Vista Install using WDS - Not picking up unattend settings

W

Wake-Up-Jeff

I am having trouble getting the Vista Install (Enterprise Edition) to pickup
my unattend xml settings from Windows Deployment Services (WDS).
Here's what I've done so far:
- Setup WDS on W2K3 R2 SP2.
- Added boot image (boot.wim from Vista Enterprise DVD)
- Added install image (install.wim from Vista Enterprise DVD)
- Created an unattend XML file (using Windows System Image Manager - no
errors reported)
- Associated the unattend file with the install image (in WDS)

Here's what happens at the workstation:
- PXE boots and finds boot image. I select it.
- Boots to boot image and prompts me for locale, etc.
- Shows install image and allows me to select it.
- Prompts me for credentials, disk parititioning, etc.
- Commences Vista Build
- Prompts me for EULA, time, etc.
- Completes build OK

Only trouble is, I've setup responses to most of these questions in my
unattend XML file to handle these queries.
Why isn't it processing them automatically?

Any clues?
 
W

Wake-Up-Jeff

Answering my own question.
There are 3 things I found out:
1. You need to copy the xml file to the WDSClientUnattend folder in the
REMINST share.
2. You need to enable unattend install in WDS by selecting "Properties" on
the server node, then the "Client" tab, then ensure the "enable unattend
install" checkbox is set, and the .xml file is listed in the appropriate
architecture text box.
3. Each time you make a change to the xml file, it seems that you need to
re-import it into the image. If I don't do that, I am left with a "No
available images" message during the build.

Now, if only I can get all of these unattend settings to work!!!
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top