Need To Deploy XP

[jlbenedict]

Got a task at hand that I need to accomplish for my little nephew. He just got this laptop that doesn't have a CDROM (a Dell Latitude LS). It has bootable LAN capability though I figured I could probably perform a remote install.

Would there be any issues if I setup my RIS server on a Vmware install (Windows 2003 RIS) and deploy it from there?

 

[Smilin]

That's a hell of a lot of infrastructure for one lappy and unless you have another one sitting around with the same hal you won't be able to build the image first!

Anywhooo...

works fine in VMs.

The common RIS gotchas:
1. Your images have to be on a separate volume from the OS - SIS & Groveler service do goofy things to that drive.
2. Don't forget to activate the RIS server - it must be activated in AD just like a dhcp server - it will throw app events if you forget.
3. Munging the NIC driver. In GUI mode you have your install files and don't need a NIC. In initial boot you are running off the PXE bios of the NIC. Inbetween is a critical time where you need to be able to pull the proper nic driver down from the ris server. See:
246184 How to Add Third-Party OEM Network Adapters to RIS Installations
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;246184
or
314479 How to Add OEM Plug and Play Drivers to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314479
4. Windows 2003 RIS will actually hide from you images on your ris server that have an incorrect hal. This is by design and trust me, you want it to be this way. Don't try to bypass it, get an image up there with the right hal.

 

[jlbenedict]

Hey Smilin! Thanks for that informative response..

I know it seems like a pain for just one little laptop.. but my my sister-in-law foolishly purchased this thing off ebay, not realizing its one of the thin types that require external drives. I tried to use my drive that came with my Inspiron 4000 but no luck. The Latitude reads an external floppy fine though.. so I'm thinking my drive from my I4000 doesn't want to play nice..

This is what I have so far as a guide: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;325862

It covers definately what you have mentioned about authorizing the RIS server in AD..

So, I'm going to be going back and forth between your response and that source.

Honestly, I've never performed an RIS install/setup.. hopefully I'm not biting off more than I can chew

 

[jlbenedict]

It worked flawlessly!

What is suprising is I had no issues; especially considering the type of infrastructure I was doing it in.

The laptop was connected to our in-house router, which is running DHCP. In addition, my VM running Windows 2003 Ent. Server, which is also running the prerequisites of DHCP as well. I had the W2K3's network adapter setup in Vmware for bridged networking with my host NIC.
So, two DHCP's broadcasting on the network, realistically.

What tells the laptop, "Hey.. I need to use this DHCP server, since its bootable." ??

But, thanks for your post Smilin! The install went smooth. I was actually shocked

 

[Smilin]

RIS rocks.

I used to support it here at Microsoft. There are only a few gotchas, that NIC one being the worst but other than that it's easy.

People get really intimidated by it though and I'm not sure why. I've seen folks come up with the most elaborate, and sometimes expensive solutions when they already have RIS available and free with the server OS they bought from MS.

Glad you had a great experience.

 

[jlbenedict]

Cliffs:

1. Create Vmware Machine, add additional disk drive for RIS share.
2. Install Windows 2003 Server, Enterprise edition
3. Install Vmware Tools
4. Run dcpromo
5. Configure DNS server as generic.local domain
6. Set TCP/IP to point to itself for DNS resolution
7. Format 2nd drive as NTFS and Reboot
8. Add DHCP as server role
9. Install RIS, and run setup
10. Authorize RIS in AD
11. Delegate Control / set user permissions; reboot
12. Installed XP on laptop FTW!

Result: Didn't have to purchase CDROM/DVDROM drive for the laptop = Sweetness!

Thanks!

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: Smilin
RIS rocks.

I used to support it here at Microsoft. There are only a few gotchas, that NIC one being the worst but other than that it's easy.

People get really intimidated by it though and I'm not sure why. I've seen folks come up with the most elaborate, and sometimes expensive solutions when they already have RIS available and free with the server OS they bought from MS.

Glad you had a great experience.

It was an awesome experience. Vmware makes things so freaking convenient; its great that those are free products now. You no longer need to have multiple boxes to prepare for MCSE with Vmware