Boot to disk image every time?

Hello,

Is there a way that I can configure Windows 98 to boot to a image (Ghost)
each and every time the computer is restarted? I have several laptops that
are used by many users for short periods of time. We begin to experience
problems with our internet connectivity and its typically easier for us to
just re-image the laptop than it is to sort through what someone might have
done. Anyway, this is what I envision:

The user boots up the laptop, uses Windows 98 for their shift and then shuts
down.

The next user boots up the laptop and the laptop boots from a pristine,
fresh image each time the system is restarted.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

There is no need for these users to maintain files, have access to documents
etc. so this will not be a problem.

I'm thinking that a script could be written for the boot.ini that might be
able to do what I'm wanting. Basically, I see creating an image of what I
want on the laptop and then Ghosting that drive, placing the image file on
the computer and then pointing the system at the fresh image when turned on.
Essentially, the computer would be freshly imaged each and every time its
rebooted.

Is this possible?

Thanks for any and all help.

You might want to take a look at a program like GoBack:
http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoff...b40/index.html

--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"Ghostown" wrote in message
...
Hello,

Is there a way that I can configure Windows 98 to boot to a image (Ghost)
each and every time the computer is restarted? I have several laptops
that are used by many users for short periods of time. We begin to
experience problems with our internet connectivity and its typically
easier for us to just re-image the laptop than it is to sort through what
someone might have done. Anyway, this is what I envision:

The user boots up the laptop, uses Windows 98 for their shift and then
shuts down.

The next user boots up the laptop and the laptop boots from a pristine,
fresh image each time the system is restarted.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

There is no need for these users to maintain files, have access to
documents etc. so this will not be a problem.

I'm thinking that a script could be written for the boot.ini that might be
able to do what I'm wanting. Basically, I see creating an image of what I
want on the laptop and then Ghosting that drive, placing the image file on
the computer and then pointing the system at the fresh image when turned
on. Essentially, the computer would be freshly imaged each and every time
its rebooted.

Is this possible?

Thanks for any and all help.

Thanks for the reply, Ron, but Im not interested in Go Back. Im wanting
something thats transparent to the user. Ive researched this and it looks
like what Im wanting to accomplish is similar to setting up a "lab PC" where
its 'refreshed' each time you reboot. I know this is possible, but I just
dont know how to implement it.

"Ghostown" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the reply, Ron, but Im not interested in Go Back. Im wanting
something thats transparent to the user. Ive researched this and it looks
like what Im wanting to accomplish is similar to setting up a "lab PC" where
its 'refreshed' each time you reboot. I know this is possible, but I just
dont know how to implement it.

I remember reading about a chip or a PCI card you can buy that should do what
you want. I believe it is sometimes used in computers used by the public.
Sometimes it is advertised as an item that virus proofs your computer. It is a
fairly simple item that always returns the computer to the same setup it had
when you first set it up with that divice, regardless of what was downloaded
into it.
I'm sure a search on the internet will find it for you. I remember some calling
it a gimmick, but I think it would work for you.

"Ghostown" wrote in message
...
Hello,

Is there a way that I can configure Windows 98 to boot to a image (Ghost)
each and every time the computer is restarted? I have several laptops that
are used by many users for short periods of time. We begin to experience
problems with our internet connectivity and its typically easier for us to
just re-image the laptop than it is to sort through what someone might have
done. Anyway, this is what I envision:

The user boots up the laptop, uses Windows 98 for their shift and then shuts
down.

The next user boots up the laptop and the laptop boots from a pristine,
fresh image each time the system is restarted.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

There is no need for these users to maintain files, have access to documents
etc. so this will not be a problem.

I'm thinking that a script could be written for the boot.ini that might be
able to do what I'm wanting. Basically, I see creating an image of what I
want on the laptop and then Ghosting that drive, placing the image file on
the computer and then pointing the system at the fresh image when turned on.
Essentially, the computer would be freshly imaged each and every time its
rebooted.

Is this possible?

Thanks for any and all help.

Look on the Internt for something called the PC Reset Card.
No personal experience with it.
Here is a link to a forum discussing it:
http://www.forum.ledsystems.co.uk/fo...sp?TID=83&PN=1

"Ghostown" wrote in message
...
Hello,

Is there a way that I can configure Windows 98 to boot to a image (Ghost)
each and every time the computer is restarted? I have several laptops that
are used by many users for short periods of time. We begin to experience
problems with our internet connectivity and its typically easier for us to
just re-image the laptop than it is to sort through what someone might have
done. Anyway, this is what I envision:

The user boots up the laptop, uses Windows 98 for their shift and then shuts
down.

The next user boots up the laptop and the laptop boots from a pristine,
fresh image each time the system is restarted.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

There is no need for these users to maintain files, have access to documents
etc. so this will not be a problem.

I'm thinking that a script could be written for the boot.ini that might be
able to do what I'm wanting. Basically, I see creating an image of what I
want on the laptop and then Ghosting that drive, placing the image file on
the computer and then pointing the system at the fresh image when turned on.
Essentially, the computer would be freshly imaged each and every time its
rebooted.

Is this possible?

Thanks for any and all help.

Read he
http://www.ledsystems.co.uk/comersus...p?idProduct=11
No personal experience with it.

http://www.3dgameman.com/vr/rogev_co...deo_review.htm

HTH

Jim


"Ghostown" wrote in message
...
Hello,

Is there a way that I can configure Windows 98 to boot to a image (Ghost)
each and every time the computer is restarted? I have several laptops
that
are used by many users for short periods of time. We begin to experience
problems with our internet connectivity and its typically easier for us to
just re-image the laptop than it is to sort through what someone might
have
done. Anyway, this is what I envision:

The user boots up the laptop, uses Windows 98 for their shift and then
shuts
down.

The next user boots up the laptop and the laptop boots from a pristine,
fresh image each time the system is restarted.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

There is no need for these users to maintain files, have access to
documents
etc. so this will not be a problem.

I'm thinking that a script could be written for the boot.ini that might be
able to do what I'm wanting. Basically, I see creating an image of what I
want on the laptop and then Ghosting that drive, placing the image file on
the computer and then pointing the system at the fresh image when turned
on.
Essentially, the computer would be freshly imaged each and every time its
rebooted.

Is this possible?

Thanks for any and all help.

"Jim" wrote in message news:Zjxaf.16241$i%.6793@fed1read07...
http://www.3dgameman.com/vr/rogev_co...deo_review.htm

HTH

I think I posted about the same card, only the price was around $11 USD, and not
$80+.
Quite a markup.