Parsix GNU/Linux

General Discussions - English - parsix image to other pc
lawmanuk - Aug 09, 2008 - 04:48 AM
Post subject: parsix image to other pc
on windows, i used to be able backup the whole os with my chosen apps and tweaks into a simple image file using acronis trueimage or norton ghost.

i could then restore the whole image onto a completely different pc within minutes. on bootup, windows would figure out all new hardware and different partitions without any problems.

is there a way to do this with linux and in particular parsix?

i want to create my target parsix with custom users/apps/settings and then be able to distribute to other pc's on my network. (i don't mind transferring manually to each pc rather than multicast)

the problems i envisage amongst others are that each pc could have different partition setup, hence the grub and other start bits could fail completely if referring to a different partition number etc.

if someone could provide a really clear answer suitable for a linux noob, it would be really really great.

thanks.
cmost - Aug 09, 2008 - 09:23 AM
Post subject: RE: parsix image to other pc
From reading your posts, it's clear you're a hard core Windows user accustomed to using expensive, proprietary software. No offense! Smile You would benefit from the following website, which yields a very comprehensive listing of so called "Linux equivalents" That is Linux software titles that are considered more or less equivalent to a Windows version. Check it out! http://www.linuxalt.com/
lawmanuk - Aug 09, 2008 - 09:37 AM
Post subject: RE: parsix image to other pc
ok, will check it out.

in summary, is the above possible so i have a parsix image with my settings, which i can restore to any pc?
cmost - Aug 09, 2008 - 09:45 AM
Post subject: RE: parsix image to other pc
You could always make your own custom live CD (also known as a "respin") and install it onto numerous machines. While this respin might contain all of your chosen software and customizations, you would have to actually install it on each subsequent machine. As to your original question, I'm not sure. I've never sought to do that.
grasshopper - Aug 09, 2008 - 11:52 AM
Post subject: RE: parsix image to other pc
I haven't tried Ghost in a while but Acronis will work with Linux partitions. I think Partition Image is the Linux equivalent.
blix - Aug 09, 2008 - 03:11 PM
Post subject: RE: parsix image to other pc
G4L will provide image, but if you want to restore it on systems with different hardwares, hmm... I don't think so.
mandog - Aug 09, 2008 - 06:05 PM
Post subject:
I've never been able to restore windows to other machines using any backup software unless its a identical machine as the backup is for that hardware only and if it did install it would take hrs in safe mode, to sort it out+ the fact it is copyright theft according to ms.. With linux its slightly different as you can use as somebody mentioned respin that will give you a custum Cd that you can use for your purpose with only minor problems.
lawmanuk - Aug 09, 2008 - 08:05 PM
Post subject:
mandog - to restore windows to another pc, use free utility 'sysprep', before creating image.

i can backup a linux partition using standard windows acronis or ghost, but the issue for me is if i restore, there will be too many pointers pointing to the wrong partition, ie. grub mbr, mount points etc...

is there an autoway update these pointers?
lawmanuk - Aug 13, 2008 - 08:40 AM
Post subject:
if i restore to a different pc using acronis
and make sure that grub is on the partition root
and make sure that the partition is primary and bootable
and make sure that the mbr is standard type
and edit fstab to represent partitions
and edit menu.lst to represent partitions
then
would parsix identify the changed video/sound/network cards etc., automatically??
xet7 - Aug 13, 2008 - 10:07 AM
Post subject:
lawmanuk:
I think you may need to reconfigure them, like:
Code:
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
lawmanuk - Aug 28, 2008 - 05:25 PM
Post subject:
i'm pretty sure i won't be able to transfer a parsix system to another pc with different hardware, as i don't have the knowledge if it won't auto reconfigure.

also, it's not an ideal scenario for me if i'd have to do manual reconfigure for every pc in an office.

has anyone tried either of the following softwares which are supposed to be a solution to this problem.

1. acronis trueimage with universal restore plugin

2. mkDistro

thanks
mandog - Aug 28, 2008 - 07:40 PM
Post subject:
Lawmanuk
which part of the UK do you live?
I take it you want to install the same distro on several computers ?, You have had several good ideas thrown at you most are quite simple after you have tried them, I checked out 'sysprep' I don't think it installs the correct drivers for specific graphic cards etc only ms get you going drivers nor does any Ms restore program or ms its self. In fact I repaired a intel based laptop the Ms drivers made it unusable so I had to install the correct drivers, so saying Ms can do this and that is not accurate. Linux does a much better job with hardware than Ms can even dream of! Can you use 'sysprep' if so you can use 1 of the several Linux remastering programs they are simple to use all you need is a Live cd and your setup and a couple of hours..If you don't want to get that involved,
You could try aptoncd its simple to use once the first computer is set up thats all your programs. run aptoncd. make sure to save dependences. ( this way you don't need the internet for dependencies but takes up more space). then install Parsix on all your other machines. then use the aptoncd. to install all your programs on to your other computers so the all have the same setup, works very well only takes a few mins to do, the only other thing is if you are using different computers you may have to install graphic card drivers. ATI/nvidia are simple to install in most Linux distros that don't use Sudo .
Karimi - Aug 30, 2008 - 03:18 PM
Post subject:
Try bootcd. You can install it from repositories. I haven't tried it myself but I think it can help you.
lawmanuk - Aug 31, 2008 - 11:00 PM
Post subject:
ok thanks mandog...

re drivers and sysprep. u can create a directory called 'drivers' in c drive. here, u can place all non-standard drivers, and when the windows system is prepped and starts up on a new pc, it will search the drivers directory for any hardware drivers required in the new system.

Smile

ps. i'm in london
mandog - Sep 01, 2008 - 12:09 AM
Post subject:
Lawmanuk
I live in Thetford, Norfolk. about 80 miles.
This is not solving your problems but this may help http://www.livedistro.org/
when I used Ubuntu, I used remaster it was a simple program installed on your on your system mount the live cd then tell it what you want to add to the remastered cd then just let it get on with it when you burn the image to disc you have a fully working clone that you can install on most computers very simple used by many people to distribute their home brewed distros. its really made for ubuntu but Debian do there own its in the repros but I don't know its name but it does the same.
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