automated application/OS installation

You can deploy an automayic install of NT-wkts and server, also you can launch the install of sql or other products, see unattend deploy of NT on the Tech-net

I noticed that you don't want to use imaging software I assume you are referring to something like Image Cast, Ghost, or Drive Image. Those packages do work well for deploying the same image on workstations with the same hardware. If you are wishing to install Nt and then add various applications to the install at a later time. You could use the imaging software or an NT unattended install to install the base image and then use a Resource kit utility called sysdiff to add different applications. I have worked with sysdiff and it does work. Basically you use sysdiff to take a picture of your system before you install an application and take a picture after the install. Then save the difference file. After you have the difference file you can apply it to a system with a similar os install (the system root must be named the same and on the same drive). I have even put the difference files on a web site and used it to apply the difference file via a web browser. You can download sysdiff from the microsoft ftp site. ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/nt40/utilities/

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