Windows 2008 unattended.xml and partitions

[Chris m W]

Hi Everybody, has anybody successfully deployed Windows 2008R2 with having partitions configured in the unattended.xml file? I can get the install to work but the job never completes in the RDP Console because the Altiris Deployment service is not being installed. It is not being installed because the $OEM$ folder is not getting copied after the NTFS image is created. If I pull the Disksconfiguration portion from my unattend.xml file then the $OEM$ folder is created and the agent is installed. I tried calling HP twice but they will not support me unless I do not make any modifications to the unattend-std.xml file.

Thanks,

Chris

[Chris m W]

By the way, attached is my xml file.

[shocko]

Hi,

I explained this in another post. You are overwriting the $OEM folder in your answer file. YOu need to specify in the RDP console that the initial image does not take up 100% of the target disk and then do the partitioning at the end of the install. I do this all the time in my builds. ;)

[Jase4772]

Hi,

I had (until this thread) the same confusing scenario. When you say you do the partitioning at the end of the install is that a manual or scripted process?

Thanks

Jase

[shocko]

I use a simple diskpart script. In fact, I deploy all my Windows servers using scripted installs and then run an extensive script that I have developed that does the following:

• Install various pieces of 3rd party software
• Install the HP management agents
• Configure SNMP
• Configure windows

The script runs across Windows 2000 through to 2008 R2 and across most types of HP hardware. I don't bother with images anymore as my environment is very dynamic and software is always getting patched etc. ;)

What exactly do you need to do

[Jase4772]

Hi,

My last remaining tasks now are to figure out the best method for drive sizing / configuration and some post install tidy ups. Similar to yourself I guess:

 - Install AV

 - Install desktop agent

 - Tidy up drive partitions

 - Configure SNMP

 - Resize the display

 - Add to domain

I've got the main done OS + PSP (maybe review my switches) and it's localised to the UK not the annoying MS default US :)

Any tips or tricks would be appreciated of course.

Thanks

Jason

[shocko]

All looks good Jase4772.

Is there something specifically you need instruction on? I also do the following:

1. Copy over the vcconfig conf file to pre-config the vc agent