How would I apply a custom .wim file to a hardware RAID w/imagex?


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #1

    How would I apply a custom .wim file to a hardware RAID w/imagex?


    I'm currently taking lots of cool MCITP and MCSE classes and I've just been playing around with all the cool stuff you can do. However, I like to put these to my own personal skills as well. I used a Server 2008 VM to deploy Windows 7 Ultimate to my laptop. I then fully configured the machine and installed the programs I would like in my custom .WIM. I have run sysprep, booted to PE, and then captured my image.

    Now what I would like to do is apply this image to my custom built desktop gaming computer. I have done this previously with Win7 Pro x64 successfully (same entire process) but I would like to go back to x86 (no need to have x64 and it has been a little unstable)..

    I figured while I was at it this I would set the two 250GB SATA HDDs I have in it to use the hardware RAID on the motherboard.

    My question is: How would I go about booting to PE, installing the RAID drivers, and then installing my custom .wim using the imagex /apply command?

    Would I be able to begin a dvd install just to install the raid drivers and then start over to PE?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I have to say I LOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEE my ASrock MoBo. It made overclocking and core unlocking a breeze and now this subject required very little effort as well. I enabled RAID in the BIOS, saved and exited. It automatically booted into a RAID configuration menu where I set up my RAID, rebooted, applied my image, DONE.
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    At the consumer level (where we mostly help here) the same can be done by SysPrepping the HD to remove all drivers, SID and HID's so Win7 will boot on new hardware, then saving a backup image using Win7 backup imaging, free Macrium or Paragon 11, or even better the free premium Acronis apps which come with any WD or Seagate HD. Then apply the image to the new hardware.
    SysPrep to move HD to another computer
    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
    Macrium - Image your system
    WD Acronis free cloning app
    Seagate Acronis cloning free util

    Without SysPrep to move the Win7 image or HD to new hardware will likely require Paragon Adaptive Retore boot CD.

    Win7 is not always friendly to RAID which confers almost no advantage since losing one HD will lose everything. The modern method is using built-in Backup Imaging to secondary or external HD.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you for your reply. Although I'm sure some of those methods are easier, I was just trying to get practice using imagex. That is how Microsoft is specifically teaching us how to do it. I don't know if any of those programs support .wim files but I am mostly playing with those as that is what is supported through DISM, WAIK, WDS, etc... Again thank you for your response. I was hasteful with my post, as once I tried I was able to get it to work.
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    I should have added that you did great work there, and your schooling sounds right on point for advanced users.

    However I've found trying to teach ImageX to the average consumer here loses them quickly, whereas we've been able to popularize SysPrep using Kari's masterful tutorial more would be expected on any consumer Help site.

    And almost all we see in the Installation forum are problems with RAID, which also colors our approach.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Well thank you. I apologize, I didn't realize this was more of a consumer oriented site. I have found answers on here many times before so it was the first place I thought to ask.
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    I cannot speak for the whole site, only the workarounds and methods which have developed in helping thousands of users in our Installation and Setup forum.

    I hope you'll consider sticking around to help others with all that you're learning. It is extremely satisfying and a great way to keep up-to-the-minute on the OS and other facets we deal with in all the sub-forums.
      My Computer


 

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