How to initiate install in WinPE + WDS

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Guest

My scenario goes like this. I installed Windows XP then syspreped end
restrated to WinPE where I made wim image (WDSCaputre.exe). Then I uploaded
that image to WDS server and added under install images.

Now the problem I have is that whenever I restart a client computer it gets
into WinPE and then waits in command prompt. But I would like to get to the
menu where I would be able to select install image and initiate installation.
How can I do that within WinPE command prompt?


Miha
 
Miha said:
My scenario goes like this. I installed Windows XP then syspreped end
restrated to WinPE where I made wim image (WDSCaputre.exe). Then I uploaded
that image to WDS server and added under install images.

Now the problem I have is that whenever I restart a client computer it gets
into WinPE and then waits in command prompt. But I would like to get to the
menu where I would be able to select install image and initiate installation.
How can I do that within WinPE command prompt?


Miha
Click to expand...
 
First need to be sure your WDS server is correctly configured.

Normally, when a client start by network, a line will show on
screen:Press F12 to start network. then if you don't press F12, the client pc
will start by BIOS bootup sequence you defined.

And how did you get your winPE? If you create your pe by BDD, put it on
WDS server boot images folder. it will work fine.
 
I think I found where the problem is: poor documentation.

I downloaded WDSUpdate.exe documentation and found that you need to run
setup.exe to start installation. But image created the way WAIK User’s Guide
describes won’t include that file. You have to have image from Windows Vista
CD.

So now I have two boot images on server:
Microsoft Windows Longhorn Setup (x86) – from Vista CD
Microsoft Windows Vista PE (x86) – from WAIK

I use second image to prepare and upload installation image (WDSCapture.exe)
and first to install image (Setup.exe).


Miha
 
Nice work, Miha
But now it's my turn to be confused.
I'm working on using BDD2007 to deply windows xp sp2. but meeting the
partition problem. The pe create by BDD2007 will repartition the whole disk
to one partition C, it's not what I want. A tool or some info about disk
partition show on screen just like you install the windows xp manually was
expected.

Did you meet this kind of situation? Or how you fix it?
 
Hello Kenny

When you boot to image with setup.exe (Windows Deployment Services
Installation wizard or something like that) you will go through small Vista
like setup where you enter your input locale, select image and in next step
repartition disk as you want.

And I don't prepare Windows XP image with BBD. I do have that tool but don't
use it much. I use sysprep. On root of the windows partition you create
sysprep folder and then copy all files from deploy.cab (found on Windows XP
cd under support folder) to that folder. Then I run command line sysprep
–reseal –mini –reboot. That’s the way I prepare image. And if you want to
capture image with WDSCapture.exe you have to sysprep that computer before.

Another tool I have seen that might help you is Windows System Image Manager
(you get thet in WAIK I guess). There you can load Answer File. Then you go
down the tree Components / 1 windowsPE / X86_Microsoft-Windows-Setup_neutral
/ DiskConfiguration. There you will find plenty of useful things related to
disk partitioning. If you wonder what each of those does press F1 and you
will get to help file explaining that.

Hope it helps. Miha
 
Thanks, Miha.

The first scenario you describe is exactly what I want. But I don't
understand how you make it? with setup.exe? what is the "setup.exe" where
to get this file and bind it to image? In BDD, when you boot a client pc
using litetouch_x86.wim prepared by BDD itself, it will show a deployment
wizard, but not provide any tools for repartition. as default, it will make
the whole disk as one partiton and apply image to it. So I don't get what
you say about setup.exe? Can you post more detail steps?

I don't use WDScapture.exe separately, but I think the working way of BDD
prepare image is the same as you describe. In BDD, the deployment wizard will
ask you if you want to capture an image, if you choose yes, it will prepare
the system after installation finished using sysprep and then capture the
system image to a location you predefined. I'm not sure it use WDScapture.exe
or any other .exe to excute this action,but the way it works is the same.

And the WSIM is also not helpful on my issue. Since WSIM can't open the
..wim I created. its error is can't create catalog file of this image. I got
some explaination from the Forum is said that the .wim image is component
base, but xp is not component base system, so can't catalog it, then catalog
files can't be created. Seems WSIM only fit for vista image.
 
Miha...
you need to get your hands on a Vista DVD and copy the boot.wim file from
that to your WDS server. Add that to your Boot Images in the WDS MMC and
name it something like "Computer Setup". Boot the client PC via PXE and load
that "Computer Setup" and you'll be good to go.

Mike
 
Ok again. You have to add boot image from Vista CD (I think in folder
sources). Image will be seen as “Microsoft Windows Longhorn Setup (x86)†so
don't be confused by that name.

Then when you network boot your computer you will see progress bar at the
bottom and servers IP. After that you will see black screen with small green
progress bar and text Microsoft below.

Next you will see that classic blue green background and moment later you
should see window where you select your input locale. That window will have
“Windows Deployment Services Wizard†title. You select your settings and
click next. Then you select image and go next. Then you should see all
partitions and drives where you can delete and create them. To do that you
will have to click on something similar to “Options (more)†in lower right
corner of that window. Click next and you are done.

That is pretty much all you need to do. Now I don't know at witch point you
can’t follow this steps?


Miha
 
Many thanks, Miha.

Follow your instruction, I got the scenario exactly I want. In fact, it's
that I don't have my own DS server in lab environment cause the confuse. In
my lab, I use the pxelinux to network boot the client pc.

If WDS server can do this all, what's the use of BDD? Some colleagues and
I'm working on BDD for weeks and found that although BDD is accounced a
simple solution for desktop deployment. but actually it's useless if you
don't understand the whole process of BDD. You have to find out the scripts
to control the whole process and customize them to fit your need. Frankly
say, it's really not a simple task.

Anyway, thanks again for your kindly help.

Kenny
 
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