Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mr Skrunts on 18 December 2008, 16:37:30

Title: Software Choices
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 18 December 2008, 16:37:30
With some ideas from my other thread.  I thought I would start this one to see what members would had to thier Windows install before ghosing an image.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1229553801/15#18


My thoughts so far are.


Windows  XPPro/Vista
MS Office
CD/DVD Burning Program (Nero)
Google Earth (I use it quite a lot)
DVD playback (? let you all choose)
Paint Shop Pro
Photo Shop
Camtasia Studio

Java
Flash
DivX Codecs

Various Games

Then Ghost it all to a partition.

Drive Image / Norton Ghost (Open to Choice here)

Title: Re: Software Choices
Post by: Jimbob on 18 December 2008, 16:40:35
A rebuild doesnt bother me, only takes a day of here and there access to a computer.

As things always move on, would rather start from scratch, all new drivers etc then restore an image and update it all.

I keep service packs etc, and all software images on a separate hdd, and just mount virtual images.

Did the ghost thing a long time ago, but dont bother now.
Title: Re: Software Choices
Post by: TheBoy on 18 December 2008, 18:05:34
As I rebuild my (main) XP machines every 6-8 weeks, imaging is essential.  The Vista ones seem to last much longer before getting tired.

I ghost with OS and SP, Office (no SP), and drivers.  Office SP and all other updates come down quickly from a local updates server.

Other essential utilities (AV, compression utils, burning, pdf, flash, vital driver updates etc) delivered by GPO on first boot.  Printer drivers go on on first connection to printer (part of a custom sysprep script).


This allows me to easily keep all machines reasonably up to date without having to redo the ghost that often (generally only on new OS SP)
Title: Re: Software Choices
Post by: Jimbob on 18 December 2008, 18:46:21
Quote
As I rebuild my (main) XP machines every 6-8 weeks, imaging is essential.  The Vista ones seem to last much longer before getting tired.

I ghost with OS and SP, Office (no SP), and drivers.  Office SP and all other updates come down quickly from a local updates server.

Other essential utilities (AV, compression utils, burning, pdf, flash, vital driver updates etc) delivered by GPO on first boot.  Printer drivers go on on first connection to printer (part of a custom sysprep script).


This allows me to easily keep all machines reasonably up to date without having to redo the ghost that often (generally only on new OS SP)


At that rebuild rate I would image too!
I probably get a good year before I rebuild these days
Title: Re: Software Choices
Post by: TheBoy on 18 December 2008, 18:54:46
Quote
Quote
As I rebuild my (main) XP machines every 6-8 weeks, imaging is essential.  The Vista ones seem to last much longer before getting tired.

I ghost with OS and SP, Office (no SP), and drivers.  Office SP and all other updates come down quickly from a local updates server.

Other essential utilities (AV, compression utils, burning, pdf, flash, vital driver updates etc) delivered by GPO on first boot.  Printer drivers go on on first connection to printer (part of a custom sysprep script).


This allows me to easily keep all machines reasonably up to date without having to redo the ghost that often (generally only on new OS SP)


At that rebuild rate I would image too!
I probably get a good year before I rebuild these days
i have a load of test crap go through mine.  Also, saves housekeeping the disk ;D

my vista machines do not seem so prone to the slowdown that kills xp after a few weeks of heavy use...
Title: Re: Software Choices
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 18 December 2008, 19:51:05
I dont prefer images or some similiar stuff..

always start from scratch..only load source code and some document

from backups..fresh installs dont take much time with a fast disk and

cpu..and I think it prevents from later registry collisions and crashes..
Title: Re: Software Choices
Post by: willyboy on 18 December 2008, 22:17:01
Used Norton Ghost for last 6 yrs now using V-12 I really must say havnt reinstalled windows (XP)from scratch on a pc for yonks , apart from when I bought this one using now in April it had VisTa  Ultimate 64bit on it took it off (as was crap for gaming at the time ) & put Xp on  Ntn ghost is great  would'nt be with out it.. It can be a life saver & saves soooo much time!!
Did  set up dual boot with Vista back on other week , hardly turn it on ... ;)