Yes, with the latest release, the UIU 4.6 is now compatible with Windows 7 (32 & 64-bit) while continuing full support for XP and Windows Vista, . The UIU v3.7 will maintain support for Windows 2000.

Our goal is that a Universal Image will work correctly on all business-class desktops and laptops. This includes, but is not limited to Dell, HP, Compaq, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, etc. The hardware component manufacturers include Intel, 3Com, Via, nVidia, ATI, and more. Because of this level compatibility, most lesser-known PC brands and "white boxes" will work correctly as well. The UIU is not directly designed for home user PCs and hardware, although in most cases, it will still perform correctly because of the large volume of drivers. The UIU contains drivers for over 32,000 hardware components, and if yours is not already a part of the database, we will do everything we can to find it. Our goal is that you won't ever have to go looking for another driver again.

It will add just less than 2GB to an image file and add maybe a minute or two to the deployment max depending on your existing deployment tool. What we have done is try to work only with the actual hardware manufacturers' drivers, rather than the PC manufacturers' versions. For example, an ATI video card may be used in several systems, but we work with just the base component drivers as much as possible, which makes them smaller, faster, and cleaner. Not only that, but since the release of UIU version 4.0, you have the option of discarding unneeded drivers after installation as well as assessing your existing hardware for only required drivers with the UIU Discovery Tool.

No, the UIU is considerably more than that. The large driver library just allows Sysprep to work correctly to identify your hardware once the image is deployed. With a Windows installation CD, USB or network connection, you can install Windows on nearly any PC. The real heart of the UIU is that it takes your master image to as basic a level as when you install Windows directly from CD. It actually takes your master image to a more basic level than Microsoft's Sysprep utility. That is the real key to making certain your image does not blue screen when deployed to a new PC, and what sets the UIU apart. The UIU handles all HAL changes (in XP), and all hardware interaction prior to, and during Mini-setup. The UIU communicates with Windows on many programmatic levels to ensure that hardware is installed in the correct order and with drivers that will be compatible with one another.

The UIU currently includes drivers for internal devices - modems, network cards, video and sound cards, etc. It does not include external or USB devices like printers, scanners, etc. We are considering options for providing those drivers in future versions.

No, we have the drivers covered. You do not have to provide Sysprep, or the UIU application, any information regarding your hardware configurations, PC types, or drivers.

However, the UIU Discovery Tool allows you to assess your individual hardware components prior to image creation and will build a UIUDT file that will compare itself to the entire UIU database. This not only ensures that the UIU contains the necessary drivers, but allows you to streamline your image with only the drivers necessary for your existing hardware. Also, the UIU Discovery Tool is hardware agnostic and will generate a report showing you in which operating systems your hardware will be supported with UIU drivers.

We do not compile a list of compatible PC models as any given hardware component, a Broadcom network card for example, may be included in several PC models from several manufacturers. Again, the UIU Discovery Tool can be run to determine exactly which drivers are needed for your existing hardware. But rest assured, the UIU will work with any and all business class hardware. If we missed an obscure driver somewhere, we will find it for you.

The benefits in time savings, money savings, and consistency are tremendous. To maintain all machines with current security updates, software maintenance or new user policies, you need update only one master image. One master image works for upgrading to a new version of Windows as well for any incoming future machines. The benefits really pay off in immediate ROI and the cost savings and confidence of having one easily deployable image with the same policies and settings on every desktop and laptop throughout your entire organization.

The procedure is easy: Setup your Master Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit) computer based on our guidelines and then capture a base image. Then simply run the UIU.exe. The UIU will modify your system, install drivers, launch Sysprep, and then shut your PC down - all in less than 10 minutes. At that point, take a normal image in DOS or Win PE (do not reboot to Windows!) using your existing imaging software such as Ghost or Altiris. That's it. No drivers, no Plug-n-Play IDs, no need to sweat through Sysprep. The UIU even creates your Sysprep.inf or Sysprep.xml file for you. Then all you need to do is deploy the image to your other PCs the way you always have, and watch as it successfully deploys correctly to all your machines.

No, the UIU is not a disk imaging application. It prepares your master machine so that the image created from it can be deployed successfully to multiple hardware platforms. The UIU will work with any Windows imaging software application that works correctly with Sysprep.

Big Bang offers free phone, email, and Internet support for one year after your purchase. That includes all UIU program updates, as well as updates for new drivers. When you call Big Bang for support, you will always speak directly to our support team. A real person every time-no automated messages. Big Bang also offers free support with your trial version of UIU.