Hello all. I am interested in tackling a project and not sure where to start. Heres what I want to do. I want to create an XP Disk that when installed, will have all the programs that i regularly install on a clean format. For instance, I would like to be able to put in the disk and let it run and have all my programs (both freeware and paid) already installed.
Software like Acronis true image, tuneuputilities, acdsee, CCleaner, office 2007, firefox with all extensions, etc.
i have the keys and such for all the paid for software, and am wondering if this can be done, what program (s) will i need to do it, and is it ok to actually do this. Any help would be appreciated. Installing all the service packs, etc. is a pain.
You could use some commercial imaging software to do it. Unfortunately I've never used any so I don't have any recommendations for a particular one.
Even Microsoft's Backup program included with Windows or can be installed via 'Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs/Windows Components' can do it. However my experience with Microsoft Backup is that it can be really finicky, and downright stop working out of nowhere therefore I'd personally go with a paid for highly reputable third-party program that works all the time.
You'll probably need a hard disk partition just for the image, going the route of CD/DVD is too slow and is more prone to errors/corruption from surface scratches, etc. The only problem I see is with programs that have updates, you'll undoubtedly be restoring some outdated programs and have to update them.
From what I recently heard on the KIM Komando show. There is software that is designed to do just that. She said she hasn't had much luck with it. You apparently can't just use your normal backup or imaging software because (if I understood her correctly) when you install software it writes all over the drive in a special order, i.e. the files aren't necessarily all together. Which does make sense since some go to the registry and some are just program files. The order in which they are installed can't be duplicated with normal backup software for some reason.
Just noticed this in a Dell catalog that came this week. Maybe you could use it to move from one partition or drive to another and back again or something. I'll tell you what, if I were to get a new PC, I'd ante up $30 (that was the cost at Dell) in a heartbeat for this and save the hassle of redownloading all my apps!
I think Paragon Hard Drive Manager can do this with it's Save Disk Image feature, but I've never tried it.
If any ones interested, the download links for Hard Drive Manager 8 free, and Partition Manager 8.5 free are still active although the offers were supposed to be finished in March and September respectively.
You have to register for a free key, but with the download links still being active, getting a key is probably still an automated process.
I think Paragon Hard Drive Manager can do this with it's Save Disk Image feature, but I've never tried it.
Hi, 1984.
Thanks for the reminder about Paragon, Dennis. I am running a backup of C: drive right now using ver 8.0. Running it under powershadow, just to test the process. Please don't misunderstand, I am not a sales rep for Paragon, but I am trying it out and thought I'd share what I find.
I think that when you get the computer up and running the way you like it, this is a good way to "capture" it in that state. But I have never done it this way; maybe someone who has done so will ring in soon.
FYI, it will take about 3 hours to put the image onto a usb2 external drive. The image will start out 142 gig, and the archive will be about 49.5 gig. Am not entirely sure I will restore the image onto c: drive, pretty timid about doing that unless I just have to.
Included are some screen shots of the process. The choices are fairly intuitive.
clicked on "create an image of entire disk"
unchecked D: drive, it is the recovery partition
Chose where to put the archive
apparently Paragon will split the archive if you choose to use CD or DVD
Thanks for the reminder about Paragon, Dennis. I am running a backup of C: drive right now using ver 8.0. Running it under powershadow, just to test the process. Please don't misunderstand, I am not a sales rep for Paragon, but I am trying it out and thought I'd share what I find.
I think that when you get the computer up and running the way you like it, this is a good way to "capture" it in that state. But I have never done it this way; maybe someone who has done so will ring in soon.
I like Paragon, and I've just been trying the same thing, so thanks for the update. I made my backup of the C: drive only, and did it with no compression and it took the best part of 3 DVDs.
I'm not too worried about giving it a try, so if I do I'll let you know. I'm also intrigued with that program Andavaris found.
