We currently have a manual, labor-intensive way of making an image for
our computers based on Windows XP. Each computer requires 30 minutes
of "hand holding" as XP installs, and then we copy over our customized
software from a 2GB USB thumb drive and initialize it to run at
startup (simple Win32 applications, like a screen saver). We make a
few minor tweaks to Windows XP (setting the desktop wallpaper, etc)
and then we register Windows XP with Microsoft over the internet.
Each installation is exactly the same, except for the Windows XP
serial number when we register it with Microsoft. We purchase our
serial numbers and manually enter them in, by hand.
How, specifically, could we automate this task with the aid of a 4x
hard disk replicator that we have available?
Our company used this replicator with Windows 98 machines, but we
cannot figure out how to make an image for Windows XP. We have done
some light research and it would suggest that this imaging option is
only available to very large companies. We currently produce about 350
computers per year in this method.
I would like an answer that assumes we are starting with four blank
hard drives, four unique Microsoft XP serial numbers and one 2GB USB
thumb drive with our custom software.
Thanks for your patience as we work to find an answer that fits exactly our need. |
