How add files to WDS client boot.wim image ?

[kukucz]

Hi,

In my lab I often use Windows Deployment Services to Vista deployment for normal preinstall and building WHQL test computers.

But for me WDS is not very flexible because I could use only one unattend answer file with hard disk partitioning configuration and only assign to computer architecture (x86, x64).

So When I preinstall Vista, I boot computer from lan using PXE and WDS. When setup launch and I choose operating system to install (Ultimate, Premium, x64, x86) I press SHIFT+F10, plug usb pendrive with batch file starting diskpart with specific diskpart script (one partition with S letter for bitlocker service, one system partition with C letter), and then I unplug pendrive, and start install Vista. But often I use few different disk configuration with one or 3 partitions.

So I try to copy my diskpart batch and scripts to main boot.wim (WinPE 2.1, source x86 Windows 2008 Server RTM DVD, source folder) which I import to WDS as first, main, boot image and assign as default boot image for install images. I made this using imagex /moutrw and copy my files to \Windows\System32 folder or \Sources folder in mounted boot.wim. But when I run WDS setup and use SHIFT+F10 I don't see my files.

When I make this steps with WinPE 2.1 from WAIK, I added it as additional boot image (which not start WDS setup but only start network and showing command prompt) I see and could use my files and all work fine (this same procedure works fine with WinPE 2.1 booted from USB and CD/DVD, I see and could use my scripts in all this boot WinPE 2.1 versions) .

Could someone help me and talk to me how I could add my file to boot.wim used with WDS client Vista/2008 setup ?

Or maybe I should put it somewhere in WDS folders on WDS server machine ?

[kukucz]

HI,

of course this was my mistake.

For booting install images using WDS we must import to Boot Images category boot image from boot.wim from SOURCES folder on Vista/2008 product DVD. Up to now I always use winpe started from CD/DVD/USB so for customization I used image winpe.wim from WAIK, I mounted it using Imagex and added components, drives, files.

The same procedure I try use with boot.wim form Server2008 product DVD, but when I boot.wim import to WDS as setup boot image, and start any computer using WDS setup image after SHIFT+F10 I don't see my added files and installed with peimg drivers.

Problem is trivial, winpe.wim which I use before include only one image with index number 1, but boot.wim file is different and include 2 images, one standard winpe image with index number 1 and scened, winpe setup image with all setup files (setup.exe in root folder, rest setup and WDS client files in SOURCES directory) !!!

So I use the same batch script for boot.wim which I used before for winpe.wim, it mount image with index 1, but WDS import image with index 2 as setup boot image from boot.wim., and this was my mistake ( to find it i spend about week )

[carucio]

Hi.. it's not really related to your message but i'd like to ask you a question.

It seems you're deploying vista sp1 images through wds; where did you find the updated sp1 boot.wim file that comes in the Vista dvd?

I have many legal copies of Vista.. and I downloaded the service pack.. but I don't have any vista sp1 installation dvd.

So I cannot actually deploy my updated sp1 images...

Do you know where can I find an updated sp1 boot.wim?

Thanks

[jpmeadow]

"Do you know where can I find an updated sp1 boot.wim?"

On the Windows Server 2008 media. You can actually download a trial here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008...l-software.aspx

Also, kukucz...

I am trying to add a batch file called dell.bat to my winpe 2.1 boot.wim image in WDS. I know that I can do this with imagex and use index 2 but how exactly? Thanks.