Hello,

To deploy our custom build computers we use OOBE/Sysprep. It used to work fine until Windows 8.1 showed up.
Problem is that Windows 8.1 doesnt allow us to use Windows Update. We used the workaround in PowerShell which works great. Besides of all the updates we install some third-party software (Adobe Reader, Google Chrome, etc.). 

After a couple of reboots we use the sysprep tool (generalize, shutdown) and take the harddisk out of the computer.
We then connect the harddisk to another working computers and use ImageX /capture.

We capture the image to our NAS server from where we install the images using PXE/WinPE (works fine for Windows Vista, 7, 8). 

After deployment the installation of Windows 8.1 failes. While the Windows 8.1 logo appears on the screen another windows shows up telling us that the installation failed and that Windows need to be reinstalled.

Anyhow any hints or tips?

Kind regards,

Arnold

Create your reference image in a vitrual machine instead of on a physical PC.

You remove any risk of left over conflicting drivers.

Hi,

As you descripted in the post, the source image you are using may not be a perfect one, even you generalize the image with sysprep, the image may still not work.

You cannot deploy an image with issues on other machines successfully.

So, I suggest to build a new Windows system with the software you want and sysprep it, capture the image and deploy it.

Regards

Hi,

We do use sysprep, imagex for capturing and deployment.
The source for the reference PC is a Windows 8.1 installation DVD. 

We then do:

- CTRL+SHIFT+F3
- PowerShell to Update Windows like it is explained HERE on TN
- Ninite.com for Google Chrome, JAVA, Adobe Reader etc.
- Reboot twice, to make sure Windows works and does pop-up with fancy messages.
- Sysprep / Generalize / Shutdown
- ImageX to capture

Making the reference image on a virtual PC is an option. Ill try that one and keep you guys updated.

We just made an image using Oracle VM VirtualBox.   It works!

Thanks  jason_chillyb

• Edited by arnoldjonker 19 hours 27 minutes ago