mattg Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 I am looking for help. I just bought a few computers for a project. For this I need all the computers to be the same. They are consumer electronic store machines that all have all sorts of junk on them I took a hour going through one to delete all the unneeded software installed.My question is if I can take the one computer and clone it or something to the other machines and have them all appear the same. Does anyone know a way I might be able to do this or what is the best way to do this?Thanks,Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Before going any further with this, is it Windows you wish to install? If so then you should be aware that you need a Product Key for each clone you produce. Without this, your cloning experience will be very limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digerati Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Without this, your cloning experience will be very limited. ... and maybe illegal too. If these computers were sold originally with Windows licenses, it is a 99.9% certainty they were OEM licenses and therefore, should remain with the computers when changing hands. If you were not given the disks, or at least the keys for each one, you will have to buy a new license. Understand cloning in the manner you speak of is possible, IF the hardware is already the same. That is, each computer has the exact same motherboard. Otherwise, the clone disk will have the wrong drivers, and the installation may choke. You might look into slipstreams, see The ElderGeek - Slipstreamed Windows XP w/SP3 and/or Paul Thurrott's - Slipstreaming Windows XP w/SP3.Alternatively, you might look into using Linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Without this, your cloning experience will be very limited. ... and maybe illegal too. If these computers were sold originally with Windows licenses, it is a 99.9% certainty they were OEM licenses and therefore, should remain with the computers when changing hands. If you were not given the disks, or at least the keys for each one, you will have to buy a new license. Understand cloning in the manner you speak of is possible, IF the hardware is already the same. That is, each computer has the exact same motherboard. Otherwise, the clone disk will have the wrong drivers, and the installation may choke. You might look into slipstreams, see The ElderGeek - Slipstreamed Windows XP w/SP3 and/or Paul Thurrott's - Slipstreaming Windows XP w/SP3.Alternatively, you might look into using Linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 All 4 are the same machines. They are four of the same computers bought from my local electronic store. They should all be the same internally just without going through each ones device manager I cannot be positive that everything is exactly the same. They all have their own license of windows but that is all I have. I do not have any other licenses of windows I wish to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANEMAN Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hi Matt I cannot be positive that everything is exactly the same. Legality aside for a moment. If you set up a "Windows Operating System" on one of the computers, and would then wish to "Clone" or Disk Image" that operating system to be able to put it on the other three computers. (Which can be time saving. ) - - To be successful it would require that the "Hardware Environment" on all of the computers be the same. By this, is meant. - Processor, Motherboard, Chipset, and at times (dependent of how "Windows" sees the new environment) - some other variables such as optical drives if connected.Reading between the lines here, I am tending towards the thought that you have bought a load of old computers, and are experimenting purely on an educational basis.We can point you along the correct path for continuation of your education. But it would wrong for anyone on this forum to give you step-by-step instructions to enable you to break the law..=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.To ascertain your hardware environments, download either of the following pieces of software, install on all four machines, and note any dissimilarity. ** Everest Home edition ** ** SIW **Dissimilarity will usually mean that the clone or disk imaging process will fail to produce a working operating system on the host computer.All is not lost however because a few software manufacturers have developed "Stuff" that allows cloning and disk imaging to dissimilar hardware environments. One such is "Acronis" with their "Universal Restore" (Recently re-named "Add_On Pack" for the 2011 version)It is quite common in the corporate world to "Roll Out" the same (Clone) operating system to a whole bunch of computers. Perhaps you could search to see how this is done ?Remember also that old computers can be set up and used as Servers, Linux based desktop home computers, Active Hardware Firewalls, Music Streamers, and a whole bunch of other stuff.Do come back with any other questions that you may have Matt.John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 Remember also that old computers can be set up and used as Servers, Linux based desktop home computers, Active Hardware Firewalls, Music Streamers, and a whole bunch of other stuff.""Hardware Firewalls"...\\\,...This is worth lookin' into. edit:I didn't mean to demean the rest of your content.I grabbed this as the first limb.:0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 Where does the legality of what mattg was trying to do come in, the first thing I did with my laptop was spend some time getting rid of all the crap they put on to them nowadays, that's not illegal is it ??? as I read the question mattg bought four identical computers and didn't want to spend hours going through each one and asked if after doing one he could copy the decraped one to the rest, and as far as I know that's not illegal as they all have a pre-installed OsEdit: by now he's probably done them all one by one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANEMAN Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 Rong Said: - "and as far as I know that's not illegal your honour" He was led to the cells, scratchin' an' a screamin' by two burly court attendants. His family in the viewing area, visibly shaken by the sentence. :( "Give me back my computers you dang B******* !!!!!!" :lol: :lol: .=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=. Cap'n Bludgard Said: - "Hardware Firewalls" ...\\\,...This is worth lookin' into. Yep it sure is........ And I'm a bettin' you have already. :) For those who haven't here are a few links. ***Three things to do with your old PC*** **How to Build a Firewall Using Your Old Computer** **Top 10 Cool Uses For Old Computers And Laptops**.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.Heck we've drifted a bit Off-Topic. But at least I didn't start it. B) All good educational stuff though..=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.Ignorance of the law cannot, and will not be used an excuse, or mitigating circumstance in my court of law young man. I find in favour of Microsoft. I sentence you to 12 years hard labour. Take him down. Court adjourned. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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