[ris] Tips for beginners

[Midget]

/me bangs head on desk!

 

You Maniacs! You put it at the top! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!

 

I can't believe I didn't see that command sitting at the top of the sif file.

[pete]

We have a riprepped i386 image XP SP2 image that works with our Dells and Thinkcentres (thanks to drivers from edie209) and should work with a Dell D505, but it's not offered as an option when booting from RIS.

 

Any reason why? And can I force it as an option somewhere?

[Midget]

I'm also interested in this as i will be doing the Dells next week.

[ChrisH]

We have a riprepped i386 image XP SP2 image that works with our Dells and Thinkcentres (thanks to drivers from edie209) and should work with a Dell D505, but it's not offered as an option when booting from RIS.

 

Any reason why? And can I force it as an option somewhere?

 

Might be because it has a different HAL. Im not keen on riprep but I ahve one flat image that installs all my dells and fujitsus.

[contink]

Found a new quirk today...

 

I've been in the process of shifting the RIS role over to a secondary server machine and got it all setup but couldn't get the DHCP to hand out an IP after I'd disabled RIS on the original machine (which is where DHCP is located).

 

It was only when I re-enabled RIS on the original machine that it started handing out IP's again.

 

not sure what I'm doing wrong but for completeness we've got ISA2004 on this server (although that's being removed soon in favor of a smoothie web proxy box) and I had left the RIS service on the original machine when trying to get the new one up and running.

 

DHCP is not available on new machine...

 

Ideas?

[ChrisH]

Have you authorised the new server?

[contink]

Have you authorised the new server?

I believe so... It doesn't have DHCP installed on it but I've followed the steps provided and I'm pretty sure I've covered them all.

 

I'll double check tomorrow though with a fresh viewpoint.. any other ideas?

[pete]

I'm also interested in this as i will be doing the Dells next week.

 

We found that by turning on hyper-threading in the BIOS the image appeared as an option. IIRC, the original image had HT enabled - may have borked the processor detection a bit.

[Geoff]

HT vs Non-HT requires different HALs.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283

[contink]

HT vs Non-HT requires different HALs.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283

Thanks for that...

 

I suspect you've answered a different question I had but thinking this through some more I now believe the problem I experienced is that you need to remote RIS from the original machine for the system to see the alternative.. I could be wrong but it seems that you can't have RIS installed on the DHCP server and you turn off the option to service RIS requests on that machine it turns off RIS and DHCP.

 

I'll give it a shot on Wednesday and see if it pans out.

[MrLudwig]

Does anyone know if it’s possible to use the AutoLogon entry in the .sif file of an RIPrep prepared image so that when it is imaged down to client PC's they will auto logon?

 

Additionally, does the CMDLines.txt file still get parsed and its contents run when an RIPrep'ed image is imaged down to clients?

 

The reason I ask is that I’m trying to find a way to create and format a second hard drive partition during/after mini-setup on client PC's that are imaged from a RIPrep'ed image. I have a script using diskpart /s part.txt (where part.txt contains details of the partition size, drive letter I want assigned etc) which works fine when doing a clean install from a RIS server, but isn't run at all when a previously RIPrep'ed image is imaged back to a client.

 

Sorry if any of that doesn't make sense, and if this has already been answered elsewhere on the forums. I have looked, but couldn’t find anything.

 

 

Thanks

[MrLudwig]

Oh, so no one wants to help me.

 

/Sobs uncontrollably, then throws toys out of pram and sulks.

 

Well, no matter. I found a work-around. Before RIPrep'ing, set windows to auto-logon the administrator account (must remove from domain to enable this). Then create a RunOnceEx registry entry to run my DiskPart script (or any script for that matter). Now RIPrep up to the RIS server. When this image is imaged down to clients, after mini-setup finishes, it auto logs in and runs the RunOnceEx entry.

 

/dries eyes and regains composure.

[contink]

Oh, so no one wants to help me.

 

/Sobs uncontrollably, then throws toys out of pram and sulks.

 

Well, no matter. I found a work-around. Before RIPrep'ing, set windows to auto-logon the administrator account (must remove from domain to enable this). Then create a RunOnceEx registry entry to run my DiskPart script (or any script for that matter). Now RIPrep up to the RIS server. When this image is imaged down to clients, after mini-setup finishes, it auto logs in and runs the RunOnceEx entry.

 

/dries eyes and regains composure.

Ah... *hands back drool soaked teddy bear* ... looking at this late in the game I was wondering if it might be permissions related..

[MrLudwig]

Oh, so no one wants to help me.

 

/Sobs uncontrollably, then throws toys out of pram and sulks.

 

Well, no matter. I found a work-around. Before RIPrep'ing, set windows to auto-logon the administrator account (must remove from domain to enable this). Then create a RunOnceEx registry entry to run my DiskPart script (or any script for that matter). Now RIPrep up to the RIS server. When this image is imaged down to clients, after mini-setup finishes, it auto logs in and runs the RunOnceEx entry.

 

/dries eyes and regains composure.

Ah... *hands back drool soaked teddy bear* ... looking at this late in the game I was wondering if it might be permissions related..

 

/Hugs drool soaked teddy bear and openly questions own masculinity. 8O

 

Not sure which permissions you mean, but thanks.

[Genphlux]

Hi all,

 

This is my first post, so please pardon my ignorance, but I have a rather elementary RIS question:

 

How can I use a flat image to image different types of machines with different HALs?

 

I currently have a RIS server that has been functional for about a year now using RIPREP images. My company uses Compaq/HP workstations, so the problem is that every time a PC model is discontinued and a new one is released, I have to create yet another RIPREP image because the hardware is different. I keep seeing posts on random forums where people say they use 1 flat image for 10 different types of PCs, but no one says HOW they do it. I have Googled for hours and found a ton of RIS information but nothing to answer my specific question.

 

I would simply like to use one RIS image to load my custom configuration of applications (Office, Anti Virus, PCAnywhere...etc) along with the appropriate drivers for whatever hardware that the PC contains. Is this possible?

 

Thanks in advance...

[Irazmus]

I'm sure it's listed elsewhere in this thread as that's where I nicked it from, but I'll post a copy of one of my RIS setups (The others are identical apart from the .cmd files which deploy different applications) which will deploy on damn near any hardware.

 

This setup uses the flat XP Pro SP2 image created when originally setting up RIS.

 

The 3 .cmd files should be placed in \\RIS_Server\REMINST\Setup\English\Images\Image_Name\$OEM$\$1\Install

Hardware drivers should be placed in \\RIS_Server\REMINST\Setup\English\Images\Image_Name\$OEM$\$1\Drivers

 

Applications with silent installs added to ictsuite1-0.cmd will be installed automatically. You can even install applications without silent installers by scripting them using AutoIt.

 

ICTSuite1.sif

[data]
floppyless = "1"
msdosinitiated = "1"
OriSrc = "\\%SERVERNAME%\RemInst\%INSTALLPATH%\%MACHINETYPE%"
OriTyp = "4"
LocalSourceOnCD = 1

[setupData]
OsLoadOptions = "/noguiboot /fastdetect"
SetupSourceDevice = "\Device\LanmanRedirector\%SERVERNAME%\RemInst\%INSTALLPATH%"

[unattended]
OemPreinstall = yes
OemPnpDriversPath = Drivers
DriverSigningPolicy = Ignore
FileSystem = LeaveAlone
ExtendOEMPartition = 0
TargetPath = \WINDOWS
OemSkipEula = yes
InstallFilesPath = "\\%SERVERNAME%\RemInst\%INSTALLPATH%\%MACHINETYPE%"
LegacyNIC = 1

[Components]
  AccessOpt=Off
  chat=off
  deskpaper=off
  freecell=off
  hearts=off
  hyperterm=off
  media_clips=off
  media_utopia=off
  minesweeper=off
  msnexplr=off
  OEAccess=off
  pinball=off
  solitaire=off
  spider=off
  templates=off
  WMAccess=off
  WMPOCM=off
  zonegames=off

[userData]
ProductID = "Your Windows Product Key"
FullName = "Authorised User"
OrgName = "Your School"
ComputerName = %MACHINENAME%

[GuiUnattended]
OemSkipWelcome = 1
OemSkipRegional = 1
TimeZone = %TIMEZONE%
AdminPassword = "Local Admin Password"
Autologon = Yes
Autologoncount = 2


[GuiRunOnce]
%systemdrive%\install\ictsuite1-0.cmd

[Display]
BitsPerPel = 16
XResolution = 1024
YResolution = 768
VRefresh = 60

[RegionalSettings]
LanguageGroup=1
SystemLocale=00000809
UserLocale=00000809
InputLocale=0809:00000809

[Networking]

[NetServices]
MS_Server=params.MS_PSched

[identification]
JoinDomain = %MACHINEDOMAIN%
DoOldStyleDomainJoin = Yes

[RemoteInstall]
Repartition = Yes
UseWholeDisk = Yes

[OSChooser]
Description ="Microsoft Windows XP Professional - ICT Suite 1"
Help ="This will install Windows XP Professional as a Curriculum station with the global software set."
LaunchFile = "%INSTALLPATH%\%MACHINETYPE%\templates\startrom.com"
ImageType =Flat
Version="5.1 (0)"

 

ictsuite1-0.cmd

cmdow @ /HID
@echo off

SET KEY=HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx

REG ADD %KEY% /V TITLE /D "Installing Drives And Applications" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\001 /VE /D "Mapping Network Drive" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\001 /V /1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\curric1.cmd" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\004 /VE /D "KB899409 XP - Logon Delay" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\004 /V 1 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\kb899409\windowsxp-kb899409-x86-enu.exe /passive /quiet /norestart" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\010 /VE /D "Microsoft Office 2003" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\010 /V 1 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Office\SETUP.EXE TRANSFORMS=\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Office\Setup_Office_18_05_06.MST /qb-" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\015 /VE /D "OpenOffice.org 2.0" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\015 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\OpenOffice\openofficeorg20.msi ALLUSERS=1 /q" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\020 /VE /D "FireFox 2.0" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\020 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Firefox\Firefox2.0.msi /q" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\025 /VE /D "IS Script 11" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\025 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\QuickTime\ISScript11.msi /qb" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\030 /VE /D "Quick Time Player 7" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\030 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\QuickTime\QuickTime.msi /passive /norestart /t \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\QuickTime\QuickTime_MST.mst ISSETUPDRIVEN=1" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\035 /VE /D "Windows Media Player 10" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\035 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\WindowsMediaPlayer10\wmp10setupedp.msi /passive /norestart /quiet" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\040 /VE /D "Java 2 Runtime Environment 1.4.2.11" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\040 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\J2RE\38075a31.msi /passive /norestart /t \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\J2RE\J2RE_1_4_2_11.mst" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\042 /VE /D "DirectX 9.0c" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\042 /V 1 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\DirectX\dxsetup.exe /silent" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\045 /VE /D "Macromedia Flash Player 8" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\045 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Flash\install_flash_player_active_x.msi /q" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\050 /VE /D "Macromedia Shockwave" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\050 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Shockwave\sw_lic_full_installer.msi /q" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\056 /VE /D "Google SketchUp" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\056 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\GoogleSketchUp\GoogleSketchUp.msi /q" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\057 /VE /D "Audacity" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\057 /V 1 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Audacity\audacity.exe" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\063 /VE /D "The GIMP" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\063 /V 1 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Gimp\gtk.exe" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\063 /V 2 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Gimp\gimp.exe" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\063 /V 3 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Gimp\gap.exe" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\063 /V 4 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\Gimp\gimp-help.exe" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\085 /VE /D "Microsoft .Net Framework" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\085 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\DotNet\1.1\netfx.msi /q" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\085 /V 2 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\DotNet\2.0\install.exe /q" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\120 /VE /D "Adobe Reader 7" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\120 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\AdobeReader\AdobeReader7.0.msi /q /t \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\AdobeReader\reader.mst" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\125 /VE /D "AVG 7" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\125 /V 1 /D "\\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\AVG7\AVG\avgsetup.exe /script_file \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\AVG7\avgsetup.ini" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\135 /VE /D "OCS Inventory" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\135 /V 1 /D "MSIEXEC.EXE /i \\THOR\REMINST\MSIs\OCS\OCS.msi /q" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\150 /VE /D "Cleaning Up" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\150 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\curric2.cmd" /f

REG ADD %KEY%\200 /VE /D "Restarting" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\200 /V 1 /D "shutdown.exe -r -f -t 5 -c \"Windows will now restart....\"" /f

shutdown.exe -r -f -t 5 -c "Windows will now restart...."

Exit

 

curric1.cmd

cmdow @ /HID
@echo off

:: Create an authenticated connection to the server by mapping a drive.
net use q: \\THOR\RemInst /user:DOMAIN\UserName /persistent:no UserPass

:: Change to the Q Drive
q:

exit

 

curric2.cmd

CMDOW @ /HID
@echo off

:: Start >>
set AUPSM=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu
del "%AUPSM%\New Office Document.lnk"
del "%AUPSM%\Open Office Document.lnk"
del "%AUPSM%\Set Program Access and Defaults.lnk"
del "%AUPSM%\Windows Catalog.lnk"
del "%AUPSM%\Windows Update.lnk"
del "%AUPSM%\Microsoft Update.lnk"

:: Start >> Programs >>
set UPSMP=%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs
del "%UPSMP%\Remote Assistance.lnk"

set DUSMP=C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Start Menu\Programs
del "%DUSMP%\Remote Assistance.lnk"

set AUPSMPA=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs
rd /s /q "%AUPSMPA%\Java Web Start"
rd /s /q "%AUPSMPA%\GTK+ Runtime Environment"
rd /s /q "%AUPSMPA%\AVG Anti-Virus 7.0"
rd /s /q "%AUPSMPA%\AVG 7.5"
del "%AUPSMPA%\GIMP\Uninstall.lnk"
rd /s /q "%AUPSMPA%\SMART\Board Software\ Check for Updates"

set AUPSMPA=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
del "%AUPSMPA%\Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk"
del "%AUPSMPA%\Java Web Start.lnk"

:: Start >> Programs >> Accessories >>
set AUPSMPA=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\System Tools"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Communications"

set DUSMP=C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories
del "%DUSMP%\Tour Windows XP.lnk"
del "%DUSMP%\Program Compatibility Wizard.lnk"
del "%DUSMP%\Synchronize.lnk"
del "%DUSMP%\Command Prompt.lnk"

:: Start >> Programs >> Administrative Tools
set AUPSMPA=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Component Services.lnk"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Computer Management.lnk"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Data Sources (ODBC).lnk"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Event Viewer.lnk"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Local Security Policy.lnk"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Performance.lnk"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Services.lnk"

:: Start >> Programs >> QuickTime
set AUPSMPA=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\QuickTime
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\About QuickTime.lnk"
rd /s /q  "%AUPSMPA%\Uninstall QuickTime.lnk"

set UPSMPA=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories
del "%UPSMPA%\Tour Windows XP.lnk"
del "%UPSMPA%\Program Compatibility Wizard.lnk"
del "%UPSMPA%\Synchronize.lnk"
del "%UPSMPA%\Command Prompt.lnk"
del "%UPSMPA%\Address Book.lnk"

set UPSMPA=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
del "%UPSMPA%\Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk"

set AUD=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop
del "%AUD%\Java Web Start.lnk"
del "%AUD%\Adobe Reader 7.0.lnk"
del "%AUD%\SMART Board Tools.lnk"
del "%AUD%\SMART Notebook.lnk"
del "%AUD%\Notebook Software.lnk"
del "%AUD%\AVG 7.5.lnk"
del "%AUD%\Google Earth.lnk"

DEL "%systemroot%\*.bmp"
DEL "%systemroot%\system32\dllcache\*.scr"
DEL "%systemroot%\system32\*.scr"

RD /S /Q %systemdrive%\Drivers
RD /S /Q %systemdrive%\Install

net user aspnet /delete

EXIT

 

This setup has worked happily for at least 12 months, however I've now moved over to WDS & BDD as I can get away with a smaller number of configurations.

[strawberry]

hello all, a little help?

 

i've set up a cd based image, and tried to set up an unattended install, but it never works. which file do i need to create and where do i place it?

 

i've tried creating an unattended.txt and renaming it blah.sif and placing it in the i386 folder.

[smali]

Rename it to winnt.sif

[cookie_monster]

As this is a RIS question i thought i'd add it in here.

 

When i look in adsi edit under CN=NetServices,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=domain,DC=domain i see 2 DHCP servers listed one is the IP of my DHCP server the other is the IP of my RIS server.

 

Is the RIS server supposed to be listed as a DHCP server? Anyone else see this?

 

Cheers.

[john]

yup RIS is its own DHCP Server

[Ravening_Wolf]

Does anyone have a list of network cards supported natively by RIS? We have a bunch of machines with onboard Realtek gigabit cards which we cannot get the system to recognise in the initial stage of the installation process. If we can't get that working, we would like to add a second gigabit card to each machine which will work without any more messing about.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks.

[Dos_Box]

If the card is not recognised then you can manually add the NIC drivers to the RIS base image.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315279

http://diaryproducts.net/about/operating_systems/windows/add_driver_ris_image_windows

[Nexarius]

I was finding having to authenticate against AD every time I booted into RIS was becoming a pain, so I had a look at how the menu system works, and it turns out to be a very simple form of markup language.

 

So with a 10 minute hack I was able to preset a build username/password into the RIS client, so all I have to do to each client is press enter lots.

 

Nowadays I only use RIS as a network launcher for Ghostcast though. Ghost has several significant advantages over RIS, like it can be made to work over many HALs, and you can multicast the image across the network making it much faster to rebuild whole rooms.

 

!!

[contink]

Having borked a server install out of two and still having a second server to hand with a good install I decided to try some new stuff with RIS and risprep...

 

I hadn't counted on the RAID drivers causing problems so when I got the "can't find a hard drive" I was a bit non-plussed. The solution however was rather nifty so I thought I'd share.

 

 

Instead of attempting to load the drivers direct to the Risprep'd image on the server I noted that you can make driver changes to the base OS on the RIS drive and they should carry over to the risprep.

 

I then noted that a lot of work was required to do this manually: Ref:

MSFN's Unattended Windows : RAID/SATA Drivers

 

... so after a few minutes looking at the nightmare of code I decided to give nlite a try...

 

Amazingly it worked... All I did was use nLite on the base install to add in the driver (Textmode obviously) and then try re-ris'ing the server... Simple, effective and still waiting to see what the final outcome is...

 

Thought I'd pass that on though as it was a lot of guesswork..

[contink]

Couple of things I learned the hard way today...

 

1. Duplicate GUID's error

If you get this it may not relate directly to the computer that comes up with the error. It's more likely that you've managed to RIS or add two machines on to the AD that have the same GUID. Removing at least one of them resolves the issue and allows you to continue.

 

The real lesson here is to not assume it's the current machine that comes up with the error. For some reason RIS seems to belatedly realised there's a problem and bork over two other computers. Took me half an hour to ID the problem machines and remove one (that had been deleted) and use GGUID.exe to resolve the other before re-adding it to the AD.

 

 

2. "Unable to create or Modify Computer account" Error: 00004E4F

This happens usually because you're trying to use a custom naming scheme to setup your machines AND putting the machines into a OU automatically. Google helped with this one but the solution I went with was to return the naming system to a pre-set one (AD > Domain controllers > right click > Remote Intall > Advanced Settings )

 

It may have been this that prompted problem #1 above but either way resorting to a pre-set naming convention resolve the error.

 

 

 

Don't forget to restart the WDS / RIS service when you're done...

 

 

 

Hope that proves useful to anyone else who hits it...