Currently going through testing and development with a view to beginning the rollout of Windows 7 at work and thought that it'd be good to have a thread with tips, tricks and gotchas in it.
Our infrastructure means we're pretty much tied in to deploying via LANDesk Management suite which appears to be a blessing on the surface as it does have a full OS Deployment module but I'm starting to find the tools on offer somewhat lacking.
So a few tips from me to start (Mose will be LANDesk orientated for which I apologise!)
1. Doing a clean install without answerfile, pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F3 at the Welcome screen (where it asks you to create a Username) to enter Audit mode. Audit mode can be used to install drivers and apps prior to imaging and/or resealing prior to delivery. Which brings me on to:
2. If capturing an image for deployment via LANdesk OSD, it's best to get your W7 install into Audit mode, make the changes and then shut down to cpature WITHOUT Sysprepping and CERTAINLY without generalizing (sic). Generalizing prior to capture can cause problems with the way LANDesk performs the sysprep XML file injection after deploying the image.
3. Learn how to use the $OEM$ folders. They are especially useful if you're deplying via a USB stick but can be useful in most instances. The basic form is to create a $OEM$ folder in the Source folder of your W7 USB stick (or deployment share). Then create the following folders under that:
$$ - files and folders in here are copied to C:\Windows (or %systemroot%)
$1 - files and folders in here are copied to the root of C: (or %systemdrive%)
4. You can then create a Drivers folder under $1 and fill it with folders containing .inf form drivers (sadly not Setup.exe drivers) and then use a PnPCustomisationsNonWinPE_neutral method specifying the DriverPath \drivers in either the OfflineServicing or AuditSystem passes of your XML answefile and setup should trawl through them and pick up all your devices.
That'll do for a start!
How do you manage with Setup.exe type drivers like NVidia graphics drivers?
Our infrastructure means we're pretty much tied in to deploying via LANDesk Management suite which appears to be a blessing on the surface as it does have a full OS Deployment module but I'm starting to find the tools on offer somewhat lacking.
So a few tips from me to start (Mose will be LANDesk orientated for which I apologise!)
1. Doing a clean install without answerfile, pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F3 at the Welcome screen (where it asks you to create a Username) to enter Audit mode. Audit mode can be used to install drivers and apps prior to imaging and/or resealing prior to delivery. Which brings me on to:
2. If capturing an image for deployment via LANdesk OSD, it's best to get your W7 install into Audit mode, make the changes and then shut down to cpature WITHOUT Sysprepping and CERTAINLY without generalizing (sic). Generalizing prior to capture can cause problems with the way LANDesk performs the sysprep XML file injection after deploying the image.
3. Learn how to use the $OEM$ folders. They are especially useful if you're deplying via a USB stick but can be useful in most instances. The basic form is to create a $OEM$ folder in the Source folder of your W7 USB stick (or deployment share). Then create the following folders under that:
$$ - files and folders in here are copied to C:\Windows (or %systemroot%)
$1 - files and folders in here are copied to the root of C: (or %systemdrive%)
4. You can then create a Drivers folder under $1 and fill it with folders containing .inf form drivers (sadly not Setup.exe drivers) and then use a PnPCustomisationsNonWinPE_neutral method specifying the DriverPath \drivers in either the OfflineServicing or AuditSystem passes of your XML answefile and setup should trawl through them and pick up all your devices.
That'll do for a start!
How do you manage with Setup.exe type drivers like NVidia graphics drivers?