Ghost Solution Suite

I thought I had followed instructions properly, by reading the support documentation and watching the videos provided, but a few parts of my setup aren't working.

I have GSS 3.0 HF4 running on a virtual 2012 R2 server. I have the server and console installed on the same server. During the custom installation, I specified the network path that we want to use for image and other file storage. Why is it that the entire installation of GSS 3 now seems to be on that network file share instead of on the server I initiated the installation on?

Since that installation, I get 'Boot Disk Creator does not support the requested operation' when I attempt to create automation partitions or any other boot media. (I am running the Boot Disk Creator from within the Console, and not the standalone version.) Most options are greyed out and I get that error message just before 'Preparing install environment' attempts to run.

I have been able to create automation partitions on prior GSS 3 installations that did not have a custom path to a file share in the initial custom setup. However, those automation partitions would not map to any drive I specified during the Boot Disk Creator build, and I got error 99 messages when attempting to distribute images. The only way I have been able to get an automation partition to work and create and distribute images is to have GSS 3 and default file share locations all on C:\. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Simple jobs like software installations, scripts, files transfers, etc., work fine with all GSS 3 installations I've done.

I'm having multiple problems here and I hope it's just something basic I've overlooked. I'd appreciate some guidance. With the holiday break approaching, it's likely that I will not be able to respond to questions/comments until Jan. 4.

Thanks very much.

Happy New Year everyone,

I'd really appreciate some assistance with these issues ...

I believe you are confused with product, can you open a ticket with Symantec? There is too much information here that you are askign for and I think the first thing is to verify your installation is fine, then move on to what you want to do with Ghost. First, there is no automation partition in Ghost 3.0 but Automation folder, second, Storage or drives are mappaed in the PXE or Boot Disk Creator under the Tools menu, otherwise yoru Preboot environment won't be able to see it, and lastly third software install does not require a WinPE. My take on this one is that your WinPE is not properly configured, but I would have to chek your environment in order to certainly be sure of it. I am attaching a document I wrote myself to configure a boot partition (not supported in your Ghost version but follow the part for creating the WinPE environment to make sure WInPE is properly configured); it is not an official document and not finished yet as I am writing it for both English and Spanish audiences but you can follow all the steps easily. 

I am assuming you are using an Automation Folder to boot to a Preboot Environment and using Windows ADK 8.1 not Linux. If you use PXE, you have to configure your WinPE in the PXE configuration utility (gear icon). Good luck and please open a case with Symantec to get faster help.

Documentation https://support.symantec.com/en_US/article.DOC8558.html
Tech support and Licensing 541-335-7100  or 1-800-721-3934,  Option 2
Training http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/ghost-solution-suite-30-quick-start-course-index

Note: I had a chance to go through the Automation Folder installation with Ghost 3.0 HF4 this morning and thought it might help you understand the process. I am uploading a new file with screenshots. Hope it helps.

Attachment(s)

configuring_ghost__3_for_automation_folder_imaging.pdf   4.90 MB 1 version

Check this document, it has a little more information on Automation folders. https://support.symantec.com/en_US/article.INFO3058.html?

Thank you, alcer123, for that document! The captions helped a great deal.

I have pretty much solved the issues I listed in my original message. I have used GSS 2.51 and WinPE successfully for many years. I think the new GSS 3 setup and configuration just threw me for a little while.

To clarify, my biggest issue was that I was not using the proper share name configuration. Once I worked that out, my drive mapping and automation worked fine. Via the console, I can use WinPE to push and pull images to and from the share I set up. I did recognize all along that software installations do not require WinPE, and those worked from the start. Never had an issue with those.

I will still open a case with tech support because I have a ton more questions.

Marking alcert123 post as the solution. Many thanks!