How to create a custom Windows PE Disk

Windows PE allows you to boot a PC into an operating system that is resident in RAM disk. This means you can do what you want to the hard drive. This includes formatting, creating, and imaging the disk. In class I demonstrated using a Windows PE disk that resided on a USB memory stick. With a large enough USB flash drive and volume licensing, you can actually use this setup to deploy an image of Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 2008 should a network based image deployment not be an option.

The following link will guide you in creating a Windows PE image suitable for you needs. You will need to download and install the Windows Automated Installation Kit prior to proceeding.

WAIK Download: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5753

Windows PE build instructions: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc709665(WS.10).aspx

Comments

How to run GPResult on a remote client with PowerShell

In the past, to run the GPResult command, you would need to either physically visit this client, have the user do it, or use and RDP connection. In all cases, this will disrupt the user. First, you need PowerShell remoting enabled on the target machine. You can do this via Group Policy . Open PowerShell and type this command. Invoke-Command –ScriptBlock {GPResult /r} –ComputerName <ComputerName> Replace <ComputerName> with the name of the target. Remember, the target needs to be online and accessible to you.

Set up your Environment to utilize Invoke-GPUpdate

I’m sitting in O’Hare enjoying my 3 hour layover as I get ready to teach a Windows 10 class in Fort Wayne. I’m actually prepping for my class in Fort Wayne in a few weeks, 10982 Supporting and Troubleshooting Windows 10. This class is very much like the Windows 7 version that I used to teach so I decided to up the detail quite a bit. In the GPO troubleshootin chapter, I’m including a demonstration on how to use PowerShell’s Invoke-GPUpdate. I needed to make sure the environment is set up for me to be able to utilize this cmdlet. If you read the Notes section on Invoke-GPUpdate’s help file, you will see there are three firwall rules that need to be in place: Remote Scheduled Tasks Management (RPC) Remote Scheduled Tasks Management (RPC-ERMAP) Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI-IN) I decided to create a little PowerShell script to crea...

Sticky Key problem between Windows Server 2012 and LogMeIn

This week I instructed my first class using Windows Server 2012 accessed via LogMeIn and discovered a Sticky Key problem every time you press the Shift key. Here is my solution to resolve this. First off, in the Preferences of LogMeIn for the connection to the Windows Server, click General . Change the Keyboard and mouse priority to Host side user and click Apply at the bottom. On the Windows 2012 server, open the Control Panel – Ease of Access – Change how your keyboard works . Uncheck Turn on Sticky Keys . Click Set up Sticky Keys . Uncheck Turn on Sticky Keys when SHIFT is pressed five times . Click OK twice. If you are using Windows Server 2012 as a Hyper-V host, you will need to redo the Easy of Use settings on each guest operating system in order to avoid the Sticky Key Problem. Updated Information: March 20, 2013 If you continue to have problems, Uncheck Turn on Filter Keys .

Jason Yoder, MCT

Search This Blog