Deployment Solution

I want to try using the job/task of deploying Windows XP and Windows 7 x64 to a desktop. Not a bad idea for building a thin image. Windows XP works, deployanywhere is utilized and fills in the drivers my Dell Optiplexs. But Windows 7 x64 never works, I start the OS jobs through initial deployment, PectAgent runs a command windows opens with DeployAnywhere, when finished the OS never begins. The job fails 2-3 minutes into the job. Many occasions I have uploaded the OS files through the console. I have used SOURCE folder and for the heck of it the entire Windows 7 x64 DVD, I read that SOURCE is all that is required. Either way, the files in the GUID folder under SOI match in bytes what is on the DVD, so everything is copied.

There shouldn't be anything to it. Not sure why this fails. Any ideas?

Make sure you are running windows installation for correct architecture , i mean if you are installing windows 7 x64 bit then make sure you have rebooted the client machine to Automation folder of x64 bit architecture and for x86 you have booted to x64 automation [if you are using PXE then make sure you are using correct architecture type to PXE boot]

Also make sure you have erased any existing OS or Partitions on the client machine and created a partition as per your requirement , this is a required to execute Scripted OS installation for windows ; Windows installation task requires these thinks ready ; Other wise you can even use your custom answer file where you have configured every think including disk wipe and create partition.

Also let use know what you see in the log file generated at client machine and alsowhat you see in the task page.

tpzjamm -is this still a problem for you?

I'm marking yogeshsadhu's post as the answer here as tpzjamm hasn't reported back.

I did try it but it did not work again. I need to try this in a week or two from today (9/24/2012). I have been busy with application packaging under Manage > Softaware, and creating policies for those packages and alos trying to use the Software Portal. That has currently been taking up all my time.

OK -have cleared the solution for now and we'll await your feedback in a week or two.

Kind Regards,
Ian./

This morning I had to re-create the OS files under Settings>Deploymnet and Migration>OS Files

 

Put in Name/Description and uploaded the SOURCE directory from the Win 7 DVD in to the Deployment\TaskHandler\SOI directory.

 

My job for this is:

1. Disk Wipe

2. Disk partition

3. Deploy Windows OS with Deployanywhere checked off.

I swear I re-built the OS Files in the past and it would never work, even if I had x64 set as the architecture for the PXE Boot Image. Guess I had to step away from this for a while.

 

A side question, is it possible to have a Preboot Configuration built with Architectures x86 and x64 then have intelligence decide which one to use if I want to deploy a x86 OS or x64 OS?

Two comments.  The prior failure was probably due to using x86 in automation to roll an x64 install, which will NOT ever work.

And the answer to your question is No.  There is no intelligence that will tell PXE which architecture to load based on the next step in the job or task.  There is no communication between the job and PXE whatsoever.  You have to ensure that your x64 SOI jobs use x64 automation, and vise-versa.

Nice idea, and who knows, maybe someday, but today - no.  And no, not in the 7.5 release either.