Today, we are going to take a look at how you would clone a system and deploy it on another computer. To do this we will use the open source software Clonezilla. I have been using Clonezilla for a couple of years and found it to be a very versitile piece of software and ideal when cloning systems (and its free!!). For the purpose of this tutorial I will be using Windows 7 and Clonezilla running from a live cd.
Before you use Clonezilla
You have to prepare your Windows system before you can clone it. The first thing to do is to add all the applications you want on the new system. Once you have done that we need to remove all the unique identifiers (e.g passwords, activation codes etc). For that we need sysprep.
Go to:
Start - Computer - Local Disk (C:) - Windows - System32 - sysprep - sysprep
Once you start sysprep you should get a screen with the following options.
1. System Cleanup Action
2. Shutdown Options
Make sure that you set the System Cleanup Action to OOBE and that the generalize box is ticked. You should also set Shutdown Options to Shutdown. Once configured click ok. This will start the sysprep tool and once complete will shut down the system.
Starting Clonezilla
It is time to boot the system from the Clonezilla live cd. On the startup screen leave the default and press return.
On the next screen you will be asked to pick your language. Press return when you have chosen.
On the next screen you will be asked for your keymap configuration. Unless you know what you are doing I would recommend you don't touch this and use the Don't touch keymap option.
You will now be asked if you would like to start the Clonezilla software or enter a shell (for those so inclined). For the purpose of this tutorial chose Start Clonezilla.
We will now be asked where we would like to save the cloned system image file. Clonezilla gives you several options of where to store the file. For the purpose of this tutorial I will store it on a local device (ie my 16Gb usb penstick). When you have decided where to store the image press return and Clonezilla will mount the device.
The wizard will now ask you to configure a device as /home/partimag. Chose the same device that you mounted to store your image on so in my case it will be sdb1 as this is my 16Gb usb penstick.
The next option you will have to configure is where on your device do you want to store your image. If you don't want the image stored in a specific folder then pick / or if you want a specific folder then choose that. Once chosen press enter.
After deciding where to store the image file Clonezilla lets you configure advanced features and options by means of a wizard. You will need to decide if you want the Beginner or Expert wizard. Chose Beginner unless you have some specific options that you want to configure as this is sufficient for most peoples needs.
On the next page of the wizard you want to choose savedisk as this saves the local disk as an image for you to deploy later.
Next you have to enter a name for your saved image.
Clonezilla will now ask you to pick the source disk that should be imaged. If your computer only has one disk then Clonezilla will highlight it for you. If you have multiple disks then you will have to choose which one you want to image.
To make sure your image is restorable choose Yes check the saved image.
Now we come to the final screen. Check that you are happy with the choices shown and when ready press Enter. Your hard disk will now be imaged and saved in the location you specified earlier. You will need to be patient as this can take some time depending on the size of your hard drive.
Hi I am Chris the owner of ComTech. I provide IT support to both personal and business clients from my base in Alloa, Clacknmannanshire. Here at ComTech I am experienced in using Windows, Linux and Cisco technologies whether it be for the home or business. I also incorporate Blackberry hardware into my business, namely the Blackberry Playbook and Bold 9780. I can advise, design and implement solutions to any problems you may have so if you have IT issues just pick up the phone. Please go to http://www.comtech247.net for more information.
Before you use Clonezilla
You have to prepare your Windows system before you can clone it. The first thing to do is to add all the applications you want on the new system. Once you have done that we need to remove all the unique identifiers (e.g passwords, activation codes etc). For that we need sysprep.
Go to:
Start - Computer - Local Disk (C:) - Windows - System32 - sysprep - sysprep
Once you start sysprep you should get a screen with the following options.
1. System Cleanup Action
2. Shutdown Options
Make sure that you set the System Cleanup Action to OOBE and that the generalize box is ticked. You should also set Shutdown Options to Shutdown. Once configured click ok. This will start the sysprep tool and once complete will shut down the system.
Starting Clonezilla
It is time to boot the system from the Clonezilla live cd. On the startup screen leave the default and press return.
On the next screen you will be asked to pick your language. Press return when you have chosen.
On the next screen you will be asked for your keymap configuration. Unless you know what you are doing I would recommend you don't touch this and use the Don't touch keymap option.
You will now be asked if you would like to start the Clonezilla software or enter a shell (for those so inclined). For the purpose of this tutorial chose Start Clonezilla.
We will now be asked where we would like to save the cloned system image file. Clonezilla gives you several options of where to store the file. For the purpose of this tutorial I will store it on a local device (ie my 16Gb usb penstick). When you have decided where to store the image press return and Clonezilla will mount the device.
The wizard will now ask you to configure a device as /home/partimag. Chose the same device that you mounted to store your image on so in my case it will be sdb1 as this is my 16Gb usb penstick.
The next option you will have to configure is where on your device do you want to store your image. If you don't want the image stored in a specific folder then pick / or if you want a specific folder then choose that. Once chosen press enter.
After deciding where to store the image file Clonezilla lets you configure advanced features and options by means of a wizard. You will need to decide if you want the Beginner or Expert wizard. Chose Beginner unless you have some specific options that you want to configure as this is sufficient for most peoples needs.
On the next page of the wizard you want to choose savedisk as this saves the local disk as an image for you to deploy later.
Next you have to enter a name for your saved image.
Clonezilla will now ask you to pick the source disk that should be imaged. If your computer only has one disk then Clonezilla will highlight it for you. If you have multiple disks then you will have to choose which one you want to image.
To make sure your image is restorable choose Yes check the saved image.
Now we come to the final screen. Check that you are happy with the choices shown and when ready press Enter. Your hard disk will now be imaged and saved in the location you specified earlier. You will need to be patient as this can take some time depending on the size of your hard drive.
Hi I am Chris the owner of ComTech. I provide IT support to both personal and business clients from my base in Alloa, Clacknmannanshire. Here at ComTech I am experienced in using Windows, Linux and Cisco technologies whether it be for the home or business. I also incorporate Blackberry hardware into my business, namely the Blackberry Playbook and Bold 9780. I can advise, design and implement solutions to any problems you may have so if you have IT issues just pick up the phone. Please go to http://www.comtech247.net for more information.
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