When I first started looking into using Microsoft’s own deployment tools to deploy Windows 7 I have to admit that it was a bit intimidating. There were all these tools, xml answer files, individual programs, deployment shares, .wim’s, it just got insane.
I was used to the good ol’ Ghost tools that I’ve been familiar with for all these years. However, I was well aware that the limitations of Ghost in the area of storage space (regarding the individual images that needed to be stored for each type of machine that you were imaging) and the fact that updates couldn’t be added to the images after they had been created (well, easily anyway), so I set out to look into the MS tools that they were boasting about.
It was then, when I realized I might have bit off more than I can chew. Luckily though, I found MDT2010. They call it a “solution accelerator”. Probably because it would take about a month or more of digging through white pages and technical documents to figure out what the hell all the tools were and how to make them all work together without it.
Anyway, if you are starting to look for cheap / free easy ways to deploy a bunch of Windows 7 machines with applications and updates already included, and want all of your machines to be exactly the same, take a look at MDT 2010.
There’s a good how-to guide setup here: http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Deploying-Windows-7-Part5.html
Have fun!
Silverlight videos from Microsoft Technet that help describe the Imaging process for Windows 7 Clients. Videos are also available in WMV format on the bottom of the page.
And:
Step-by-Step Deployment with the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
Or, just visit this page for all of the walkthroughs for Windows 7:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd320282.aspx
Add drivers to Windows 7 image Offline:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744355(WS.10).aspx
Step-by-Step: Basic Windows Deployment for IT Professionals:
http://www.jacobytech.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/stepbystep_itpro.htm
Comparing Windows XP and Windows Vista Deployment Technologies:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc765993(WS.10).aspx
If you are using Server 2008′s built-in “Windows Backup” tool to backup your server, you may run into a problem where the “auto-delete” function does not delete your older VSS copies if your backup destination is not large enough for the disk(s) that you are backing up. Then you will run into failed backups because there is not enough disk space to create the backup copies.
Read more…
Upgrade your hard drive, or replace one that is failing by using these tips from Revision3′s “Systm” show.
http://revision3.com/systm/harddriveswap
I’ve had to look this info up a few times, and it’s always hard to find, so I’m putting it here.
If avast’s boot time scan runs every time you start your computer, it’s likely that something like Spybot S&D is preventing changes to the registry, and the boot scan can’t be disabled.
In the registry, you can remove it manually to prevent it from running on every boot.
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
Look for aswBootNt.exe and remove it if present.
Everybody uses Microsoft’s Office Suite. Nobody can really afford it. Yeah, it’s powerful, yeah, it’s nice, but yeah, it’s Microsoft. Which means, big security holes, problems with the software, and a hefty price tag.
If you’re looking for something different, or cheaper (I know many small businesses that can’t afford to buy office 2007 for their 5-6 computers!) read this article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2222278,00.asp
A nice alternative that seems to be much cheaper is ZOHO office: http://www.zoho.com/
It’s cheap, and online (which means you pay for it, but can use it from any computer with an internet connection).
Or http://www.ssuitesoft.com, no need for Java or .NET framework, which makes it a very easy alternative to Office as well.
Then go to this website and find out: http://www.ecyclingcentral.com/
Why Prevent Electronics Waste?
End-of-life electronics:
Are a fast-growing waste stream.
Over 20 million personal computers became
obsolete in 1998. Only 13 percent were reused
or recycled. Many municipalities are facing the
dilemma of what to do with growing amounts of
retired electronics. Rapid changes in computer
technology and the emergence of new
electronic gadgets exacerbate the problem.
Why Prevent Electronics Waste?
End-of-life electronics:
Are a fast-growing waste stream.
Over 20 million personal computers became obsolete in 1998. Only 13 percent were reused or recycled. Many municipalities are facing the dilemma of what to do with growing amounts of retired electronics. Rapid changes in computer technology and the emergence of new electronic gadgets exacerbate the problem.
Read more here:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/downloads/elec_fs.pdf
If you login to your Exchange 2003 webmail, open a message, and click a link inside that email, you might be prompted for a username and password. If you put your username and password again, it won’t accept the credentials.
To fix this, try emptying your temporary internet files, cookies, and clearing your saved password for the site. If that doesn’t work, this KB article may assist you. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817312
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