Tech Bitch

The concept of computer imaging is a Godsend for anyone who’s endured the Setup program for Windows more than 10 times in their lives. You can create a single system image and send it out across your network to keep all your workstations uniform and up-to-date.

Cloning was originally developed as a method of quickly setting-up new Windows computers and rolling out applications and updates. An ‘ideal’ desktop computer’s software and configuration is captured as an ‘image’ that is then replicated onto multiple machines using cloning software. The IT landscape, however, has become vastly more complex, with constant updates to applications, configuration software, plug-ins, intelligent chips and motherboards. This means that two otherwise identical desktop computers (let alone adding laptops to the mix) can have enough driver differences to cause the cloning process to render machines inoperable without considerable manual modification.

Universal Imaging Utility (UIU) was developed to resolve this issue by simplifying the process, ensuring that when an image is taken of the ideal machine, all the driver combinations required by each machine are made available to each machine. The software therefore enables IT departments to reduce the time and money spent on image creation and deployment by streamlining the cloning process. It works with leading cloning applications such as Symantec’s Ghost, PowerQuest’s Drive Image Pro, Altiris’ Migration Suite, Novell’s ZENworks and Acronis’ TrueImage, making it possible for these programs to create a single, clean disk image. The image created will then work with virtually any Windows platform or configuration.

So how does the software work? Used in conjunction with your regular hard disk drive imaging software it creates a disk image that can be successfully deployed to nearly any PC in your environment, regardless of HAL type, processor, PC make or model. Maintaining individual images for PCs from Dell, HP, IBM, etc. is no longer required. Designed for Microsoft Windows Vista, XP and 2000 systems specifically, UIU resets your existing Windows installation to a similar state, allowing for correct detection of different hardware platforms upon image deployment without crashing the systems. A regularly updated driver database is also installed, assuring greater compatibility with new hardware components. So, as you get new hardware, with new video, network and audio components, you need not maintain those drivers.

How difficult is it to use? The procedure is actually relatively easy: you setup your Master Windows 2000, XP or Vista computer and capture a base image using the guidelines provided. This is the most time consuming step of the process. UIU will then modify your system, install drivers, launch Sysprep, and then shut your PC down - all in less than 10 minutes. At that point you need to take a normal image in DOS or Win PE (do not reboot to Windows!) using your disk imaging software. That’s it. No drivers, no Plug-n-Play IDs, no need to sweat through Sysprep. UIU even creates your Sysprep.inf or Sysprep.xml file for you. You can then deploy the image to your other PCs the way you always have.

Support for Microsoft’s System Preparation tool (Sysprep) helps keep you in compliance with Microsoft’s standards for disk imaging, and UIU uses it to help detect the hardware components on a machine receiving a Universal Image. Additionally, Sysprep will change the Security ID (SID) on your recipient PCs, allowing for consistent interaction with any Active Directory domain structure. UIU handles Sysprep for you though, so there is no need to build a custom Sysprep answer file.

Because UIU strips the image to its bare bones, you could potentially take an image built on an IDE-based machine and port it directly to a SCSI or SATA platform. It also incorporates other Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) configurations into the base image and resets the original HAL, so you don’t even have to confine your image to similarly configured machines (the HAL acts as the interface between hardware and software). During the UIU master image installation process, you can specify these as additional options. You can also use your own .INF file. Sysprep doesn’t achieve nearly as much as this as it mainly does things like initiate the mini-setup to search for new hardware, reset user/machine details and rewrite SIDs.

Licensing for UIU 2.0 is per-seat and is based on the number of computers that receive an Image which was prepared with the assistance of UIU. Corporate pricing starts at under £11 per-seat for up to 99 computers and goes down to less than £5 per-seat for 5000 or more licenses. Academic and Government pricing is also available. Almost as important as the software itself, when you license UIU, you get the driver database, which Binary Research updates on a regular basis. These regular updates are most helpful if you frequently refresh your images. If you have a great diversity of workstations, desktops and laptops on your network, UIU can save you tons of time in terms of keeping your images up-to-date.

There are some limitations, however. Windows Server installations aren’t supported, even if the imaging software can create server images, and RAID disks aren’t supported. SCSI drives can’t be used as sources either, so although an image can be installed to a SCSI drive it can’t be created from one. Furthermore, an image created on an ACPI-compliant system won’t be happy on a system that isn’t. And finally, your disk-imaging software must be able to run from a DOS prompt - Windows-based imaging software isn’t supported. It’s definitely worth a look though. [7.5]

Dell has entered the fully ruggedised laptop market with the monster Latitude XFR D630. Built for men who drink pints and tell dirty jokes, the rugged laptop is being pitched at government and commercial customers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a piece of the action. Available now in the U.S. from $3899, the Latitude XFR D630 should make its way over to our shores in a month or so.

The system meets MIL-STD 810F standards from the U.S. Department of Defense for products that operate in extreme temperatures, moisture and altitude, and other God-forsaken conditions. It shares common images and components with Dell’s current line of Latitude laptops to simplify deployment and maintenance. Dell says a patent-pending thermal management system allows the rugged laptop to use latest generation technology and deliver up to four times better graphics performance than the Panasonic CF-30.

The Latitude XFR D630 is hard as nails because it has shock isolated mounting to help protect hard drive, LCD and core electronic elements, as well as a sealed keyboard designed to withstand driving rain and dust. Dual locking butterfly mechanisms provide easy access to components. You don’t have to be in the Army to buy one.

Dell has pulled out all the stops with its latest laptop. The XPS M1330 (from £599) looks amazing, is well built, and is actually the world’s thinnest 13-inch Windows Vista laptop. It’s available in a rich palette of four colour choices in the U.S., but here in the UK we’re limited to just two: Tuxedo Black or Crimson Red. Underscoring the American company’s commitment to offering customers quality digital products that are custom-tailored to meet their lifestyles, the XPS M1330 has been designed to offer the highest computing performance whenever and wherever you go.

The mobile system is packed with features such as a widescreen display, mobile broadband and 802.11n to help you experience the high-definition lifestyle you seek. Built on a foundation of great features and design, the XPS M1330 offers a best-in-class UltraSharp WXGA (1280×800) widescreen display that is perfect for hi-definition activities such as watching movies, sharing photos, or playing games. Furthermore, built-in optional mobile broadband allows wireless connectivity wherever you can get a GPS signal.

With a starting weight of 1.8kg (318×238x33.8mm), the XPS M1330 features cutting-edge design elements and a durable magnesium alloy frame with brushed aluminium accents. Corporates will also love the optional built-in biometric fingerprint reader and 2-Megapixel Web camera, the latter allowing for face-to-face videoconferencing while on the road. The standard model (from £849) is very well specified too, offering more than enough power for general business and leisure duties.

It comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4MB L2-cache), 2048MB of 667MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM, 250GB (5400rpm) SATA hard drive (upgradable to 320GB), stylish (but fixed) slot-loading 8x DVD+/-RW drive, and discrete 128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS graphics chipset. Windows Vista Home Premium is the pre-installed operating system of choice, though you can upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit) for another £82.25.

A 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56-WHr) is included in the price, but frequent travellers might want to spend £20 more and go for the 9-cell Lithium-Ion battery (85-WHr) for more operating time. Mobile broadband is also an optional extra. Dell charges £110 for its own Wireless 5520 Mobile Broadband HSDPA Mini-Card, or £160 for a Dell Wireless 5510 ExpressCard 3G/HSDPA (includes Vodafone Data 250, which costs £25 per month).

The XPS M1330 is all about connectivity. It has 10/100 Ethernet (Gigabit Ethernet not an option), 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, in addition to 300Mbps 802.11n compatibility. More importantly, it has three separate Wi-Fi aerials installed in the lid. These not only provide greater wireless range, but are MIMO capable - a method of data transmission using multiple analogue signal paths to increase throughput and range. An optional integrated Vodafone 3G SIM card lets you browse the Web without being in a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Using the XPS M1330 is a joy. The keyboard is well laid out and each key gives a reassuring amount of feedback when pressed. The trackpad and its buttons are perhaps a little on the small side, but at least this minimises the possibility is accidentally scrolling or deleting. The palm rests are impressively large for such a small computer, which makes typing for long periods comfortable, and the touch-sensitive media controls will bring a smile to your face. A really neat touch is that the 54mm ExpressCard slot doubles as a home to the bundled remote control, which can be used to access and control your music and video from a distance.

To further enhance the customer experience, Dell is offering new support tools and technology that proactively identify and solve problems automatically. Dell’s portfolio of offerings now includes Dell Support Centre, Dell Support 3, DellConnect, DataSafe Online and PC TuneUp. All new consumer systems come with Dell Support Centre pre-installed which provides one-click access to personalised service, support and system resources, helping you quickly locate system information, self-help tools, FAQs and assistance.

DataSafe Online is a service that provides online storage space for customers, allowing you to upload and backup valuable data to a secure online ‘vault’. With Dell DataSafe Online, photos, music and files are not only protected, but can be shared with friends and family. Dell Support 3 is a Dell-developed utility that monitors and pinpoints systems issues. It provides real-time health scans of the system (PC, peripherals, network devices), system updates and upgrades, self-help and automated tools and ‘fixes’, and proactive alerts.

Dell also recently introduced PC TuneUp, a preventive surgery designed to reduce maintenance hassles and give more time for fun and productivity. You can schedule Dell PC TuneUp to run when and as often as you want and when you want. The application will the automatically fix a wide range of issues and produce a report that pinpoints what has been done to maintain optimal system performance.

Launched in January 2007, Presto is another after-sales service designed to provide Dell’s customers with advice needed running a PC, supporting Dell PC owners regardless of the brand of printer, wireless router or other devices that may be the issue. Presto operates a fixed, clear tariff policy for its services. Annual membership costs from £99 (when purchased separately from a PC). One-time assistance starts from £19. If Presto cannot help a customer, no fee is charged. Customers can choose either annual membership or a ‘pay-as-you-use’ option. A membership of Presto is available both at time of purchase of a Dell PC or at anytime afterwards. Presto is currently available to Dell customers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

The XPS M1330 is one of the best Windows-based ultra-portable laptops out there. The 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display is lush (though we’d like it a little brighter), in-built connectivity is second to none, and there’s a raft of support options to make sure downtime is kept to a minimum. If you’re looking for combination of quality features, performance and design, put the XPS M1330 at the top of your list. [9]