Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

utility to install apps to mult. xp box?

0 helpful
7 replies

by hazzard_005 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Is there a utility in xp that you can install identical applications across a network of all new preinstalled xp machines? I know that novel has snapshot or something like that. I need to find one, which will work with xp. The fear my employer has is that if I use ghost to image the machine it will screw up the OEM and licensing for xp's authentication. We are installing everything one at a time and there are 200 computers.

I hope my question is clear but could not think of a coherent way to ask the question. ;)

7 replies

by hazzard_005

I found that w2k has a utility Veritas software console. It looks like this is something which may help me. Does it work with xp and are there any known problems using it? Any hints to ease this work load would be great.

TIA.

by jose_12650

If i get you right, you want to install identical applications across the network on machines with preinstalled XP operating systems. If your server is Windows 2000 Server, you can push those applications to the XP clients by using the Software Utility Installation from the Server. It is a one time process. The application is either automatically downloaded to the machine on start-up, or whenever the user activates the application. (publish or assign).

by hazzard_005

As you can see from my comments above I knew of the Veritas software utility. I was hoping for some more info regarding it or some experiences using it. Sorry but this did not get me any further than I was.

by hazzard_005

jose_12650@yahoo.com
Are there any preexisting conditions which need met to run the software instalation utility. like AD? or can it be run just from a w2k server?
Also will it work comming from a 2000 server pushing down to a xp pro box?

by curlergirl

The aspect of Win2K you are looking for is called RIS (Remote Installation Services). Look this up in your documentation and you'll find the info you need. This appears to be a great tool for rolling out software on an already installed network, but I wouldn't rule out Ghost as a solution for your initial roll-out. We've used it very successfully in several installations. There is a tool called "sysprep" in Win2K/XP that you use in conjunction with Ghost to prepare your initial system that will be used to create the Ghost image. When you've got your template machine created, you run the sysprep utility, and this puts the machine into a "pre-installed" kind of mode. Then, you create your image, dump it onto the other machines and whenyou first start them up (provided you've done the preparation correctly), you get a message to enter the licensing info for that machine. It also creates a unique SID at that time, so you don't have to worry about that problem either. Look at the most recent version of Ghost and the Win2K/XP sysprep tool for detailed info. Hope this helps!

by hazzard_005

We have the xp installed on the machines. I was hoping to find some easy way to dump all the applications to all the new computers without disrupting the existing machines. the Veritas software seemed promising but my employeer wanted some more information regarding it or some experiences using it. Thanks for the imput anyway.

This discussion is closed to new replies.