Using PE to install Windows Server x64 - Part2

[Zaker]

Greetings.

I posted once before on this topic and got some good answers, but have read some MS articles that I found troubling.

I received my copy of Windows Server 2003 x64 Enterprise.

But I still do not have the new server model that I need to really test this.

The docs I have been reading make it look like I cannot use PE1.6 or PE2.0 to boot the server, run diskpart and format, then map a drive and launch an unattended setup (WINNT32.EXE) of Windows Server 2003 x64.

Mentions you must use a 64bit OS to start the install.

Is that the case, or do you think what I am trying to do will work.

I would like to use this setup:

PE1.6 or PE2.0 to boot IBM x3850, map a drive, run diskpart/format, then launch d:\AMD64\WINNT32.EXE with unattend.txt setup.

Thanks in advance.

[Jazkal]

I know it will work, as I'm doing that now.

Both WinPE v1.6 and v2.0 have x86 and x64 versions.

So to kick off the Windows 2003 x64 setup, you'll need to boot the system on WinPE x64.

[Zaker]

Good news. I have built and booted to an x86 version of PE2.0.

I will attempt to make an x64 version.

Any helpful hints ?

As always, we have almost no time to develop the solution!

Thanks.

[Zaker]

I wish this thread was more active.

Anyways, I created a PE2.0 x64 CD without too many problems.

The best part so far is that Vista recognizes so much newer hardware.

Thanks for the help.

[pants]

What i have done to create our X64 images is to install a reference system, sysprep it and then capture it using the imagex tool.

Now it can be deployed using the BDD2007 X64 Pe disk. Works really well. Only the task sequencer is a bit of a pain in the a**.