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I've always built systems for myself, friends, and family. But I'm wanting to start building systems for other people. I know when I build my own, I install Windows, then install the drivers and all the software I install on new systems. Is there anyway to reset Windows to where it's like it's being booted for the first time AFTER I've installed all the drivers and software? Basically I want to setup a computer in it's entirety, and when the client turns it on for the first time, it prompts him for his user name and password.

Also, I like to partition the hard drive into two drives and remap the personal folders to the D drive. In XP it was simple because all you did was remap the My Documents folder. In Vista, you have to move each folder individually. Is there any way to set it up to where, when the client boots it up for the first time, it will automatically default his personal folders to the D drive? 

I know how to make partitions, What I'm talking is about when you right click the Pictures or Documents or any of the personal folders in vista, and go to properties, there is a tab called location where you can move the folder somewhere else. I was just wondering if there was any way to do this by default.

But that questions is second to resetting windows to be like it's being booted for the first time, that's the big one i'm trying to figure out. 

reiththestud:

I've always built systems for myself, friends, and family. But I'm wanting to start building systems for other people. I know when I build my own, I install Windows, then install the drivers and all the software I install on new systems. Is there anyway to reset Windows to where it's like it's being booted for the first time AFTER I've installed all the drivers and software? Basically I want to setup a computer in it's entirety, and when the client turns it on for the first time, it prompts him for his user name and password.

Also, I like to partition the hard drive into two drives and remap the personal folders to the D drive. In XP it was simple because all you did was remap the My Documents folder. In Vista, you have to move each folder individually. Is there any way to set it up to where, when the client boots it up for the first time, it will automatically default his personal folders to the D drive? 

 ye thats a great question, i've always wanted to know how to perform the action of resetting windows after i've installed the drivers and software. Let me know if you find an answer. Email: service@power-pcs.com

thanks mate,
 

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I haven't had a chance to try this for myself, but I think this might be it.

http://www.asisupport.com/vista_oem_install.htm

I'm not system building at the moment, if anyone can confirm this as working and report on their experience using this method, that would be great.

You can use a tool named Norton Ghost from Symantec. It can create a image file from your hard disk partition, includes you windows OS partition. You can backup your windows from the first time you install it .and restore it when you need in about 10 minutes.

The how-to and user guide is here

http://open-systems.ufl.edu/services/pc-support/maint-docs/bootdisk.html

http://open-systems.ufl.edu/services/pc-support/maint-docs/ghostimg.html

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A tool you can use is called sysprep,here is the link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457073(TechNet.10).aspx

hope it helps

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