Problem:
PXE booting Dell Optiplex 390 fails to properly load NIC drivers - error is:
Validating network connection <validation criteria = -169.254>
Restarting DHCP client service: retry 1...
Restarting DHCP client service: retry 2...
Restarting DHCP client service: retry 3...
Issues:
PC Requires RealTek PCI Gigabit Ethernet drivers (NETRTX32)
Unable to add Dell provided Vista drivers via SMP 7.1 Preboot process:
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=HOWTO10872
SMP 7.1 errors out - after several attempts it will eventually copy to \\SMP-SERVER\Deployment\Task Handler\bootwiz\Platforms\Winpe2\x86\Drivers\CUSTOM\Drivers - but it has no effect on PXE booting.
Troubleshooting:
1. Placed Dell provided drivers on USB flash disk
2. Booted into PXE with flash drive attached
3. 'Broke' out of WinPE startup (Restarting DHCP client service: retry 1…) via CTRL-C
4. Followed steps outlined here http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH122799 to load test drivers
a. Verified drivers work / resolve the issue
5. Checked \\SMP-SERVER\Deployment\Task Handler\bootwiz\Platforms\Winpe2\x86\Drivers\STD\Drivers
a. Found pre-existing NETRTX32 driver
b. Verified existing driver was the same - merely an earlier version of driver needed.
Solution:
1. From the SMP 7.1 Server
a. Copy existing \\SMP-SERVER\Deployment\Task Handler\bootwiz\Platforms\Winpe2\x86\Drivers\CUSTOM\Drivers\NETRTX32 folder elsewhere (for back out reasons only)
b. Replace existing NETRTX32 driver files with new(er) files
2. From the SMP 7.1 Console
a. Navigate to Settings - Deployment and Migration - Drivers - BDC WinPE Drivers(x86)
b. Click Update Distribution Points button
3. From the Site Server's Symantec Management Agent Settings
a. Click the Configuration Update Button
b. Wait / Verify the BDC WinPE Drivers(x86) package updates
4. From the SMP 7.1 console
a. Navigate to Settings - Deployment and Migration - Symantec Boot Services (PXE) - Preboot Configurations
b. Regenerate necessary Preboot Configurations
5. From the Site Server
a. Open Symantec Management Agent Settings
b. Click the Configuration Update Button
c. Open Task Manager - BootWiz should appear… Wait for it to complete
d. Optional - From the Site Server, clear / reset the SBS store.
Note - I have a script for this task, which is as below:
SC STOP _Symantec_netBoot_Mtftp
SC STOP _Symantec_netBoot_NSiSignal
PING 127.0.0.1 -n 15 -w 15000 >NUL
SC STOP _Symantec_netBoot_Server
PING 127.0.0.1 -n 15 -w 15000 >NUL
SC STOP _Symantec_netBoot_Interface
PING 127.0.0.1 -n 15 -w 15000 >NUL
DEL /Q /F "\\localhost\Deployment\Task Handler\SBS\SBSStore\*.*"
SC START _Symantec_netBoot_Interface
SC START _Symantec_netBoot_Server
SC START _Symantec_netBoot_NSiSignal
SC START _Symantec_netBoot_Mtftp
PING 127.0.0.1 -n 90 -w 15000 >NUL
6. PXE boot Optiplex 390 - issue resolved! 