Cloning Z workstations

[fernancosancho]

Hi, I've spent almost a day trying to boot lots of different cloning tools (been using them on HP for a while) with NO LUCK!
It looks like the new Z models don't like linux / dos boot loaders, I would really apreciate if someone can point me in the right direction!!

I've tried DOS bootloader with ghost32/64, WINPE, Hirens, Clonezilla... none of them work! (I already tried disabling fastboot, secureboot and enabling legacy boot)

[TryToDoMybest · Accepted solution]

Hello

if you need to clone a Windows 10 OS , I will suggest you to do something like this:

boot  WinPE 10 64bit from an USB Key

if you use ghost64.exe , you need a version ables to support GPT disk partitioning , I use version  12.0.0.6227. Version 11.x doesn't support GPT, you are able to capture the whole disk but when you apply the image to another disk, Windows will never boot as the partitions information are not copied.

Another way is to use DISM, in WinPE 10 64bit.

when you get the CMD prompt, use DISKPART to takes notes of the partitions details : size , type , file system type, attributes, label,...

Then with DISM you can capture the partition content. so you will create some wim files

one done , you are ready to copy all information to a new disk on another computer.

Usign DISKPART you have to rebuild the same partions as in the original disk,

then using DISM, you can apply the content of the wim files previously created to the new partition.

this is a quick guide but it's the way I often use.

How to capture the partitions content with DISM :

dism /capture-image /imagefile:S:\partition1_system.wim /capturedir:S:\ /name:System

dism /capture-image /imagefile:C:\partition3_Windows10.wim /CaptureDir:C:\ /name:OSDrive
dism /capture-image /imagefile:R:\partition4_Recovery.wim /capturedir:R:\ /name:WinRE

how to create partion on the new disk:

this is an example of script for DISKPART:

rem == ResetPartitions-UEFI.txt ==

convert gpt

rem == 1. System partition =========================

create partition efi size=100

format quick fs=fat32 label="System"

assign letter="S"

rem == 2. Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition =======

create partition msr size=16

rem == 3. Windows partition ========================

rem == a. Create the Windows partition ==========

create partition primary

rem == b. Create space for the recovery tools partition ===

shrink minimum=450

rem == c. Prepare the Windows partition =========

format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows"

assign letter="C"

rem == 4. Windows RE tools partition ===============

create partition primary

format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows RE tools"

assign letter="R"

set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac

gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001

list volume

exit

how to apply the wim file to the partition created on the new disk

dism /apply-image /ImageFile:partition1_system..wim /index:1 /Applydir:S:\
dism /apply-image /ImageFile:partition3_Windows10.wim /index:1 /Applydir:C:\
dism /apply-image /ImageFile:partition4_Recovery.wim /index:1 /Applydir:R:\

bye

[DGroves]

you need a program that can do a exact bit for bit image copy that does not muck around with the  disk structure the program linked below will do so ......as long as you set the correct options for the copy

https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool/

[fernancosancho]

thanks for your detailed information! I was able to boot with the newer WinPE tools, I'm now testing ghost 12.0.0.8 and its working allright (for the moment).

I will then try to apply the created image to another disk to check the whole process works ok. If it doesn't, I'll go with the other suggested option.

Thanks again for your feedback!

[Samiam66]

Hello

I use a Marium Reflect ..I own 3  HP -Z-420 workstations and re-image them when needed..

it works with UEFI an MBR bios and is also capable of copying  over the intel  RST software you 

have to install prior to loading windows OS ...lets you clone one or all partions on disk..

And isnt such a pain in the rear when restoring to diffrent hard drives that the image wasnt created on 

like all the Acronis varietys out there  ..

and best of all its free for home users

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

3  HP Z-420 Workstations only diffrence is video & ssd used

CPU  :Intel Xeon E5 1620 v2 @ 3.70GHz   Ivy Bridge

RAM  :32 GB Dual  DDR3 @ 1866 mghz Samsung chips

Motherboard  :Hewlett-Packard-1589 .LGA-2011 V2 board  UEFI

Graphics  :4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 `Asus Strix

Monitors  :Two 27 inch  LG IPS FULLHD (1920x1080@60Hz) Monitor

Storage     :240GB Samsung SSD 860 EVO 250GB (SATA (SSD))

                    :931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-08WN4A0 (SATA )

Optical      :Hewlett-Packard BluerayDVDCD  SH-216DB

Audio       : Harmon Kardon base woofer

                  :Realtek High Definition Audio

O.S           :Windows 10 Pro 64-bit