Taking an image of XP during set up

[CoolMe]

Is it possible to stop the set up installstion, Where you enter your username, set the updates ect up and take an image and when you deploy it, your greeted with that screen and set up from there.

I know its possible to tweak an image once you've got it i.e install Office and all that.

But I tried to take an image I stopped the set up, Turned off and booted via my USB into Acronis Home Image and tried to create a full backup(image) but i got some sector error.

Your thoughts

[TheAnimus]

The mafanafacturer configured XP installs are normally done using a toolkit produced by MS for OEMs.

This allows people to install windows how they want, build an installation CD that installs that state, and then presents people with the configure my PC thing.

But thats only realy of intrest for people flogging PCs normally.

There is also the install scripting side, which allows you to create a set of options to be used for installs, allowing easyer un-attented PC installation

But thats only realy of intrest for people running networks.

[digit]

Sounds like CoolMe what you want is an unattended or at least partly automatted install. Download a copy of nlite and follow the steps and guides on the internet and you'll be able to create a custom xp image to your needs.

[CoolMe]

Thank you! I'll have a google around for that.

I'm just a student but when you get your friends wanting you to wipe there machines. In the past its been a pain in the ass to install everything one by one.

But Its easyer with Acronis but then not everyone wants what you put on to it.

Including the simplest of things like the User name.

[Lourdes]

nLite is certainly the way to go, you can slipstream some of the more common drivers (especially network ones) and set it to do quite a bit unattended.

[CoolMe]

Gave it ago, not 100% what I mean.

I want to be able to create my own Version of XP, which is what that nlite does in a way.

But I want to be able to install applications before deploying it. i.e office, MSN, java, flash.

Any ideas now

[Sinizter]

I created my own version of the XP disc with the latest updates, slipstreamed apps and automated/unattended install process. After the install was completed, I used a regedit file to change the registered user name etc. Right after that, it was go on to the net to update the virus definition for the program slipstreamed (avast).

The guide which I used was from MSFN - Where People Go To Know.