Restart Stalled Remote PXE Services From A Local Deployment Server

2009-04-22T23:15:00.006-05:00

I put this script together to help me combat and track stalled PXE Services. The script checks to see if the Altiris PXE Config Helper, Altiris PXE MTFTP Server, and Altiris PXE Server services are running. If any of them are stopped, the Altiris PXE Config Helper is then stopped and started which causes its dependent services (Altiris PXE MTFTP Server and Altiris PXE Server) to restart as well. The script will document its actions in a log file based on the %COMPNAME% token and will store it in a location of your choosing.

This code can be copied and pasted into a DS job and then run on any PXE server that is resident on your DS. If you haven't already done so, you may want to evaluate the merits of installing the aClient on your Deployment/PXE Servers and directing them to a single Deployment Console. Doing so will provide you with a simple mechanism for keeping your Deployment Server environment consistent (you can push scripts, favorites, scheduled tasks, imaging components, etc. from a single location), and will allow you to easily monitor and manage the status of your PXE Services from a single location.

Before you use this file, replace #log_file_destination# with the name of the Deployment Server to which your PXE Servers are directed. Onve you've done that, create a run script job and test it out.

Download the txt file.

Tokenized Windows Vista Sysprep File

2009-04-12T21:04:00.003-05:00

I spent a lot of time trying to get a functional, tokenized unattend.xml file put together for Windows Vista Deployments. There are several references available on the web but I was never able to find one that was 100% functional. I eventually got one working and loaded it up with the sections that were of the most use to me.

This unattend file makes use of the UserName and CompName Altiris tokens. It configures the following items:

Disables Telnet
Sets Regional Settings
Sets Display Settings
Joins the Domain
Specifies OU
Specifies Time Zone
Sets Home Page (and other IE Settings)
Enables Remote Assistance
Enables Remote Desktop
Sets Local Administrator Password
Configures Post-Sysprep Auto Logon
Runs an Example First Logon Batch File
Hides the Sidebar
Sets Sysprep Drivers Path.

In this example, I've filled all of the password values in with "enter_your_password" and set the organization name to "Mike's Altiris Blog." The domain has been set to MikeLombardo.Net

Download the xml file.