[surfertje]

We now use Images thru WDS. Starting WINxp machines thru network boot and then install or make images thru WDS server. This goes well. The clients are prepared with sysprep. For the images i make the machines are not sysprepped but i boot then with a usb key with winpe on it.

Soon we will step over to Windows 7. I would like a manual or some documentation of how to configure WDS to make and roll out IMAGES with XP and WIndows 7 / Vista. Both must be supported off course and is sysprep still nessecairy on the clients? We have now almost a unattended rollout except for the computer name this is asked in sysprep when i roll the image out.


Is there a step to step guide or something available for a unattende roll out for Vista / Windows 7 in combination with XP clients and Windows Deployment Service / Winpe/ Imagex?

[Tripredacus]

I just use more than 1 boot image. And from each boot image, I have it handle separate things. Right now I have 4 (on my test server) that handle XP, Vista, 2008 and a test.

[surfertje]

Tripredacus, on Jul 15 2009, 03:18 PM, said:

I just use more than 1 boot image. And from each boot image, I have it handle separate things. Right now I have 4 (on my test server) that handle XP, Vista, 2008 and a test.

Ok. But i have read somewhere that for unattende installation for Vista / Windows7 you don't need sysprep anymore but a .xml file which you can use to give the answers. IS there documentation somewhere for setting this up thru wds?

[Tripredacus]

I can install Vista using Unattend and WDS. My development with it is halted right now as I wait for R2. You can see my original project thread here:
http://www.msfn.org/...howtopic=130994

And an example of the WDSClientUnattend.xml file here:
http://www.msfn.org/...howtopic=134633

So basically make your XML with WSIM, then split it so that the Server side XML contains only the two passes listed in my XML example. The rest of the passes get attached to the install image.

[surfertje]

Tripredacus, on Jul 15 2009, 05:16 PM, said:

I can install Vista using Unattend and WDS. My development with it is halted right now as I wait for R2. You can see my original project thread here:
http://www.msfn.org/...howtopic=130994

And an example of the WDSClientUnattend.xml file here:
http://www.msfn.org/...howtopic=134633

So basically make your XML with WSIM, then split it so that the Server side XML contains only the two passes listed in my XML example. The rest of the passes get attached to the install image.

Thx. So it is tru that sysprep isn't needed anymore?

[Tripredacus]

It depends on what your target audience is. For OEMs you still need it but not likely for corporations. For my uses, I put the client into Audit mode, but its because we sysprep the machine before shipping. If you choose OOBE instead, the sysprep process is done during install. Anytime you finish your deployment and you get the Windows Welcome, that is the end result of Sysprep.