Ghost Suite 2.5 and OptiPlex 780
I'm having a hard time imaging the OptiPlex 780's when they have either no operating system or even with an OS and I'm using the Ghost Boot CD.
When I created a master image of a 780 all went well and I imaged it via the Ghost Console, but during the time that the image is being created the screen goes black and I can't see what's happening on the computer but I do see via the Ghost Console that all went well. Once it's finished and I restarted the computer the new image was created and when I deployed that image to other models such as the OptiPlex 745 and 755's it worked like a champ. The 745 and 755 models DO NOT get the black screen while they are being cloned because they use a standard dual monitor dongle that connects to a VGA video card port.
I'm having the problem only when I try to deploy/clone the image onto a 780 via the Ghost Boot CD and it doesn't matter if it has an OS on it or I wipe it clean and do it...I can't see what's happening because the display goes black. Upon initial boot up of the Ghost Boot CD I do see it loading but it's once it gets into the rest of the process that it goes black.
So, I'm convinced this has something to do with these new "Display Ports" for the video that these 780's use. Has anyone tried these? It looks like once the Ghost Boot CD goes into the WinPE mode that it blacks out and it could be ready for me to continue I just can't see it.
Comments
Interesting problem
Hello,
This seems to be interesting problem and at the first stage I believe this may not be Ghost problem. Have you tried to install operating system through any installable media and see the problem persists during installation?
Another option you can try is to boot the machine with plain Winpe created through WAIK.
Do you have add-on display card or integrated video on mother board?
Regards,
Nitin
If you feel your issue has been addressed to, please use the "Mark as Solution" link for the relevant thread
Nitin, Yes, I've installed
Nitin,
Yes, I've installed Windows XP Professional using media and had no problems. This is how I got my first OptiPlex 780 setup to be used as my master image.
Also, these 780's we purchased came with an OEM version of Windows XP Pro already installed on them. I wiped the first 780 and installed a Volume Licensed version of our Windows XP Pro to setup a master image. Even with the OEM version they boot up fine and I can see the screen just fine.
As for booting the machine with plain WinPE created through WAIK? I'm not sure what that is.
These 780's came with an add-on video card using these new display ports technology...they are ATI video cards. I don't believe the integrated video is even available and I've tried switching to it via BIOS with no success, so I don't believe it has one.
I'm going to try and install another video card that doesn't use the display ports to see if it allows me to image it. I'll keep you posted.
Status Update - I got a workaround
Nitin,
I took out the video card from the 780 that uses the display ports and replaced it with a video card that comes with our Optiplex 745 models.
The video card on the Optiplex 745 uses a DVI connector with a dongle that has 2 cables with VGA ports on the end for dual monitor setup.
I was able to boot with the Ghost Boot CD and run the clone process from within GhostCast Server via Ghost Suite 2.5 just fine because it allows me to see the screen once the Ghost Boot CD goes into the WinPE environment.
Now my question is...do you know of any Symantec solutions/workaround now or in the future to support and handle these new display ports capable video cards?
It's a weak workaround because I cannot deploy multiple computers at once...I have do them manually because I have to swap out the video cards to get it to work.
This isn't a Dell problem...it's a Symantec one because it doesn't support new key technology that's being used by newer video cards.
Video card details
Hello,
Could you please furnish the video card details and the dell model (desktop, mini tower etc)?. If possible please attach .nfo file of Dell model. I will try with the same model here in my test setup to investigate the problem in depth.
Regards,
Nitin
If you feel your issue has been addressed to, please use the "Mark as Solution" link for the relevant thread
Video Card & Dell Model Info
The video card on these Dell OptiPlex 780's is the ATI Radeon HD 3400 Series. These Dell's are using the small form factor tower...the small one. I'm not sure what you mean by the .nfo Dell file?
Also, I have an update on the workaround...although switching out the video card worked for the clone deployment it didn't work once I switched out the video card and put in the one that came with the 780. I even ran a new image create task on my model 780 and included the ATI HD 3400 drivers on the image but once I switch cards it doesn't boot up and just goes through the normal BIOS screen and then prompts me to start windows normally or in Safe Mode.
If I choose Safe Mode it goes into this fine, but I can't install the video card driver in Safe Mode...the ATI installer doesn't allow it. So, if I choose boot into Windows normally it just continues to reboot and never goes into the OS.
I then memorized the steps to take when I'm in the WinPE Ghost Boot CD environment when using the video card for the 745 which is an ATI HD 2400 Pro by using keyboard shortcuts (i.e. - Alt G) for the various steps that it requires.
I then deployed the clone to the 780 using the ATI HD 3400 Series card which has the display ports and when I ran through the steps blindly by using keyboard shortcuts...I managed to get the image started via the GhostCast Server and the Ghost Boot CD.
I deployed the image successfully even without being able to see the blank screen on the monitor but again...this is a weak workaround.
I do appreciate you helping me and testing this in your lab. Thanks!!!
Information about WAIK
What is WAIK?
WAIK (Windows Automated Installation Kit)
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) enables IT professionals automated installation or deployment of customized Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems on computers within their companies.
WAIK or Windows Automated Installation Kit is one of the most important tools of Windows 7 Deployment solutions.
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) can be used for :
- unattended Windows installations
- capturing Windows images using ImageX
- creating WinPE images
Windows Automated Installation Kit includes the following tools :
- Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM)
- ImageX
- Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)
- Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)
- User State Migration Tool (USMT)
Even Winpe ISO images are readily available on net, just provide the google search and download the ISO image. Burn the CD and try to boot the machine to check the video problem.
Regards,
Nitin
If you feel your issue has been addressed to, please use the "Mark as Solution" link for the relevant thread
Hello, I am trying to locate
Hello,
I am trying to locate the same config machine in my hardware database.. I will update you once I done with my findings.
Regards,
Nitin
If you feel your issue has been addressed to, please use the "Mark as Solution" link for the relevant thread
Findings?
Nitin,
Did you manage to get a config machine to duplicate my findings? I resent this message as a reply to yours to make sure you got it.
Thanks!
Status Update?
Nitin,
Did you manage to get a config machine to duplicate my findings?
Would you like to reply?
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