%23bsAcIHA.4880@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Andylxi wrote:
>
>> I have been given the information that Vista has a somehow hidden utility
>> that avoids the use of external software for image making like Norton
>> Ghost or ather SW.
>> This is the reason why I am trying and finding some specific instructions
>> to use the Vista IMAGEX COMMAND.
>> Thanks for your help anyway.
>
> That isn't true. Imaging Vista with TI works just fine. I can't speak for
> Ghost since I don't have it but I expect the latest version works well,
> too.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> Don't Panic!

THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE IS THAT I CAME ACROSS A MICROSOFT TECHNET
REPORT WITH TITLE "IMAGEX AND WIM IMAGE FORMAT" BY JERRY HONEYCUTT THAT
STATES PRIMARILY THAT "File based disk imaging is a core capability of
Windows Vista" AND AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT "...Windows Vista ... will come
with a built-in disk-imaging tool: ImageX".
THE SITUATION OF MY NETWORK IS THAT IS A WIRELESS NETWORK WITHOUT SERVER, SO
FOR MY CASE THE IDEAL SOLUTION WOULD BE TO MAKE AN IMAGE ON DVD OF EACH
INDIVIDUAL PC WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE PC AND OF THE WIRELESS NETWORK
POSITION WITH ADDRESS, ETC., AND OF THE FEW PROGRAMS LOADED ON THAT
INDIVIDUAL MACHINE, SO THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE MACHINE, AFTER FIXING
THE PROBLEM I WILL BE IN THE POSITION OF RELOADING THE DVD IMAGE GETTING BOTH
THE PC RECONFIGURED, THE PROGRAMS RELOADED AND ITS NETWORK LOCATION
RECONFIGURED AS WELL, HOPEFULLY SAVING A LOT OF TIME.
IF THE ABOVE IS FEASIBLE (WITH WINDOWS VISTA HOME BASIC) - GIVEN THE FACT
THAT I AM NO COMPUTER EXPERT - I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS ON
HOW TO DO THE ENTIRE DVD IMAGING WORK.
THANKS.
__________________________________________________ _________

"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

> Ghost works fine.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>
>
> "Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
> news:eHH%23bsAcIHA.4880@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> > Andylxi wrote:
> >
> >> I have been given the information that Vista has a somehow hidden utility
> >> that avoids the use of external software for image making like Norton
> >> Ghost or ather SW.
> >> This is the reason why I am trying and finding some specific instructions
> >> to use the Vista IMAGEX COMMAND.
> >> Thanks for your help anyway.
> >
> > That isn't true. Imaging Vista with TI works just fine. I can't speak for
> > Ghost since I don't have it but I expect the latest version works well,
> > too.
> >
> > Malke
> > --
> > MS-MVP
> > Elephant Boy Computers
> > www.elephantboycomputers.com
> > Don't Panic!
>

Andylxi wrote:

> THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE IS THAT I CAME ACROSS A MICROSOFT TECHNET
> REPORT WITH TITLE "IMAGEX AND WIM IMAGE FORMAT" BY JERRY HONEYCUTT THAT
> STATES PRIMARILY THAT "File based disk imaging is a core capability of
> Windows Vista" AND AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT "...Windows Vista ... will come
> with a built-in disk-imaging tool: ImageX".
> THE SITUATION OF MY NETWORK IS THAT IS A WIRELESS NETWORK WITHOUT SERVER,
> SO FOR MY CASE THE IDEAL SOLUTION WOULD BE TO MAKE AN IMAGE ON DVD OF EACH
> INDIVIDUAL PC WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE PC AND OF THE WIRELESS NETWORK
> POSITION WITH ADDRESS, ETC., AND OF THE FEW PROGRAMS LOADED ON THAT
> INDIVIDUAL MACHINE, SO THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE MACHINE, AFTER
> FIXING THE PROBLEM I WILL BE IN THE POSITION OF RELOADING THE DVD IMAGE
> GETTING BOTH THE PC RECONFIGURED, THE PROGRAMS RELOADED AND ITS NETWORK
> LOCATION RECONFIGURED AS WELL, HOPEFULLY SAVING A LOT OF TIME.
> IF THE ABOVE IS FEASIBLE (WITH WINDOWS VISTA HOME BASIC) - GIVEN THE FACT
> THAT I AM NO COMPUTER EXPERT - I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
> ON HOW TO DO THE ENTIRE DVD IMAGING WORK.
> THANKS.

Shouting doesn't change my answer to you. Make images of your systems with
True Image or Ghost, store the images on a hard drive (you don't need a
server) and you'll be able to restore your computers in a matter of
minutes. Mr. Honeycutt's article apparently refers to deployment in a large
organization and in addition is not applicable to Windows Home Basic.

End of story, end of thread for me since I'm not interested in being shouted
at.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

anylxi with out any hasle just go get a work order to buy a copy of windows
vista basic and use it when the computers get mess up

Stephen Petrowski

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:eoa2JAKcIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Andylxi wrote:
>
>> THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE IS THAT I CAME ACROSS A MICROSOFT TECHNET
>> REPORT WITH TITLE "IMAGEX AND WIM IMAGE FORMAT" BY JERRY HONEYCUTT THAT
>> STATES PRIMARILY THAT "File based disk imaging is a core capability of
>> Windows Vista" AND AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT "...Windows Vista ... will
>> come
>> with a built-in disk-imaging tool: ImageX".
>> THE SITUATION OF MY NETWORK IS THAT IS A WIRELESS NETWORK WITHOUT SERVER,
>> SO FOR MY CASE THE IDEAL SOLUTION WOULD BE TO MAKE AN IMAGE ON DVD OF
>> EACH
>> INDIVIDUAL PC WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE PC AND OF THE WIRELESS
>> NETWORK
>> POSITION WITH ADDRESS, ETC., AND OF THE FEW PROGRAMS LOADED ON THAT
>> INDIVIDUAL MACHINE, SO THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE MACHINE, AFTER
>> FIXING THE PROBLEM I WILL BE IN THE POSITION OF RELOADING THE DVD IMAGE
>> GETTING BOTH THE PC RECONFIGURED, THE PROGRAMS RELOADED AND ITS NETWORK
>> LOCATION RECONFIGURED AS WELL, HOPEFULLY SAVING A LOT OF TIME.
>> IF THE ABOVE IS FEASIBLE (WITH WINDOWS VISTA HOME BASIC) - GIVEN THE
>> FACT
>> THAT I AM NO COMPUTER EXPERT - I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
>> ON HOW TO DO THE ENTIRE DVD IMAGING WORK.
>> THANKS.
>
> Shouting doesn't change my answer to you. Make images of your systems with
> True Image or Ghost, store the images on a hard drive (you don't need a
> server) and you'll be able to restore your computers in a matter of
> minutes. Mr. Honeycutt's article apparently refers to deployment in a
> large
> organization and in addition is not applicable to Windows Home Basic.
>
> End of story, end of thread for me since I'm not interested in being
> shouted
> at.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> Don't Panic!