[wds] Default Boot Image

[Manny-Tech]

I'm using WDS to PXE boot in conjunction with MDT 2013. I have imported both x86 and x64 Litetouch images into WDS, when I PXE boot from a x64 machine it doesn't seem to boot straight into the x64 Litetouch boot image and it is specified in WDS under the Boot tab. Not sure if I'm missing something somewhere. I pretty much want x64 to boot to an x64 image and likewise x86 to an x86 image.

[sted]

its because the x86 pcs can only "see" the x86 image its possible to install x86 on an x64 computer. it possible in wds to set a default boot image for each type of pc x86/x64 see pic but its been a long time since i did it

 

[Manny-Tech]

Yep - already got that set as below.

 

[DJ-1701]

Another (and unoffical) way I discovered is to stop the service, rename the WIM files in the WDS folder via explorer to an alphabetical order, which will then display in that order on bootup (if said image is applicable to the architecture) and restart the service.

This is useful if you are like me and want a nice preset order for multiple boot WIM environments.

[Manny-Tech]

I just want x86 to boot to the x86 and x64 to boot to x64. That's what I expected when I set the Default Boot Image above. when I PXE boot I didn't expect to be presented with two boot images to choose from.

[sted]

I just want x86 to boot to the x86 and x64 to boot to x64. That's what I expected when I set the Default Boot Image above. when I PXE boot I didn't expect to be presented with two boot images to choose from.

i dont think default will cause the other one not to show just puts the cursor on that one. Again an x86 boot image is quite a legitimate thing for an x64 to see so it shows any and all boot images that the machine is capable of processing.

 

p.s. if you arnt using mdt and are firing out pre made windows images to a pc you can with wds use an x86 boot image to deploy an x64 version of windows iirc it only matters if you use mdt but its been a while but i seem to recall using x86t boot images to install x64 oses from wds in the past

[Manny-Tech]

Ok, maybe I need to look at it from a different angle then. What I'm try to achieve is to make it simpler for my technicians to know whether they can install a x64 OS on. So basically if I leave it at a x86 boot image the x86 clients will only see the x86 TS and the x64 clients will see both x86 and x64 in which case if x64 TS are there, then use them?

[sted]

Ok, maybe I need to look at it from a different angle then. What I'm try to achieve is to make it simpler for my technicians to know whether they can install a x64 OS on. So basically if I leave it at a x86 boot image the x86 clients will only see the x86 TS and the x64 clients will see both x86 and x64 in which case if x64 TS are there, then use them?

pretty much yes

[themightymrp]

Yep, a 64bit capable machine will present both options. A 32bit only capable machine will only give the 32bit boot option. At least that's how ours works

[mikeyd101]

I run into a simular problem, WDS didn't correctly identify the Architecture of the machine, I resolved it by using the wdsnbp.com boot image. I've also since moved away from WDS/MDT because of the driver management/dependacies I run into and just use FOG now.