Hello All,

Thanks for your help!!


I am primarily a server guy with a UNIX background so I am light on the
Windows platform as it relates to client backup/restore. Our organization
has about 50 laptops (mostly XP pro) that we need to backup so that we can
restore  them during drive failure issues or laptop upgrades. We seem to be
having more and more drive failure since the SATA drives have proliferated
into the market. The majority of our laptop fleet is primarily remote to
our office. I hope to be able to provide a solution where we can have users
take a backup of their laptop when they are in the office every other week
or so. That way when we do have a drive failure or someone gets a laptop
refresh they don't have to totally recreate their laptop's working
environments. Currently the  windows guys are starting over completely
using the recovery CDs supplied by the vendor (Lenovo) but just feeding the
6 CDs is a 4 hours deal.

My question leans toward the whole backup/restore process. What is the
easiest/best way to backup and restore these laptops. I was thinking of
using the TSM image capabilities but reading up on it seems like there are
several prerequisites to making it work. Maybe Christie BMR, or Fastback
but Fastback requires the MS AIK, another server, etc..  I can and have
read much  doc on the subject but I would prefer some empirical knowledge
from those who really know before I start banging my head against the wall.
Any advice rendered would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Again!!

Nicholas