Software to clone netbooks

[Matt_B]

OK techies. At school, we have around 60 netbooks that are all identical models. Over the coming weeks they all need configuring to have the same setup and same software, including networked drives etc. There will only be one user login on the machines as the children don't have their own.

This will be a ballache of a task to set them all up so I want to set up one exactly as I need it and then clone the drive to the other machines. I know this can be done with Norton Ghost, but I dislike Norton and don't really want to pay for the software if there is a free alternative. I have tried using Drive Image XML but it seems a bit restrictive with the restoration process regarding disk partition size.

Do any of you lot have any other alternatives that will be easy and quick to use?

 

[FryattFox]

Select drive.
Ctrl C.
Ctrl V.

 

[spionfox]

On a side issue, I take it you will be using OpenOffice or similar as there would be licensing problems with cloning MS Office over 60 netbooks!

 

[Matt_B]

On a side issue, I take it you will be using OpenOffice or similar as there would be licensing problems with cloning MS Office over 60 netbooks!

Apparently we have a site/education license for it.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Assuming you have a windows server, you could use WDS or MDT to image them over the network. Another (free) alternative would be to download FOG and set up a pc with FOG on it and image them this way. You might want to have a look over on Edugeek as well as there is loads of info on cloning tools and a ready made community of school techs to help you out.

www.edugeek.net

 

[Mawsley]

Do any of you lot have any other alternatives that will be easy and quick to use?

ICT technician?

 

[Matt_B]

ICT technician?

He's not great