Disk Partition Image Solution

@CompProbSolv: I want to copy the C: partition with its OS (Win XP) and install it in another computer in its C:\ partition, can I do this with Norton Ghost?

Because if i have 200 PCs to format and install the system how much time will I need to spend on each Computer? A lot of time, so disk imaging is a good idea and i need a good solution for that, that's why i asked you this.

Yes you can do that, but if the hardware is different (the chipset being the big issue), it may not boot on the other computer.  There are ways around that, though.

See the link I provided for Acronis.

As for possible hardware/driver issues ... what make/model of PC is your source, and what make/model is/are your target(s)?

Ok just for test for the moment, the model source is Acer Aspire 3690 and Target is an HP Core i3, what do you think?

If you are building an image on the Aspire that you want to put onto a new HP Core i3, you will have to do extensive modification to your image to account for the different hardware, different product keys, etc.  For example, the 3690 has a Broadcom network card, and many HP's use Realtek.  

If you want a custom image that you don't have to install everything from scratch with on each computer, your best bet is to install on one of your new HP's, then clone it.  If you have some time before receiving the systems, then look into WAIK and MDT to properly configure your image for that type of deployment.  I'm not even sure if you are allowed to prepare these types of deployment based on OEM media ... you may need Volume License media/agreement with Microsoft.

Guys, i just bought Norton Ghost 14 licence, i'll try it out to see, any advice or recommandation?

i have the idea to test the image of my C:\ on a vmware image... any idea

Clonezilla is an open source way to clone many hard drives. http://clonezilla.org/

Testing your image using vmware is a good idea. That way you can make sure it works before your image is used.

Because if i have 200 PCs to format and install the system how much time will I need to spend on each Computer? A lot of time, so disk imaging is a good idea and i need a good solution for that, that's why i asked you this.

Vmware is good for checking your imaging solution - however since it is "different" hardware than you have deployed you will still have the same problems.

I'm assuming you have 200 identical machines?    Are they going on the same network?  If you're dealing with that many machines and if they are identical, you need to build up your gold machine, then sysprep it.  You can build a sysprep script that includes the OEM license key and use that to restore to all your machines even over a network share.

if they are identical you don't have to worry about Universal restore.  Also if they are identical you can use the free imaging software - much of it runs over a network and makes life so much simpler.

the real trick is to make a backup iage of hte machine before you first run Windows.  Boot from an imagin CD first thing and make an image of hte fresh from the factory setup.  That way you can a) retrieve their copy of sysprep.inf  and b0 always go back to square one after you make your first few mistakes.

Miscrosoft has some article on how you can script a startup to set certain parameters.  I don't have a the links right now.  if you stat seraching MS for sysprep you will get that info and that will lead you to other relevant articles



Then use Acronis true Image - not the home version.

Are these HP business class or consumer class?  I'll bet HP has a way to do automated installation for their business machines.    Let me know, and I'll do a bit of research.

Hello again, i just tried Norton Ghost, i waited and waited and waited ... alot of time still in 99% this fucking software is too slow and i hated that. i bought it for nothing as i can see... anyone have made a seccessfull image disk of partition C:\ with Norton Ghost 14 ?

djpazza: Easeus is good but it didnt work for me and i'll tell you why. When I click on Clone Disk (Migate al data including Operating system ...) => Next ==> i got the whole disk of 80 Gb to clone, knowing that i have C:\ & D:\ 2 partitions on this Disk. my cocern is to clone only C:\ so when i get the new laptop i can get my C:\ on another hard drive.

Help please

Norton Ghost 14 is too slow
Easeus  : doesn't do the exact job

I have used Norton Ghost 2003 many times on XP without problems (as long as the HD is readable).  I especially like that it can easily be run from a bootable floppy or CD.  I'm not as well versed with newer versions.

@CompProbSolv: so i have to try Norton Ghost 2003 Bootable from CD, to which format the file will be saved in?.

@noxcho: i'll give it a shot.

@Tony_the_PC-Tuner: never tried Acronis but i'll see if i can get it.

@CompProbSolv: where to download norton ghost 2003, do you have a link?

When you install Ghost 2003, there is a file named Ghost.exe that can be run from DOS and will clone or back up disks.

You can clone between two disks attached to the computer or you can make an image of a disk to a format that I presume is proprietary to Ghost.  Those images can be restored through the use of Ghost.

I don't know how one obtains Ghost 2003 anymore.  It was something that had to be purchased.  I have tried newer versions of Ghost that don't seem to be aimed at quite the same approach.

Exactly, i thought Ghost 14 will be good so i purchased it and it was a lost of money, anyway, i want to ask you 1 thing, can i save the image in a folder? because if i have 1 external hard drive, ghost will destroy any information on that external HD, right? any solution? or an empty drive is a must?

With EASEUS ... if you want it to work, do the Partition Copy instead of Disk Copy.  This will only clone your C: partition, and when you clone that back to a new drive, you simply have to run a Repair with the Windows DVD to restore the boot files.  

thank you all