MDT Confusing me

[ihaveaproblem]

I'm trying to understand MDT however I’m getting really confused.

I want to use MDT so I can have one image for all computers. The task sequence part is really confusing me. I'm reading the guides posted in the sticky but I just can’t seem to get my head around it. I think I understand it all... apart from this task sequence part.

I simple want my deploy image to

 

Deploy the image + look for drivers in driver store + encrypt hard drive with bitlocker ( Read it can do this ) + join domain

 

The tasks sequence how so many options and I’m so confused as to what options I need and don’t. Can anyone kindly share a screenshot of their task sequence and explain to me what it does so maybe I can understand.

 

Thanks

[ChrisH]

If you just do a standard task sequence and just fill in the stuff in the wizard it will pretty much do what you are asking. This is assuming you have added drivers to the workbench.

[ihaveaproblem]

nope still cant get my head around this task sequence:confused:

By default it has a lot of options added and most of them I don't have a clue what they do. Do I need to keep these?

[sted]

the default options usually just leave em alone tbh

[ihaveaproblem]

Hmm okay. I guess the easiest way to get my head around this is to just set one up and try to deploy and image. If it works...great. If doesnt work... I can look at making changes.

There is lots of options like 'capture image' by default that you can see on this screenshot

 

 

I only want to deploy an image, so why do I need these?

[ChrisH]

Do not worry about all those options for now. The defaults that are selected will do what you want.

[garethEds]

I really advise getting on of the books listed in the sticky.

 

Gareth

[Arthur]

I only want to deploy an image

The following guide may be helpful? Since you have already installed MDT, start at part 3.

 

MDT for the small(er) guys – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

[mbrunt]

did you manage to get mdt sorted? if you get stuck give us a nod and ill talk you through it

[ihaveaproblem]

Thanks Arthur. That guide is being helpful.

mrunt, I'm getting there slowly... but still struggling to understand some bits.

 

Let me say where I'm at.

WDS = Tick, Known how to use and add boot images etc

MDT Install = Tick, Is easy enough

Deployment Share = Tick

Adding OS = Tick

Adding Drivers = Tick ( Altered the structure to follow the advice given on the guide Arthur posted)

Adding Applications = Not really sure I need this. All my programs will be on the image i've captured so wont need to add more. Might be usefull if I can install sims and other staff specific software using this ?

 

Task sequence i've followed the advice given in the guide and starting to understand that.

At the moment i'm trying to get my head around the customsettings .ini file and what I need to edit from his example...

[mbrunt]

By the sounds of it your pretty much sorted, I dont use applications either to be honest, all I've done is in the task sequence call a batch file that runs at the end of the deployment, this installs sophos and does a few other things, and then deletes itself.

 

The customsettings.ini and bootstrap.ini, you CAN leave these alone, it depends what you want to achieve? have a look at MS Deployment Notes: My CustomSettings.ini and Bootstrap.ini innards

[ihaveaproblem]

By the sounds of it your pretty much sorted, I dont use applications either to be honest, all I've done is in the task sequence call a batch file that runs at the end of the deployment, this installs sophos and does a few other things, and then deletes itself.

 

The customsettings.ini and bootstrap.ini, you CAN leave these alone, it depends what you want to achieve? have a look at MS Deployment Notes: My CustomSettings.ini and Bootstrap.ini innards

 

I will try to change these back. I've edited them already and now need to remember what I changed.

All I want is

 

Option to Enable Bit Locker

Option to set computer name

Option to join Domain

 

 

Alot of the other options I see in these guides cant I just do in the unattended file for the image? Like set admin password, time zone, keyboard settings etc.

Or does MDT ignore the unattended file?

[mbrunt]

yea, mine is a mix of the unattend file, and the task sequence...keep in mind that whatever you do in bootstrap and customsettings will apply to all of your images. For example I have it so that when you boot into MDT a login box does NOT appear, technicians also dont get an option of the type of deployment they want to do, and they dont get to pick a language etc. All this stuff just makes imaging a bit easier.

 

Then in my unattend I have system locales, admin passwords, languages etc set.

[garethEds]

yea, mine is a mix of the unattend file, and the task sequence...keep in mind that whatever you do in bootstrap and customsettings will apply to all of your images. For example I have it so that when you boot into MDT a login box does NOT appear, technicians also dont get an option of the type of deployment they want to do, and they dont get to pick a language etc. All this stuff just makes imaging a bit easier.

 

Then in my unattend I have system locales, admin passwords, languages etc set.

 

We considered doing this but thought that maybe the pupils would press F12 when logging on and mess about.

 

I'm sure there is a way to password the F12 but does anyone know?

 

Gareth

[mbrunt]

If you want to password protect your F12 option you will need to see if your bios supports this, most dell bios do.....

 

otherwise, just force wds to ask you for a password, that way if someone does f12 then your protected...........

 

or disable f12 altogether and make your technicians go into the bios and change boot order when they wanna image

[ihaveaproblem]

mbrunt, is there any chance you can post your customsettings.ini and bootstrap please?

[mbrunt]

customsettings.ini.....

 

[settings]

Priority=Default

Properties=MyCustomProperty

 

[Default]

OSInstall=Y

SkipAppsOnUpgrade=YES

SkipCapture=YES

SkipAdminPassword=YES

SkipProductKey=YES

SkipBDDWelcome=YES

_SMSTSORGNAME=***

SkipDomainMembership=YES

JoinDomain=****

DomainAdmin=****

DomainAdminDomain=****

DomainAdminPassword=****

SkipUserData=YES

UserDataLocation=NONE

SkipLocaleSelection=YES

KeyboardLocale=en-GB

UserLocale=en-GB

UILanguage=en-GB

TimeZoneName=GMT Standard Time

SkipTimeZone=YES

SkipDeploymentType=Yes

DeploymentType=NewComputer

[mbrunt]

bootstrap.ini....

 

[settings]

Priority=Default

 

[Default]

DeployRoot=\\****\DeploymentShare$

UserDomain=****

UserPassword=****

UserID=****

SkipBDDWelcome=YES

KeyboardLocale=0809:00000809

[ihaveaproblem]

Thanks very much.

Am I right in thinking this

 

 

JoinDomain= Domain name? e.g mydomain.local

DomainAdmin=Account with domain admin rights ?

DomainAdminDomain=domain name again?

DomainAdminPassword=password for domain account used above?

 

Having these details entered will join the computer to the domain during the deployment proccess?

[mbrunt]

yeah sorry it was a bit vauge with all my **** lol.

 

the stuff in bootstrap.ini allows you to sign onto mdt without entering your username password.

 

the stuff in customsettings.ini....

 

JoinDomain=domain.local

DomainAdmin=Administrator

DomainAdminDomain=domain.local

DomainAdminPassword=password

 

allows you to join the computer to the domain...that better?

[ihaveaproblem]

yeah sorry it was a bit vauge with all my **** lol.

 

the stuff in bootstrap.ini allows you to sign onto mdt without entering your username password.

 

the stuff in customsettings.ini....

 

JoinDomain=domain.local

DomainAdmin=Administrator

DomainAdminDomain=domain.local

DomainAdminPassword=password

 

allows you to join the computer to the domain...that better?

 

Thanks

For the some reason the sign in to MDT didn't work. I'm guessing I made a mistake with the credentials I entered in the bootstrap.ini and going to double check them now.

 

EDIT

 

Nope cant get the auto login to work.

Credentials 100% correct and have permision to access the share, yet it still asks me to enter them during the MDT boot image load.

Edited November 17, 2011 by ihaveaproblem

[mbrunt]

oki let me know how you get on

[ihaveaproblem]

Skip BDE is this screen right? ( apart from mine looks difference because a newer version I guess )

http://blogs.technet.com/blogfiles/mniehaus/WindowsLiveWriter/MDT2010NewFeature8Nomorevisiblecommandwi_129/image_thumb.png

 

That screen isnt being skipped either even though it's in my bootstrap.ini

Everytime i update something I always right click and 'Update deployment share' Is there something else I have to do?

[mbrunt]

that should be all you need. When you update the deployment share do you regenerate the boot images and readd to wds?

[ihaveaproblem]

is this beta b by any chance?

 

Says this in help -- about

 

Microsoft Deployment Workbench

 

Microsoft

 

Version: 5.1.1642.01

 

Guess it's the newest version because I downloaded direct from MS site.