SCCM: Task Sequence Workaround for Domain Join Failures on Certain Skylake / Kaby Lake Systems

SCCM Task Sequence

Some models of Dell systems do not reset the USB hub on a reboot; this can cause the Realtek USB 3.0 or USB-C dongles to lock up or lose connection. Devcon (Device Manager Command Utility) can be used to reset the USB HUBS just prior to an expected reboot in SCCM to restore normal functionality of the Task Sequence.

1. Obtain the devcon.exe files from the Microsoft Windows Driver Kit:
   1. https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/windows-driver-kit
2. Once the Microsoft Windows Driver Kit is installed, browse to the install directly and copy the devcon utility from the appropriate architecture folder (Figure 1).
   
   For x64 WinPe – the default path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Tools\x64
   
   For x86 WinPe – the default path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Tools\x86
   
   Figure 1
    
3. Create a new package for the Devcon files (Figure 2 & 3):
   
   Figure 2
   
   
   Figure 3
    
4. At this point, you do not need to create a program.
5. Set the Data Access of the Devcon Utilities package to copy the content to a package share on the distribution points (Figure 4).
   
   Figure 4
    
6. Distribute the Devcon Utilities package to the Distribution Points (Figure 5).
   
   Figure 5
    
7. Update the Distribution Points.
8. Add the Devcon Utilities to the Task Sequence as a Run Command Line Task after the Driver Application Task (Figure 6):
   1. "cmd.exe /c devcon.exe /restart USB\ROOT_HUB*"
   2. Make Sure the Devcon Utilities Package is selected.
   
   
   Figure 6
    
9. Add a new network adapter in the "Apply Network Settings" Task (this is for logging purposes) (Figure 7 & 8).
   
   Figure 7
   
   
   Figure 8
    

Log excerpts of a successful deployment:

Smsts-%DATE%.log

Joining domain: DCVX.local
Configuring 1 of 1 network adapters
Configuring DHCP
MAC address not specified for adapter 0. Applying settings to MAC address d4:81:d7:17:65:c7.
Adapter index: 0
Adapter name: USB-Realtek
Added list item with key value 'd4-81-d7-17-65-c7'
Process completed with exit code 0
Successfully completed the action (Apply Network Settings) with the exit win32 code 0

Smsts.log

File: http://DCVBOX.DCVX.local:80/SMS_DP_SMSPKG$/DCV00193/sccm?/devcon.exe
File: http://DCVBOX.DCVX.local:80/SMS_DP_SMSPKG$/DCV00193/sccm?/devcon6.exe
Working dir 'C:\_SMSTaskSequence\Packages\DCV00193'
Executing command line: Run command line
USB\ROOT_HUB30\7&1F9330E&0&0        : Restarted
USB\ROOT_HUB30\4&37791476&0&0        : Restarted
2 device(s) restarted.
Command line cmd /c devcon6.exe /restart USB\ROOT_HUB* returned 0
Process completed with exit code 0 TSManager
Successfully completed the action (Reset USB Hubs) with the exit win32 code 0

The system should now join the domain successfully and complete the Task Sequence without issue.