44 thoughts on “Deploy OS using MDT 2012 beta 2 – Part IV Add PXE Capability to MDT”

1. Hello,

   I seem to be incapable of tracking down the pxeboot.0 file. Bootmgr.exe is right there in the wim image but there is no trace of the other file. Any other way for me to get my hands on it?

2. Hello there,

   if you have mounted your boot.wim image (using imagex or dsim.exe), you should find in the folder \Windows\Boot\PXE a file called pxeboot.com (and probably a file pxeboot.n12)
   This is the file you need. You can rename it to pxeboot.0 (if you want to)

3. Try Serva as PXE Server and see how fast the new LiteTouchXXX.wim are transfered.

4. Hello There;

   I know the software. However, I wanted to present this solution as well because, in some environments, the customer will never allow the use of third party tools

   See ya

5. Hi,
   Well, Serva as PXE server is as third party tool as SolarWinds or Tftpd32.
   Plus if you decide to use Serva’s deploying capabilities it’ll save a lot of effort taking virtually no time learning how to use it…

6. Hello there,

   Disregard my last comment.It was not intended to you (sorry, got confused with another comment)
   YEs you are right – Tftp32,Serva or solarwinds are to be considered as third party tools

   See ya

7. interesting alternative for adding PXE capabilities to WDS, MDT, SCCM, etc etc etc… with just a single PXE app —REMOVED BY THE MODERATOR—

8. Griffon, hahah you edited my posting … I was talking about —REMOVED BY MODERATOR—- not about your article…
   you are one of a kind ;-)) keep the good work…

9. Hello nb,

   We do not support nor use the product you are mentioning and not willing to promote it. Under normal conditions, all the posts are left untouched. However, we have been the target of “spam” campaign (some people might call this promotion campaign) related to this product. We have been flooded by spam and undesirable comments. This is why the product name has been removed.

   Till next time
   See ya

10. spam?? Then for you if I mention some free software that does something probably better than your article I’m a “spammer”?? you call my first post here “advertising campaign”?? that’s just not fair…

    I think you should take criticism not personally.

11. 1. I do not see any criticism in your comments -> thus, I cannot take it personally 🙂
    2. Feel free to use any software you think is better for your needs. We are just sharing our experience/workaround/solutions.
    3. Yes, we have faced spam related to the product you wanted to mention. people have used this blog to promote the product by placing links in the comment section. As you probably know, this is a known Technic to improve visibility on internet. This is clearly SPAM. Sorry, you are paying for these people
    4. Our previous comment was not targeted to you personally. We tried to explain why the product name has been removed. We never said that you were at the origin of the spam or promotion campaign. Please see Point 3.

    I hope this clarify the situation. We hope we can close this Topic.

    Till next time
    See ya

12. I really cannot see how this post could be the target of a marketing campaign? how many readers do you have a day? 20? 30?… anyway…

    Let’s go back to the technical stuff;
    I have tried the WDS method, I have tried your method (using Solarwinds and also Tftpd32), and then I have tried the application I cannot mention (let’s call it SSSSS); could you please explain me why when I use your method (no matter what TTFTP server I use) the transfer of the LiteTouchXXX.wim is much (way much) slower than using WDS or SSSSS?? I have tried all possible BCD tweaks but I’m always getting the same results…? I’m puzzled on this.
    Any help, appreciated.

13. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc732649(v=ws.10).aspx#TFTP

    Improvement due to Windows size “feature” which is implemented in WDS but not in solarwind.

    Till next time
    See ya

14. I see, well I do not want to use WDS because it forces me to use MS Server, and Solarwinds and TFTPD are really slow; I think I’m going to stick to SSSSS that is as fast as WDS but runs on non-Server platforms. Thanks a lot.

15. Hello Griffon,

    i tried to build standalone deployment server and can make it work. few question would like to clarify

    1. Scope options : 067 boot file name value:) (is this litetouchPE_64x.wim?
    2. where i can find this file pxeboot.0? cant find in the media.
    3. if i add opton 060 i always hit with error pxe-e55 proxydhcp service did not reply on port 4011 and if i remove i will receive error PXE-E79 nbp is too big

    I appreciate your help on this. Thank you.

16. Hello Jiro,

    To answer your question

    1. option 067 in DHCP is pxeboot.com (or pxeboot.0 or pxelinux.0 depending of the pxe boot file you are using)

    2. In the source folder of your DVD, you have a boot.wim file as well. You will need to mount this image (using imagex.exe utility) and extract the following file pxeboot.com (located
    in windows\boot\PXE inside the boot.wim ) Bootmgr.exe (located in windows\boot\PXE inside the boot.wim). I tend to rename this file…sorry

    3. this error appears when the dhcp server and pxe server are located on different servers. Can you tell me if you are running everything (dhcp,tftp server on the same server or did you split the roles…) Configure already the dhcp option 067 and see if the problem still appears (pxe-e55)

    Hope this help

17. Hi Griffon,

    Thanks for the reply.

    1. I will try to add pxboot.com as the value
    2. i use 7 zip to extract the bootmgr.exe and pxeboot.com but unable to find pxeboot.0
    3 DHCP and tftp server role are in the same server.

18. Hey Reccawa,
    Just to be clear and repeat what I’ve said in the previous comment

    There is no pxeboot.0 when you extract data from the boot.Wim file. the pxeboot.0 is in fact the file called pxeboot.com that has been renamed as pxeboot.0

    I hope this clarifies the topic…

    I think I’ll change the post to mention to use the pxeboot.com file. It might be confusing for people 🙂

    Till Next Time
    See ya

19. Hi Griffon,

    Thank you very much for this. i would try it out and let you know the result 😉
    if you could help uploading the video via youtube or any other site on the standalone server setup that would be great. i appreciate your time on this.

    Thanks again.

20. Hello Griffon,

    i still encounter the same error “pxe-e55 proxydhcp service did not reply on port 4011”. not sure where goes wrong.
    below is my BCD file

    Rem Creates BCD (boot configuration data) for Windows PE 3.0
    set BCD-File=c:\DeploymentShare\Boot\BCD
    del %BCD-File%
    Bcdedit /createstore %BCD-File%
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create {ramdiskoptions} /d “Ramdisk options”
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdidevice boot
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdipath \boot\boot.sdi
    for /f “tokens=1-3” %%a in (‘Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create /d “WinPE x86” /application osloader’) do set guid1=%%c
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% systemroot \Windows
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% detecthal Yes
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% winpe Yes
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% osdevice ramdisk=[boot]\boot\LiteTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% device ramdisk=[boot]\boot\LiteTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create {bootmgr} /d “Windows Vista BootManager”
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {bootmgr} timeout 30
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {bootmgr} displayorder %guid1%
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /enum all

    Please help me on this.

21. Hello,

    look like you dhcp is not configured correctly….

    are you sure you have open the firewall for the TFTP service (whatever tftp server you are using)

    Have you configured your DHCP Correctly, can you confirm that the option 060 is set correctly and at the good level…

    Can you provide input about your dhcp configuration (screenshots possibly)

22. Hello Griffon,

    Thanks for you reply. how do i send the screen capture to you? can i have your email?
    at the moment i provider the information for option 60 and the new error that i get.

    1. i follow your script to add option 60 on the DHCP. under the server options “060 PXEClient option checked and the String Value : PXEClient
    2. error message when i pxe boot as below

    Windows bootmanager (server ip:192.168.002.002)

    Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause to fix the problem

    1. Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer
    2. Choose your language setting, and click “next”
    3. Click “repair your computer”

    If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

    File: \Boot\BCD
    Status : 0x000000f
    Info : An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.

    Thank you and sorry for asking too many question.

23. hello there,
    you have specified the wrong boot root path folder. you should have checked the screenshot in the post…..
    instead of typing [boot]\boot\litetouchpe_x64.wim, you should use [boot]\litetouchPE_x64.wim.

    this is the corrcted version of the script that you need to use

    Rem Creates BCD (boot configuration data) for Windows PE 3.0
    set BCD-File=c:\DeploymentShare\Boot\BCD
    del %BCD-File%
    Bcdedit /createstore %BCD-File%
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create {ramdiskoptions} /d “Ramdisk options”
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdidevice boot
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdipath \boot.sdi
    for /f “tokens=1-3″ %%a in (‘Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create /d “WinPE x86″ /application osloader’) do set guid1=%%c
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% systemroot \Windows
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% detecthal Yes
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% winpe Yes
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% osdevice ramdisk=[boot]\LiteTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% device ramdisk=[boot]\LiteTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create {bootmgr} /d “Windows BootManager”
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {bootmgr} timeout 30
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {bootmgr} displayorder %guid1%
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /enum all

    hope this help
    till next time
    See ya

24. Hello Griffon,

    i use the BCD script given by you above however still getting the same error 🙁

25. People usually get confused by the role of PXE and DHCP server.
    When you have a real PXE server (such as WDS/SCCM/MDT), you should NEVER set DHCP option 66 and 67, since this is exactly the role of the PXE server to send these details to the requesting PXE clients.
    If PXE servcie and DHCP sends the same options 66 and 67, no problem. Now if you change PXE server’s settings in such a way that option 66 and 67 will be modified but forget to propagate that change to DHCP server (manually), the DHCP server options will usually have a higher priority and will “win”

    More details in my article here (and its comments).
    http://www.experts-exchange.com/Networking/Misc/A_2978-PXEClient-what-is-it-for-Can-I-use-PXE-without-it.html

26. Furthermore, DHCP option 43 should also never be set in the DHCP server option itself. This is the role of the PXE server to set it.
    PXE specs are not clear but as a PXE expert, I am 150% sure of what I say.

27. Hi Griffon

    I have a problem with the pxeboot.
    I have build a virtual server (vmware 10)
    server 2012 r2
    MDT 2013
    WDS
    It’s all on the same server

    Virtual Clients also vmware 10

    It’s all on the same physical computer.

    when I pxeboot within my virtual invironment it woks perfect.!!

    But when i try to pxeboot from a physical client to my virtual wds server I get this errors

    TFTP.
    PXE-t04: Access violation
    DASH-E36: Error received from TFTP server
    DASH-M0F: Exiting option ROM

    My DHCP server is not on the same network, BUT is configured to see my WDS.
    Personally I have no access to the DHCP server, only the network administrator has, but he assured me that it is set up correct.

    We can’t figure out way we get this errors.?

    I’m not on a domain or have AD

    The physical client get’s correct IP from the DHCP server.

    I’m temptet to try your TFTP, but can it work when the DHCP is on a different network.?

28. Hello there,
    First guess based on your description is a network/dhcp config issue….

    You might be missing an ip helper or dhcp relay….

    Hope this help

    Till next time
    See ya

29. According to the network administrator IP helper is already running.

    Thx for helping. 🙂
    keep up the good work.

30. Hello Den,
    I’m currently abroad so I cannot test fully your situation….

    I see that you are running WDS/Windows 2012 R2… are you using a custom tftp solution (like tftp32.exe) or the build capability of the WDS in 2012 R2. you might wanna check this post first (http://c-nergy.be/blog/?p=4557).

    Now concerning your issue….

    1. Can you check that you have provided the correct value for DHCP for option 066 and 067 -> I’m assuming yes given that you can boot from PXE with your Virtual Infrastructure….

    2. Can you try to manually download a file from the tftp server (which would be the WDS server) by installing the tftp client on computer on the remote network and issue a command similar to tftp -i GET \boot\x64\pxeboot.n12 (Adapt this command based on your netzork infra). Do the same test on physical computer located on the same network as the WDS ?
    Do you see a difference. if remote download fails, this might mean that network is not configured accordingly

    3. Can you check the WDS log files to get more information about the issue or the event viewer (WDS log files)

    4. do you have firewall between you segments, can you check that the UDP port used by WDS are open on the switch/firewall

    5. You could check this MS KB (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977512) and see if this might be your issue (but It’s specific to 2008/R2). I do not know if this might affect Win 2012 R2

    Check already this and see if you can get more information about the issue and try to isolate the issue…..
    Is this a network problem or a VMWARE Problem 🙂

    Till next time
    See ya

31. Hello Griffon,
    I am confused how the network will handle both (?) dhcp server. Because, the novice home company, uses dhcp server on the adsl router itself right ? So what happens if we create a Windows Server DHCP server role ? How should I manage that ?

32. Hello Mikoyan,

    Good question. In theory, you cannot have two dhcp on the same subnet….DHCP is using broadcast. So this means that the client asking for an ip address will make a request and the first server to answer will provide the ip offering…. If your adsl router support pxe options, you could use this dhcp with no problem. It’s not mandatory to have TFTP and DHCP server on the same server… If this is not an option, you could use mac filtering (if supported by the adsl router), so the pxe client will never get ip from adsl router but from the other dhcp server….

    There might be plenty of other options (such as segmenting your network or using virtual technology to create a dedicated network and still have access to internet….

    That’s up to you

    Hope this help
    Till next time
    See ya

33. So can I have two DHCP servers running in two different subnets, same network? This will result in what you said about “first DHCP server to answer will provide the IP offering”. Isn’t results in conflict?

34. Hello,

    Sorry for delay in answer but busy with a lot of stuff lately….
    If you have two different subnets, you can have two dhcp server located in the different subnet. The DHCP is using broadcast technology and does not cross routers…
    The client located in the same subnet as the DHCP server will always connect to the dhcp server located on the subnet….

    I hope that i understood your question correctly and that I provided the expected answer as well

    Till next time
    See ya

35. Don’t need to sorry, you’re helping me a lot, learning great time here. In my case, DHCP server (2) from windows server role would be phisically ‘wired’ “inside” DHCP” server (1) from adsl router. Structure is like: adslswitchclients (including one of W2k8 servers).

36. Griffon, First off thank you so much for the walk-through’s. I’m a newb to MDT/WDS.. I have a question though. I’m getting an error during PXE boot related to the BCD file. A generic MSFT error 0xc0000034. I ran your batch script, modified for my paths obviously, but this error persists.
    My BCD.bat:
    Bcdedit /createstore %BCD-File%
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create {ramdiskoptions} /d “Ramdisk Options”
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdidevice boot
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdipath \boot\boot.sdi

    for /f “tokens=1-3” %%a in (‘Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create /d “WinPE x64” /application osloader’) do set guid1=%%c
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% systemroot \Windows
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% detecthal Yes
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% winpe Yes
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% osdevice ramdisk=[boot]\boot\LiteTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% device ramdisk=[boot]\boot\LiteTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}

    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /create {bootmgr} /d “Windows COCO BootManager”
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {bootmgr} timeout 30
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set {bootmgr} displayorder %guid1%
    Bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /enum all

    Also of note, I’ve ran the script as Admin on both a Server 2012, Win8.1 and Win7 hosts with no help.

    Thanks

37. Hello there,
    message error means your are missing boot configuration
    what the root folder of your tftp server ? is it \ or is it \boot ?

    try to create a new bcd file….instead of using \boot\boot use only \boot

    hope this help
    till next time

    see ya

38. I’m running that SolarWinds tftp server so my tftp path is c:\tftp-root
    The folder structure is c:\tftp-root\boot. The boot subfolder is where bcd, boot.sdi, lighttouchpe_x64.wim and the Fonts folder lives.

    I revamped the BCD file using these changes to the script:

    bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% osdevice ramdisk=[boot]\LightTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
    bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% device ramdisk=[boot]\LightTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}

    Still get the same 34 error.

39. Oh wait.. I found this: http://c-nergy.be/blog/?p=458 below you commented about how copy/paste the script text off your page will bring over invalid quote characters. Replacing them made my script work correctly! However even though a full BCD is being created now I’m getting a different error. A required device isn’t connected.

40. hello Ben,

    it s seems that you didn t copy the files to the correct location based on your bcd extract.
    either you move the files from tftp-root\boot to tftp-root or you change the bcd file to

    bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% osdevice ramdisk=[boot]\boo\LightTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
    bcdedit /store %BCD-File% /set %guid1% device ramdisk=[boot]\boot\LightTouchPE_x64.wim,{ramdiskoptions}

    hope this help
    till next time
    see ya

41. Thanks Griffon.. That’s my original path was tftp-root\boot. Funny though because when I put the \boot back in there, regenerate my BCD it friggin works! The Generic wim booted successfully.. not to go back to the lite touch.
    Thanks G

42. Hello Ben,

    No problem… we are happy that we could help

    till next time
    See ya

43. Hi,

    Do you still support this? I am trying this out but I am stuck at the Create BCD part.

44. @Sam,

    This procedure should be still working indeed.. Even do windows 2012 R2 make it easier to implement pxe solution, we are still keen on using a custom pxe solution for more flexibility
    Till next time
    See ya