Copying a Disk Image onto Another Computer

singlemalt72 on 30/10/2018 - 10:31

We received new Panasonic Toughbooks at work a few months ago, imaged with a ridiculous corporate windows 10 image that denied us the rights to install software, our IT department cannot fathom that a field laptop that needs to connect to various instruments require software to do so.

In short, we installed a vanilla windows 10 so that we could actually do some work however I.T. Dept has now informed us they want all the laptops returned to install a new image that will allow software installs with a comment of repercussions for those who have altered the originals in any way.

So, we have one remaining laptop with the original image, is it possible to take that image and put it on the other laptops? I'm thinking I could do this with a live version of EaseUS or similar.

Computing

Comments

  • ShortyX on 30/10/2018 - 10:49

    Are they on a Windows domain? They'll probably know anyway as you need an admin password to join it back to the domain.

  • Randxyz123 on 30/10/2018 - 11:04
    +1

    Speak with your IT dept and your manager (or even 2up manager) and explain you are unable to do your job.

    What you’ve done and installed vanilla windows 10 won’t go down well with security (assuming you have installed anti virus software). Who has paid for the windows licenses?

    What I would do is ask to install a VM of unrestricted windows 10. Again you should be speaking with your manager about this and not strangers on the interweb. You could do something like install windows 10 server trial (for 6 months) on the VM while you sort this out.

    • singlemalt72 on 30/10/2018 - 13:12

      A team of managers has been talking with IT and corporate for 6 months now

  • HighAndDry on 30/10/2018 - 11:25
    +1

    No, don't try to image it again - you'll only make the situation worse. Be honest - we changed the Win10 image as it was preventing us from using software we needed to do our job.

    What I wonder is - why your IT dept didn't talk to corporate about that issue in the first place. Corporate IT policies and management software is fairly standard.

  • trinkasharma on 30/10/2018 - 11:41
    +1

    You can be given load admin rights with even the corporate image. We give it to users on a case by case basis.

    In fact there are some teams where they need local admin right in every office.

  • 87percent on 30/10/2018 - 11:58

    bet they've encrypted the drives

  • Colombian on 30/10/2018 - 12:48

    So IT Department needs to wipe these laptops anyway. Why the big deal about these laptops being altered beforehand?

    • HighAndDry on 30/10/2018 - 13:11
      +5

      Enforcement of corporate IT policy. You can't have people just disregard it, especially since these policies tie into network and information security, possibly client/commercial secrets, etc.

    • singlemalt72 on 30/10/2018 - 13:11
      -2

      Because we have a crap IT dept run by nazis

      • Randxyz123 on 30/10/2018 - 13:22

        Fairly standard for companies to lock the computers down but you can normally apply for local admin access for business use. IT corporate policies have to be kept standard and can’t be undone for just one person.
        Have you not spoken to your boss ? I would suggest starting with a meeting between yourself, your colleagues and your boss if you want to keep your job. Otherwise your next post will be “I was fired for modifying the software on my work laptop”

        Explain the limitations on corporate windows which presumably they know about and simply tell them you can’t work.

        • singlemalt72 on 30/10/2018 - 13:31

          Those meeetings have happening for 6 months and only now have IT started to bend.

  • singlemalt72 on 30/10/2018 - 13:22

    Ah, just realised they have actually been set up as dual boot - so the old image is still on them :)

    • HighAndDry on 30/10/2018 - 13:36

      Ah - that both makes a lot more sense, and is a much better situation to be in.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2018 - 14:01

      Ah, we can all rest easy now. Thanks for the update.

      • singlemalt72 on 30/10/2018 - 14:20

        I don't want you stressing - go get a shoulder massage!

        • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2018 - 14:51

          Do you have a corporate credit card that I can charge it to?

  • sam91 on 30/10/2018 - 16:08

    Your IT department should install all the required software that you require to do your job. What software do you use that they refuse to install?

    • bradsmrbetty on 31/10/2018 - 09:59

      In an ideal world - yes, in the real world no. IT departments are hampered by myriad of reasons, unfortunately just because you can do it at home, doesn't mean you can do it at work.
      Licencing issues have so much impact on IT departments, restrictions on how many computers can have X software - terminal services limits the amount of people using a VPN to access network drives remotely. The physical setup of your network and size of your company. Everything has be tested to make sure it won't cause a massive issue.
      For example drop box was installed by a user because it made their job easier, the drop box program caused massive issues on our network, so much that it effected the CEO, General manger and every single employee. Plus all of our remote nurses that couldn't access our servers to upload patient data within the legal timeframe.
      I have been on the user side of the issues so i understand the pain, but CEO on a conference call to the board or to other CEOs cutting out because one person installs something to make their job easier is very dangerous in the corporate world.

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