hp desktop pcs, choosing the best Windows desktop platform for large and medium-size business and organizations (Microsoft)

Choosing the Best Windows Desktop Platform – For Large and Medium-Sized Businesses and Organizations 9
Purchasing New PCs
While the economics of replacing versus upgrading is outside the scope of this paper, Microsoft recommends using the
following guidelines when purchasing new PCs. Businesses are always best advised to purchase the highest end
systems possible. The following base guidelines ensure a productive user experience as well as the ability to take
advantage of software management features. These systems will also be Windows NT Workstation 5.0-“ready.”
• Minimum recommended system: Windows NT Workstation 4.0 pre-installed; Pentium II class CPU, 64 MB RAM
• Universal Serial Bus (USB) – a new type of bus that enables the next generation of Plug and Play, the ability to chain
together multiple devices, and faster throughput
• AGP graphics – a new bus that provides faster business application graphics performance
• Y2K compliant (Year 2000 compliant)
• ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)-“ready”– new hardware capabilities that improve power
management (e.g., enabling OnNow) and overall manageability
Automating Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Deployment
In addition to hardware and application compatibility, businesses need to look at deployment considerations in moving to
Windows NT Workstation 4.0 from Windows 95. Windows NT Workstation 4.0 provides traditional upgrade paths from
MS-DOS 6.x, Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups 3.x, and Windows NT Workstation 3.x operating systems.
However, because of registry differences between the two platforms, existing applications and user settings in Windows
95 cannot be automatically applied to Windows NT Workstation 4.0. (Windows NT Workstation 5.0 will have automated
upgrade from all 32-bit operating systems, including Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 95, and Windows 98.)
Microsoft recommends that businesses consider the need to reapply applications, user settings, and often data as part of
moving to Windows NT Workstation 4.0 from Windows 95.
Businesses moving Windows 95 desktops to Windows NT Workstation can automate and customize deployment using a
variety of methods.
• Use Setup Manager to create unattended answer files. By creating an unattended answer file with predetermined
answers for installation questions, the installation process can run from start to finish with limited or no user
intervention.
• Modify login scripts, or send embedded setup scripts in e-mail. Automate the installation process by editing the login
script for the user, or sending a link in electronic mail to a batch file that runs Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Setup. In
these cases, the user only needs to log on or double-click an icon to start the installation.
• Use management software such as Microsoft’s Systems Management Server. Management software “pushes” the
installation from the server. Using this method, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 can be installed on an individual PC
without ever touching the computer.
• Use third-party solutions. Solutions are available through many Microsoft Solution Providers. Microsoft recently
introduced a tool that “prepares” existing systems to accept a disk image of a fully configured operating system.
More information on moving to Windows NT Workstation 4.0 can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/