Can't RIS an GX280

Question

And here I thought I was a RIS wizard. I've been developing RIS images for systems ranging from GX1 - GX270. We have set standards in our school district to the effect that all desktops will be Windows 2000. Dell has now sent us a new standards sheet on what type of systems they will be selling us. And unfortunately the new systems do not conform to our hardware standard. The network cards are not Intel based which I think are 99.99% of my problems. I have tried every trick in the book (and on this forum site) to get a RIS image developed that will actually work. So far I have found that most posts are geared towards WindowsXP, and not Windows2000. So I need some tips on developing a Windows2000 RIS image for a GX280.   I am able to Create a CD based image and adding in all the Broadcom drivers for me to install/deploy an image to the GX280. After I have the image depoyed, I then install what programs I need onto the Dell system, and then Riprep the image back to the RIS server. It is then when I go to deploy the new Riprep image that I get the error message that I don't have the proper NIC drivers. Again, I've tried everything under the sun and my brain is now fried. So if there are any other suggestions, or tips that I missed, I could definately use the help.   Thanks a bunch,

Noeladams · Answer

well I just ran into this same problem.. Make sure you copy the broadcom windows xp AND win2k drivers into the base I386 Image. Also do your $oem$ folders.

My problem with the gx280 is I can successfully upload a image but when it is downloaded the machine reboots to a F1 & F2. Before that it wasn't reading the riprep.sif file for my image. All the other images work fine.

jaugust · Answer

I read a Microsoft Article about this problem. (Article ID: 823658) It states:

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This problem may occur in situations when RIS does not recognize the syntax of the [Manufacturer] section of the .inf file for the network adapter driver. Therefore, Setup cannot locate the network driver.

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.
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They have a hotfix for it, but I can not find it on the Microsoft Website. Does anyone know where I can download it? Or do I have to wait for the next Service Pack? I can't call them because they want a credit card #. And since my employer wont give me such info, I can't get help in this way.

Thanks,

Noeladams · Answer

well i figured mine, out it looks like I had another image named the same thing and had deleted it but for some reason it was still there.   My problem fixed now :)

jaugust · Answer

Well, after 8 hours and many many failed attempts, I am at the mercy of the Computer Gods. I can not get a Riprep image of a OptiPlex GX280 to successfuly deploy back to a PC. I have inserted the Broadcom drivers (v7.8) into many locations (even some not neccesary) to try and get these drivers to be seen. I have even edited the .INF file but with no luck. My only alternative is to attempt to develope an XP image. I do not wish to go there, as I have stated our Standard is Windows 2000.

I must develope a Windows 2000 RIS image for these Optiplex GX280's. If only Dell would have stuck with the Intel NIC cards and not changed to Broadcom, I probably wouldn't be in this mess. If there is a Dell Moderator who knows anything about these Broadcom NIC's, I'd appreaciate hearing from you.

I am at my wits end. My brain has fried, and all knowledge I have of RIS does not seem to apply.

HELP! :smileysad:

Noeladams · Answer

Could you email me what you have done with the sif file and I maybe able to help you some.....   Noeladams AT charter.net

Dungulo · Answer

Hello,   I'm having the same problem and haven't solving yet, I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or it is just impossible.   Does anybody get the solution?   Regards, Dungulo

Dungulo · Answer

Hi Jaugust,   I would be really gratefull if somebody could get the solution to this nightmare.   I'll be waiting for your answer to check it.   Thanks in advanced,   Dungulo.

jaugust · Answer

I am running Windows 2003 Server, and trying to create a Windows 2000 RIS (Riprep.exe) image. After I have all my district standard software installed I then run the Riprep.exe program to push an image back to the RIS server.

After that is complete, I then try to deploy that image to another machine of the exact same configuration (also tried the original PC). But I have no luck.

I have Dell Engineer's working with me on trying to resolve this problem. Once I have the answers I will post them. They will be calling me (hopefully) after lunch today. I will not be in the office for 1/2 the day. I'll be servicing other buildings in our district.

I still beleive that this is an issue with the Broadcom Network Adapters. But hopfully dell will fix the problem.

Dungulo · Answer

Hi Jaugus,

About the article 823658 you mention, the hotfix is not in the net, they say the following:

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix

Funny, isn't it?

Anyway, maybe it can help to know which environment we are using.

In my case, I have W2000 Server with SP4, and I'm trying to RIS & RIPREP XP with SP2.

Which configurations are you trying to RIP and in which environment?

\\Dungulo

Sindre Helvik · Answer

For my part I also use RIS from my W2k server to deploy W2k. Just like Jaugust I have been using RIS deploying W2k on everything from GX1 to GX280. It is always the same problem when there is a new GXnnn to get all the drivers to respond and especially the network drivers. This time I just copied the b57w2k.inf and .sys files to the I386 folder of my RIS catalog structure and the installation went ok. Well not 100% ok, cause I got some trouble with the USB drivers instead and had to settle for some standard drivers.

We are in the process of starting to use RIS to deploy XP these days and for me that was when the problems started. Using the same RIS server that installs W2k on GX280 I can not get the system to work with XP. Starting the installation only result in:

"The operating system image you selected does not contain the necessary drivers for your network adapter. Try selecting a different operating system image. If the problem persists, contact your system administrator."

I am fed up by being told about this fantastic "system administrator" that is supposed to know everything :(

The fix I am told is described in Microsoft article id 315074, but I am not that convinced yet. Have anyone seen this problem before?

Dungulo · Answer

Hi Sindre,

Can you tell me where you normally copy the driver files, you mention I386, but can you tell me exactly where?. I mean, in the root, or under $OEM$\$1\DRIVERS\NIC.

And after this to change in the .sif file:

[Unattended]
OemPreinstall = yes
OemPnpDriversPath = \Drivers\Nic

By the way, and to be sure, what I have done is copy the drivers everywhere, I mean in four places:

$OEM$\$1\DRIVERS\NIC
I386\
I386\$OEM$\$1\DRIVERS\NIC
I386\DRIVERS\NIC

So just to confirm, where do you normall put the drivers? And how do you change the .sif file?

Thanks in advanced,

\\Dungulo.

Anyway, it's not working neither for you, so it's not the problem.

Sindre Helvik · Answer

Hello Dungulo,

I struggel to get my RIS server to roll out Win XP, but it works fairly ok to distribute W2k to GX280's.

I have copied the b57w2k.* files to the /I386 folder. This is where the system first encounter the drivers, then you need the drivers in the $OEM$\$1\DRIVERS\NIC folder too. Make sure you restart

binlsvc so that the b57w2k.PNF file is generated. You will find it in the /I386 folder. You could try deleting the old one and see if a new is made.

What /I386 folder I talk about? It has this path on my server: \\SERVERNAME\RemInst\Setup\NORWEGIAN\IMAGES\win2000n.pro\i386

I have made a few changes to my RIS answer and .sif files.

In addition to your

[Unattended]
OemPreinstall = yes
OemPnpDriversPath = \Drivers\Nic

...I have added...

DriverSigningPolicy = Ignore

I can send you my .sif file if you like, but I rather not display it all here. Write to me at s@hiof.no

Sindre

jaugust · Answer

Where to begin...

Over the past month and ½ I’ve been working, off and on, with several Dell techs in trying to resolve my issue with these Dell GX280’s that have the Broadcom network adapter in them.

I had considered myself to be a guru at developing RIS images for all kinds of Dell systems, GX1, GX110, GX150, GX240, GX260, and the GX270’s. After taking a class in Windows 2000 Deployment I began my development of a RIS server. I have gone through upgrades and O/S platform changes over the past two years and I have always been able to figure out my problems by resolving them myself, or turning to the Dell Forum website for tips.

On my RIS server I have a CD-based image for the GX240, GX260 and GX270. I also have Riprep images for GX1, GX110, GX150, GX240, GX260, and GX270. The CD-based image for the GX260 is what I used for develop the Riprep image for the GX1, GX110, and GX150. For some reason that image seem to work best for the systems we have.

When Dell introduced the new GX280, I was a bit concerned about the NIC adapter when I would develop a Riprep image. I could create the CD-based image just fine, but when I create the Riprep image, I could not redeploy that image to any other GX280 system because it was looking for the Network Adapter. That had me stumped big-time. I tried every trick in the book (at least the chapters I knew of as they say). So I turned to Broadcom, Microsoft, and Dell for answers to my questions. Broadcom would only point me to pages I’ve read already about new drivers, of which I did download and try. Microsoft never got back with me, I gave up on them. Dell, however, went above and beyond their normal tech support routine.

Dell tech James_N had done extensive research into Microsoft and found

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Article ID: 330074

Which stated: During Riprep image deployment, Windows Setup compares key operating system files in the Riprep image with the RISETUP-generated folders in the same language folder on the RIS Server to find network adapter drivers. The existence of the expanded network adapter drivers is one of the reasons that you must create a base (RISETUP) installation on the RIS server before you run Riprep.

Windows Setup searches for key operating system files in the language folder that matches the language of the Operating System that you want to deploy. Because these files are the same in both Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional operating systems, Windows Setup does not differentiate between Windows 2000 Professional folders and Windows 2000 Server folders.

Windows Setup searches the image folders in alphabetical order for the RISETUP folder that contains the installation files for the OEM network adapter. Windows Setup stops searching when it finds the first matching RISETUP folder, and it uses the drivers located in that folder. If the OEM network adapter drivers are not located in the first matching RISETUP folder, Windows Setup does not continue parsing RISETUP folders, and you receive the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

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This led me to believe that I had to have the NIC drivers listed in the i386 folder for each individual CD-based image I had created for each type of system. So I added the NIC drivers from the Broadcom website into each i386 folder in each CD-Based image, then restarted the Remote Installation service and sure enough, I was able to RIS the Riprep image.

Sure the feeling of being stupid ran through my mind for the longest time. But I gained more respect for the RIS process, and learned something new that I wish to share with everyone who uses RIS. This is definitely something that they didn’t teach me in the Windows 2000 Deployment class.

I hope that everyone gains some knowledge from my experiences. Never give up on projects that stump you. The reward of feeling like you accomplished something is a great feeling.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays this winter season.

Sincerely,

James C. August II

P.S. I wish to thank Dell techs James_N, Brian_P, Pamela_K, and all the Dell Engineers who helped research this fix.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Can't RIS an GX280

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