Duplicate new installation (but different licenses)?

[inugami]

Hi Folks,

I have four computers in my office that I am upgrading from XP to Win 7 64-bit. All are exact same hardware and will have same software installations. The only difference will be a different license for each machine.

Now that I've completed one complete clean installation with all updates, etc., I'd like to to simply duplicate that onto the other three machines. Is there an easy, and simple, way to do that?

Many thanks!

 

[ex_bubblehead]

First question: Are these computers members of a domain?

 

[USAFRet]

1. Create machine #1. Do not enter a license key
2. Using CloneZilla (you boot from this CD), create an image of that install, and save it on an external drive
3. Again using CloneZilla, copy that image onto the other machines
4. Apply the relevant activation keys to each machine. Activate as needed.

There are other ways, but for only 4 machines this is probably the easiest and cheapest.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

1. Create machine #1. Do not enter a license key
2. Using CloneZilla (you boot from this CD), create an image of that install, and save it on an external drive
3. Again using CloneZilla, copy that image onto the other machines
4. Apply the relevant activation keys to each machine. Activate as needed.

There are other ways, but for only 4 machines this is probably the easiest and cheapest.

Not if they're domain members (that's why I asked). Clones will all have the same SID & computer name which causes no end of headaches to admins.

 

[USAFRet]

1. Create machine #1. Do not enter a license key
2. Using CloneZilla (you boot from this CD), create an image of that install, and save it on an external drive
3. Again using CloneZilla, copy that image onto the other machines
4. Apply the relevant activation keys to each machine. Activate as needed.

There are other ways, but for only 4 machines this is probably the easiest and cheapest.

Not if they're domain members (that's why I asked). Clones will all have the same SID & computer name which causes no end of headaches to admins.

Right.

 

[inugami]

Hello all,

Thanks for your fast responses. I'm not certain what "members of a domain" actually means. The computers do all work on one LAN, and share databases on our server. The first upgraded machine already has been activated. Any other ways?

 

[USAFRet]

Hello all,

Thanks for your fast responses. I'm not certain what "members of a domain" actually means. The computers do all work on one LAN, and share databases on our server. The first upgraded machine already has been activated. Any other ways?

If you're "not certain", then they almost certainly not part of a domain.

You can still do the steps I listed above, but you'll have to change the license key for each machine. And change the Computer name.

 

[inugami]

Ok, can do both steps. After applying the cloned copy to the new machine will Windows ask for a "correct" key?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, can do both steps. After applying the cloned copy to the new machine will Windows ask for a "correct" key?

Initially, it will have the same key. Change it via Start/Computer/Properties...

 

[inugami]

Ok, can do both steps. After applying the cloned copy to the new machine will Windows ask for a "correct" key?

Initially, it will have the same key. Change it via Start/Computer/Properties...

 

[inugami]

Thanks! I'll try that soon.