WDS - Images to a non PXE Compliant PC

LukeQuake

What is the procedure for deploying an image via WDS for a non PXE compliant PC?

Find more posts tagged with

SAVE $250 on Your Microsoft Boot Camp — Use Code "EXAM26"

Exclusively for TechExams members for Infosec Boot Camps starting before April 30, 2026

View Microsoft Boot Camps

Comments

alokin123

LukeQuake wrote: »

What is the procedure for deploying an image via WDS for a non PXE compliant PC?

You need to create a discover image which essentially turns into a cd you boot from on the client pc:

Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Deployment Services in Windows Server 2003

Deploying Vista – Part 20: Working With Discover Images

LukeQuake

Thanks - that has cleared up some confusion I had nicely.

LukeQuake

Just so that I have my notes correct, does this make sense (short hand/reference):-

Capture Image = Images of base machine, with all apps etc installed.
Install Image = Images where sysprep has already been run and you are converting into a .WIM file
Discover Image = Image to deploy to non PXE compliant machines.

alokin123

LukeQuake wrote: »

Just so that I have my notes correct, does this make sense (short hand/reference):-

Capture Image = Images of base machine, with all apps etc installed.
Install Image = Images where sysprep has already been run and you are converting into a .WIM file
Discover Image = Image to deploy to non PXE compliant machines.

I would look at it this way:

Boot Image - Boot images are Windows PE images that you boot a client computer into to perform an OS installation. You can then choose an OS to install from the Install Image/s that you have added to the WDS server to install.

Capture Image - a boot image that you boot a client PC into to capture the OS into a .wim file. Use when you want to capture a custom OS install on which you have run sysprep on.

Discover Image - use to install an OS on a PC that is not capable of network booting using the Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE)

Install Image - the OS images that you deploy to the client computer.

You boot from a Boot, Capture or Discover images.

That may be oversimplified but that's how i understand it

LukeQuake

Thanks - Greatly Appreciated.