I could use some advice on using preparing a Windows 7 Pro image using Ghost GSS 2.5. I have downloaded a demo of GSS 2.5 to test.
I have used BartPE and Ghost 8.3 to image hundreds of machines running XP Pro for years without fail, but this Windows 7 process has my head spinning.
Am I forced to download MS's AIK just to create an answer file? Can't I just Sysprep the machine the way I did with XP? (Sysprep -mini -nosidgen -reseal).
I noticed that GSS uses WindowsPE and does supply an easy way to add drivers, even though I have added the Windows 7 driver I need and it still is not giving me network support when I boot from the bootable thumbdrive I created with GSS, but that is a separate issue for now.
I simply want to configure a machine running Windows 7 Pro, add our programs, setup a default profile, Sysprep and image. Can I still use Ghost 8 and BartPE?
I know these questions seem a bit general, and I have searched for answers but it all seems more complicated than I think it should be. Or is it really THAT different to image 7?
Thanks for your time,
Frustrated Windows 7 noob.
Full Version: Windows 7, Ghost and Sysprep.
QUOTE (scj6771 @ Nov 10 2010, 07:22 AM) 
I could use some advice on using preparing a Windows 7 Pro image using Ghost GSS 2.5. I have downloaded a demo of GSS 2.5 to test.
I have used BartPE and Ghost 8.3 to image hundreds of machines running XP Pro for years without fail, but this Windows 7 process has my head spinning.
Am I forced to download MS's AIK just to create an answer file? Can't I just Sysprep the machine the way I did with XP? (Sysprep -mini -nosidgen -reseal).
I simply want to configure a machine running Windows 7 Pro, add our programs, setup a default profile, Sysprep and image. Can I still use Ghost 8 and BartPE?
I have used BartPE and Ghost 8.3 to image hundreds of machines running XP Pro for years without fail, but this Windows 7 process has my head spinning.
Am I forced to download MS's AIK just to create an answer file? Can't I just Sysprep the machine the way I did with XP? (Sysprep -mini -nosidgen -reseal).
I simply want to configure a machine running Windows 7 Pro, add our programs, setup a default profile, Sysprep and image. Can I still use Ghost 8 and BartPE?
I can not address the sysprep issue since we do not use sysprep.
You can continue to use BartPE and Ghost 8.3 to image the box. That is what we are using here and have used it for a few years now. I have never been able to get BartPE to work on a usb stick but know that many have been able to get that to work.
I do not know if that helps you or not.
QUOTE (scj6771 @ Nov 10 2010, 02:22 PM)
... I simply want to configure a machine running Windows 7 Pro, add our programs, setup a default profile, Sysprep and image.
CODE
This is not my idea, I read it somewhere, and I've done it many times, and it works great:
but you have to have another working win7 installation (your main one) and do it on a new installation on another partition.
Create your own Custom Win7 DVD
These instructions are for x86 (32-Bit) Windows Install and for x64 (64-bit).
Tools you will need :
A Spare Hard Drive at least 20 gigs in size.
The Windows 7 Auto Install Kit (AIK) ( Not the Beta, IT WILL NOT WORK)
A Genuine Windows 7 RTM Key
A Windows 7 RTM x86 ISO or x64 ISO
PowerIso
Install x86 or x64 Ultimate or Professional to your Hard drive
When install is finished and at your desktop:
1. Activate Windows using your Product key
2. Install all your favorite Software - Activate it, and update it.
3. Change Desktop background, Folder Settings, Display Options, Mouse pointer Speed etc.
4. Reboot to make sure windows update got installed properly.
5. Open Administrative cmd, and run System File check to make sure your system files are all ok
sfc /scannow
6. Reboot back into your main Windows Installation.
7. Open administrative cmd prompt, and enter the following commands :
for x86
cd\
cd\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86 imagex /compress maximum /flags "Ultimate" /capture x: y:\install.wim "Windows 7 Ultimate"
or for x64
cd\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\amd64 imagex /compress maximum /flags "Professional" /capture x: y:\install.wim "Windows 7 Professional"
WHERE:
X is the drive you just installed all your software to.
Y is where you will save your install.wim file, this generally would be c:\
"Windows 7 Ultimate" is a label for the build
The capture process starts.
Scanning of files and folders takes a couple minutes.
creation of install.wim takes another ~8 minutes
8. Open PowerISO.
Open your original Windows 7 Ultimate x86 or x64 iso folder.
Navigate to the sources folder and delete install.wim
Drag your new install.wim into the sources folder.
Save the ISO.
You Now have a Windows Install dvd, packed with all your favorite software, all your personalised settings, and its activated,for that computer only. Burn your image to dvd.
but you have to have another working win7 installation (your main one) and do it on a new installation on another partition.
Create your own Custom Win7 DVD
These instructions are for x86 (32-Bit) Windows Install and for x64 (64-bit).
Tools you will need :
A Spare Hard Drive at least 20 gigs in size.
The Windows 7 Auto Install Kit (AIK) ( Not the Beta, IT WILL NOT WORK)
A Genuine Windows 7 RTM Key
A Windows 7 RTM x86 ISO or x64 ISO
PowerIso
Install x86 or x64 Ultimate or Professional to your Hard drive
When install is finished and at your desktop:
1. Activate Windows using your Product key
2. Install all your favorite Software - Activate it, and update it.
3. Change Desktop background, Folder Settings, Display Options, Mouse pointer Speed etc.
4. Reboot to make sure windows update got installed properly.
5. Open Administrative cmd, and run System File check to make sure your system files are all ok
sfc /scannow
6. Reboot back into your main Windows Installation.
7. Open administrative cmd prompt, and enter the following commands :
for x86
cd\
cd\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86 imagex /compress maximum /flags "Ultimate" /capture x: y:\install.wim "Windows 7 Ultimate"
or for x64
cd\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\amd64 imagex /compress maximum /flags "Professional" /capture x: y:\install.wim "Windows 7 Professional"
WHERE:
X is the drive you just installed all your software to.
Y is where you will save your install.wim file, this generally would be c:\
"Windows 7 Ultimate" is a label for the build
The capture process starts.
Scanning of files and folders takes a couple minutes.
creation of install.wim takes another ~8 minutes
8. Open PowerISO.
Open your original Windows 7 Ultimate x86 or x64 iso folder.
Navigate to the sources folder and delete install.wim
Drag your new install.wim into the sources folder.
Save the ISO.
You Now have a Windows Install dvd, packed with all your favorite software, all your personalised settings, and its activated,for that computer only. Burn your image to dvd.
BR
DD
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