Clonezilla , NLite and PCs with different hardware specs

Question

I used Clonezilla to create and restore images from a master computer to other workstations with the same specs. But the problem now is there are new computers whose hardware specs are different than the ones I maintained (mostly the videocard is different).

Is it possible to create a customize Windows XP installer using Nlite and integrate all potential videocard and motherboard drivers ? If I then used this NLite ISO to install to a master computer which i will later clone and restore the image to other workstations, will windows xp still pick up the correct driver set?

During XP installation, does the installer transfers all the drivers to the computer's harddisk?

Thanks!

Ryan

Answer 1

Yes, all preloaded drivers slipstreamed using Nlite will be installed during installation. What I'm not of is if this will cause a conflict if you are installing multiple drivers, I have the inclination that it wouldn't since the the drivers that would be in use would be for the hardware that is currently there.

Answer 2

Try Driver Packs, it will bloat the install disc to DVD size if you include all driver packs.

http://driverpacks.net/

Tutorial for using Driver Packs Base software, read carefully.

http://forum.driverpacks.net/viewtopic.php?id=1449

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If you do use Nlite, be sure to use it first, then use Driverppacks base last or there will be problems during installation.

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There is Paragon software that can clone>migrate and installation to new hardware. See scenario 3, I don't think it installs drivers, but will allow it to be bootable in the new system.

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http://www.paragon-software.com/home/dc-personal/

Answer 3

Another option is to sysprep the machine with a custom sysprep.inf and add something like below.

OemPnPDriversPath = Sysprep\drivers\audio\analog_devices\hd;Sysprep\drivers\audio\analog_devices\ac97;Sysprep\drivers\audio\realtek\hd;Sysprep\drivers\audio\realtek\ac97;Sysprep\drivers\audio\sigmatel;Sysprep\drivers\bluetooth\toshiba;Sysprep\drivers\bluetooth\widcomm

Then after sysprepping you image the machine.