Creating an image file with MS Office

[faceoff9]

Ok, so I am REALLY new to this whole image creation thing and I'm kind of lost and looking for assistance if at all possible, so here's what I'm looking to do....

Our small office has several laptops, some with Intel chips, some with AMD. I'm trying to find a way to create an image for each laptop type that would include Win7 and MS Office.

I've looked around a bit, and I'm finding plenty of info on creating the Win7 image, but can't really find anything in layman terms for also including MS Office and any other necessary programs (snagit, Adobe Reader, etc.) to include or how to include, in the image.

Obviously, free (shareware) software is good to do the job in order to keep the cost down. But honestly, any and all help is truly appreciated. I think I might even have a copy of WinPE I inherited from the person that was there before me, unfortunately, no documentation....Like I said, I've never done this before and I could use a step-by-moron-proof-step process if one actually exists....

My apologies if this information is posted somewhere and I just missed it, or if I posted this in the incorrect section of the forums - if so, please move this to the most appropriate place.

Thanks for your time and assistance.

 

[gregrocker]

Set up an installation as you want it then SysPrep the HD to remove all drivers, User accounts, hardware ID's and activation so it will start up on any hardware like a new customized install. SysPrep to move HD to another computer

Then capture it's image using a premium imaging suite like Acronis, or freeware like Macrium Reflect or Paragon 11, so it can be reimaged from stored image using a boot disk: Macrium - Image your system

 

[theog]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html?ltr=S
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/648-restore-backup-user-system-files.html

 

[Ztruker]

I know this is two weeks old but is there a similar tutorial for XP or can I use the Windows 7 version on XP. I know sysprep.exe does not exist on the hard drive via a normal install, but it is on the XP install CD in:

sysprep.exe => 08/03/04 23:06p 88576 ** \SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB

so I could extract it to somewhere and run it. If I do that will the rest of the instructions (METHOD TWO) work for XP?

 

[cluberti]

If free is a requirement (or a strong desire), as well as reducing the number of images (potentially down to 1), then consider installing and using MDT 2010 from Microsoft. It's free, it does everything you desire, and it can all be done without locking down an image above and beyond the initial base wim that ships on the Windows DVD.

 

[theog]

I know this is two weeks old but is there a similar tutorial for XP or can I use the Windows 7 version on XP. I know sysprep.exe does not exist on the hard drive via a normal install, but it is on the XP install CD in:

sysprep.exe => 08/03/04 23:06p 88576 ** \SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB

so I could extract it to somewhere and run it. If I do that will the rest of the instructions (METHOD TWO) work for XP?

With Win XP you can do a Repair Install from the CD.

XP Repair Install

 

[Ztruker]

Sorry but I don't understand what your talking about theog? What has a Repair Install got to do with using sysprep?

I know how to do Clean and Repair Installs and use nLite/vLite/RT 7 Lite but I like the idea of using sysprep then capturing an image to use for installing my load to different hardware.

That's what triggered my question.

 

[gregrocker]

The Repair Install from boot in XP will readjust drivers/activation to new hardware just like SysPrep does, providing the booted XP CD sees the install and offers "R" for Repair once it finds an installation.

 

[cluberti]

Yes, but it's more invasive than sysprep is. There's little reason to use a repair install when sysprep will do .

 

[Ztruker]

So, is there an XP tutorial for sysprep? If not, will doing what I posted work?

 

[theog]

I know this is two weeks old but is there a similar tutorial for XP or can I use the Windows 7 version on XP. I know sysprep.exe does not exist on the hard drive via a normal install, but it is on the XP install CD in:

sysprep.exe => 08/03/04 23:06p 88576 ** \SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB

so I could extract it to somewhere and run it. If I do that will the rest of the instructions (METHOD TWO) work for XP?

With Win XP you can do a Repair Install from the CD.

XP Repair Install

Sorry but I don't understand what your talking about theog? What has a Repair Install got to do with using sysprep?

I know how to do Clean and Repair Installs and use nLite/vLite/RT 7 Lite but I like the idea of using sysprep then capturing an image to use for installing my load to different hardware.

That's what triggered my question.

The Repair Install from boot in XP will readjust drivers/activation to new hardware just like SysPrep does, providing the booted XP CD sees the install and offers "R" for Repair once it finds an installation.

Yes, but it's more invasive than sysprep is. There's little reason to use a repair install when sysprep will do .

The biggest problem using syprep in Win XP is you can not load Sata controller drivers, Repair install can.

Using syprep with out Sata controller drivers will BSOD.
0000000007b

 

[cluberti]

Completely untrue - using the sysprepmassstorage section of sysprep.inf and running sysprep -bmsd will add those drivers on reseal.

 

[theog]

Completely untrue - using the sysprepmassstorage section of sysprep.inf and running sysprep -bmsd will add those drivers on reseal.

Only if already installed.
NOTE: for example
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/66010-sata-drivers-load-windows-xp-setup-dual-boot.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html

 

[cluberti]

Well, partially correct. You add the driver info to sysprep.inf and run sysprep -bmsd, which adds the files your mass storage section in sysprep.inf to the driver store on the system and adds the entries to the CriticalDeviceDatabase in the registry. You then run sysprep again with -mini -reseal, and your data drivers will be there when the image is laid down and sysprep boots.

 

[Ztruker]

I don't have any computers with SATA drives so this is not a concern to me yet. I think I'll give it a try next week and see what happens. I'll post here with results.