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HD Cloning

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by BruceKrymow, 2004/02/17.

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  1. 2004/02/17
    BruceKrymow

    BruceKrymow Inactive Thread Starter

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    * HD Cloning *

    Building 5 exact computers. We want to install and configure one hard drive and then clone it for the other 4.

    Question 1 - What is the best way to clone, image, copy or otherwise make duplicate hard drives?

    Question 2 - How would we accommodate the OS legally with the same version of XP Pro on all of them?
     
    BruceKrymow,
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  2. 2004/02/17
    BruceKrymow

    BruceKrymow Inactive Thread Starter

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    Also...

    I have 5 different copies of XP Pro - one for each unit, but these computers are going to have the same custom applications & configuration for my industry for 5 different locations and thus no networking.

    I was wondering if I installed XP pro on one, cloned the HD to make exact dupes of the apps and config, then activate each OS with a new activation reg, from MS perhaps on the phone by providing the legit key from each?
     
    BruceKrymow,
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  4. 2004/02/18
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Hello Bruce!

    The only place in the registry where I´ve found the CD-key is in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\current version\setup\oobe\temp

    Since the computers are identical there would be no hardware mismatch problems if one of them was finished BUT NOT ACTIVATED.

    Next, use Norton Ghost to clone the other four HDDs from the first one.

    Finally, when they are fitted in the correct computer, go edit that registry key with the correct CD-key before activating.

    The only caveat is that the CD-key may be elsewhere, encrypted, in the registry.

    HTH,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  5. 2004/02/18
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I searched the M$ KB and found this article.

    As I understand it, You can use the Activation Wizard but skip the first part dealing with deactivation since they never have been.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2004/02/19
    BruceKrymow

    BruceKrymow Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi, Christer ~

    These are OEM retail XP Pro versions, not the volume license version.

    The hardware is the same, but the SIDs are tied to the volume/serial numbers with certain pieces of hardware.
     
    BruceKrymow,
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  7. 2004/02/20
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Okey, I understand. I thought that each OS on each computer was to be activated over the web when finished.

    Isn´t that the case with the large volume producers? As far as I know, they use Images to setup HDDs and there must be a simple way to make them "individuals" afterwards.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  8. 2004/02/20
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member

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    Bruce ...

    I have an OEM desktop and an IBM laptop, both of which came pre-installed with XP Pro, but with completely different hardware configurations. Because I don't like IBM's system configuration (too much proprietary stuff) I wiped the hard drive and installed the version of the OS that came on the desktop (standard XP Pro), using the desktop's recovery CD.

    I activated the laptop's OS online, using the product key for the version of XP Pro that had come pre-installed on the laptop ... no need to call MS.

    Since you have five identical machines, use something like Drive Image or Ghost to make a backup of the first installation, and then copy it to the other four. When you activate XP on them, just use a different product key for each.

    I've used this method several times on two different laptops without a problem.
     
    JSS3rd,
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  9. 2004/02/20
    BruceKrymow

    BruceKrymow Inactive Thread Starter

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    Greets, Gentlemen ~

    Here is an update: this went from ridiculously tedious to ridiculously easy. It finished absoROOTry perfect & very, very fast! I am one happy camper. Here is what I did:
    • Obtained latest ver. of True Image 7 after throwing my ver. 6 CD into oncoming traffic
    • Installed XP Pro, unactivated, apps, config, cleanup, defrag, etc.
    • Hooked up second new drive as primary slave
    • Used the 'Clone' feature - took all of whopping 4 minutes on 40GB HD
    • Disconnected new drive & connected to new unit - booted right up and all components worked flawlessly
    • Used Jellybean Key Finder/Changer to change the key to one of the other 4 CD keys left
    • Activated online - took all of a whopping 20 seconds tops
    • Repeat 3 more times
    • After confirming all units work, activate the source drive OS
    Sysprep is not necessary at all. I had all 5 drives finished and units reassembled inside of an hour. True Image 7 made this a breeeeeeze - I love it! Thanks for all your help.
     
    BruceKrymow,
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  10. 2004/02/22
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Hi Bruce!

    Imaging software are real gems. I transfered my complete installation from the old harddisk to a new harddisk. It took a couple of minutes ...... :cool: ...... !

    Thanks for the update,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #9
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