advice needed

[arrietty]

Hi I'm new here so hope this is the right place to post. Please anyone with similar experience feel free to give me any advice.

I have recently taken over a Desktop support team in a busy and varied organisation. There are over 400 users who are used to getting their departments to buy whatever hardware they want. That means there are many different types of laptops/desktops and mobiles which which they can access their internet and email via cable as well as wireless.

All the hard drives are one partition with OS (XP and W2K), apps and, sometimes data on C Drive. Users have access to a personal drive and many use offline folders on their laptops (however I saw one which was 3Ggb and the laptop was extremely slow on or off network), but many don't trust the network and so store files locally. I've only been there one week but I've seen bad sectors on hard drives and the average is 24 hours to defrag. When they need to be reimaged, the IT Staff start from scratch and do a fresh install of windows, apps and then patches via Windows Updates. That must take all day at least.

My long term goal must be to pursuade management and the users that a Standard Operating Env. is a must for better productivity. I willl try to sell them on chosing standard hardware for workstations and explain the risks in allowing all and sundry onto the network.

However my question is - what do I do in the short term- How do I even begin to organise an image(s) which can be used to decrease the time spent trying to repair bad disk or OS? I know many people have experience on the forum with different imaging procedures etc as I have done some searches, so I guess I would have to start thinking about this first.

TIA

[Sylvander]

Some ideas:

Each user should...
1. Move all the data files off C: so as to make it as small as possible ["lean & mean"].
My C: contents [Win2000Pro] are using 3.8 GB of a 5 GB partition.
It would hold only the Windows folder, Program Files folder, swap-file, hibernation file [restore a backup made of a system in hibernation and you get a system "resuming" from hibernation when you boot].
This means that the minimum of work [and therefore time] is needed to do things...like make image backups and restore them; defragment the partition, scan the file system for errors; scan for infections.
I always try to do do these things from outside the Windows environment [Windows offline]. Sometimes I'm forced to do some within Windows [defragment, scan for infection].
Images should [only] be made when all's well.
Restoring a backup made just before a major change [install, uninstall, hardware change] is a great [and quick] way to put things back as they were.
I keep a written log of all backups, restores, installs, uninstalls, major configuration changes, changes of hardware.
If there is any suspicion that all is not well, a recent suitable image can be restored. The one chosen will determine what you get. You could restore different Windows versions, first this, then that. Each might have different programs installed, or different configurations. Gives great flexibility, and wonderful insurance against all kinds of software nasties.
If you don't like the way the software is performing, then choose one that gives what you like.

2. I decided to make a small D: 1 GB partition [400 MB used] to hold only my personal data files.
If I restore C:, then this and all partions other than C: [and their contents] remain untouched.
I moved them there as follows...
a. My Documents. [Use “TweakUI” to move their home]
b. E-mails for all identities. [use the email client to move their home]
c. Internet Explorer Favourites. [Use “TweakUI” to move their home]
d. Temporary Internet Files. [use the browser (Internet Explorer) to move them]
e. Re-home the Windows Address Book as shown here http://tinyurl.com/24q6l . Use the key “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4\Wab FileName” to specify its new address. [Its normal home address [in Win98] is C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book\(the name you gave your PC).WAB]
f. Moved my Firefox profile [ask if you need details].

3. Moved other data files to dedicated partitions as follows:
E: Music files.
F: Video files.
G: Internal backup image files; Windows and MS Office installation file sets.

The idea is that each partition [with it's particular types of files, with its own particular backup needs] can be treated individually.
They tend to fragment differently, have different cluster size requirements, need backup more or less frequently.
Hence, you don't waste time doing things to files or partitions when they don't need done to those particular files or partitions.
So you minimise the work done, and maximise the benefits.

4. Formerly I used the free trial version of "Image for DOS" supplied on the free "Emergency Boot CD" [EBCD] to make backups of my FAT32 C: D: E: F: partitions to my FAT32 G: partition.
Then I bought an external USB 2.0 HDD enclosure [fitted an 8 GB IDE HDD I'd replaced with a new 80 GB HDD] and began [within Windows] copying the backup files from G: to the external HDD.

5. Then I bought "Boot-It NG", "Image for Windows", "Image for DOS".
I use "Image for DOS" the most.
Fitted a bigger [80 GB] IDE HDD to the external USB enclosure [now have LOADS of storage space for backups plus].
It loads from a bootable floppy and can save [and restore] images of the internal partitions [one at a time] DIRECT to files in folders on partitions on the external USB HDD.
It can restore the images to any partition of your choice [provided they are big enough to take them].
It will image any kind of partition, but must be saved to a FAT[32] partition.

[arrietty]

Thanks for that detailed advice. :) I agree with what you are saying. I knew there was a reason why most places use separate partitions for their system files and data.

I was wondering how good the User migration wizard is in WXP to move user settings, data and configuration? Oh I guess it's called File and Settings wizard. Obviously I would have to check for orphan files and settings which are not in usual places.

[Sylvander]

"I was wondering how good the User migration wizard is in WXP to move user settings, data and configuration?"
I've never used WinXP, so have no personal experience, but my son used it to migrate from his old to his new PC and he made no complaints about it.

[Paul Komski]

It will image any kind of partition, but must be saved to a FAT[32] partition.The ImageForDOS that I purchased (IMAGE 1.93) can save images to both NTFS and FAT partitions and directly burn to CD/DVD. It burns a bootable CD that can both auto-restore an enclosed image file or run the full ImageForDOS from that CD. It supports ATAPI, ASPI, USB and Firewire CD-Drives and the external drive support is extended to Hard Drives.

Imaging would appear to be the obvious way to go for restoring systems and you have already read stuff on these forums so should have some idea of the various utilities you might want to consider.

Having restore CDs is a good idea since they can restore even completely failed hard drives but, for speed and ease, restoring from hard drive partitions on the same or an external hard drive takes some beating. BiNG and PM are probably the best two applications to use if you wish to non-destructively resize any existing partitions.

Have never used the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard; it may be fine but I have an intrinsic distrust of most things Microsoft.

If users want their data to be kept on a different partition then the easiest approach (with the stated Win2K/XP) is to migrate that user's whole profile to another partition rather than segregate out separate bits of it. This is easiest to do when the user profile is first created.

Shared network data may need to be considered differently and File Servers on the network would be a good approach for this type of data. For personal data it could be suggested to users that they should always be responsible for and backup their own data on to CDs or, in this day and age, onto removable and highly portable flash memory devices of one kind and another. Heck, even 4 GB PenDrives and CompactFlash cards are now highly affordable.

If users have password protected accounts (and particularly if they are using file encryption) then do get them to make a certificated password floppy diskette to save a lot of hassle at a later stage. This area is yet another reason for backing-up personal data onto external media.

[Sylvander]

"The ImageForDOS that I purchased (IMAGE 1.93) can save images to both NTFS and FAT partitions and directly burn to CD/DVD. It burns a bootable CD that can both auto-restore an enclosed image file or run the full ImageForDOS from that CD. It supports ATAPI, ASPI, USB and Firewire CD-Drives and the external drive support is extended to Hard Drives."
Now why did I forget to mention VITAL stuff like that? :(

"should have some idea of the various utilities you might want to consider"
I also acquired a full copy of "Acronis True Image 7" given free through "ComputerActive" magazine.
This has a more sophisticated GUI, is more intuitive, explains itself better, has some useful additional features [I still prefer using IforD though; it's faster and simpler to use when you get the hang of it]...

I gave the list below at post #12 HERE (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=50342&highlight=Acronis).

Acronis True Image 7
1. Stores to IDE, SCSI, Firewire, USB, PC card, CD-R/RW, DVD recordable, Zip, Jaz.
2. Image can be viewed as virtual drive.
3. Image and restore running prog within windows, or after booting prog from bootable disk [floppy or CD].
4. Transfer software system from old to new HDD.
5. Disk cloning, fitting new HDD, Secure Zone, Startup Recovery, Integrity Check, Scheduler, Incremental Images, Backup Logs, Bootable Disks [floppy & CD], good GUI.
6. Image only the data content of a HDD.
7. Image all files, Boot Record, FAT & root, zero track with MBR.
8. Use "Startup and Recovery Manager" on HDD, or use bootable disk to restore boot software.
9. Image: create, restore, explore, unplug.
10. HDD: clone, or add new.
11. Schedule tasks [backup etc].
12. Incremental images.
13. 4 GB max file size.
14. Image can be restored to partition other than the original.
15. Partition type, and size & location can be changed when restoring [Active, Primary, Logical].
16. Restore several partitions during a single session.
17. Restore chosen drives/folders/files from image viewed as "Virtual Drive".
18. Complex transfer of software from old HDD to new HDD. Auto & manual transfer of partitions, folders, files, including bootable system.
Only delete the old if the new works well.
19. Old Disk: Create new partitions, or keep old data, or destroy data.
20. Destruction of old HDD data: Single-pass; Multi-pass.
21. Transfer of partition/software System: As-is; proportional; Manual.
22. Cloning old to new: Manual & Resize Partitions.
23. Schedule Tasks: Select partitions; Select Periodicity; Setup Execution.
24. Check Image Integrity.
25. Create logs and view logs.
26. Clone HDD for use in a different PC hardware set.

[arrietty]

thanks Paul for all that and I'm about to check out some of that software you mentioned but could I just ask some questions. When you say
Having restore CDs is a good idea since they can restore even completely failed hard drives - do you mean the restore CDs that come with the laptop?

I was thinking of creating a small third partition at the end of the drive (say 10Ggb) and taking an image of the C with system files and programs and putting it on that third partition as a quick way to restore if something goes wrong - then users could save data to 2nd Drive and yes I think that's a good idea to have them take responsibility for their own data. The company does provide them with a personal network drive (backed up every night) but users find it easier to save locally esp if they travel alot.

Sylvander - I have a serial number for true Image 7 which Acronis sent me but I haven't been able to download the program as all the links say the free time has expired. Strange that Acronis sent me the serial, I thought they would also have the software! Well I've got lots to think about and plenty of stuff to trial.

[Paul Komski]

do you mean the restore CDs that come with the laptopFor OEM systems that ship with restore CDs there's little need to create other "factory image files". Some OEM PCs (eg modern Acer Notebooks) don't have restore CDs but do have the equivalent files on a restore partition. That's fine and well until a whole hard drive goes down, so if I had such a system I would create a DIY restore CD or as a minimum have an image file or image files stored on removable media; removable media being CDs, DVDs, External Hard Drives, etc. ImageForDOS and Ghost (certainly prior to the acquisition of the Power Quest) can create CDs that can be configured to "auto-restore" and even later versions of Power Quest's DriveImage (and by inference the more recent versions of Ghost, which are updated clones of PQ's DI) will make bootable CDs from which you can run the restoration processes.

You can of course also clone partitions into image files at any time but to have a "factory image" with all the must have apps, be internet ready and/or network ready, with XP and Office already activated, etc, etc, is of great value for getting going again quickly.

I was thinking of creating a small third partition at the end of the drive Yes that's fine and quick and easy to use or restore from - UNLESS THE WHOLE HARD DRIVE FAILS - AND IT HAPPENS BELIEVE YOU ME.