Deploying Windows 7 Using Windows Deployment Services (WDS): Step-by-Step – Part I
See also: Deploying Windows 7 Using Windows Deployment Services (WDS): Step-by-Step – Part II
We had a good look about the possibilities about Windows deployment; regarding Windows 7 we’ve completed a guide using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (MDT 2010 beta) to capture and deploy unattended installations of Windows 7 with Office 2007 (Post I, Post II and Post III). Also we’ve reviewed how to implement unattended installations of Windows Vista using Windows Deployment Services (Post I, Post II and Post III).
But we didn’t take a look about deploying Windows 7 using Windows Deployment Services (WDS). Now we have a good chance to do that, providing a simple step by step procedure.
Why Using WDS?
Deploying operating systems using technologies like Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 or even System Center Configuration Manager are far more scalable that we can offer using WDS. But there’s always the cost/benefit analysis we should take before deciding to use always the most scalable and dynamic technology available.
Having a robust platform for deployment requires, as always, bigger costs for maintain it; and if there’s no trade off which we can see it in the short term, why bother? Example: We are using one operating system image as a baseline for our branch office with around 15 users; and we usually have to deploy one operating system to users per month. Should we need to allocate considerate hardware and efforts to maintain MDT or SCCM? Probably those technologies will be far more expensive than just using a simple one or even manual deployments.
Windows Deployment Services is a simple and straight forward technology to achieve fast and unattended deployments. Just loading a WIM file and the operating system is available over the network.
So, let’s take a look about a simple step-by-step process to achieve unattended deployments of Windows 7 using WDS.
Prerequisites for WDS
- Active Directory and DNS server in place. The computer running WDS must be a member of an Active Directory.
- An active DHCP server on the network
- An NTFS partition on the server with the WDS role to store your OS images.
- Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK). This is an optional component that we can use to create unattended files.
1. Installing the WDS role on Windows Server 2008
1.1 Installing WDS in Windows Server 2008 is quite simple, just add it as a Server Role from Server Manager.
Besides the core components in WDS, Windows Server 2008 has the multicasting feature for the deployment. Transport Server option gives us that functionality.
1.2 Click on next and then Install.
2. Configure WDS for first use
WDS also has a simple procedure to configure the server, just running a wizard and you’ll be good to go.
2.1 In Administrative tasks open the WDS up in mmc, expand “Servers” then right click on the root name, and “configure server”.
2.2 We’ll need to create a path for the storing of our images. E:\RemoteInstall.
2.3 PXE answer policy, every time a machine boots from the network you can decide if they are going to receive an automatic answer or wait for an administrator decision.
2.4 Uncheck “add images now” select next.
If we have the DHCP server on the same operating system running WDS, we’ll also need to access the WDS server properties and select on the DHCP tab both options: “Do not listen on port 67” and “Configure DHCP option 60 to ‘PXEClient’.
In our case the DHCP role is placed on a different server and those options are not checked.
3. Adding Boot and Default Windows 7 Images
Every environment we are trying to deploy will always need boot images; fortunately we just have to select the boot images included on Windows 7 DVD.
3.1 Right click on “boot images” and select add boot image
3.2 Using a Windows 7 DVD, we can easily find the boot.wim file in “sources” folder.
.
3.3 Now we can leave the image name to its default or we can change it.
3.4 Confirm settings then continue.
For adding the Windows 7 operating system image is the same procedure to run, but using the “Install Images” folder in WDS console.
3.5 Adding the default Install Image Right click on Install Images in the WDS console and select Add Image.
3.6 Creating a new image group.
.
3.7 Browse again in “sources” folder and select install.wim.
.
3.8 Now we are given a choice of all the available versions of the installation media; install.wim contains all the versions available of Windows 7.
.
We can select just one version to avoid allocating unnecessary space in the hard drive.
Once completed we’ll have available a boot image, plus a default and clean image of Windows 7 to be installed over the network.
4. Capture Boot Image
There’s an important note regarding boot images; to capture a Windows 7 operating system that you’ve already deployed, you’ll need to create a new media set of this boot.wim file.
4.1 Add a new boot image, the same procedure shown above. Open up the WDS console and right click on “boot images” and select “add boot image”.
4.2 Change the name, and description to identify which image is for booting and for capturing; click on “Finish”.
Once the wizard complete, we’ll see the image added to “Boot images”.
4.3 Now select the image name right click, then select “Create Capture Boot Image”.
![clip_image001[4]](https://augustoalvarez.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/clip_image0014.png "clip_image001[4]")
5. Install, configure, and Sysprep the reference machine
To deploy a customized image of Windows 7 using WDS we must capture it first from an already deployed image.
An operating system by default is not ready to be captured, before doing that we must prepare the image. Sysprep is the tool in charge of removing all the particular components in an installation (computer name, SID, OS product key, etc) and makes this image suitable for capturing.
5.1 We can find sysprep tool in “C:\Windows\system32\sysprep”. Running sysprep.exe will pop a simple GUI, where we can select the options OOBE, Generalize and Reboot after completion.
We can also use the command line: “sysprep /oobe /generalize /reboot”.
Once selected, we’ll see a process running that is going to take a few seconds and the following reboot.
6. Capturing the reference machine
6.1 After sysprep has rebooted our reference machine, boot from PXE network boot, using F12.
The computer will require for an IP address to the DHCP Server which will redirect it to a Boot Server available on the network, in this case WDS. After finding it, it will require a second F12 selection.
It is important to note that if we missed this sequence, we should reboot the machine as soon as possible. If Windows operating system starts, the sysprep clean up performed earlier will be lost and you won’t be available to capture the image.
6.2 Select “Capture (x64)” and press enter
6.3 After this we’ll see the WDS wizard, select next.
6.4 Now select the volume to capture, C:\, and create the image name file.
If we don’t see any volume available to capture, is because the sysprep process did not completed normally and we must run it again.
6.5 Now we will see the screen asking you where to store the WIM file. Select “upload Image to WDS server”, providing the IP address or FQDN. It will also require domain credentials to access the server.
6.6 Select the Image Group you’ve created to store the image. If you don’t have any group created in WDS, you’ll receive the error of no group available.
Now the WDS will create your custom reference image of your client machine.
The process usually takes a while, depending on the operating system characteristics you are capturing.
On the next post we’ll see how to create unattended files with some examples and deploying a this captured Windows 7 image in a full unattended process.
See also: Deploying Windows 7 Using Windows Deployment Services (WDS): Step-by-Step – Part II
Categories: Deployment, Windows 7, Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Augusto Alvarez 
Hi there,
I am having an issue capturing my operating system after a sysprep. When i boot into WDS, it is only the d: (DVD ROM), and it does not list c:.
Any ideas on what may be causing this?
select d: c: is actually your ram
I have a question I do not quite understand. There was a comment up above stating
“There’s an important note regarding boot images; to capture a Windows 7 operating system that you’ve already deployed, you’ll need to create a new media set of this boot.wim file.”
What do you mean by creating a new media set of this boot.wim file. I uploaded an image to the server and brought it back down to the pc made a few changes and reuploaded the file to the server but it will not allow me to bring it back down. I get an error that says “Windows cannot install required Files. Make sure all files for installation are available, and restart the installation.”
I am not sure if this has to do with creating a new media set of the boot.wim file and sure I understand how to do that or what do. Please Help!.
Thanks,
Hello Todd,
The new “media set” for boot.wim is actually the option when you select “Create Capture Boot Image” in the WDS Console; nothing out of the ordinary.
Regarding the error you mentioned, I think it could be related to a corrupted WIM file, did you try saving the WIM file locally in the client machine and then upload it to the WDS manually?
Cheers!
Augusto
I have not tried to upload it manually. How would I do that? Would I just copy the wim file on the local computer to the wds server and place it in the images folder or is there a special process that needs to be done to upload to the server. But on a second note all my windows xp images are working fine. I have actually reimaged the machine and am going to try and capture the image again tomorrow. I don’t understand why would I need to create a new capture boot image if the machine had already been imaged? Is that causing the issue?
Hello Todd,
You don’t need a capture boot image if you already have captured the images.
To upload an image manually you have to move it locally to the server, and using the WDS console you can select the option “Import Image” and add it from the WIM file.
Hope it helps,
Cheers!
Augusto
Hello Augusto,
Thank you for your tips. Very useful! So, now a have a question.
Do you have same experience with migration of users documents and settings?
Hello Fernanda,
You can migrate profiles using “User State Migration Tool” from Microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722032%28WS.10%29.aspx
You can also achieve the automation of the migration by combining USMT with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010, where you can migrate profiles, deploy a new operating system and then automatically import the profile again. Even though I haven’t made any post about USMT, you can check the MDT 2010 posts I’ve prepared a while ago: http://blog.augustoalvarez.com.ar/category/microsoft-deployment-toolkit-mdt/
Hope it helps,
Cheers!
Augusto
So i should choose the boot.wim originally from the source cd or i should create another boot.wim for the capturing image part.
i’ve tried to choose back the same boot.wim in the source cd, but it just wont goes into the WDS capturing wizard.
Thank You.
Hello Frentzen,
You have to convert the boot image into a capture boot image.
Take a look to the step 4.3: Now select the image name right click, then select “Create Capture Boot Image”.
Cheers!
Augusto
Hi,
I have created a deployment share and added all the appl,drivers along with OS in MDT 2010.For that i have created a database and task sequence for the appropriate one.Also am not capturing the .wim .I am deploying using WDS server throug boot .wim(Network).After installing OS and all applications but the admin users are not adding to the admin group…kindly give a solution on this..
Mani
Thanks for your guide Augusto.
When I deploy one of these images, it comes down with the user profile that was used to create it.
When I ran Sysprep on XP it always deleted the user profile.
Do you know how I can do it on Windows 7 to ensure that the profile is deleted and the image comes down “clean”?
Hello Rob,
You will need to delete the profile folder after you captured the image; you can do this with IMAGEX tool. You can mount the WIM file into a directory, delete the folder, dis mount the WIM file and add it again to WDS.
Hope it helps,
Cheers!
Augusto
Hi Augusto,
Do you have instructions for doing that (mount, IMAGEX etc) or can you point me to some good ones online?
Hi there!
I have been following the instructions for capturing a windows 7 image, however when I get to step 6.6 when I select my image group I can’t click next – it remains greyed out. Do you know why this could be?
Thanks
Matt
just solved my issue, had not given a none network location – should pay more attention to what the window says :$
Hi Matt,
I have the same problem as you did with the NEXT button greyed out. How did you fix this? was it a setting on the WDS server?
Tom,
I just figured this out, to enable the next button, you’ve got to browse a location to save the image locally using the browse button as well as uploading to the WDS server.
Josh
hi augusto,
many thanksto that wonderfull and helpfull how-to! what i would recommend you to add is an “between explanation” how to add drivers to boot.wim so that pc without ethernet card drivers will boot. of course i found it myself but only by doin “trial and error” – because a lot of websites explain how to do that with the “dism” command, but i can be done easly with the manager also :-)
but i do have a question too:
i am now building a system with 3 servers. 1st ads, dhcp, dns; 2nd file, print; 3rd wsus, sql and wds. the last 2 servers are only member servers.
i had no chance to bring up the wds service to run. i did get an different error everytime i tried something to solve that problem. io even placed the dhcp on the 3rd server but no chance.
now i decided to keep dhcp on the ads/dns/dhcp server and put wds also on it and now it runs without a problem.
do have an idea what is going wrong in my first wished system?
regards from austria
marty
I’ve followed your step-by-step guide and when upload the image to the server, I got an error message :
“Not enough space on the drive” (it’s translated from french)
There is 12Gb free on the WDS server drive. I’ve used an admin account to connect to it. so where should be the problem ?
Thx for your help.
Sybux
Hello Sybux,
The size of the file depends on the image you’ve captured. Did you try using a different network path to store the WIM file? Also a local path can do the work.
Hope it helps,
Cheers!
Augusto
Hello Augusto,
i see a lot of info on the internet about “capturing an image using WDS”…
Can I just upload an already captured image?
for exmaple, in your step-by-step process deploying-Windows-7-using-windows-deployment-serves (available at: http://blog.augustoalvarez.com.ar/2010/04/20/deploying-windows-7-using-windows-deployment-services-wds-step-by-step-part-i/) you mention to install the Win 7 dvd and capture the image in section
“3. Adding Boot and Default Windows 7 Images”
My question is in 3.2 can i just browse to my already captured image?
At technet there is no steps on how to do this but Microsoft imply that you can do it (see step 6):
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730907(WS.10).aspx#Capture
at your earliest convenience can you please tell me whether i can upload my already captured image into WDS instead of creating and capturing a new image.
thanks..
Hello Maestro Augusto,
In step 3.2 of “Deploying Windows 7 Using Windows Deployment Services (WDS) part i” your documentation shows how to create a new capture image.
Is it possible to broswe to an already captured image?
I have created a standard image and want to deploy it using WDS, I don’t want to make a new capture image.
How can I deploy the captured image I have already made using the rest of your awsome tutorial material?
thank you.
Hello Frankie,
Thanks for your comments, the process for adding an already captured image are the same when we add a normal image. In this post, in the section “3. Adding Boot and Default Windows 7 Images” you can see the process.
Cheers!
Augusto
Thanks Augusto,
the main reason I the question about uploading an already captured image is:
if I follow all of step “3. Adding Boot and Default Windows 7 Images” I will have to go through the process of sysprep, but my image is already syspreped and generalized (therefore my image is already a boot-image).
an image can become corrupted if you sysprep an image that is already syspreped.
Using your documentation (which again I think is very cool) will I:
3.1 browse to my captured image
3.2 select myImage.wim (therefore no need for Win 7 DVD)
skip step 4 and 5 because my image is already captured
and go to step 6?
many thanks…
Hello Frankie,
That is correct.
Cheers!
Augusto
muchas gracias Doctor!
Can you make a tutorial of how to inject drivers? I always get to a screen where is said that the network card drivers are missing.
Hi
I can not boot my desktop into PXE after I pressed F12. Is there any reason for that?
I have finished steps 1,2,3 & 4.
Many Thanks
Andrew
There could be many reasons, can you tell me the exact error showing in your screen?
Cheers!
Augusto
Hi Augusto,
Thank you very much for your reply. Also a late Happy New Year to you.
There is no error message. I have a server 2003 running WDS without any problem(it was setup by the guy who worked here long time ago and I do not have any documentation for it). I can just plug a desktop(laptop) into a network cable and press F12 when started, it will ask me to install/capture an image. However, now I just set up a 64bit 2008 R2 and set it up following steps 1,2,3&4. I did not add any install image(step 3.5 — 3.8) as I have done step 5 seperately. As this is a new clean WDS, I have injected one nic driver into it using WINAIK, this is the nic driver of the laptop that I want to deploy win7 on it. The boot image I used is on the WIN7 multi license media.
After I started the laptop, it could find its own MAC address then waiting for the DHCP to assign an IP address but for around 30 seconds, it boots into windows straight away.
Any idea about this?
Best regards
Andrew
Hello Andrew,
Happy New Year! :)
Currently do you have two WDS servers in the same network? There should be only one, which will handle all PXE requests.
The client machine is in the same network segment as the DHCP and WDS? DHCP is working properly?
Cheers!
Augusto
HI Augusto
I stop the WDS on 2003. DHCP is working properly. And the client is in the same network as the DHCP & WDS. DHCP is running on another server (2003) without WDS on it.
So in my network, I have a new 64bit 2008 R2 (08 DC with new WDS), a 32 bit 2003 R2 (with old WDS- which has been stopped), a 32 bit 2003 R2 (03 DC with DHCP)
I just added 08 into the existing network(2003) for 2 days.
Regards
Andrew
Hi Augusto,
This time I copied down the error message:
“PXE-E55:ProxyDHCP service did not reply to request on Port 4011”
Do you have any knowledge of this?
Regards
Andrew
Hello Andrew,
Having those two WDS servers are possibly the reason, because that error appears in other scenarios. Check these links: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/259670 and http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883395/en-us
Please verify the second link and confirm if any of those options are not appearing in the DHCP server.
If everything looks normal, I would recommend uninstall both WDS servers, restart DHCP service and then install only one WDS properly.
Hope it helps,
Cheers,
Augusto
Hi Augusto,
I think everything looks normal. The reason I want to keep the existing WDS is it is 32bit and it has lots of old images which I am still using on it. Then I want to deploy 64bit win7 so I have to set up the new WDS. You do not think simply stop the first server will do the trick? If I start the old WDS, the client will boot into it without any problem at the current stage.
Regards
Andrew
Hello Andrew,
You can easily export the images in the “old” WDS, access the console, right-click on each image and select Export. The WIM files can be placed on any folder, and then imported back in any other WDS.
Hope it helps,
Cheers!
Augusto
Hi Augusto
My new WDS server is based on 64 bit and the old WDS is based on 32 bit. I found that I can not capture a 64 bit image on a 32 bit OS and vice versa. Is there any walkaround for this?
Anyway, I will try to export all the images and answer files from the old WDS server and give it a go. Worst thing scenario will be that I reinstall WDS back and import the images back:)
Regards
Andrew
Andrew,
You can capture and deploy both 32bit and 64bit images from a single server, I do so where I work frequently.
The trick to doing so is you need 32bit and 64bit boot and capture images on the WDS Server. (Mine were generated from 32bit and 64bit Windows 7 Media respectively).
Hi Augusto and thanks for sharing!
Unfortunately I have run into trouble that I have absolutely no clue of how to remedy, I hope so much that you have the time to help me out.
I managed to follow the steps through installing the server, and for capturing images from a reference computer (a brand new Dell Latitude E6410) but I come no further than step 6.2 (running Sysprep and then reboot the client).
Step 6.3 never happens. This probably has something to do with the problems with a missing network card driver that forced me to modify the boot.wim-file (in my case, boot-(2).wim), “injecting” the nic driver into the mounted image using this guide: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923834
The commands I used:
“Imagex /mountrw R:\remoteinstall\boot\x86\images\boot-(2).wim 2 mount ”
“peimg /inf=driver.inf mount\Windows”
“imagex /unmount /commit mount”
Comments on the first line; 2 is the boot index number. The number indicates that image number 2 is marked as bootable and that the image is to be updated.
Another thing is that in order to use the “peimg” command, the older WAIK for Vista is needed. The WAIK toolkit for Windows 7 does not contain peimg.exe. Microsoft replaced it for some file called DISM.exe but this does not do the same thing…. go figure……..
After these commands were issued the client could boot with F12 without halting, but instead of being captured by the WDS server (boot.wim-file?) it just went on installing Windows + drivers using the data I have just used creating the image to be captured (strange since there should be no such image yet???) but no step 6.3, no WDS GUI asking me for input.
I tried one more time to run Sysprep on the client and rebooting it, but the above scenario just repeated one more time.
If I overwrite my boot.wim-file, I will most definitely have the nic-problem again. So any idea on what I could do?
Also another question; Using this guide, do you or don’t you need an answer file as well? The computers come with 4 partitions which I have deleted in the reference computer, creating 1 big partition, formatting it and installing the image on that partition.
I made an answer file after reading a MS article on how to create one where number of drives, partitions etc are specified, but I don’t know how or when to use it.
Thanks in advance and hope you have patience with my ignorance.
/Kei
Hello Kei,
Regarding the driver problem, what is the exact error you are having when you are trying to boot from the network? You should be able to boot using F12, but if there’s a missing driver, once the Windows PE loads into memory the PE will tell you that it cannot find the network driver.
Cheers,
Augusto
Hello Augusto and thanks for the answer. As for the missing driver this is the guide I have followed http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923834 and this specific issue has worked out well- i.e I can after having the driver put into the boot-(2).wim file boot the client with F12. However then the WDS does not capture the client.
I spoke to a friend the other day and he told me that this image making can only be done with volume license – is that true? In that case that is probably my problem…. I will try one more time today now when I have the volume license installation CD.
It did not work this time either. These are my steps taken:
Right click Boot images, add Boot image -> used the boot.wim from the Windows 7 volume edition DVD.
Added the network driver file to it with Imagex.
Right clicked Install images, add Install Image -> used the install.wim from the Windows 7 volume edition DVD.
Right clicked the boot file created in the first step (with the default name Microsoft Windows setup x64) and “Create Capture boot image”.
It then wants to know the name and file location of the file (???) – I made a longshot guess and create a new file called Win7Dell.wim
It says “Extracting image from the source image file”.
Now I sysprep my reference machine with drivers and applikacations installed, reboot, F12-ing it again, selecting the Microsoft Windows setup x64 and watching it contacting the WDS server, finding the boot.wim file. Now instead of seeing the WDS Image capture wizard, it wants me to logon to the domain and choosing the default install.wim made from the sources folder on the Win7 DVD………. Where do I go wrong? Please hope you can help..
Cheers,
Kei
Hello Kei,
I’m confused, when you clicked the option “Create Capture boot image” you’ve selected the Windows 7 WIM file? That is actually incorrect, you have to select the boot.wim from the Windows 7 media.
And regarding the Windows 7, Volume License media has nothing to do with WDS. The VL media only accepts a certain type of product keys, but the installation files (install.wim and boot.wim) inside are the same used in any other type.
Hope it helps,
Augusto
Hi again :)
Thank you so much for taking the time.
No, in the Capture Boot image diagog I guessed I was supposed to create a new file, just give it a name?
But actually I need to select the boot.wim again? Then I have boot.wim from the Windows 7 media twice, is that correct? Both as boot image and capture image?
Ok, this time I select the same boot.wim from the DVD again, as a capture file, giving it the name Capture x64.
I instantly get a warning message saying
“Image with the same name already exists in the boot.wim. If you choose to overwrite then all the images in the file will be lost. Do you want to overwrite the existing file?”
I click Yes, then the wizard says;
The specified output file cannot be created. Please ensure that the folder exists and is writable.
I’m totally confused now.
Hi Augusto,
I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice. Capturing and deploying images all go fine with me. Thep problem is that when i deploy an image, it seems that the system thats being imaged, automaticly joins the computer to the domain. I realy dont want that to happen.
When i run the machine directly after having it sysprept localy, it doesnt go into the domain but when in capture it on wds and install a system connecting to the wds server, it always joins the domain. any ideas on what im doing wrong?
Its a very basic answer file im using. It creates a random computer name and time/currency values.
Greets,
Dep.
Hello Dep,
Did you try using the option in the answer file to join a workgroup instead?
Cheers,
Augusto
Hi,
I have followed your but i can’t load the image in server after the sysprep. i can’t have Wds wizard in step ( 6.3 After this we’ll see the WDS wizard, select next).
Can you help me please ?
Thanks
Hello Alioune,
Did you create the “capture boot image” as shown above? That’s a different wizard.
Cheers,
Augusto
Thanks for your reply,
I have created the capture boot image and i still have the same problem. I can’t load the image after sysprep i have a windows 7 MSDN.
Do you have the chance to see the “Capture Wizard”? Or do you see a normal Windows PE?
Cheers,
Augusto
Hi,
I can’t see the “Capture Wizard”
Hello again,
Then there’s something wrong in the process. Do you have two boot images? One for deployment and one for capturing?
When you boot from PXE, do you see both images?
Cheers,
Augusto
I get this error when regenerating my boot images for WDS for the x86 (Win XP SP3).
“There was a problem opening the INF file. E:\DeploymentShare\Out-of-box Drivers\Net\bcmwl6_5.60.350.11_FDB2880178C71A6692BEB9027D8B6205992C5CDB\bcmwl6.inf Error: 0x80070002.
Error: 2
No driver packages were found on the specified path.
Verify that the driver .INF files are in the specified location and try the command again.
The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log
Exit code = 2
DISM /Add-Driver failed, rc = 2.
Verify that the driver .INF files are in the specified location and try the command again.”
I’ve also noted as I was adding the out of box driver to WDS I received these errors:
“Scanning directories for the count of INFs to import.
Performing operation “import” on Target “Out-of-box drivers”.
Warning: Driver Broadcom Net b57win32.inf 14.2.0.5 does not appear to support platform x64 as indicated. Overriding the indicated platform.
Creating new item named Broadcom Net b57win32.inf 14.2.0.5 at DS001:\Out-of-Box Drivers.
Import processing finished”
What is happening here? I’ve never seen this until upgrading to MDT 2010 Update 1.
The drivers are being downloaded either from HP’s site or from Broadcom. Apparently, the driver is being seen as an 64 bit driver, but I’m only, to my knowledge importing an 32 bit driver.
I know Broadcom is notorious for screwing with the INF’s and faulty or incomplete code.
Thanks,
Michael
Hello Augusto,
I see you other post and you suggested that we go to step 6 if we have a image already built. I created and image that has MS application, messenger and VPN client software along with OS. Can I use this think image or WDS only handles thin image base OS only? Should I go Microsoft deployement toolkit route if I have applications to be deployed with base OS image? Thanks for your time in advance
Hello Domai,
If you are going to use the same static image (OS + applications) for a determined period of time, then the best option is using WDS. If you have dynamic images that are changed constantly with new applications, and you need migrating profiles automatically, add drivers for specific hardware models, then probably the best option is MDT.
Hope it helps,
Cheers,
Augusto
I get this error whne trying to boot to the PXE image.
nbp is too big to fit in freespace memory
Any ideas?
Thx Clint
i get this error”log in failure bad username or password”
I try using all login credential and all credntial is a member of
domain admin and it’s working properly when i login using that on
server but when i try to install capture image it fails i have done
syspep the machine and successfully install this image to wds
any one help me to solve this problem ?
Hello Mukesh,
When exactly are you receiving the error?
Cheers,
Augusto
Hello Augusto,
i want to know how to deploy applications, after deploying os image using wds. and how can i add drivers packages in wds console.
i want to know how to deploy applications, after deploying os image using wds. and how can i add drivers packages in wds console
Hello Pavan,
For deploying applications separately from the OS you can use Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010, check these posts: http://blog.augustoalvarez.com.ar/category/microsoft-deployment-toolkit-mdt/
Regarding adding drivers in WDS console, this can only be achieved using Windows Deployment Services from Windows Server 2008 R2 (if you have 2003 or 2008 this option won’t be available). Take a look at this link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd348456(WS.10).aspx#boot
Hope it helps,
Augusto
Could you please tell me why do you add the install.wim to the system?
It seemes you are not using it because you are creating a sysprep image.
Isn’t it possible to script the installation of the install.wim file?
Hello Roi,
Yes, I’m just adding the clean Windows 7 image from the installation media to make an example.
And yes, you can also associate the unattended files to the clean install.wim file and it will apply as well; with that you will have a clean and unattended Windows 7 installation without any prior capture. But again, this image has no customization and no applications added.
Best regards,
Augusto
Augusto
HI Augusto,
ah it was just an example. ok.
I’m trying to get a full unattended file because we have serveral hardwaretypes here.
As far as I understud it is quite simple to add patches and aplications to the wim using dism. I did this already for a standalone image. For all the other software we are using GPOs.
The problem is that the damn install routine doesn’t give any specific errors so I’m walking a bit in the dark now ;)
Regards,
Roi
Augusto,
I already have a functional WDS environment but I have one question I have failed to find an answer for. Is there no way to capture an image without sysprep? For example, say the CFO or president has their notebook just the way they like it. I want to create an image to tuck away for safe keeping. Ghost doest the job now but I would like to use just one tool
Hello Jayme,
Yes, it is possible to capture an image without sysprep. You need to use ImageX tool and create a Windows PE bootable image with this tool inserted.
It is not recommended at all.
Hope it helps,
Augusto
which switch do i need to use in imagex command to make a wim file without syspreping
Hello Anish,
Using images without “sysprep” is not a supported scenario in any type of deployment.
Best regards,
Augusto
Thanks for the reply.
I want to explain something which I really need.
In my environment I need to make sure windows is up to date for my all 100 machines.
So if my syspreped image is 1 month old I need to install almost 500 MB to 1 GB of updates which is eating my bandwidth and waste of time
So I used to update the image and then deploy.
My main problem is I can’t do sysprep every time, where there is a limit of no of syspreps from windows
So I got an idea such that the main image i should not sysprep. So is there any way you can resolve my problem
Hello again,
There’s no limit in sysprep tries you can use in the same image, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Did you receive any particular error running sysprep?
More info:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766514(WS.10).aspx
“There is no limit to the number of times Sysprep can run on a computer. However, the clock for Windows Product Activation begins its countdown the first time Windows starts. You can use the sysprep /generalize command to reset Windows Product Activation a maximum of three times. After the third time you run the sysprep /generalize command, the clock can no longer be reset.”
Best regards,
Augusto
Hi Augusto,
I have setup win2008 server with AD DC,DNS and DHCP. a have a separate win2008 server which is also member of domain, i have successfully setup wds on it. But when i tried to network boot a pc, error below encountered.
client ip: 192.168.2.21 mask 255.255.255.0 dhcpip: 192.168.2.2
pxe-e55 proxydhcp service did not reply to request port 4011.
It seems that it gives an ip address from dhcp but did not detected my wds server.
Please please help me on my problem.
hoping for your soon responce.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Wilson
Hello Wilson,
Sorry for the delay. That error could appear for several reasons.
Server and client are on the same network? There’s no DHCP relay in the middle?
What’s the procedure did you use to configure your WDS server?
Cheers,
Augusto
Hey thanks for the guide first of all.
I have a RIS/WDS server already running,
Now i want to add the Windows 7 image but i keep getting the old F12 boot OS chooser ? becuease its already working i cant upload an image to it.
Can you help me with that ?
Hello distrax,
Did you add a Win PE image from Windows 7 to capture an image?
Did you try using the Windows 7 media to add an installation image from that media?
Cheers,
Augusto
This is a really good and thorough tutorial for a tool that is time consuming to setup and learn. You’ve certainly mastered this process.
My question is, how long does it take you to go from setup to full deployment? It just seems like all the costs savings of using a free tool like WDS or MDT is quickly eaten by the labor costs associated with using the tool. For those not as savvy as you, I would imagine they could spend 3-4 times as long as you to accomplish the same task.
I used to always pride myself on being able to “figure out” the free tools but have realized that spending a couple thousands dollars up front can really save money in the long run. Anyway, I’m now using http://www.smartdeploy.com for all of our Windows migration and deployment. Not only is it extremely straight forward, but all the driver packages are already created by SmartDeploy so there’s no need to waste time managing drivers. I just go straight to their site and download them.
I’d be curious to hear what you think of the tool and if I’m missing out by not going the WDS route.
Hi Augusto,
I have configured WDS on windows server 2003 sp2,I have downloaded the windows 7 waik tool for gui based deployement & captured both boot.wim & install.wim from windows 7 DVD,but when i am deploying windows 7 on a desktop it has become very slow (i.e 1% is completed in 5min).Can you tell me the reason behind this slow deployement?
Thanks
Aditya Naik
Hello Aditya,
Well that could be for several reasons, can you give me more information about the connection used in the client-server? Is the WDS server with other role/service that could be disrupted with the network connection?
Cheers,
Augusto
Hi Augusto,
I am deploying windows 7 & through wds having windows server 2003 sp2,but after the put my credentials,installation is taking very long (i.e 1% is completed in 5 min).
can you tell me the reason behind this.Is it because i am using windows 7 WAIK tool
on windows server 2003 sp2?
Thanks,
Aditya
Great tutorial Augusto,
1 quick question.. is it possible to shut the client off PC after WDS applies the image to it instead of rebooting it? I tried putting this information in the clientunattend file but WDS seems to ignore it (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766012%28WS.10%29.aspx)
Thanks again!
Angelina
Hello Angelina,
Actually I’ve never tried this option before. Did you check the windows client log to see if there’s any error?
You can find the client log in C:\Windows\Panther\Setupact.log (and setuperr.log if it’s not empty).
Hope it helps,
Cheers!
Augusto
Hi I have followed this steps, when im deploying it to bare metal machine it will reach until windows PE prompt only. It didnt install the image.
Good day Augusto!
Please help me with my deployment issue. When I boot my client machine using pxe it work fine but my windows image won’t install. I just got this windows:
x:\windows\system>wpeinit
x:\windows\system>_
Hello Roland,
That’s strange, what’s the procedure used for uploading the boot and install image into WDS?
Did you modified the boot.wim file?
Best regards,
Augusto
hi there, is it possible to take an image of a machine that has been imaged from a reference p.c, my original reference machine has run out of sysprep tries but i need to make changes and re capture
Hello there again,
Your reference image has run out of sysprep tries? Do you have an error message showing?
Microsoft does not include any limit in running sysprep in the same image.
Best regards,
Augusto
Hi Augusto
i am trying to follow your tutorial and got as far as capturing the boot image 4.3, then stuck.
so i have, a VM host that is hosting
1 DC with DHCP & DNS in a server 2008 R2
1 file & Wds server also in server 2008 R2 with a NTFS drive for storing images..
after i have reached step 4.3, i am trying to create a windows 7 machine in my VMware host, f12 finds my DHCP and says contacting or connecting WDS server 192.168.1.7 ……………..
the trail of …… just keeps increasing without going anywhere. .
If i have already captured an image using sysprep + o&o disk imaging, can i use that image to import a previously captured image?
Hello Riyad,
Regarding booting from PXE, the problem must be regarding the WDS + DHCP configuration or a connectivity issue. After the several “…” you must see an error showing, which one is it?
For the second question, yes, you can use any image created as long as the image was created using sysprep in a supported method.
Best regards,
Augusto
Hi Anto,
I have seen your info its very useful for me. and i need one more help frm you.
My requirements are,
in my Org we are using WDS with MDT2010. we are using different model desktop and laptops and both having different drivers and applications. if i install windows 7 it should automatically push the appropritate drivers and application to proper laptop.is it possible. i heard it’s possible through Database options in MDT. Can u please advice on this.
Thanks,
Venkatesan .R
Getting Not Enough Disk Space error 2147467259 when running LiteTouch.VBS from W7 Client and execute the Sysprep and Caoture Task from Task Sequence. It seems that WinPE is trying to copy WIM file to the System reserved partition (100 MB or so..).
Tried on VM, tried on clean install – same error.
Looks like a very common error too!
Any suggestions would go a long way to my W7 Deplmnt.
Thanks!
S Murad.
Hello there,
Can you copy/paste the exact error showing in the log file?
Best regards,
Augusto
Thanks for a the article, it really helped, i was wondering how you got the desktop to look like this image,
Thanks!
Hi People
Can anyone tell me whether it is possible to mount the .tib file in wds for network boot purpose.
I need this info because in my organization they made the default profile to be loaded directly into D:\profiles and temp files also saved in D:
and i have created a OS image with .tib extension so please someone suggest me whether it is possible to use this.
I would be thankful and welcome to any kind of information
hi, thanks for a nice information. after competing the installation client PC is unable to log in . it is saying account is disabled ,contact system administrator
Hello there,
If you are using “WORKGROUP”, you need to create a user using the unattended file in order to be able to login. Otherwise you will need to add it to the domain and enter domain credentials.
Hope it helps,
Augusto
Hoi Augusto,
Is it possible to create an unattended deployment with just an Windows7 image from the Windows DVD and an WDSanser file. Or is an capture form a referring installation required?
TIA,
Pascal
Hello Pascal,
No, you don’t need to capture it, you can use the Windows 7 media file.
Best regards,
Augusto
Hi Augusto, Great article and hats off to you still replying after nearly two years! =)
I keep getting only a Volume D: for your step # 6.4. I am studying for the 70-643, and reviewed over and over but still I do not see a C: volume. The Windows 7 syspreped image was on the C: drive and both the WDS server and image are on VMs.
Thank you so much!
Aaron
Hello Aaron,
Sorry for the delay on this. That error is actually quite common in WDS scenario, since the C:\ drive is used by the WindowsPE it shows your original C:\ as a D:\ drive.
You can still capture it normally and the image will be valid.
Hope it helps,
Augusto
Hey Augusto,
Great tutorial however i’m having an issue at running the capture section. I completed the first steps no problem and i made an image and to test everything was working at that stage i ran a PXE boot and installed windows with no issues. I then tried to create the capture section which created fine and the sysprep ran on the machine with no issues however the machine now gets a DHCP address from the DHCP server however no options are given at stage 6.2 it simply returns a pxe-e55 proxydhcp service did not reply to request port 4011 and quits the program. I have made no changes to the WDS other than adding the new boot image since it worked. I am a bit confused as to what has happened. Any ideas or help would be appreciated !!!!
Thanks
Chris
Ok so i solved this myself. There is a lot of information around on this however all of it was useless and didn’t work for me. So i decided to completely remove WDS from the server and delete the image files i had created. Reloaded WDS and recreated the image files and it worked second time around.
Hello Christopher,
Glad to know you’ve managed to solve it. There are some times that some of the WDS system files gets corrupted and start generating this error; or a misconfiguration in the Settings.
Cheers,
Augusto
Hi Augusto,
i have a very annoying problem and i hope u could help me with it,
i have installed the WDS role and the DHCP and DNS on a member server in my Domain, then i added the install.wim and boot.win from my windows 7 x86 DVD, then i deployed win7 on a 5 machines and every thing is okay, 30 Later i tried to deploying in another machine, after i press f12 to get me to the boot screen, i got this error ”BOOTMGR image is corrupted. the system cannot boot”
i tried several things to do, but nothing fix it, excepts that i re install win server 2008 on this member server and redo everything from scratch, then it works fine, after a while…..give me this error again !!!!!1
I’m really tired and want a solution to this problem cuz it’s really a headache
thanks..
Hello Kareem,
Whenever I saw that problem the image used had corrupted files. Did you try using a different media to import the boot and install wim file?
Best regards,
Augusto
Ok it seems that my image got saved to the root of C: drive on the computer that I was imaging. Why did it not get uploaded to the server? I have manually moved my captured image to the server now how do I associate it with my Win 7 boot image?
help please
when i add the file instll.wim in wds .i found this error ,cannont find the specific path.
Hi i am thulasi raman from india your tutorial very nice i have one doubt.what is windows 7 deployment?.deployment is installed OS from server its correct or not?,I have tried install ads,dhcp,wds and configure windows 7 deployment.After deployment i will give username,date time and everything but all the old software is available in that machine so please tell me what purpose we need to use WDS?
I just managed to read this nice article searching for a suitable solution to my problem. We have a non-active directory environment where we need to install windows 8 + other applications like ms office etc on about 100 workstations for various users. Can we do a fresh install of windows 8 and other applications on one workstation and make an Image of it and deploy that Image to several other workstations , the easiest way possible. We don’t want to do the same installation again and again on each workstation, so that we can save our time and quickly finish the process too. Can you suggest some suitable idea for us. Your helpful ideas are highly appreciated..
Hello Syd,
Without Active Directory I would say that is going to be a little bit difficult. You can generate on your own a customized Windows 8 installation with all the apps, but you will still need a USB drive or DVD media to deploy on every machine.
I would recommend using WDS in a virtual machine (you can also have a dummy Active Directory just for installing WDS), prepare an image and the upload it to the server. Then you can deploy the image to all workstations without joining to the domain.
Best regards,
Augusto
Is there a way to deploy images using WDS where the machine in question is NOT on a domain?
Hello Tony,
You can deploy a machine with WDS and join that machine into a workgroup instead of AD, but to use a WDS Server you will need Active Directory. To review the AD integration, review this article: http://blog.augustoalvarez.com.ar/2009/01/14/troubleshooting-wds-event-id-257-258-266-513/
There are alternatives to review using DHCP options and other PXE servers to boot machines from the network, but those steps are not as easy as to deploy WDS.
Hope it helps,
Augusto
Hi Augusto,
When I’m deploying an image the computer name is not being changed; it stays the same as it was before I performed the deployment. Can you suggest anything i should check.
Regards and thanks,
Paul.
Hello Paul,
Can you copy/paste the XMS section where you have assigned the * for the random computer name?
Best regards,
Augusto
Thanks for your reply Augusto. I’m afraid there was a very simple answer to my problem; I was not deleting the computer account in Active Directory. When I did so the computer was named according to the format I defined.
Thanks for being willing to help.
Regards,
Paul.
Awesome!
HI, need your help on this, i have installed wds on 2008 r2 enterprise, also added boot image but after creating capture image, i am not able to add any drives to same boot image, windows getting freeze. while adding drivers to boot image then i have to delete capture image and then have to delete above reg. then only i am ble to add drivers to boot image even i tried second system also but still getting same error. please need your help to fix this
Hello there,
What’s the process you are using to add drivers to that boot image?
Best regards,
Augusto
I was using WDS to deploy window 7 image.
We will install microsoft office 2013 before sysprep the image.
Previously with office 2007 not such issue ” Asking product key in 2007″
After i deploy to the client pc, its promt ” Office required Product key for activation”
Anyone face this issue?
Good work, thanks a lot.
Hi
I am getting an error while doing pxe boot. the error what i am getting is
WDS Client: there was a problem processing the selected image
Can you help me with this i have given permission also but also getting the error. Please help
Thank you
Hello Pitamber,
I’ve seen the error before, it was related to a corrupt image file. If the process works with a WIM file from the Windows DVD, then there’s nothing wrong with the server. I would recommend re creating the image.
Best regards,
Augusti
Hi
In the capturing cycle when am trying to capture the image it starts initially and it stucks in the middle of something with some percent of copying could you please help me in this
Good day, query, trying to add the “install.win” throws me the error “The file does not contain a valid installation image”, to what is this? Thank you
Hello Oscar,
The error can be a number of things. The install.wim from DVD/ISO Windows file or a captured image?
If its a DVD/ISO file, I would validate using a separate media or downloading again the ISO file. I would avoid mounting the ISO from the network or extracting it from a network share.
Captured images can be corrupted by several reasons within the capture process, the read/write of the WIM file can have some errors if you are trying to write on a network share for example.
Hope it helps.
Augusto