jaggerman

Hey Guys,

I've been looking up several guides on creating Restore CDs for your systems. But none really have guided me to the areas where I've been looking for. I want to create a restore CD where it will not only install windows, but will install all the drivers for my computer too, and maybe even some programs that I know I'll want. If manufacturers can do it with their computers, I'm sure their must be a way. Has anyone ever does this successfully?

TiZakit

Yeah, you can do that... Try nLite, it should help...
Check out this link. MSFN's Unattended Windows : Unattended Windows Introduction

You might also try ghosting. It is easier and gets you just about the same result.

__________________

jaggerman

Tizakit! Thank you so much! That guide seems like something I was looking for exactly! I although, am curious, where did the term "unattended windows" come from, what does it specifically mean?

eascarface

Not quite sure who invented it but it basically means that once you put your windows install disk you can walk away and it will do everything automatically---setting the install location, time, serial number etc. etc.

__________________

jaggerman

O alrite, now it makes sense. Thank you very much.

TCG_Modder

why not just create a image of your HD?

doing the install method is just time consuming, for no real reason. i know i was good at installing XP, that i had the install down to 45 mins from nothing to surfing.

i was consistently wiping my drive every month to 3 months tho. then i got smart and just started creating images. now im up and running within 5 to 10 mins.

now that i am using Vista Ultimate tho, you are pretty much forced to use thier compelte PC backup to create a image, but it works just as flawlessly as does any other image program out there.

basicly what i am saying is..

if your hardware is not changing, why waste your time doing manual installs. it will take you awhile to confiure the UI script and to streamline all the drivers. also if you are doing this on multiple computer, it could make sense but then again, your still screwed since most likely hardware is going to be different between each comp.

if your interested in doing images, i recommend Norton Ghost 8.do not waste your money on ANY program that creates images from within windows. ghost 8 is a DOS based program. dont worry, it has a GUI, and is very simple to use. like i said tho, ghost will not work with windows vista.
you can create a image, but you will not be able to restore from the image. Vista does something to the MBR or something that causes the image to crap out. there wasnt a work around for it the last time i checked.

for my XP machines, i have a jump drive that bootable and loads ghost. anyways, just throwing my 2 cents in as i hate to see someone waste thier time for no reason, but maybe you do have a good one.

BTW.. you didnt say what OS you are using. i was assuming it is XP, but it does make a difference if your using something else.

__________________

jaggerman

Thanks TCG_Modder, I've been down those avenues already. I was going to do that too, except when I tried Norton Ghost 8, I didn't really care for the program. Not to mention, If I wanted to use that program, I'd have to spend 50 bucks, where if I made an unattended installation disk, it's only $.50 for the CD. And then there's that really cool part of doing something techie.