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Resolved Question

Reimage multiple computers (with no monitors)

Oct 7, 2013 12:41AM PDT

Please consult THIS DIAGRAM for clarification of my question.

I have 10+ computers that I need to upgrade to Windows 7.

My question is: Short of plugging a keyboard and a monitor into every computer, how can I reimage these computers without a monitor?

I have looked at solutions such as CloneZilla, even that relies on booting to PXE and keyboard input, that is not what I want...

I'm almost wondering if it would be easier to take all of the hard drives out and bring them over to the server folks for a massive HD Clone...

Discussion is locked

Ha1luciNate has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Lack of faith.
Oct 9, 2013 7:58AM PDT

It has become evident that this site is just another place for bureaucratic ******** and not a place for intelligent discussion and problem solving.

You are all what is wrong with humanity.

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And...
Oct 9, 2013 8:03AM PDT

You're a pretentious time wasting ars.... Thanks for ridding us of your self opinionation.

Dafydd.

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I think you solved your own problem already.
Oct 9, 2013 8:06AM PDT

Just program a Pi to emulate a keyboard and you won't need a person to press the keys. But maybe you were in search of a still better solution?

Kees

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Pi or Rubber Ducky?
Oct 9, 2013 8:17AM PDT
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That's what the OP meant.
Oct 9, 2013 8:21AM PDT

"not a place for intelligent discussion" Wink .

Kees

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Answer
As long as the computers are identical, you can clone
Oct 7, 2013 12:58AM PDT

I've cloned many a hard drive for identical PCs by removing the hard drive, plugging it into a PC with a monitor using a secondary hard drive connection. You could also consider the possibility of a KVM switch. In the past I used Norton Ghost, which still works with Windows 7, but since good old Symantec in its wisdom has discontinued sales & support of Ghost, I've switched to Easeus Todo Backup, which works fine for me with both Windows 7 and 8.
`
Good luck.

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Title
Oct 7, 2013 1:03AM PDT

I have considered using a KVM but that still requires a lot of manual effort. The goal of this project is to make things easier.

Currently I'm looking at the possibility of programming a raspberry Pi with a GPIO (general purpose input/output) to fake the computer into thinking that it is connected to a keyboard.

I could program the Pi with the keystrokes required and then send them to all of the computers after booting up to our reimaging environment.


This should not be so hard.

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For Posterity
Oct 7, 2013 2:38AM PDT
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After you look at it, I think you'll see why it's not your
Oct 7, 2013 10:33AM PDT

answer. I don't see an easy solution to your problem but know that I can do 10 PCs the hard way in less time than it would take for you to get an answer here and have your plan in place and operational. I've done this plenty of times with VL licensed Windows systems with identical hardware. It takes more time to create the first build and image than to clone the rest of the PCs. You need one monitor, one keyboard and mouse and ten boxes ready to receive the image from such as a USB flash or hard drive. Just change the box as each is finished.

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Absurd.
Oct 8, 2013 12:04AM PDT

It is exactly this kind of thinking that has hampered progress in the field of computer science.

Your answer is absurd. There is a better way to do things. I'm sorry if you aren't intelligent enough to research and implement them.

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Your reply certainly isn't one of the most courteous
Oct 8, 2013 4:16AM PDT

I've seen around here. Some folks won't appreciate being insulted when they try to be helpful so I'd suggest that, if you want ideas in the future, you come back with a different attitude. Your request sounds as though you're looking for current technology and not future technology. If you want future technology, develop it yourself. As for having 10 PCs, I didn't see that as needing anything high tech or complicated. I don't need to rent a heavy duty tiller if I've got a 10 square foot garden and a shovel nearby. Sorry but when the meetings and planning take more time than actual work, it doesn't take a lot of brain power to notice that something is wrong with the project management. Good luck.

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Let me try to translate.
Oct 9, 2013 2:02AM PDT

Let me try to translate what the user above posted.

"I can bang my head on a nail and hammer it in faster that it would take me to build a hammer."

No, SIR, It is exactly people like you and your colleague that are preventing us from moving forward. Lets try developing solutions instead of exacerbating the same workflow over and over. It's pathetic that some people don't even consider alternative solutions to their projects.

Build a damn hammer and stop being complacent... Sure it would take you less time to do "10 the hard way" but what about 100, 500, 1000? That is the scope that I am dealing with on this project.

Thank you to the other users that provided meaningful and well thought out feedback.

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Re-invent the wheel yet again
Oct 9, 2013 2:30AM PDT

It appears you want "us" to fix your problem not by fixing it but introduce something new or at low cost to you. I'm sure there are plenty of answers out there but sometimes the best one, is simply to bite the bullet and get it done. if you want new solutions then you pay for that. That is what you really want and it appears above your pay grade. Looking outside is a good start but all too often it comes down to money and the real players of s/w weinnies that could do this for ya. if that was already done and I'm sure this scenario has already been out there it would be part of something to sell to you. Let's be clear, we fix but not necessarily invent new approaches to a problem. We come and go on a problem. If you want someone to fix(answer) your problem then you need someone to invent it and I don't see that coming from here at least for free. Sometimes techs come across with new approaches for a problem but someone has done that but not the tech in most regards. All he/she can do is offer was is available or new to them, not necessarily invent on the spot a new approach or fix. Believe me we have enough on our plate as is, but there's always a smart one out there willing to do more than what is called for but that is a rare individual. I wish you good but as someone else posted here don't be so negative in some responses we do what we can and in some cases even if not the right answer one that can be used not to go in that direction.

"I" Willy, helped manned NASA projects, got my name on Mars and saved $1.50 using a lunch coupon many yrs. ago but I fix the same PC problems over and over again all this w/o a degree. Yes, I have re-invented the wheel from h/w parts or salvaged from junk pile but it wasn't always easy and have followed very intelligent people via phone what to do as they knew more and willing to part with it. It was a team effort and it pays to *listen*.

tada -----Willy Happy

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I"ve read the article above
Oct 9, 2013 4:26AM PDT
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Answer
Unable to see the diagram but,
Oct 7, 2013 8:55AM PDT

why don't these 10+ computers have keyboards and monitors?

P

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Deployment
Oct 8, 2013 12:05AM PDT

These computers are dropped off to be reimaged, their peripherals remain at the workstation where a spare is placed.

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Not sure that only 10 is worth worth the effort you seem
Oct 8, 2013 11:59AM PDT

intent on.
I do that many before lunch during our "Refresh", end of 3 year lease, where I have 250 to image.
(Not bragging, just saying)

Sure, the initial setup of the image takes a few days, and a number of tries, but once done it is a simple matter to fire them up with a thumbdrive and just let them go.
Just need the monitor to make sure I choose USB Device at boot up. After that, don't need a monitor or keyboard.

It sounds as though you don't have to transfer any data after the imaging, at least you didn't mention it.
That makes the job so much easier.

We also use Symantec Altiris, which involves PXE booting, to image other machines.

P

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A faster solution.
Oct 9, 2013 2:03AM PDT

In this case, it seems like a faster solution would be to get one or two "Power PC's" with SATA cards and enough power to do a batch clone of the hard drives.

The computers are all using the same hardware.

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Ok, if you think you have the solution, go do it.
Oct 9, 2013 2:56AM PDT

I don't know where these 10 PCs will go but I guarantee you that you won't put them on the same network without visiting each one. There's no lazy way out. Now if you want to waste more time insulting me and other people here, have all the fun you want. Bye.

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Heard a story here
Oct 9, 2013 3:12AM PDT

form Bob Proffitt about " How Quantity Always Trumps Quality" some how seems like it would apply here.

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The OP is bogus anyway
Oct 9, 2013 3:50AM PDT

All you need to do is check the person's history, read each post, and try to to figure out what's being asked. Check the link to the diagram and its Kindergarten artwork. It's from some social media site or some such. This is a prank and, certainly if I was a person waiting for my computer to be ready I'd not pick this person to prep it for me. Happy