Browse by Tags

• App Compat Toolkit
• ConfigMgr 07
• ConfigMgr 12
• DISM
• Hardware
• HTA
• OSD
• SCCM
• SCCM Client
• Scripting
• SCVMM
• Software Updates
• SQL
• SWD
• Task Sequence
• Troubleshooting
• USMT
• VBScript
• VirtualBox
• VMWare
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• WSIM
• WSUS

• How To Execute Scripts in a Task Sequence Without a Local Disk

  A common practice for OSD task sequences is set the advertisement to “run from server”. Recently there was a situation in which the advertisement needed to be set as “download content locally”. But there were scripts which needed... Posted Jan 12 2013, 01:06 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: How-To, Task Sequence, ConfigMgr 07, ConfigMgr 12, DISM

• Custom query of ACT data for apps with issues

  The application compatibility toolkit (ACT) is a great tool for analyzing compatibility of apps when doing a migration of Windows. However, the available “reports” are limited in what they display out-of-box. Fortunately since the tool is... Posted Dec 08 2012, 09:12 AM by t3chn1ck Filed under: Scripting, How-To, SQL, App Compat Toolkit

• Standalone Imaging Solution

  I’ve been in a situation a couple of times where a client was going to use a third-party vendor to image hardware offsite, but didn’t have Microsoft deployment tools (WAIK, WDS, MDT, SCCM, etc.) for deploying the standard WIM image that was... Posted Nov 14 2012, 09:14 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: Scripting, How-To, VBScript, Windows 7, ConfigMgr 07, ConfigMgr 12, WSIM

• Automating the Windows 8 Startup Background Image

  *** Update 11/26/12 – KB2770917 now provides administrators with the ability to modify the default background as well, without needing to perform the below steps within WinPE *** Automated deployment and configuration of Windows 8 is much like that... Posted Nov 05 2012, 08:37 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: How-To, ConfigMgr 12, Windows 8

• Creating Windows 8 Start Tiles with WSIM

  Automated deployment and configuration of Windows 8 is much like that in Windows 7. The Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) can be used to create an unattend.xml file for use in a ConfigMgr 2012 task sequence. Keep in mind that deployment of Windows 8... Posted Nov 01 2012, 08:11 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: How-To, ConfigMgr 12, WSIM, Windows 8

• VirtualBox NIC for WinXP, Win7, and WinPE

  I’ve been using VirtualBox lately for doing some lightweight virtualization to test various deployments. Most recently, I was using it to test USMT hardlink migration in going from WinXP to Win7. So after a quick setup of a WinXP test VM and installing... Posted May 11 2012, 02:57 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: How-To, VirtualBox

• Migration Strategy for WSUS to SCCM & Software Updates

  The key to protecting an environment from incidental patching during a transition from using WSUS to using SCCM with Software Updates is to reconfigure three group policies which have an impact on SCCM software updates. Specify intranet Microsoft update... Posted Mar 08 2012, 08:43 AM by t3chn1ck Filed under: SCCM, How-To, WSUS, Software Updates

• SCCM Distribution Points on Windows Server Core

  I recently scoured the Internet for information and success/trials of using Windows Server 2008 R2 Core as an SCCM distribution point. Much to my surprise, I found very little information and had to piece together and test it out for myself. According... Posted Feb 20 2012, 07:28 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: SCCM, How-To, SWD

• Automating Dell Vostro 330/360 BIOS Updates

  The majority of the desktops in our environment are Dell Vostro all-in-ones. Even though this is consumer-line hardware and not subject to Dell’s OMCI tools, we purchased this model because of price and because Dell didn’t have a OptiPlex... Posted Nov 19 2011, 12:48 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: How-To, Hardware

• Identifying Windows Live Messenger Logins

  We have implemented Microsoft Lync in our environment and are preparing to “federate” our domain. When this happens, users whom have set up a Windows Live ID using their company email address, will no longer be able to use Messenger. I created... Posted Oct 21 2011, 12:56 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: Scripting, How-To, Windows 7

• Displaying Front-End HTAs within an SCCM Task Sequence

  I’ve often heard the phrase “MDT solves problems to issues you didn’t even know you had.” And it’s certainly true in this case!! I was looking for a process or procedure that would allow me to present my current custom OSD... Posted Sep 30 2011, 02:50 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: SCCM, OSD, HTA, How-To

• Common Software Install Command Lines

  When distributing software, there are often challenges that can arise during installation. For example, you may have experience a time when Adobe Reader will fail to install the latest security update because the application is actively running. Or maybe... Posted Sep 21 2011, 05:20 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: Scripting, How-To

• Scripting Dell TouchPad configurations

  We recently received the new Dell E6320 and E6420 laptops. After deployment of our standard image, which does not contain drivers, we package the full driver installers as provided by the manufacturer. We found that for these new laptops, scrolling was... Posted Jul 14 2011, 06:14 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: OSD, How-To

• Excluding file types within MigUser.XML

  For an upcoming upgrade of our computers, I had a request that during the user migration that only desktop shortcuts (.lnk) files be backed up and migrated and no other files. It took several failed attempts to get working correctly, but the process I... Posted Jun 21 2011, 06:17 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: How-To, USMT

• SCVMM 2008 R2 Lab

  After nearly two years of use, the VMWare server 2 lab setup that I was using for running test desktop/server virtual machines because mostly unusable because the Win7 VMs would BSOD frequently. After waiting patiently for VMWare to hopefully release... Posted Apr 15 2011, 04:49 PM by t3chn1ck Filed under: How-To, VMWare, SCVMM