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One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

Windows 7 on ThinkPads
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ToniCipriani
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One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#1 Post by ToniCipriani » Sun Aug 30, 2015 10:52 am

Is something like this possible?

I have a bunch of T61 and incoming a bunch of T420s. The T61 are a mix of Intel and nVidia machines, and the T420 all have Intel.

Currently I have two XP images for the T61s only, one for the T61s with Intel and another for the nVidia ones. I'm looking to create a new Windows image for the machines (either 7 or 10, but likely going 10), preferably one image that works on all of them. Is it possible to create a Windows image (either 7 or 10, but 10 likely) that boots on all machines after wiping out activation, or do I still have to keep them separate by graphics and series?

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#2 Post by brchan » Sun Aug 30, 2015 11:00 am

Probably not, and if you do manage to get them running on the systems, you will probably run into instability problems. I would not be surprised to see BSODs, crashes, and freezing, even if you leave out the system specific drivers (display, chipset, network drivers, etc.) in the image. The thinkpads you have stated are vastly different in architecture and specs.

As a side note, linux images are very good at being used in different computers. You see this all the time with their 'live' usb/dvd feature, where you can test drive the linux distro without affecting your current system. Even when I swapped my HDD with crunchbang from a T23 to a T43, everything was redetected and configured automatically.
Current Thinkpads: W530 (functional classic keyboard mod), X301, T61, T60, T43, A31p, T23, 600X, 770
Other: mk5 Toughbook cf-19, mk1 Toughbook cf-53

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#3 Post by MrMaguire » Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:19 am

I don't know about Windows 10, but this is possible with Windows 7. You can use the Sysprep utility located within Windows. You can use it to prepare what they call a generalised system image. When you generalise an image via Sysprep, it essentially removes any hardware dependent parts of Windows, so the install can work on any hardware.

After Sysprep finishes doing its thing, you can choose to shutdown or restart the system, and from that point you can use imaging software (such as Windows Deployment Services, Symantec Ghost, Acronis True Image - probably CloneZilla too) to capture the sysprep prepared image.

Once you have the image on each computer, Windows will boot up and go through the Out Of Box Experience cycle (OOBE). Where it'll ask for your time zone, details for creating a user account and so on. Just like with a brand new install. All of your software, modifications to the system and prior user profiles will be retained. You'll just have to install drivers.

You can avoid the OOBE cycle by using XML answer files to automate the process. You can get to a point where the image will boot up and ask for the name of the computer and nothing else, which is most ideal for imaging in an enterprise environment.

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#4 Post by MisterB » Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:01 am

Use a Lenovo Windows 7 Factory recovery disk set or recovery partition to create an Windows 7 OEM image. Uninstall all of the machine specific drivers and don't allow any automatic driver reinstallations. Image that system and it should be able to be cloned to another machine where drivers can be reinstalled and most will reinstall themselves automatically. The T420s are native Win7, as I remember, so there will be no activation required if you are using a factory OEM image. The T61s will require Middleton Bios.

I've never used Sysprep but it looks like a good way to do this automatically but you will have to use a lenovo OEM system if you want to avoid activation hassles. It won't work on anything later than Windows 7 but I wouldn't be surprised if the Windows 10 upgrade worked after Windows 7 was installed, especially on the T420s.
I've got a T580, 2 W500s, a W520, an X201T, an X220T, an 3 X61Ts, a 15" T60, a 14" T60P, a 15" UXGA T60P, a 15" T42p a W701, and my first Thinkpad, a 770X.

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#5 Post by MrMaguire » Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:40 am

Sysprep does work with an OEM image. I've done that with HP computers before.

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#6 Post by ajkula66 » Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:50 pm

MisterB wrote:Use a Lenovo Windows 7 Factory recovery disk set or recovery partition to create an Windows 7 OEM image. Uninstall all of the machine specific drivers and don't allow any automatic driver reinstallations. Image that system and it should be able to be cloned to another machine where drivers can be reinstalled and most will reinstall themselves automatically.
The problem with this approach is that by the time one has installed the needed drivers and utilities which are vastly different between T61 and T420 not much time shall be saved.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#7 Post by hhhd1 » Wed Sep 02, 2015 8:22 am

Starting with windows 8, inlcuding windows 10 probably, moving one image to different hardware have become easier, and doesn't cause BSODs like it did in windows 7.

The problem of custom lenovo utilities and drivers will remain though.
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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#8 Post by MisterB » Wed Sep 02, 2015 6:02 pm

Most of the time, I've been able to just clone a system image from one Thinkpad to another without even worrying about drivers and what usually happens is that Windows installs most of the drivers automatically and reboots a couple of times and it's mostly done except for a couple of drivers that need to be manually installed. The only time I've had real blue screen problems is moving a system from a Thinkpad to a Virtualbox VM. That took some work and stripping drivers and booting into safe mode to disable others. Then I found a program called Paragon Virtualization Manager that removes and installs drivers automatically and I haven't had to go to such extremes since then.
I've got a T580, 2 W500s, a W520, an X201T, an X220T, an 3 X61Ts, a 15" T60, a 14" T60P, a 15" UXGA T60P, a 15" T42p a W701, and my first Thinkpad, a 770X.

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#9 Post by Sense » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:17 pm

After the you install the OS, I suggest using Lenovo System Update.

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/ht080136

Just run that and it finds all the compatible updates for you system. I clean installed windows 7 that way on my T420 and it worked great. I ran into problems when I used the driver's page because it doesn't organize its contents vary well, I installed an older version. Looks like the software is updated for windows 10 too. Test it out.
Thinkpad:
T420 i7-2620M 2.70Ghz 16Gb RAM 500Gb NVIDIA NVS 4200M and Intel HD Graphics 1600x900
SL500 Core 2 Duo T6570 2.1GHz 4Gb RAM 250Gb NVIDIA G105M (dead screen)

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#10 Post by ajkula66 » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:51 pm

Sense wrote:After the you install the OS, I suggest using Lenovo System Update.

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/ht080136

Just run that and it finds all the compatible updates for you system. I clean installed windows 7 that way on my T420 and it worked great. I ran into problems when I used the driver's page because it doesn't organize its contents vary well, I installed an older version. Looks like the software is updated for windows 10 too. Test it out.
That's all fine and well when one is dealing with a single system.

When deploying an image over numerous machines belonging to two vastly different architectures, priorities - as well as means of accomplishing the end result - are vastly different.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#11 Post by Sense » Sat Sep 05, 2015 2:14 am

A tool I used before to automate everything is called nLite. But the development for 7+ is nonexistent. However, there are plenty of guides online how to slipstream windows 7 and up.

Example:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/14 ... -file.html

Once you have tested the drivers from System Update program, slipstream it with an OS of your choice and you should be good to go. The hardest part is testing the drivers but luckily for Lenovo users, we got the easy System Update to find everything automatically.

All the downloaded drivers will be stored at: C:/DRIVERS/

Have fun testing.
Thinkpad:
T420 i7-2620M 2.70Ghz 16Gb RAM 500Gb NVIDIA NVS 4200M and Intel HD Graphics 1600x900
SL500 Core 2 Duo T6570 2.1GHz 4Gb RAM 250Gb NVIDIA G105M (dead screen)

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#12 Post by Pete B » Fri Jan 01, 2016 6:21 pm

Sense wrote:After the you install the OS, I suggest using Lenovo System Update.

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/ht080136

Just run that and it finds all the compatible updates for you system. I clean installed windows 7 that way on my T420 and it worked great. I ran into problems when I used the driver's page because it doesn't organize its contents vary well, I installed an older version. Looks like the software is updated for windows 10 too. Test it out.
A sort of related question. I have a T61 that I want to upgrade to Win 7 Pro,
I have Dell install disks that I know will get the basic OS on there but will I
be able to use Lenovo System Update with the system?
Or can I buy the Lenovo Win 7 install disks somewhere at a reasonable price?
Frankenpad 15" TuuS MB X9000, LED IPS, T440s IPS display
Toughbook CF51 with SSD, Dell: D830, M4400, M6400

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#13 Post by hhhd1 » Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:37 am

I do not think using DELL dvds would be a good idea, it will fill the laptop with DELL own software and utitlities to handle touchpad/brightness/..etc.

You are better of downloading and burning a windows 7 only ISO file, and then running thinkpad update to install the drivers for your laptop.
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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#14 Post by theterminator93 » Sat Jan 02, 2016 11:06 am

You can use the Dell OEM Windows 7 OS discs. It will have the Dell OEM key (which won't auto-activate Windows on a ThinkPad - so you'll need to re-enter a product key), a slightly customized welcome screen and default user desktop, and Dell support info in the System Properties page. The install disks will also have many additional language packs available to use as part of the install - but it doesn't have any extra drivers or software.
T480 with T25 keyboard | T25 | W520 i7-2860QM·Quadro 2000m·IPS FHD | T601F T9900·NVS 140m·LED AFFS UXGA
T420 IPS FHD | X220 IPS FHD | T61p·T61·43·42p|X13 Yoga G3·220T·301·41T·24·23·22|G41|A31p·22m|i1200|TransNote
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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#15 Post by Pete B » Sat Jan 02, 2016 4:32 pm

theterminator93 wrote:You can use the Dell OEM Windows 7 OS discs. It will have the Dell OEM key (which won't auto-activate Windows on a ThinkPad - so you'll need to re-enter a product key), a slightly customized welcome screen and default user desktop, and Dell support info in the System Properties page. The install disks will also have many additional language packs available to use as part of the install - but it doesn't have any extra drivers or software.
Thanks, this is what I expected - will give it a try or is there a Lenovo specific install .iso available?
Frankenpad 15" TuuS MB X9000, LED IPS, T440s IPS display
Toughbook CF51 with SSD, Dell: D830, M4400, M6400

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#16 Post by micrex22 » Sat Jan 02, 2016 5:11 pm

Pete B wrote:
theterminator93 wrote:You can use the Dell OEM Windows 7 OS discs. It will have the Dell OEM key (which won't auto-activate Windows on a ThinkPad - so you'll need to re-enter a product key), a slightly customized welcome screen and default user desktop, and Dell support info in the System Properties page. The install disks will also have many additional language packs available to use as part of the install - but it doesn't have any extra drivers or software.
Thanks, this is what I expected - will give it a try or is there a Lenovo specific install .iso available?
What Windows 7 version are you looking for? Since I do a lot of system imaging, I have virtually every Windows 7 .ISO flavour around-- including the 'all-versions' ones (which allow you to choose between home, pro, ultimate etc). Keep in mind you'll need an appropriate product key.

I do have OEM Lenovo images too, but none that go back to the T61 (regardless they do work on any thinkpad, you just need to remove the extra junk: but T61 BIOSes don't support Win7 keys inherently so a key would still have to be purchased).

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#17 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Jan 03, 2016 5:46 am

How about a modded T60 BIOS V2.27 with Slic2.1 added and whitelist removed?
http://www.datafilehost.com/d/7bc68cf8

Or Middleton's BIOS for T61/R61/X61 that does the same, but also adds SATA-II speed?
http://ali.dj/blog/sata-ii-support-for- ... 61-x61-r61

With the above BIOS installed, you can load any Lenovo W7 version.
(T60 is limited to 32-bit, unless you have/install a C2D CPU like T7200/T7400/T7600).
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#18 Post by Pete B » Sun Jan 03, 2016 9:24 am

Thanks micrex22 and RBS, yes it already has Middleton BIOS so I'm all set.
I'd like win 7 Ultimate 64 bit OEM image if possible.
Frankenpad 15" TuuS MB X9000, LED IPS, T440s IPS display
Toughbook CF51 with SSD, Dell: D830, M4400, M6400

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#19 Post by jdrou » Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:34 pm

Sense wrote:A tool I used before to automate everything is called nLite. But the development for 7+ is nonexistent.
By the same developer:
https://www.ntlite.com/
Version 1.0 released in November after a year of public beta.
Current Thinkpads:
X31, X40, X61T, X61, X201, X220 (i7 IPS), W520 (FHD), T440p (FHD),
T480 (QHD)
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Daily driver: MS Surface Pro 7 (i7)

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#20 Post by rkawakami » Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:29 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:How about a modded T60 BIOS V2.27 with Slic2.1 added and whitelist removed?
http://www.datafilehost.com/d/7bc68cf8
AVG reports this executable infected with MalSign.Generic.FF0. Any idea if this is a false warning?
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#21 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Jan 05, 2016 6:00 am

I've extracted all files and then scanned them with both MSE and AntiMalwareBytes, no warnings.
My download dates from 7/6/2015.

A known bad one was made by (and has that name in the file-title) colinzim, a Super Moderator(!) on the bios-mods.com website
Over there they are mostly a bunch of amateurs...

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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#22 Post by Stargate199 » Sun Jan 10, 2016 7:51 pm

You should be able to build a Win 7 image with all the drivers that you need. There are a couple of tools that can incorporate the drivers into the CD, or you can do an install on a computer, load all the drivers and install applications then use your imaging program of choice (Ghost, CloneZilla) to deploy to all your other computers.

The only problem I can see with this is possibly some Windows activation issues. I have a set of HP Win 7 Pro 64 bit recovery disks that as long as I install it on any HP computer that came with 7, I don't think I had to activate Windows. If I had to activate I inputted the COA key on the system and it activated over the internet without an issue. Now I have had Dell recovery disks that were tied to specific Dell system lines so a disk for an Inspiron would not work for an Optiplex. However if you have a generic OEM Win 7 disk (like a system builder disk), then as long as you have a COA product key for the system you can use it.

Now I can tell you from experience that if you make an image for a particular system, say a T61, when you apply it to a T420 activation will be lost. Windows will detect that there is a system change and reset activation. However if you do create an image for a T61 and activate Windows, you should be able to apply it to any other T61 without having to go through activation.
I have finally rejoined the dark side.
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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#23 Post by rkawakami » Sun Jan 10, 2016 9:08 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:I've extracted all files and then scanned them with both MSE and AntiMalwareBytes, no warnings.
My download dates from 7/6/2015.
I just downloaded that file again, this time without any warnings from AVG. I just had to re-build my HD on this A31p so either there was a problem with the AVG database or my system. I typically am VERY hesitant to run executables from random sites but getting an "all clear" from AVG, I ran the .EXE and it opened up a "Setup Wizard" window where it is supposed to download the .RAR file. Clicking through, I'm presented with the opportunity to download/install a Chromium browser and protection from unwanted software/ads (like this one???). Finally, a window that says my download is complete and to click Open. Sorry, but I'm not going to do that. I've checked my Temp directory and there's strange files with .CIS extensions. Nothing that looks like an archive file. When something that should be an easy download of a RAR file is changed to a GUI front-end with bloatware offers I tend to bail.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
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Re: One size fits all imaging for multiple ThinkPads

#24 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:03 am

Well, my download is/was a real .rar file (T60-79uj34us-SLIC2.1-NO-WHITELIST.rar), containing only these 5 files:
- Bios Rev 79ETE7WW (2.27).txt
- LENOVO_V2.1_Cert.xrm-ms
- phlash16.exe
- ProductIds.txt
- T60227.ROM

I'm not in the habit of recommending ballsed-up adware.
They must have modified that download when it proved to be so successful.

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