Forum Moderators: open
The aim is to set up the system exactly the way you want it to be. Then every time you start the computer you are back at this state.
The main problem is anythign you download or save is lost on restart, so what I have done is install a 2nd hard disk. All my documents and work will be placed on the 2nd hard disk. It can easily be accesses though "My Computer"
I do however have a few reservations. What about email. Lets say I go ahead and set up Outlook now. Every time I restart will I have a clean account with no messages, will messages be removed every time I restart the system.
A rough work around would be to install active sync and simply do a synk with my pocket pc on restart. This would be fairly simple because the synk is over bluetooth and the phone is always within range, but this isn't exactly ideal.
I was concidering usign a non-Microsoft email client such as Thunderbird and setting the install destination to the 2nd drive, then place a shortcut to the email application on my desktop. This should ensure than Microsoft Steady State doesnt remove anythign, and the application shortcut will always be there since the install was done prior to taking the "snap shot".
The aim is to have a system that doesnt get bogged down, and is basicaly a fresh system every time I run it.
Anyone have any experience with Steady State? You're recomendations would be appreciated.
Mack.
What about email. Lets say I go ahead and set up Outlook now. Every time I restart will I have a clean account with no messages, will messages be removed every time I restart the system.
In the left panel find your Personal Folders, right-click on the icon and look at the Properties. From the Properties dialog box click on the Advanced button. There you will find the location of your PST file. Remember where that is and shutdown Outlook. Then move that PST file to your new drive. When you restart Outlook it will complain that it can't find your PST file. Simply point it to the new location and you're good to go.
Will give it a go now and post back!
Mack.
The downside is it takes a little longer to re-boot than usual (maybee an extra 30 seconds).
Bill, your email solution worked great, but I messed up and forgot to delete the mail files before I instaled. Had to unlock disk remove then, then relock. Now works great. Every time I go to outlook it asks for the location, but that takes seconds.
It will be very interesting to see how this holds up over time.
Thanks again,
Mack.
How does it handle frequent Windows updates, or, for that matter, new software installations?
And what do you do about those programs that insist on putting data or settings or indexes in "C"? I'm thinking of Google Desktop, among many others.
Its certainly not perfect. If you want to install software you really need to log in as administrator and disable disk locking. Then install the software and re enable disk locking.
When you disable or re-enable disk locking it takes a few minutes and requires a re-start. Also when enabling this feature the system creates a cache file and this can take 5 mins or so depending on your hardware/disk size. Adding software would take quite some time I imagine.
I think the key when usign this software is to install eveerythign you will need then enable it.
You can also impose all sorts of restrictions on users, for example blocking program access, white list for internet access etc. It's good but not perfect for many people.
With regards to Windows update, these work almost like normal, but can only be controled by the administrator. I just set up auto updates and chedules the times. Very much like before.
Mack.
