capture a vista image via PE

[Tue]

Hi Everyone

I need help to capture a vista image back to the bdd server.

I will be using BDD 2007 to deploy VISTA and have followed the guides from MS step by step. I'm able to deploy a vista build (from installation dvd) from the BDD 2007 on a new computer using PE LTI. Then I try to make modifications on the new computer, reboot it in PE and want to capture this image to the BDD via the PE menu item "capture an image of this reference computer", but every time i choose "capture an image of this reference computer", it starts formatting the harddisk and reinstalling Vista from the bdd build. The only thing I capture is the (re)installed standard Vista.

From the documentation - it seems to be a simple task.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Tue

Edited September 12, 2007 by Tue

[flayofish]

The way BDD capture system works is:

You make the capture selection and choose all the applications and settings you want.

BDD install launches and installs image to your menu driven specs, then syspreps machine, reboots and captures the image.

If you are trying to deploy a raw vista os to a machine and configure it manually, you need to make a WinPE boot cd or usb key with imagex on it.

Deploy raw vista os to target machine.

Set configurations you wish, add apps, updates, etc...

drill down to c:\windows\system32\sysprep folder and run sysprep.exe as administrator.

select oobe, shutdown options.

put Boot CD or USB key in PC and boot to it.

after WinPE command prompt comes up type:

net use z: \\xx.xx.xx.xxx\distribution$\captures fill in the x's with your bdd server's ip address

enter: domain\admin_id and password (domain name \ your id no spaces... press enter then supply password when prompted)

I use a USB key so i then go to e: but go to the drive that has imagex loaded on it

type: imagex /compress fast /flags "Enterprise" /verify /capture c: z:\image_name.wim "description"

It will then capture your custom image and place it in your captures folder on distribution share.

*note: When making a custom image, be very careful about adding vista updates to it, as several will kill your bdd build.

To avoid this, I go to BDD server raw vista os build at: distribution\control\build\Unattend.xml and open it with notepad. Change "protect your pc" to 3 to disable automatic updates. I do this because as vista is logging in to the local adim for the first time, it is already downloading and installing updates. I leave the updating up to the client desktops after deployment, but it's up to you how you want to do it.

As always, i am just some nerd at a keyboard telling you what to do... so do anything i suggest at your own risk.

hope this helps!