Catholic Education Ministries

Creating a Disk Image of the Ideal Computer

Warning: NetRestore disk images are processor-specific. Thus, a disk image created from an Intel-based computer cannot be restored to a PowerPC-based computer, or visa versa.

Many variant procedures exist. All function equally well. Items you will need . . .

• Ideal Computer: a perfect workstation with all your software installed and properly configured (preferably your newest and most feature-packed computer)
• Target Computer: a computer with lots of available hard drive space (specifically, twice as much available space, as is currently used on the ideal computer)
• a 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable

The procedure . . .

1. Shut down both computers.
2. Connect the computers via the FireWire cable.
3. Startup the ideal computer into FireWire Target Disk Mode (by holding down the "T" key during startup).
4. Startup the target computer normally and login as the local administrator.
5. Download NetRestore from Bombich Software. Within the Bombich web site, you will need to select "NetRestore" from the "Software" menu and then find the download link.
6. Place the "NetRestore" folder in the computer's "Utilities"folder.
7. Launch "NetRestore Helper".
8. Click the "Create Master Image" tab.
9. Set the "Master Disk" as the 2nd "Macintosh HD" in the pop-up menu.
10. Select "Read-only compressed".
11. If necessary, click the lock icon and enter the password.
12. Click "Create Master Image" button.
    
13. When presented with a save dialog, save into a hard drive with several gigabytes of free space. Give the disk image a descriptive name (this must be the name assigned when configuring NetRestore, such as "IdealClassroom" or "IdealCompLab").
    
14. Take a break while the image is created and saved. This may take an hour or two.
15. Quit NetRestore Helper.
16. Shut down the target computer normally.
17. Shut down the ideal computer by holding in the power button until the screen becomes black.
18. Disconnect the FireWire cable.
19. Startup the target computer.
20. In the "Go" menu, select "Connect to Server", type your server's domain name or IP address, click "Connect", login as the server administrator, then select "images" (to mount the volume "images").
21. On the desktop, locate the recently created disk image (the file name will end with ".dmg").
22. Copy that disk image into the "images" volume.
23. You are now done with both the target computer and the ideal computer.

Erasing Workstations and Restoring Workstations with the Ideal Disk Image

Perform these steps on each computer that should be erased/restored.

1. Backup any data on the computer you are about to erase.
2. Ensure the computer is connected to the network via a reliable Ethernet cable. (If you normally use a wireless network, you will need to temporarily connect the computer to an Ethernet cable.)
3. Optional: Perform maintenance routines such as the "reset NVRAM, reset firmware, zap PRAM" procedure (described on CEM's semi-random troubleshooting page).
4. Press the power button or restart the computer while holding down the "N" key. Continue holding down this key until a globe flashes on the screen.
5. Wait for the computer to startup. (It is actually starting up from a NetRestore System folder on the server!)
6. Optional: If wanting to zero all data on the computer's hard drive, select "Launch Disk Utility" from the "Tools" menu and then proceed to erase the hard drive with the zero all data option. (This could take hours.) When done, quit Disk Utility.
7. Select the desired disk image from the "Source" list.
8. Select the "target" hard drive to be erased (usually "Macintosh HD").
9. Click "Restore".
   
10. Wait 20 to 120 minutes (depending upon network speed and how busy the server is).
11. The computer will automatically restart with the new software.
12. Log into the computer as an administrator.
13. If using static IP addresses, in the "Network" pane of System Preferences, configure TCP/IP. (This portion of your work could potentially be automated via scripts.)
14. If using AirPort, in the "Network" pane of System Preferences, enter the wireless network's password.
15. In the "Sharing" pane of System Preferences, enter the computer's name (no spaces, no unusual characters is best). (This portion of your work could potentially be automated via scripts.)