RIS disaster!

[sam1981]

I've got 12 new Dell machines and decided to use RIS to install them.
They'll all need the same programs as each other so I created one machine with all the required programs and the latest patches. I then used riprep to copy the image to the RIS server.

All seemed to go ok and it copied over fine.

I then installed a compatible NIC (the on-board NICs aren't recognised by the RIS boot floppy) and began the remote installation. It installed fine, but when the new machines boot up, I enter the product key and registration info, but then it accepts it and reboots and then goes through the process all over again, so the machine never properly boots up!

Worst of all, the original machine that I made the image from is doing the same thing, so I'll have to start completely from scratch to get it working.

Anyone know how I can get over this prob?

[Tom Salter]

Not really, if the original is doing it, then looks like you made a fooked image.

Remember to run sysprep before making the images though.

[sam1981]

Why run sysprep for a riprep install, I haven't needed to do this before...?

[Tom Salter]

I dunno what riprep is, but sysprep can strip out SIDS etc.

[sam1981]

Riprep is used instead of a cd image. You create an initial machine with all the programs, config and patches, etc... then you run riprep from the RIS server and it copies the files over.

The idea then is that the machine is completely built apart from the computer name.

I thought you used sysprep for unattend installes, not RIS. Bit confused now.

[Sarkster]

I use RIS for the 60 PC's I look after at work and I always use sysprep when building an image. Dunno why tbh, its just the way I was taught.

Never had the problems youre having, but saying that, ive only actually built 3 different images and theyve all been rock solid

[sam1981]

OK, well I'm rebuilding the original machine now.

What does sysrep do then? I've just opened it up and have got factory and reseal buttons. What boxes do I tick etc...?

[sam1981]

built a new machine.

ran sysprep

then ran riprep

same thing happened