[27479] in resnet
Re: Imaging Student Computers
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Christina Webster)
Tue Mar 20 15:37:16 2012
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Message-ID: <CAD+0rjEDq3JPa40czKMjhntTWjXeMEfuRpXcnPP0Zi+ztLVT_w@mail.gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:37:02 -0400
Reply-To: Resnet Forum <RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu>
From: Christina Webster <cwebster@haverford.edu>
To: RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu
In-Reply-To: <B3C0241889401F4AB97A55E980BABBA00134598F9519@EXV01.wcu.edu>
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We don't image student computers because our software licensing doesn't
include students, so we have to rebuild from scratch with their disks.
However, I use UIU from Big Bang ( http://www.uiu4you.com/ ) to make
hardware independent images for all the faculty and staff PCs on campus.
With this, I have an imaging computer that is a few years old to make all
the base images, which I package via Ghost. Then I add the UIU software
and repackage. We use Ghost to package and deploy our software. But I
believe it also works with Windows imaging software.
Basically, we just make two images: one model specific (the base image that
I regularly update), and the other is the UIU image that gets deployed. If
your software license allows, I suggest that you just reimage all the
student computers with your "supported" OS - or rebuild them with their own
disks. We service a large number of models, but have hardware and OS
specifics to what we consider a supported model. For the faculty and
staff, when we reimage their PCs, they all get Windows 7, 64-bit. Now, all
the student machines may not be able to handle a 64-bit image, so you'd
have to create a 32-bit image too. But if you kept it to Windows 7, then
you'd only have two images to update - and you'd only have to update the
images a couple times of the year.
We also, encourage students to increase their RAM on older, slower
machines. We show them how to research what RAM they need - Crucial has a
memory tool that can be downloaded, which will scan their machine, tell
them what type of RAM they need, show them how many DIMMs they have, and
what their current RAM allotment is - and then we guide them on how to
install it. We don't install it for them, but they can come and do it at
the helpdesk, and borrow our tools.
You can get a 30-day trial download from the UIU website, and as long as
you update the driver package regularly, it works well. On the newest
models of PCs, you may need to get and install some drivers post
deployment. I only had to do that with our Lenovos that were the newest
models, and shipped from Lenovo. On all our older PCs, I didn't have to
get any drivers, except for a 6-year old Dell model that wanted the sound
driver updated.
Our images include Kaspersky, which is installed and turned off before the
image is packaged, and then turned on after deployment - otherwise, it
breaks the image. We also have a lot of other software installed on the
image, including Adobe products, Office, and pieces of Freeware.
Good luck, and if you try it, let me know how it goes,
~ Christina
On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 9:07 AM, Andy Voelker <avoelker@email.wcu.edu> wrote=
:
> I=92m doing some research on imaging student computers and wanted to get
> peoples=92 weigh-in. Here is our situation:****
>
> **- **Students bring their own computers. They bring what they
> can afford and we service whatever they bring. We have standards, but th=
ey
> are very=85 shall we say=85 accommodating. This means that we service 83=
279423
> different brands and 8907248928749837283 different models.****
>
> **- **We provide Microsoft Office for all students. We also
> provide Symantec antivirus (which will hopefully change soon)****
>
> **- **Currently we are making slipstream windows discs with all
> service packs and most updates included. We then dump this on to a high
> speed flash drive and install it from there.****
>
> **- **We then install the operating system, get any drivers off
> devid.info, run the office installer, and the antivirus installer****
>
> **- **Finally, for all those additional pieces of freeware we
> run a standardized Ninite package. Done.****
>
> **- **We probably perform about 6 reformats per week, average.**=
*
> *
>
> ** **
>
> This process doesn=92t take too long, but I=92m sure it could be a lot
> better. The problem is making a generic image that will run well on
> 8907248928749837283 different models of computer.****
>
> ** **
>
> My questions are:****
>
> ** **
>
> is it worthwhile to upkeep generic images for Windows 7 32-bit, 7 64-bit,
> Vista 32-bit, Vista 64-bit, and XP?****
>
> ** **
>
> What is your imaging solution?****
>
> ** **
>
> Are the generic images as stable and well performed as a clean format?***=
*
>
> ** **
>
> -- Andy Voelker****
>
> avoelker@email.wcu.edu****
>
> Manager of Student Computing in the Technology Commons****
>
> Western Carolina University****
>
> Be sure to check out the WCU TechTips Podcast at
> http://www.youtube.com/WesternCarolinaU!!****
>
> Check the status of your IT requests at any time at http://help.wcu.edu/ =
!
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> ___________________________________________________ You are subscribed t=
o
> the ResNet-L mailing list.
>
> To subscribe, unsubscribe or search the archives, go to
> http://LISTSERV.ND.EDU/archives/resnet-l.html____________________________=
_______________________
>
--=20
Christina S. Webster
Client Services
Instructional & Informational Technology Services
Haverford College | Stokes 204 | (610) 896-1322
Check us out on the web - http://www.haverford.edu/iits
Follow us on Twitter @HCProDesk or like us on FaceBook -
http://www.facebook.com/HCProDesk
IITS staff will never ask for your password.
The privacy of your password enhances the privacy of our entire community
and the integrity of our technology environment.
___________________________________________________
You are subscribed to the ResNet-L mailing list.
To subscribe, unsubscribe or search the archives,
go to http://LISTSERV.ND.EDU/archives/resnet-l.html
___________________________________________________
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<font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif">We don'=
t image student computers because our software licensing doesn't includ=
e students, so we have to rebuild from scratch with their disks. =A0However=
, I use UIU from Big Bang (</font></font>
<a href=3D"http://www.uiu4you.com/">http://www.uiu4you.com/</a>=A0)<font co=
lor=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif">=A0to make hardware=
independent images for all the faculty and staff PCs on campus. =A0With th=
is, I have an imaging computer that is a few years old to make all the base=
images, which I package via Ghost. =A0Then I add the UIU software and repa=
ckage. =A0We use Ghost to package and deploy our software. =A0But I believe=
it also works with Windows imaging software.</font></font><div>
<font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif"><br></font>=
</font></div><div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-=
serif">Basically, we just make two images: one model specific (the base ima=
ge that I regularly update), and the other is the UIU image that gets deplo=
yed. =A0If your software license allows, I suggest that you just reimage al=
l the student computers with your "supported" OS - or rebuild the=
m with their own disks. =A0We service a large number of models, but have ha=
rdware and OS specifics to what we consider a supported model. =A0For the f=
aculty and staff, when we reimage their PCs, they all get Windows 7, 64-bit=
. =A0Now, all the student machines may not be able to handle a 64-bit image=
, so you'd have to create a 32-bit image too. =A0But if you kept it to =
Windows 7, then you'd only have two images to update - and you'd on=
ly have to update the images a couple times of the year.</font></font></div=
>
<div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif"><br></=
font></font></div><div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,=
sans-serif">We also, encourage students to increase their RAM on =A0older, =
slower machines. =A0We show them how to research what RAM they need - Cruci=
al has a memory tool that can be downloaded, which will scan their machine,=
tell them what type of RAM they need, show them how many DIMMs they have, =
and what their current RAM=A0allotment is - and then we guide them on how t=
o install it. =A0We don't install it for them, but they can come and do=
it at the helpdesk, and borrow our tools.=A0 =A0</font></font></div>
<div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif"><br></=
font></font></div><div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,=
sans-serif">You can get a 30-day trial download from the UIU website, and a=
s long as you update the driver package regularly, it works well. =A0On the=
newest models of PCs, you may need to get and install some drivers post de=
ployment. =A0I only had to do that with our Lenovos that were the newest mo=
dels, and shipped from Lenovo. =A0On all our older PCs, I didn't have t=
o get any drivers, except for a 6-year old Dell model that wanted the sound=
driver updated.</font></font></div>
<div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif"><br></=
font></font></div><div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,=
sans-serif">Our images include Kaspersky, which is installed and turned off=
before the image is packaged, and then turned on after deployment - otherw=
ise, it breaks the image. =A0We also have a lot of other software installed=
on the image, including Adobe products, Office, and pieces of Freeware.=A0=
</font></font></div>
<div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif"><br></=
font></font></div><div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,=
sans-serif">Good luck, and if you try it, let me know =A0how it goes,</font=
></font></div>
<div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,sans-serif"><br></=
font></font></div><div><font color=3D"#333399"><font face=3D"comic sans ms,=
sans-serif">~ Christina<br></font></font><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote">On =
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 9:07 AM, Andy Voelker <span dir=3D"ltr"><<a href=3D"=
mailto:avoelker@email.wcu.edu">avoelker@email.wcu.edu</a>></span> wrote:=
<br>
<blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1p=
x #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div lang=3D"EN-US" link=3D"blue" vlink=3D"p=
urple"><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">I=92m doing some research on imaging stu=
dent computers and wanted to get peoples=92 weigh-in.=A0 Here is our situat=
ion:<u></u><u></u></p>
<p style=3D"margin-left:20.25pt"><u></u><span>-<span style=3D"font:7.0pt &q=
uot;Times New Roman"">=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 </span></span><u></u=
>Students bring their own computers.=A0 They bring what they can afford and=
we service whatever they bring.=A0 We have standards, but they are very=85=
shall we say=85 accommodating.=A0 This means that we service 83279423 diff=
erent brands and 8907248928749837283 different models.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p style=3D"margin-left:20.25pt"><u></u><span>-<span style=3D"font:7.0pt &q=
uot;Times New Roman"">=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 </span></span><u></u=
>We provide Microsoft Office for all students.=A0 We also provide Symantec =
antivirus (which will hopefully change soon)<u></u><u></u></p>
<p style=3D"margin-left:20.25pt"><u></u><span>-<span style=3D"font:7.0pt &q=
uot;Times New Roman"">=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 </span></span><u></u=
>Currently we are making slipstream windows discs with all service packs an=
d most updates included.=A0 We then dump this on to a high speed flash driv=
e and install it from there.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p style=3D"margin-left:20.25pt"><u></u><span>-<span style=3D"font:7.0pt &q=
uot;Times New Roman"">=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 </span></span><u></u=
>We then install the operating system, get any drivers off <a href=3D"http:=
//devid.info" target=3D"_blank">devid.info</a>, run the office installer, a=
nd the antivirus installer<u></u><u></u></p>
<p style=3D"margin-left:20.25pt"><u></u><span>-<span style=3D"font:7.0pt &q=
uot;Times New Roman"">=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 </span></span><u></u=
>Finally, for all those additional pieces of freeware we run a standardized=
Ninite package.=A0 Done.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p style=3D"margin-left:20.25pt"><u></u><span>-<span style=3D"font:7.0pt &q=
uot;Times New Roman"">=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 </span></span><u></u=
>We probably perform about 6 reformats per week, average.<u></u><u></u></p>=
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">
<u></u>=A0<u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">This process doesn=92t take too=
long, but I=92m sure it could be a lot better.=A0 The problem is making a =
generic image that will run well on 8907248928749837283 different models of=
computer.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=A0<u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">My quest=
ions are:<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=A0<u></u></p><p c=
lass=3D"MsoNormal"> is it worthwhile to upkeep generic images for Windows 7=
32-bit, 7 64-bit, Vista 32-bit, Vista 64-bit, and XP?<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=A0<u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">What is =
your imaging solution?<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=A0<u=
></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"> Are the generic images as stable and well =
performed as a clean format?<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=A0<u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">-- Andy =
Voelker<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><a href=3D"mailto:avoelker@=
email.wcu.edu" target=3D"_blank">avoelker@email.wcu.edu</a><u></u><u></u></=
p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">
Manager of Student Computing in the Technology Commons<u></u><u></u></p><p =
class=3D"MsoNormal">Western Carolina University<u></u><u></u></p><p class=
=3D"MsoNormal">Be sure to check out the WCU TechTips Podcast at <a href=3D"=
http://www.youtube.com/WesternCarolinaU" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"c=
olor:blue">http://www.youtube.com/WesternCarolinaU</span></a>!!<u></u><u></=
u></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">Check the status of your IT requests at any time at =
<a href=3D"http://help.wcu.edu/" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:blu=
e">http://help.wcu.edu/</span></a> !<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal=
"><u></u>=A0<u></u></p>
</div><br clear=3D"all">=20
</div>
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<p>
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___________________________________________________
</p></blockquote></div><br><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div>-- <br><font fa=
ce=3D"'Comic Sans MS'">
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,32,96);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">Christina S=
. We</span><span style=3D"font-size:13px">bster</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,32,96);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">Client Serv=
ices</span></p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,32,96);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">Instruction=
al & Informational
Technology Services</span><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,32,96);font-family:&qu=
ot;Comic Sans MS""></span></p><p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb=
(0,32,96)"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,32,96);font-family:"Comic Sans M=
S";font-size:10pt"></span></p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span><span style=3D"col=
or:rgb(0,32,96);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">Haver=
ford
College | Stokes 204 | </span></span><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,32,96);font=
-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">(610) 896-1322</span><spa=
n style=3D"color:rgb(0,32,96);font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">=A0</s=
pan></p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,32,96);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">=A0</span><=
/p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(99,36,35);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:=
10pt">Check us
out on the web - </span><span><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,112,192);font-fami=
ly:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt"><a href=3D"http://www.haverfor=
d.edu/iits" target=3D"_blank">http://www.haverford.edu/iits</a></span></spa=
n><span style=3D"color:rgb(99,36,35);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";=
font-size:10pt"> <span>=A0</span></span></span></p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(99,36,35);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">Follow us
on Twitter @HCProDesk or like us on FaceBook - </span><span><span style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,112,192);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">=
<a href=3D"http://www.facebook.com/HCProDesk" target=3D"_blank">http://www.=
facebook.com/HCProDesk</a></span></span><span style=3D"color:rgb(31,73,125)=
;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt"></span></p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span></span></p><p styl=
e=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span style=3D"color:rgb(99,36,=
35);font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">IITS staff will n=
ever ask for your password.=A0<span>=A0</span></span></p>
<p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt"><span style=3D"color:rgb(99,36,35);font-fam=
ily:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt">The privacy of your password =
enhances the privacy of our entire community and the integrity of our techn=
ology environment.</span></p>
</font><p style=3D"margin:0in 0in 0pt"></p><br>
</div>
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