Ghost / Network prob!!

[sLiDeR]

Hi all,

If I try to run ghost on a client machine to boot to a ghost session on the server, I get the message 'cannot locate dhcp server'. This is from a classroom.

However, if I take the machine and do the same from my office, no prob whatsoever!!

Is it a switch prob do you think?? How might I troubleshoot this one??? Very strange indeed!!

[m2d2]

Check network connections in classroom, particulary the switches that service that location.

[squirrel]

Is the classroom in the same building as your office?

Could it be a fibre link between buildings?

I'd try rebooting the switch as well and check all connections etc.

[sLiDeR]

Cheers guys. I dont think that will solve it as im able to log in normally & pick a net connection from the classroom.

Only when I ghost.

[Martin]

Have you got Spanning Tree Protocol enabled on your switch?

It can delay the initial activation of a port for 30 or more seconds, causing a DHCP timeout. Windows is a lot more forgiving (and remembers it's last address) which may be why you can login as normal.

mb

[Joedetic]

What Martin says makes a lot of sense. If you want to turn off STP on a port on a cisco switch you need to run the following on the port:

Switch(config-if)#spanning-tree portfast

[SYNACK]

What Martin says makes a lot of sense. If you want to turn off STP on a port on a cisco switch you need to run the following on the port:

Switch(config-if)#spanning-tree portfast

I agree that this is a likely cause. If this is the case it may cause issues with group policy deployment unless port fast is used. This is because unless told otherwise windows will not wait for the network port to gain ip connectivity at startup and so will not apply machine policies reliably.

[The_Traveller]

I know this an old post, but I thought i'd try it before re-posting the same question. We are having the same problem with ghost picking up certain rooms only if its plugged in there, it wont pick one room even when plugged in there. I have tried turning spanning tree protocol off on all switches (hp procurve) but still nothing. I'm hoping not to have to cary 35 pc's to the other side of the school.