VOGONS


First post, by thewindowsxpguy1902

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Hello, so im going to be cloning windows xp systems for testing purposes. im writing software at patches for undisclosed reasons but im trying to learn the secrets of how microsoft and manufacturers like dell, hp asus, toshiba, gateway, etc. made a master image then used it like for example i have a pc that has a bunch programs installed like latest version of java xp 64 can handle, as web browsers, vmware, sound driver, networking drivers, usb drivers, firewire drivers, as well as my custom sound card that i use on my pc. but what im wanting is this.

so the programs are pre configured on the hard drive where all the software is installed and left alone and not touched again. but then the iso image, like an oem iso of a windows xp 64bit oem iso which has the following directory - ( AMD64, DOCS, I386,Support, [BOOT], AutoRun.inf,Readme.HTM,SETUP.EXE,WIN51,WIN51AP

so id like after i clone my hdd to convert those files to look like that. so like how on windows vista you can boot into win pe and use giamge x to capture install.wim to capture your entire hard drive how do it now days. but how did it on xp x64 and 32, i have no idea. i want to learn. if someone could send me the right resources id really Appreciate it. i hope i was really clear this time. i tried to be clear as possible. i have a hard time with words. im sorry if i couldn't be more clear.

Reply 1 of 2, by Dimos

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So if i understand correctly, do you want to clone your existing windows xp installation (with all the software you have installed and all the configurations and settings you have done) to other pcs that come with different hardware?

Cpu: Intel i7 4790k
Gpu: Gigabyte Xtreme Gaming 980 ti
Ram: G-Skill Trident X F3-2400C10Q-16GTD
Mobo: Gigabyte Z97x Gaming 5
Hdd: T-Force Vulcan Z 512 gb Ssd
Psu: Corsair CX650
Soundcard: Creative SB Audigy RX
Os: Windows XP Sp3 x86

Reply 2 of 2, by myne

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I think you're looking for sysprep.

AFIK that's what OEMs used to make their images.

Worth noting, literally copying and pasting files into an NTFS drive boots on any machine AS LONG AS ANY COMPATIBLE storage driver is set to "boot".
The boot sector and NTLDR sort it out.

Look in registry HKLM\...\currentcontrolset\services
Look for something like ATAPI (cdrom) and see the starttype. IRIC t should be 0 (boot) ie, the the first things loaded by the kernel.
Then you figure out all the possible IDE/SATA storage drivers and set them to boot and it should work on anything.

You'll know this is the problem if you BSOD on boot with 0x0000007b

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