Windows Boot Time

[Geoff]

It might be part of their system rescue system then.

[Kained]

Also check if DEP is enabled. If it is, try running without it.

enlighten me as to what dep stands for?(Data Execution Prevention iam guessing) but where do i turn this on / off in windows or is it hardware enforced ?

I will also try the hyper threading.

[Gatt]

OK sorted my problem

Booted to WDS (deploy)
Shift+F10 for console

diskpart
select disk 0
clean
create partition primary

the clean command wipes everything from the disk

Now able to complete the mini setup after re-imaging the machines

[Geoff]

enlighten me as to what dep stands for?(Data Execution Prevention iam guessing) but where do i turn this on / off in windows or is it hardware enforced

The Boot.ini

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352#5

[PiqueABoo]

..and talking of boot.ini, slap an "/sos" on the end of the relevant line so you get to see the drivers loading - might give you a clue about what's stalling.

[Kained]

thanks guys i will give them a try and see what i come up with