Arconis and windows 7

Hemi426 · 13 May 2011

Ok i'm sure theres someone out there that can answer my question, I am an admin and i use acronis 2011 to make basic images for laptops and desktops so all i have to do when a new person starts is just enter the user rights for that pc. Now when using XP i was able to just create an image and back up to a server. I've noticed with Windows 7 even though the desktops are the same unless its the pc that i created the image on i have to reactivate windows 7 with a cd key.

Has this changed due to microsoft? is there a new step or process for using acronis with windows 7? i also nothiced acronis has changed some of there options for making backups, ex: i no longer see the universal restore option. Im assuming its another way to keep mutilpule installs? and the versions that i use are OEM versions of 7. i will still use acronis cause to create a pc from stratch with updates and software installs takes at least 4 per build. Any info would be greatful. Thanks.

Roderunner · 14 May 2011

Hi Hemi426, all hard/software have different serial numbers on same make & models of pc's so they don't match WGA tool.

Hemi426 · 15 May 2011

Thats i what I fig, and this is something that was enforeced with windows 7? cause i never had an issues with xp. thanks for the reply.

Roderunner · 15 May 2011

Your very welcome.

Mark Phelps · 16 May 2011

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to do, but each OEM license is good for only 1 PC, and while you could make an image of that PC, and reuse that image across multiple PCs (each with the same hardware), you will still need an individual OEM license for each and every PC you install. Which means you will end up having to activate each PC individually.

The only way I know around that is to go the Volume License route -- and I think that MS requires a minimum of 25 installs in order to use that version.

Hemi426 · 16 May 2011

I only had reactivation problems with windows 7, when i used acronis to make the images with xp i never had to reactivate the key, but i noticed that acronis has changed, they used to have an option where you can install an image to ANY pc make or model and i never had to reactivate or call windows for xp, but with windows 7 unless its the actual pc that i made the image on, if i take that image (same make and model) i have to have a vaild key. i mean i can understand why, but its just an extra step. and just wanted to see if i was doing something worng but i didnt change anything. thanks for the reply

jimbo45 · 20 May 2011

Hi there
If the hardware is identical - you shouldn't have to re-enter a Windows activation .

I often image Virtual Machines -- after I've finished testing one I delete it and then restore another -- maybe to a totally DIFFERENT HOST computer -- no problems.

Actually I did a test with TWO IDENTICAL laptops - same CPU / MOBO / HDD / NIC / RAM.

W7 X-64 (Real not a Virtual Machine) just fine WITHOUT a prompt for re-activation -- don't tell MS !!!

I deleted the 2nd image -- I was just doing a test so I'm not breaking the EULA -- but if you USE the 2nd copy without a valid license then this is illegal.

With the VM case I'm only using a SINGLE image at one time so It's OK. The Virtual hardware is identical so as far as W7 is concerned its being restored to the original machine.

Earlier versions of Acronis did include a "Universal Restore" feature too - I think this only is available on the Office versions and not the HOME versions any more.

I think there is an add on for this however

http://www.acronis.co.uk/homecomputi...age/#plus-pack

I'm using a previous version (acronis True Image workstation) which still works fine -- I won't upgrade until I have esata / usb 3.0 disks and even then since reliable backup is PARAMOUNT on any computer system I'll make really sure it works properly before switching to it.

Cheers
jimbo