18 replies to this topic

[Shirin Zaban]

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Create Universal Ghost or WIM Image of Windows XP
========================================
Hi all

I am going to explain process of creating hardware independent image of
windows XP.This means that if you restor the created image on any computer
by any kinds of hardwares,it should work.

May be it is not correct to say "hardware independent image",because as i
will say during tutor ,it is better to say each image that we make,may work
by some kinds of systems and will not work with others.

Any way do it by your own risk.

=============================
Step_01 : Note befor begining the job
=============================
Talking about hardware independed image,mostly began by windows vista.and
continued by windows 7.

Let's see what is hardware independed image ?

First thing that we should know is "HAL"(Hardware Abstraction Layer).In
simple define we can say "in Windows NT, 2000, and XP,HAL is a kind of driver
that provides interface between Operating System and hardware".

There are several kinds of HAL that windows can use,some of them are:

Standard PC
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface[ACPI] PC
ACPI Multiprocessor PC
ACPI Uniprocessor PC
MPS Multiprocessor PC
MPS Uniprocessor PC

If you want to know which kind of HAL is used by your PC,do as below:
1. Right-click the "My Computer" icon on desktop,and click "Properties".
2. Go to the "Hardware" tab,then Click "Device Manager".
4. Double-click "Computer" to view which HAL is loaded.

(see figure 01 from attachment for my system HAL).

Now let's talk a little more about different kinds of HAL:

Standard PC = Is Old Hal, Uses Hal.dll,and does not support a lot of newer systems.
you can use this kind for imaging just for computers that have the same HAL.

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface[ACPI] PC = Uses Halacpi.dll,and seems to
be more compatible by most of systems.

ACPI Multiprocessor PC = uses Halmacpi.dll,and can be can be used to deploy sysprep
image for computers that uses the HAL (Halmacpi.dll) and (Halaacpi.dll)

ACPI Uniprocessor PC =Uses Halaacpi.dll

MPS Multiprocessor PC =Uses Halmps.dll.and can be can be used to deploy sysprep
image for computers that uses the HAL of (Halapic.dll)and (Halmps.dll) types

MPS Uniprocessor PC =Uses Halapic.dll

Last Point: If you want to make your image as compatible with most systems,you should
use the "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC" HAL. This HAL will work
on most any modern computer, but it won't take advantage of multiple processors or
even hyperthreading. It also won't work at all on older Xeon based computers.and i will
use this HAL in tutor.

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Step_02 : Needs
=============

sp2.cab (from I386 folder of your XPCD).
deploy.cab (from Your XPCD)
patches (hotfixes):KB883667,KB887816,KB910678.
SysPrep Driver Scanner, from http://www.vernalex....32/spdrvscn.exe

I suppose that you have saved files above some where in your system.

================================
Step_03 Installing system and applications
================================

1. Install Windows XP sp2 (Clean Install and in drive C:).
Notes:

_ If you do this work in virtual pc,after installation,install virtual pc's
addons too.
_ During install process,do not use addministrator passwoord,and do not join
domain.
_ After installation,restart,then logon as Administrator (To do this during logon
hold Ctrl + Alt and press Del twice ,then Enter 'Administrator' as the username
and leave the password field blank).


2.Install Needed Drivers (Just manufacturer specific drivers for hardware that
Windows cannot detect ).

3.Extract files below from sp2.cab some where:

halacpi.dll (not halaacpi.dll)
ntkrnlpa.exe
ntoskrnl.exe

Rename "halacpi.dll" to "hal.dll",then copy these three files to your system32
directory (overwrite).

4.Install hotfixes (KB883667,KB887816,KB910678),then restart computer.

5.Delete some files that you do not need for example MSN Explorer and
unneeded screen savers and...

6.Make your favorite adjustments for example set wallpaper,adust monitor
resolution to 1024 x 768 and Disable hibernation,Setup Start Menu and Desktop
shortcuts and...

7.Install and configure necessary softwares.(Note that Do not run softwares that
require user registration for example MS Office).

=============================
Step_04 Getting ready for taking image
=============================

1.Create directoy sysprep in root of your C: drive (C:\sysprep).

2.Extract "deploy.cab" to "C:\sysprep" folder.

3.Copy spdrvscan.exe (SysPrep Driver Scanner) to "C:\sysprep" folder.

4.create directory "C:\drivers".

5.Copy All drivers Needed for all computers that you want to use the image
on them.Note that you need to use 3rd party to prepair needed driver files
(Normaly INF and DLL files).

The form of driver folder should be some thing like:

C:\Drivers\Audio\C-Media\9880\"Needed files for this model"
C:\Drivers\Audio\C-Media\8738\"Needed files for this model"
C:\Drivers\MassStorage\Marvell\"Needed files for this model"

6.Now you should create sysprep.inf file.for this job run C:\sysprep\setupmgr.exe
go through wizard process,during wizard select "Sysprep setup" ,"Fully automate".
at the end sysprep.inf file will be made at C:\sysprep\ directory.open that by
notepad,check it,make any changes you prefer,and also add sections below to it:
[Unattended]
DriverSigningPolicy=Ignore
UpdateInstalledDrivers=Yes

[SysprepMassStorage]

Note:
We can add some other entries and add some other commands to sysprep.inf ,but
because of keeping tutor as simple as posible,i do not talk about them.

7.Run C:\sysprep\spdrvscan.exe
_make sure "inf" is selected in Extention section

_In "Search Path" section type: "C:\Drivers"

_Click "Scan" button.after a while it will show drivers pathes

_Click "Add" button and in coming window type: C:\Windows\inf and ok it.

_Click "Save" button. the program will add needed information to registry in:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DevicePath

_Click "Done" button,to exit the program.

8.Open command prompt and go to C:\sysprep

_Type: sysprep -bmsd

_Press Enter

The command will write mass storage devices under "[SysprepMassStorage]"
section in "sysprep.inf" . this process may take from few seconds to even
one hour with respect to your system.(you will see a window during it works).

9.Clean any Temp folders and unneeded files and also Make sure to empty recycle bin.

10.It is beter to backup your system by ghost or other tools in this step.because
if we had a problem in next step,or we wanted to make some changes ,we can do that
by restoring this image.


===================
Step_05 Finishing the job
===================

1.Now system is ready to use SysPrep.

_Run sysprep.exe (from C:\sysprep),you will see a widow

_Enable "Use Mini-Setup"

_In "Shutdown mode" section select "Shut down"

_Click on "Reseal" button.The process of program will begin.if you have the
[SysprepMassStorage] section in sysprep.inf,the process will take a while.
and,when finished it will automatically shut down the computer.


2.Now use 3rd party for example ghost and get image of your drive.
This image can be restored to any computer that uses the same HAL,
and after boot you will have a mini setup process (few minutes) to finish.

After taking image you can turn on your computer to see mini setup process.


Note: SYSPREP will automatically delete c:\sysprep directory when it completes.


======================================
Thats all

hope will be some help

shirin zaban

Attached Files

•  01.png   21.42KB   302 downloads

[olegpov]

4.Install hotfixes (KB883667,KB887816,KB910678),then restart computer.

I correctly understand that these changes are necessary for SP2 but for SP3 was not needed?

[Shirin Zaban]

For keeping the tutorial as small as possible,i did not talk every things.
As i know when working with imaging XP,some times we get errores,and
most of the times (90%),the errores can be bypassed by using hotfixes
above.May be some one will not need any of them,and some others will
need one,two or all of them.

shirin zaban

[karyonix]

You can have multiple ntoskrnl and hal files in system32 directory. Use boot.ini options /KERNEL= /HAL= to select which files you want to use during boot.
http://www.boot-land...?...ost&p=81246
http://www.vernalex....sprep/hal.shtml

[agni]

You can detect and choose which type of HAL to use automatically by using mysysprep

http://www.tsaysoft.com/mysysprep/
http://adminbromo.bl...mage-guide.html

[Galapo]

Note: mysysprep is only good for setting acpi uni- and multi-processor HALs. It doesn't do standard vs acpipic HALs. For this, use either the boot.ini method or OfflineSysPrep if you want an automated HAL swap on first boot of new system. Using Longhorn ntldr you can also have automatic HAL swap, too: http://www.msfn.org/...799#entry532799

Regards,
Galapo.

[agni]

Thanks Galapo

http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=4729
The 4th post in this thread also has details on detecting hal.
Is there any drawback in that method?

BTW where can i get a copy of Longhorn ntldr ?

[Galapo]

Yep, I helped Thuun do beta testing of PatherXP. It's a good method. From what I remember, it is also good for uni- and multi-processor machines.

Regard post #4 and the boot.ini method, the only drawback is having to use a menu is all.

Regarding Longhorn, it won't be a legal method unless you have a license agreement for it. I was just posting the details for completeness.

Regards,
Galapo.

[agni]

Note: mysysprep is only good for setting acpi uni- and multi-processor HALs. It doesn't do standard vs acpipic HALs. For this, use either the boot.ini method or OfflineSysPrep if you want an automated HAL swap on first boot of new system. Using Longhorn ntldr you can also have automatic HAL swap, too: http://www.msfn.org/...799#entry532799

Regards,
Galapo.

Does thuun's Panther XP handle standard vs acpipic HALs?
Also in your offline sysprep tool there is an option to stop intelppm service.
Again,does thuun's Panther XP take care of this?

[Galapo]

I think the HALs supported by PatherXP is standard, uniprocessor, and multiprocessor. But it's been a while, so I'm not exactly sure about standard.

Also, I forget whether there is an auto disabling of intelppm service when necessary. Perhaps it is disabled by default? I'd have to test again to know.

Regards,
Galapo.

[Shirin Zaban]

Hi Dear Galapo

I have read your notes about Panther xp ,I downloaded Panther xp and looked video.

It looks very good ,but i did not understand how to use that.i (as a basic user),did not find any simple description to use that.descriptions and video are all talking about structure of Panther not how to use that.

shirin zaban

[MedEvil]

Does this help?

[Shirin Zaban]

I have found needed description inside extracted pantherxp
and i am going to test it.

shirin zaban

[MFaisalH]

Asalaam-o-Alaikum

Brother Shirin,

I read ur article, i need to add sky driver / easy drivers to add in my ghost image file to automate installation of windows through that ghost on any pc. is this article will play for me

[Shirin Zaban]

hi
yes you can use and the new version of drivers are Easy Driverpacks Full 5.2.0.7 (31-08-2011)
for xp x86
http://www.mediafire...rd8c65q8r6sx3#1
http://www.mediafire...rd8c65q8r6sx3#1

for windows 7 x86
http://www.mediafire...4c75kgxtrgjxo25
http://www.mediafire...ao3eblxkb2i06qe
http://www.mediafire...11pyumh5h9ypoak

for windows 7 x64
http://www.mediafire...11pyumh5h9ypoak
http://www.mediafire...qi0xeyp10h32737
http://www.mediafire...957paj8luesvdlx

[MFaisalH]

Asalaam-o-Alaikum

Brother shirin

Thanks for ur reply, is there any software which automatically add driver packs to ghost image file or can u pls give me the step by stem tutorial as i m going to do this for the first time and a novice to programming. i shall b very much thankful to u dear. and kindly help me in detail.

Thanks

Edited by MFaisalH, 03 October 2011 - 11:08 AM.

[Uvais]

Asalaam-o-Alaikum

Brother shirin

Thanks for ur reply, is there any software which automatically add driver packs to ghost image file or can u pls give me the step by stem tutorial as i m going to do this for the first time and a novice to programming. i shall b very much thankful to u dear. and kindly help me in detail.

Thanks

Read Shirin Zaban's tutorial here

For XP http://reboot.pro/10943/

For 7 http://reboot.pro/11033/

Edited by Uvais, 04 October 2011 - 02:19 PM.

[Muhammad Sajjad]

some tell me how to creat wim image please

[Uvais]

Boot from PE and use Imagex Or Gimagex