Installing and configuring a consistent operating system
Your Name
Rasmussen College
COURSE#: Course Title
Instructor’s Name
July 15, 2019
IT Department Training Manual
Case Scenario
Create a high-level process for installing and configuring a consistent operating system for the organization that focuses on automation and imaging to promote efficiency in the installation. Your process should be 4- 6 pages
1). Be general in nature, so that it addresses the major critical steps and considerations to prepare and execute an operating system on a large scale.
Before installing the operating system, an installation plan is required. First, data and system settings need to be backed up. A technique known as disk cloning can be used in this process. The process entails taking up an exact image of all data, information, or applications on disk, compressing them, and saving the exact image on a DVD, CD, or the network file server (Rhodes & Bettany, 2016). The image can be copied back to the other workstations, then uncompressed and installed through the software that integrates a cloning program.
There are several options to choose from in installing the operating system, for example, windows. Option one is the clean install where all the data in the existing drive are deleted, and this would not be best for these cases since the client would want to save data (Palmer & Walters, 2012). The second option is an upgrade install where Windows is installed over the already existing operating system. In this case, there is the duplication of system settings and applications, which would be the best choice. It is the best since it is applicable for large computer system bases where the organization’s computer hardware is suitable for the new operating system. The third option is repairing a previous installation due to issues with the existing operating system.
Starting the installation would make use of the Windows CD-ROM. The system is first configured to boot from the CD-ROM. Once the configuration has been achieved, insert the windows disk into the drive or insert any secondary devices into the system. Then, reboot the system.
- Focus on the screen where the setup process will enter the DOS installation mode.
- The setup will begin copying the files and drivers into the computer system.
- The system will then ask if you want to install, repair, or quit the setup process. Install is selected.
- The End User License Agreement (EULA) then appears, and this requires accepting the terms and conditions of the licensing agreement.
- The setup then allows for the partitioning of the hard disk, and this allows specification on the partitioning with provisions on entering the disk size required.
- The partitions can then be formatted using either the NTFS or FAT file system. Each of the file system gas specific characteristics, and for this system where larger files are stored and greater security systems, NTFS is chosen.
- After the selection of the file system, the drive is formatted.
- After formatting, operating system files are copied to the newly partitioned drive.
- Once the copying process is completed, the setup will set configuration files for the initial boot up. The system will then reboot.
- After the system has rebooted, the windows graphical screen appears, and files are loaded to memory.
- The setup then requires customization of regional, language, name, and organization for the software.
- The setup then asks for a license key, which is entered and administrator or system name and password.
After the installation process, the configuration of the operating system is also essential. The configuration is essential as it has to suit the organizational needs, including imaging and automation, to help in promoting efficiency. In this process, the configuration manager and/or DT, is used to create and deploy the custom image(s), including network, USB, multicast, PXE, and WDS.
2.) Address various troubleshooting considerations regarding imaging.
Imaging, like any system process, has its own problems that need troubleshooting. In this case, the operating system considered is a window 10 using the BitCurator Environment.
One troubleshooting consideration is the failure of BitCurator to recognize the DVD, and in this case, the issue is addressed by doing it manually. Failure for automation needs application of manual knowledge where at the top of the BitCurator window, the Devices dropdown menu provides an option where the missing device can be located.
Windows 10 can also fail to recognize the disk attached since the devices are only recognizable in one operating system at one time. BitCurator recognizes devices automatically once it is running. Therefore, Windows 10 can not recognize the same device once the BitCurator software is running, and thus BitCurator needs to be closed to ensure that Windows 10 recognizes the device (Rhodes & Bettany, 2016).
Another issue related to the scanning of external devices for virus attack without risking the system. For this issue, the auto mount and auto play settings in Windows 10 need to be turned off in both BitCurator and Windows operating systems (Rhodes & Bettany, 2016). The selection of the external device for scanning, therefore, needs to be done manually.
3.) Address different solutions to the installation problems that can occur.
Setup freezes and errors is an example of an installation problem. A probable cause for this problem might be insufficient disk space. In dealing with this problem, there is a need to ensure that there is enough disk space, which on a minimum, needs to be 40 GB with a free space of up to 15 GB (Palmer & Walters, 2012). Hardware issues may also cause this problem, and this can be addressed by removing or replacing RAM that is considered bad. This issue can also be solved by installing drivers for the hard drive first and then selecting the installation drive (Rhodes & Bettany, 2016).
Diver issues and problems are also related to installation. In dealing with driver problems, there is a need to check the hardware component vendor from the website to obtain updated drivers. Some vendors fail to update their drivers to fit into the new operating systems for devices that have become older.
Activation errors are also popular in the installation of operating systems. Many operating systems today need activation after being installed. To deal with this issue, Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) diagnostics must ensure that there are no problems with the operating system since some of them may be fake (Rhodes & Bettany, 2016).
Incompatibilities with the applications can also be an issue OS installation. Dealing with this problem requires the user to right-click the program’s executable and then select properties and then the compatibility tab. The program then needs to be run in compatibility mode. Another solution is to run the older operating system using the virtual machine software, for example, VMWare and Virtual PC. The incompatible applications are installed in this virtual machine and can thus be used in the new operating system (Rhodes & Bettany, 2016). Finally, the applications can also be upgraded to versions that are compatible with the new operating system.
Data loss is also part of the OS installation. To address the issue, the use of disk cloning before the installation can be essential. Data can also be stored in a different partition to that which the operating system is being installed. Storage in a different drive or disk is the best option. Other options include storing the data in another computer network or server (Palmer & Walters, 2012).
References
Palmer, M. & Walters, M. (2012). Guide to Operating Systems. Cengage Learning.
Rhodes, C., & Bettany, A. (2016). Windows Installation and Update Troubleshooting.