Server 2012 bootable USB

[JoeBloggs]

Hi Guys,

 

Got a strange one as I've never done this before.

 

Trying to create a bootable USB stick for Server 2012.

 

Downloaded the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool and put server 2012 on - put in the server but the UEFI doesn't seem to like the NTFS? ( basically doesn't boot the USB at all)

 

I went in legacy boot as this see's the USB stick but the Raid B140i doesn't like it then.

 

I followed https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj200124(v=ws.11).aspx and made the USB FAT however when I've tried extracting the 2012 ISO, but one of the files in 4.5GB and won't copy on to it...

 

I'm sure someone can tell me how to do this?

 

Thanks

[seanjohns]

I've had good luck using rufus. https://rufus.akeo.ie/

[sparkeh]

You need two partitions, one FAT32 to boot from and one NTFS to hold the installation source.

 

Here's a guide: How to create Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012 bootable USB media for deployment on UEFI based systems - OS and Applications - Wiki - OS and Applications - Dell Community

 

Edit: oh yeah I used Rufus...

Edited December 20, 2016 by sparkeh

[Norphy]

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

 

Use Rufus to create the USB stick instead and choose the GPT partition scheme for UEFI. Let it format the stick as NTFS.

 

That's always worked for me.

[Arthur]

+4 for Rufus.

[JoeBloggs]

Thanks guys Rufus is working

[ITGURU]

I've always used Wintobootic for creating windows bootable drives.

[ricki]

Why would you want a Windows server bootable usb

[ITGURU]

Why would you want a Windows server bootable usb

 

For ease when you don't have any dual layer DVD discs seeing as the image is over 4.7GB.

It's so much easier just to boot from USB.

[forkies]

Why would you want a Windows server bootable usb

 

The installer media rather than the actual os.

[ricki]

Put the is on your wds server

[Norphy]

Why would you want a Windows server bootable usb

 

I've also used USB media for a Windows boot disk when converting former VMware hosts into HyperV hosts. These servers didn't have local storage controllers in them so it was a choice between using Windows2Go certified USB sticks or an iSCSI target. In the end, the USB stick won out as it removed a dependency.

[forkies]

Put the is on your wds server

 

Not everyone has wds. Also don't forget you need to install server before you can get your first wds deployment running so unless you are running VMware or likewise on your physicals you still need bootable installation media.