In this article, we dive into the process of deploying a system image based on Windows 7 with QUEST SDA, exploring each step in detail and providing tools and scripts to facilitate the work.

• Creating the reference machine
• Driver management
• Unattend file management
• Managing the machine name

Creating the Reference Machine

Manual Installation of the Machine

• I use a virtual machine to create the reference machines to avoid driver conflicts. In my case, I will use VMware Workstation, but you can use VMware Player or ESXi.

• ISO: I will use a Volume ISO: fr_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_vl_build_x64_dvd_u_677814.iso

To perform the installation of Windows 7, I will create a single partition during the installation.

• On this screen, press Shift + F10

• Create a partition with the following commands

diskpart
select disk 0
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
active
assign
Format FS=NTFS QUICK
exit

• Install Windows on the partition
• When you reach this screen, use the following key combination: Ctrl + Shift + F3

• You enter OOBE mode. The sysprep window will launch, you can close it for now (it reappears at each restart)

WINDOWS UPDATE

• Install the patch for Windows Update

Install KB KB3102810 (x86) or KB3102810 (x64)

• Disable automatic updates (this will prevent you from ending up with Internet Explorer 11).

• Then perform Windows Update.
• Customize the installation (if necessary but not recommended)

Take a snapshot of the VM before performing the sysprep

Capturing the Machine

Before You Start

• Ensure that the machine can connect via PXE.

Sysprep

At the start of the machine, the sysprep tool is available (if not, launch c:\windows\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe)

• Enable the following options:
  • Generalize
  • Shutdown the system

• Wait for the machine to shut down

Capturing the Machine

Connect via PXE. Note, you must launch:

• WinPE x86 to capture 32-bit OS
• WinPE x64 to capture 64-bit OS
• Select “Imaging”

• Select “Capture image to this machine”

• Enter the image name and select the partitions to capture

Note: The Diskpart script that will be created later in KACE must match the existing partitions

• Then start the capture (the WIM format will be used)

• A completion message will be displayed, you can then shut down the reference machine

• The images will then be available in KACE

System Image

Pre-Installation Tasks: Diskpart

• The first step is to create a diskpart pre-installation task

Here are the commands

select volume 0
remove all noerr
select disk 0
clean
create partition primary size=500
assign letter="C"
active
format FS=NTFS QUICK
create partition primary
assign letter="D"
format FS=NTFS QUICK

Copy

Pre-Installation Tasks: GetcomputerName

• Download the “Get-Set computer name” tool available at: SDA Download

• You can create a task:
  • Associate the executable: GetComputerName_x64.exe
  • Command line: GetComputerName_x64.exe /dialog

Mid-Level Tasks: Copy Unattend

You can choose to copy the unattend file before capturing the image, but I prefer to copy it during the deployment, which allows me to make adjustments if needed.

Reminder: for Windows 7 PRO, the file can be copied to c:\windows\system32\sysprep or c:\windows\panther, and for Windows Enterprise, the path will be c:\windows\panther.

• To do this, I create a task that allows me to copy the answer file (a simple copy).

• Here are some script examples (replace the domain name and passwords)

unattend 7×64 or unattend 7×86

Mid-Level Tasks: SetComputerName

Download the “Get-Set computer name” tool available at: SDA Download

• You can create a task:
  • Associate the executable: SetComputerName_x64.exe
  • Command line: SetComputerName_x64.exe

System Image

Modification

You will need to add the tasks in the system image for:

• Entering the machine name
• Diskpart
• The unattend file

You can also add tasks for:

• Installing the SMA agent
• Installing applications

Example to Download

If you want a ready-to-use example, go to download

• Unzip the 7z file
• Copy it to \\k2000\restore
• Then import the package

The package includes the previous steps. However, you will still need to modify the unattend file to change the domain name and passwords.