WDS Deploying Windows Part 2: Prepare Windows, and Capture to WDS
KB ID 0000737 Problem In part one we built and configured the WDS Server. Now you need to prepare the reference Windows 8 machine so that you can ‘capture’ its image. Solution Before you start, make sure that the machine you are imaging has PLENTY of room on one of its local drive(s), because it copies the image locally, before it sends it to WDS. Place Your Reference Windows 8 Machine in Audit Mode To put all the software...
WDS Deploying Windows Part 1: Install and Configure WDS
KB ID 0000735 Problem You want to deploy the Windows 8 Client Operating System, to a number of clients using WDS. In this part we will configure the WDS Server, then we will move onto taking an image of your reference Windows 8 machine. Finally we will cover taking that image, and deploying it out to many target systems. Solution Add the WDS Role 1. From Server Manager (ServerManager.exe) > Local Server. 2. Manage > Add Roles...
Windows 8 -“Windows cannot read the setting from the unattend answer file.”
KB ID 0000511 Problem Note: This is applicable to running the Windows 8 Developer Preview in VMware Workstation. When you attempt to power on the machine you see the following error: Install Windows Windows cannot read the <ProductKey> setting from the unattend answer file. Solution 1. Delete your broken virtual machine and create a new one, but this time select “I will install the operating system later” Note: Just...
Windows 8 Wont Run in VMware Workstation
KB ID 0000506 Problem When attempting to power on a VM built with the Windows 8 (Developer preview) you will see the following: Error: *** VMware Workstation internal monitor error *** vcpu-0:NOT_IMPLEMENTED vmcore/vmm/intr/apic.c:1903 Please report this problem by selecting menu item Help > VMware on the Web > Request Support , or by going to the Web page”{URL removed”}. Please provide us with the log file...
Windows 8 (Server and Client) Black Screen (Post VMware Tools Install)
KB ID 0000587 Problem I’ve seen this on both the Windows 8 (Consumer Preview), and the Windows Server 8 (Beta), whilst running them in VMware Workstation 8. They install fine, but if you install the VMware tools all you get is a black screen. This is because the SVGA Driver than VMware Tools installs Windows 8 does NOT Like. Note: This does not hppen on ESXi 5. Solution I knew this was going to happen, so I took a snapshot...
How Do I Shut Down Windows 8?
KB ID 0000588 Problem Like Windows 7, Windows 8 is more than happy to gracefully shutdown if you press the power button on your PC/Laptop/Tablet. But now you don’t have a “Start Button” where’s the option to turn it off? You might find it simpler just to Create a Shutdown shortcut on the Start Menu. Solution How to Shut Down Windows 8 1. Press Windows Key+I > Power > Shut down. How to Shut Down Windows 8...
Running Windows Server 8 in VMware ESXi
KB ID 0000590 Problem The very fist time I tried this was on ESXi 4.1, if you try and install Windows 8 Server on that platform, you will see the following. Your computer ran into a problem and needs to restart. If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this code: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED It’s collecting error info and will restart in: x seconds Note: You will also see this in VMware player, and VMware...
Dual Booting Windows 8 with Windows 7
KB ID 0000653 Problem In the next couple of months Windows 8 will go RTM. For those of you with Technet, MSDNor Open Value subscriptions you can already get your hands on it. For anyone not wanting to take the ‘plunge’ and reinstall your OS, you can simply ‘Dual Boot’. Then you can get used to Windows 8 in your own good time. If you suddenly find you need Windows 7 simplify reboot and it will still be there....
Windows Enabling “Show Hidden Files” and “Show File Extensions”
KB ID 0000655 Problem Windows, by.default hides file extensions. Note: Only for files it understands. e.g. In the example below it does not know what a .doc extension is so it shows it (because Word has not been installed yet). Show File Extensions Also hidden files and folders are not shown. Show Hidden Files and Folders Solution I know these are two different things, but I usually set them both together, and they’re both set...
Windows Mail can’t connect to Exchange
KB ID 0000662 Problem Seen when trying to connect the Windows 8 mail client to Exchange 2010 (that is using a self signed certificate). Error Unable to connect. Ensure that the information you’ve entered is correct. Solution This is a right pain! My Exchange 2010 server is using a self signed certificate, and even though the Windows 8 client trusts my domain CA, and it has imported the cert that Exchange is using, it still would...