Im Of Fixing The Same People's Computers

[Rondog]

Alright, ive had it. Ive fixed the same computers, of several repeatedly. Im sick of it.

I want to know how to make a restore CD/DVD. Effectively, they bugger there machine. They bring it to me, I install Windows, activate if need be, install office, all there funny little programs, set all there settings. Then image the drive. I want to know, how do I burn this image to a CD/DVD, so if they screw it again, they can start the computer, and put the CD/DVD in.

Post screen...

Booting from CD....

It formats there hard-drive and copies the imaged stuff back on.

Can it be done, so they dont have to do anything except put the CD in?

[GrahamGarside]

Nero has a back up tool that will image a drive to cd/dvd that can just be booted from and restored, I don't think it will image from a drive currently runnint the os though so you would need to either put the drive in another system or have a seperate partition with another copy of windows installed to do it from

Either that or create a slipstreamed windows install disc

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Ha...ustomization1/

[Rondog]

OK, sort of what I was after. If I can create a slipstreamed install for Windows...can I add options to install such as, say Ad-Aware, or a virus scanner?

[Aedan]

Ghost can be set up to do it. Basically, you set up a boot floppy with the drivers/DOS so that it mounts the CD/DVD drive on a suitable letter. Then it boot disk runs ghost from the CD/DVD and uses it to restore automatically.

Once you've got all that in place, you can write a bootable CD/DVD using the boot floppy.

[Rondog]

Ahah! Thanks Áedán, i'll that info away in my store-house of useless knowledge (brain). Thanks, mate!

[surlyjoe]

Powerquest Drive Image is kinda like ghost for dummies, it will make a bootable image

[Rondog]

Hmm ok then. I will try both. Thanks people!

[Chesso]

Do you get payed for it? if so then why not just fix it lol! i mean there's nothing wrong with improving thing's for customer and in a way for yourself by doing this but from a financial point of view.

[Rondog]

Yeah, I do it for free.

[calgar]

if thats the case, dont forget to put F@H on it lol!

[Rondog]

Yeah, im about to start doing that.

[hoinar]

Than you have to change that...and you'll see how much things will improve...for you..

[Rondog]

Yeah, I know. Im just too damn nice to charge people. And I suck at explaining things. When I tried to explain F@H a week or so ago. I got blank stares.

[hoinar]

Just one try to explain them how much it costs...and either they'll pay...and you'll be happy or they won't call you anymore to repair their stupidity

[Chesso]

Yeah i think i should start charging too. I don't mind helping out with more interesting and complicated problems but when it's the same old thing asked over and over again it start's to get old fast and especially from the same person.

I try to explain to half these people what the particular problem is and how they can fix it themselves but they just don't want to learn these are people i like to call idiot's rather then someone who just plain doesn't know.

[Rondog]

Yeah, mine are generally spy-ware related issues. Despite the fact I install Ad-Aware AND a virus scanner.

[MietmaN]

Originally Posted by Rondog

Yeah, mine are generally spy-ware related issues. Despite the fact I install Ad-Aware AND a virus scanner.

Spyware issues? Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4 and CWS shredder might be a good idea - those three together really make a good team - I've never had any spyware while using all of them. And totally free Avast Antyvir is much better than Symantec's Norton Antyvir - also in terms of getting rid of spyware.

Nero BackItUp sucks, at least in my opinion - it runs in Windows and has some problems with creating images of active system partition. Norton Ghost makes everything in quasi-DOS enviroment and has been a loyal friend to me so far good luck!

[Chesso]

MietmaN while that may be true for you i haven't had problem with spyware or virus's without any anti-virus or firewall's

But im assuming we are talking about people who aren't exactly all too curious about their computer's(i suppose you could consider them computer illiterate). Some anti virus set to automatically scan frequently(not too often mind you) and auto update itself might be a good idea.

If you can find anything that runs in the background and does these tasks automatically without any user interaction(and shut itself up if there are any errors) you might find yourself being bothered less.

Worth a try i suppose and this has actually given me an idea for another program to make

EDIT: Also if any of these people aren't too heavy on ActiveX only supported currently in IE then perhaps installing Firefox and crippling internet explorer might also be a good idea.

[Rondog]

Yeah, im considering putting Firefox and Thunderbird on all systems I rebuild now.

[Chesso]

That give's me another idea

An application to put on my software backup cd's that automatically install them all unnatended. Damn im full of idea's today and this one could save me a ton of trouble