UPDATED current as of April 2014
WINDOWS 7: Deploying to Any Machine with FOG- STEP BY STEP
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Introduction
This is a guide to deploying Windows 7 from FOG, in particular deploying one image to multiple hardware; desktops, laptops etc. I have written it step by step so it is easy to follow along. You may find better ways to do things and if so feel free to comment in the thread or ask questions.
Note: I am no expert! The following is just the way I have deployed Windows 7 in our environment. I’m not saying it is the only way or even the right way to do it. But this way works, as demonstrated by others and is totally unattended.
We have used this method for around two years now and it still works perfectly.
[B]What you need- Basics*[/B]
a) Some time. Don’t expect to get it right the first, second, or third time. One thing you should do is document your entire process. It’s not hard to have a text document open while working and detail what you have done as you go. Plus if your boss asks you what you’ve been doing you can show him!
b) Virtual computer software. I used VMware workstation 8, I recommend this and will be detailing the guide using workstation 8. You can download a free trial from the VMware site:
[url]https://www.vmware.com/[/url]
c) Windows AIK tools (automated install kit)- We only need Windows system manager from this:
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5753[/url]
More info on AIK: [url]http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd349350(WS.10).aspx[/url]
d) An ISO or DVD with windows 7 on it. For this guide I will be using Windows 7 Professional, because all our new machines come with licenses already. I will be making both an x64 and x86 SOE.
e) An external HDD or a large spare internal for the virtual machines. If external I suggest using a fast connection like esata.
d) The best physical machine you can get- dual core minimum- quad core is better, and 8GB ram.
Note: *There will be some other utilities needed along the way
[B]Step 1: Deciding on what you want[/B]
Initially I only sought to build an x64 version of windows- however I found once I got to the drivers stage that, yes surprisingly old hardware has x64 CPU support, however x64 drivers do not work well…at all. I will elaborate on this point at the drivers stage.
So in this write up I will be making both an x86 image and an x64. The only difference between the two in terms of the build is the drivers stage and of course the initial installation on the virtual machine (VM). So I will continue this tutorial detailing one build, but where the two differ I will point that out. I recommend building both at the same time so you apply changes etc to both.
[B]Step 2: Creating the Virtual Machines[/B]
From the VMware menu, select File>New virtual Machine- select custom then next. Leave hardware compatibility as Workstation 8.0- Next.
Choose “I will install the operating system later”- Next.
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Set Guest operating system as Windows 7- Next. Then name your virtual Machine. Call one Windows 7 SOE x64- call the other Windows 7 SOE x86- Next. * you can only build one virtual machine at a time.
Set the cores to two as below- Next.
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Give your VM 2GB of RAM if you can, or minimum 1GB- Next.
Make sure you choose “Use bridged networking”, to ensure PXE boot works correctly- Next.
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Leave the I/O controller as LSI logic SAS- Next.
Choose “Create a new virtual disk”- Next.
This step is IMPORTANT. Make sure you choose the disk type as “IDE”. I found that FOG will NOT upload virtual machines with SCSI drives- which is actually what VMware recommend.-Next.
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I suggest setting the disk size of 60GB. - Next- Next- Finish. Your Virtual PC is now built, but not powered on.
Now is a good time to register the client machines in FOG. It is better to do this before you begin building the image. NOTE: I found that in order to PXE boot the virtual machine, I had to create a new local user on my physical machine.
Type “lusrmgr.msc” into run and the choose users. Create a new user called “vmware_user” with the underscores. Do not set a password. Add them to the local administrators group.
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You should now be able to PXE boot to your menu. Perform a full registration of the host.
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Only set the computers name- and host OS if you have this set (windows 7)- leave all other options blank.
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The machine will reboot, it will attempt to boot from C:\ but no OS exists. Power the machine off again. The machine should now exist in FOG.
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[B]Step 3: Installing Windows and entering Audit Mode[/B]
In VMware while the machine is off- Choose “Edit virtual machine settings”
Select CD/DVD device, then either point the machine to a physical DVD drive with win 7 in it, or directly to an ISO file. There is no need to mount the ISO if you have one. I’m using an ISO. You can download win 7 ISO’s from this page: [url]http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/[/url] or from TechNet if you have a subscription.
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Power on the VM. It will start installing Windows 7. Choose your language/time/keyboard input: Next.
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Note, the Virtual machine may seem to lag until you have installed VMware tools.
Choose “Install Now”- Accept the license terms and hit- Next.
Choose “Custom”- Select your one and only disk and hit Next.
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Windows will now start installing. This may take some time. After it has installed, Windows will reboot.
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[B]THIS NEXT STEP IS IMPORTANT, SO READ CAREFULLY![/B]
When the machine comes back up- DO NOT go any further. Do not name the machine etc. At this screen:
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Press CTRL+SHIFT+F3. The machine will reboot and go into Audit mode. Once back up the Machine will auto log on as a local administrator with no password set. You are now in Audit mode, and it’s time to take the first of many Snapshots!
From VMware, right click the machine name and choose: Snapshot> Take snapshot. Be sure to give a brief description so you will know where you were if you need to go back. It is hugely important to utilize snapshots during this win 7 build process, I can’t stress that enough. If you make a change that stuffs something up- you can always revert to beforehand.
I suggest to then install VMware tools. From VMware menu, choose “VM> Install VMware tools”. Follow any on screen prompts from the virtual machine. After installed take another snapshot. This is useful because it improves mouse interaction and allows you to drag and drop files to the VM from your physical machine.