During the install, The MDT during PE does not ask for the customization of Drives i.e. Formatting and Partitioning. If the installed is a Fresh install, MDT by default wipes out all the drives and creates only one partition of all the available HDD space.

I don't want to use diskpart scripts or other staff to automatically repartition disk. The causes are:

1. Some computers are with 2 disks. What if disk with data will appear as a first disk. All data could be lost.
2. Some computers are with dual boot.
3. Second partition with data may appear first. Vary rarely but sometimes system could be on disk D:.
4. I want to manually backup data from system partition to data partition.

The best option is to add in TS "format and partitioning wizard", and some kind of "explorer" to comfortably backup/copy data. It will be great to use this CD not only for deploying windows but also to recover it.

So what I need is "format and partitioning wizard" with ability to call "file explorer". The question is how to do it? Is it possible to download this wizard and file explorer? And from where? Are there any docs about this procedure?

hello all

we have new HP 800G1 hardware and now the boot image is very very slow 10Mb/sec?

I have add all driver to out-of-box and create a new boot image. same problem 10mb

After GUI and Tasksequence Deploy Question, it work's fine with 1Gb.

Chris

Hi all,

We are looking for a solution which will make it possible to use MDT from a single site to deploy Windows 7 or Windows 8 and join different domains of different customers without trust relationships between domains.

We are a service provider which supports different customers with separate domains. At this moment those different customers have their own WDS server on site and administration is time consuming because a lot of hardware changes occur.
We are now searching for a solution which is easier to manage and one of the solutions we are thinking about is to install a WDS server in our office and use MDT for some custom task sequences but just build one image with all the different driver packs we have.

Does anyone know how to deal with this from our point of view. All tooling I can find is based on Enterprise clients with one Domain Forest and maybe some different sites but all in one domain, which makes deployment a bit easier then in our situation I guess as we are looking for a solution that supports Multi-domain deployment.
Hope someone might experienced this before and can help us in the right direction. If someone has experience with additional tooling which might help us I am more then interested to know how the tooling helped in solving this.

Preferrably we had a tool which was Multi-tenant and multiple domains could be managed from a single console, but I think that tool just doesn't exist.

Hope someone is able to help us in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any tips or did experience the same while making a Deployment plan for the service provider you are working for.

Many thanks in advance!

Hi,

I have previously been using batch files to deploy our WIM files using ImageX.

I'm trying to make them work with MDT 2013 now and thought I had it all working.

I can happily deploy the image to a HP Pro 6200 desktop PC and told my colleagues to start using it.

The first PC they tried to do was a HP ProDesk 600 G1 EFF - and disaster, the process fails! I made sure I had the latest drivers and it made no difference. There are several errors shown in the output: 0x80004005, 0x80004004 and 000015F8.

The MDT server is running as a guest inside VMware. I did a little testing and if I try to run the task sequence in a VM on the same host its fine, but if I move that VM to the other (identical) host it doesn't work.

I started pinging the MDT server from the ProDesk 600 and the response times are usually <1ms, but they randomly jump up, to 28ms in one case, although didn't watch for long.

Has anyone else encountered anything like this? Going to try manoeuvring everything to be within the one switch next.

I am getting the following error, when the pc reboots, during any of the following: applying pre-application updates, installing applications, applying post-application updates on our Lenovo M73 Windows 7 desktop computers.  It doesn't happen on the Dell OptiPlex desktops or Lenovo/Dell Laptops.

The error is "A connection to the deployment share (\\server.xxx.local\DeploymentShare$) could not be made.  DHCP Lease was not obtained for any Networking device! Possible Cause: Check physical connection.

If I click on retry the task sequence carries on as normal but the error can happen again when the pc reboots next.  I have tried changing the server name for the IP address and also just used the server name.  The pc is on the network correctly as I can get the IP address via IPConfig and it shows that it has a current lease as well.  If I look in device manager the network card is installed correctly and there are no devices not found.

Here is the end of the BDD log:

<![LOG[Property InstalledUpdates167 is now = 9655393d-1b46-46a2-ac21-c4d1b5e960d1]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="ZTIWindowsUpdate" context="" type="1" thread="" file="ZTIWindowsUpdate">
<![LOG[Property InstalledUpdates168 is now = 884c7884-5970-4fd5-8afb-f52a0bd8204f]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="ZTIWindowsUpdate" context="" type="1" thread="" file="ZTIWindowsUpdate">
<![LOG[More to install, Please reboot and run again!]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="ZTIWindowsUpdate" context="" type="1" thread="" file="ZTIWindowsUpdate">
<![LOG[Property SMSTSRetryRequested is now = true]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="ZTIWindowsUpdate" context="" type="1" thread="" file="ZTIWindowsUpdate">
<![LOG[Property SMSTSRebootRequested is now = true]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="ZTIWindowsUpdate" context="" type="1" thread="" file="ZTIWindowsUpdate">
<![LOG[ZTIWindowsUpdate processing completed successfully.]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="ZTIWindowsUpdate" context="" type="1" thread="" file="ZTIWindowsUpdate">
<![LOG[Command completed, return code = -2147021886]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Property LTIDirty is now = FALSE]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[If there is a drive letter defined, make sure we clear it now so we can *force* recalcutation.]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Property OSDTargetDriveCache is now = DIRTY]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[LTI initiating task sequence-requested reboot.]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Shortcut "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\LiteTouch.lnk" already exists.]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Property BootPE is now = ]LOG]!><time="16:49:46.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Microsoft Deployment Toolkit version: 6.1.2373.0]LOG]!><time="16:50:06.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[ZTIUtility!GetAllFixedDrives (False)]LOG]!><time="16:50:06.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[New ZTIDisk : <time="16:50:06.000+000">\\pcnumber\root\cimv2:Win32_DiskDrive.DeviceID="\\\\.\\PHYSICALDRIVE0"]LOG]!><time="16:50:06.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[New ZTIDiskPartition : \\pcnumber\root\cimv2:Win32_DiskPartition.DeviceID="Disk #0, Partition #1"   <time="16:50:06.000+000">\\pcnumber\root\cimv2:Win32_LogicalDisk.DeviceID="C:"]LOG]!><time="16:50:06.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[New ZTIDisk : <time="16:50:06.000+000">\\pcnumber\root\cimv2:Win32_DiskDrive.DeviceID="\\\\.\\PHYSICALDRIVE0"]LOG]!><time="16:50:06.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[ZTIUtility!GetAllFixedDrives =   C:]LOG]!><time="16:50:07.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Found existing task sequence state information in C:\_SMSTaskSequence, will continue]LOG]!><time="16:50:07.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Not running within WinPE.]LOG]!><time="16:50:07.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[DeploymentMethod = UNC]LOG]!><time="16:50:07.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="1" thread="" file="LiteTouch">
<![LOG[Validating connection to \\server.xxx.local\DeploymentShare$.
DHCP Lease was not obtained for any Networking device! Possible Cause: Check physical connection.]LOG]!><time="16:50:07.000+000" date="02-28-2014" component="LiteTouch" context="" type="3" thread="" file="LiteTouch">

Any advice would be appreciated as we are going to have a large quantity of these to roll out.

Many Thanks

James

Orange County District Attorney

Hello! I keep receiving this error during imaging when I have the option enable to do windows updates post applications installed. This has always worked in the past but now it has stopped working. Any thoughts??

I downloaded the MDT 2013 and installed it. During Install I changed the installation drive to a secondary drive.  When attempting to run the Deployment Workbench I would get an error telling me that I needed to have Powershell installed. Removed Powershell and reinstalled it. Reinstalled MDT with no luck.

Finally I installed MDT 2013 with the default settings and then it worked.  Little frustrating that you have the option to install to a different drive but then it wont work.  Didn't really want to put it on my SSD.

Perhaps this can be fixed with future release.

Wirrel

Hi

We are running MDT 2010 SP1 at one of our customers, and having problems with Windows 7 installation on a specific model (Lenovo T440). The model comes with two disks:

Disk 0 (SSD) - 14GB
Disk 1 (HD) - 465GB

Our normal task sequence works fine if a machine only has one disk.

I want my OS to be installed on disk 1 and disk 0 empty formatted.

In my task sequence under "New Computer only" I have made two new format steps with a WMI query so it only runs if the machine is a Lenovo T440.

SSD

HD:

And a new step when installing OS with the same WMI query where disk 1 and partition 1 is selected.

But the task sequence install the OS on the SSD Disk (Disk 0) and fails.

Any ideas?

Regards,
FC

So here it is...I am deploying both Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 for an enterprise wide product.  To facilitate the build process, I've merged them into a single deployment share.  First, I loaded the W2K8R2 image into MDT 2012 and then imported the Win7 image into the same share.  I have setup the share with separate directories for each image in the appropriate places (i.e. Applications has a server directory and a client directory, as does Operating System and Task Manager).  I have set up two Selection Profiles one for the server and one for the client and assigned the directories accordingly.

While testing my client build, however, I run into a problem.  During deployment from an ISO, it can't seem to find my custom client task sequence and the deployment fails every time.  I've checked the ISO and the task sequence is there and the TaskSequenceGroups.xml and TaskSequence.xml files appear to have the correct info, but my task sequence is never read.  It appears to be looking for the old task sequence from its original share.  Any ideas?

Michael.

I know diskpart cleans the disk when it partitions right before laying the OS down, but I need to clean the disk much earlier (maybe during the Initialization phase).  I've tried running scripts (VBS, WSF) and even calling the command line (diskpart with a text file) from the task sequence, but everything I've tried fails.  All I want is to run

Any ideas?

Michael.

Hello,

We've recently ordered a number of HP Proliant Gen8 Microservers and I've been tasked with getting a deployment solution in place for them.

Our standard Lite touch task installs a base image of 2008r2, installs required roles and features, patches from WSUS, encrypts and finally joins the domain.

On our production 2012 MDT server I was not presented with the option to configure Bitlocker when beginning the deployment, so I created a new 2013 MDT server in my test environment and the Bitlocker option appeared, however when I enable Bitlocker in the task the OS got stuck in a boot loop after the first reboot when the OS is installed.

I recorded the screen to catch which Blue Screen I was getting and it is the generic 0x7000000 blue screen with no info, just saying I should check my disk controller drivers/run chkdsk etc

 When I deploy without enabling bitlocker in the task sequence, I am able to manually encrypt the servers using either the GUI or manage-bde.

I've tested the Gen8 servers out of the box, as well as with all firmware updates and the situation remains.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to remedy this? I would prefer to have encryption built into the task sequence rather than chance human error when a number of these are going out.

Thanks

Andrew

hello,

i installed WDS+MDT for OS deployment. all was working fine.

Now i need our branch office to be able to deploy OS as well.

I installed a new Win 2008R2 server, and installed the WDS service on it.

When reading about this on the internet i saw i need, on the MDT at our main office, to make a link, under "Advanced Configuration" - "Linked Deployment Shares" to the new WDS server (I used this: http://www.balm.se/?p=115")

when doing so i entered the UNC path to the new server and then, on the created link, i right click and choose "Replicate now".

after doing so, i tried booting a laptop just to see if there is any impact, and now, I'm getting this error:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer

2. choose your language, and then click "Next"

3. Click "Repair your computer"

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \Boot\BCD

Status: 0xc0000098

Info: The windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid OS entry.

I know that usually when I'm getting this message, it means that a previous MDT installation was started and did not finished correctly, and the are some [stuff] on the HD, so i do a partition erase and start over and all working fine.

Now it's not working. I tried several computer, even new ones, and NADA.

someone know the cause?

I know I read something, i don't remember where or how to find it, that when doing the steps I did, it alter\change some ini or xml, or something like this. is that true? any one know on what file do i need to look and see if something is misconfigured?

thanks a lot for your help

Hi,

Recently I have noticed an issue with how the Roles function on our server works.

We have two Roles per computer in the Database. One role specifies the Task Sequence and any other specific details and the other role specifies any additional application that need installing. This has been working perfectly for us for the last 2/3 years but over the Christmas period it has changed it`s behaviour. The application role now no longer seems to apply the additional applications. I am a bit confused why this is because nothing has changed and it is behaving in an unpredictable manor. 

What I mean by that is if I remove the role that adds the task sequence and add the content of that role direct to the machine I run into the same issue. If I just remove the role with the task sequence and do nothing else it doesn't image, so it is looking at the roles. I have tried other roles that are applications specific to see if it was is that role in particular but it made no difference.

I have run out of idea now so if anyone has come across this or if thee is anything I can try please let me know.

here is my cs.ini

Hello,

I have some Dell devices that can boot in both UEFI and MBR method, and I'm looking to force MBR on these machines.  When I apply currently, the device defaults to UEFI and then boot errors until you shut off legacy booting.  Any way to force it short of shutting off UEFI in the bios - or do I need to make a custom unattend to format in this method.  Any assistance would be appreciated, thanks.

Ryan

I thought that I would start a new thread since I couldn't find a clear answer on the forum. I am trying to find the steps to verify that my Server 2012 R2 WDS server is capable of PXE booting both Legacy and UEFI computers. When I try to PXE boot a Dell E5440 in UEFI mode it will say "Start PXE over IPv4." Something about the NBP file quickly pops up and disappears then the screen flashes and moves onto IPv6 despite that boot option being disabled in the BIOS. The UEFI network stack is enabled. I have both 32 and 64 bit LiteTouch WinPE images available through PXE.

Any idea?

Hi

I have to reinstall the windows 8.1 and windows 7 (Refresh Deployment) through Standalone MDT Task sequence and it should need to auto take Userprofile and other user data backup lying in system partition  and after the OSD auto restore to original location .

how can we do that..  what are the configuration in TS we have to do ..

can anyone provide the step by step to achieve this .

Shailendra Dev

Is there a way to assign domain computers to dissimilar OU's within a single domain from a single deployment share?

Example:

PC001 goes to OU="Corp_Office",OU="Workstations",OU="domain",OU="Delegated",DC=field,DC=contoso,DC=com

PC002 goes to OU="Foreign_Office",OU="Workstations",OU="domain",OU="Delegated",DC=field,DC=contoso,DC=com

I'd like to be able to do this with out using the DB or convoluted script. Can this be done in 2 separate task sequences sharing a common rules set from the deployment share properties? 

Hello!

I have a problem with an application install on Windows 8.1. I'm trying to install two applications and have activated "Reboot the computer after installting this application" for the first application. After rebooting the deployment window does not show up agagin. BDD.log shows, that the deployment starts after the reboot but seems to hang, before the UI shows.

I tried to install this two applications under Windows 7, which works without any problems.

Here is the BDD.log for the failed deployment: http://pastebin.com/PbUH1LUq

Can anyone confirm this problem with MDT 2013 and Windows 8.1? Any ideas how to fix this?