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JaapB
Welcome Newcomer
Netherlands
14 Posts
Status: offline |
 Posted - 07/10/2012 : 09:49:31 AM
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I have created two xml's with WSIM to automate the deployment of Windows 7 with WDS (Windows 2008 R2). After i pxe boot the laptop the unattend.xml is not picked up and i have to answer all the questions in the WinPE part. The image part installs unattended.
I have done the following:
-created an xml for the WinPE part, named unattend.xml and put it in the WDSClientUnattend directory
-created an xml for the image part, named au.xml and put it in the root of drive D:.
-in the properties from the server i configured the "default boot image" and "enable unattended installation" pointing to the unattend.xml. I also enable logging for errors.
-the image i configure to "allow to install unattended mode" and pointed it to the au.xml
Anybody got an idea why the unattend.xml is not picked up during the pxe boot? Which logfiles can i check to see if there is anything wrong with the unattend.xml?
Any help will be appreciated.
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Edited by - JaapB on 07/16/2012 08:27:16 AM |
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arwidmark
Old Timer
Sweden
530 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 6:39:42 PM
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First of all you should not use WDS to deploy Windows, it's not a deployment solution, just deployment infrastructure. You should use WDS together with MDT 2012, then you have a deployment solution.
But to answer your questions, can you please upload your unattend.xml files somewhere and post the link... or send them via email - my alias is arwidmark and I'm using gmail.
/ Johan |
Regards
Johan Arwidmark
Microsoft MVP - Setup / Deployment
http://www.deploymentresearch.com
http://www.facebook.com/DeploymentResearch
Twitter: @jarwidmark |
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JaapB
Welcome Newcomer
Netherlands
14 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 02:28:03 AM
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Hello Johan, thank you for your reply. I've seen remarks not using WDS for deploying Windows 7 before, but never saw any explanation why it should not be used for this purpose. Can you explain why WDS is not suitable to deploy Windows 7?
Is this remark also valid for re-imaging workstation by use of PXE/WDS? This is the way i intend to use it. I've create a reference machine and captured the image to WDS. This image i want to use to re-image the workstations by use of PXE/WDS.
I will sent you the xml files by mail.
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arwidmark
Old Timer
Sweden
530 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 12:44:27 PM
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Because WDS on it's own cannot do dynamic deployments, and does not support dynamic settings, configurations , drivers (other than extremely limited pnp based), updats, hotfixes, policies or application deployments...
There is a reason why http://www.microsoft.com/deployment does not lead you to instructions on using WDS in a standalone mode.
I'm sorry, but WDS by itself is simply not a deployment solution, but when you integrate WDS with MDT 2012 (which is free), it becomes a GREAT deployment solution!
More than 600.000 people downloaded the previous version (MDT 2012).
/ Johan |
Regards
Johan Arwidmark
Microsoft MVP - Setup / Deployment
http://www.deploymentresearch.com
http://www.facebook.com/DeploymentResearch
Twitter: @jarwidmark |
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arwidmark
Old Timer
Sweden
530 Posts
Status: offline |
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JaapB
Welcome Newcomer
Netherlands
14 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/11/2012 : 1:19:20 PM
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I left those two sections out on purpose. I don't want all user to start PXE boot and i also have different images to choose from as we are having different brands/models to image.
I assumed that a screen from the wds client is skipped when the settings for that screen are supplied by the unattend.xml and that a screen shows up if no setting are found in the unattend.xml.
I will add the two missing sections to the unattend.xml and will report back next week as i'm out of the office the rest of this week.
JaapB |
Edited by - JaapB on 07/11/2012 4:01:17 PM |
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JaapB
Welcome Newcomer
Netherlands
14 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/16/2012 : 08:26:38 AM
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I added the WindowsDeploymentServices section and it is working now.
Many thanks for your help Johan.
JaapB |
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arwidmark
Old Timer
Sweden
530 Posts
Status: offline |
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Solved: PXE boot not picking up unattend.xml
