RIS and connecting to network

[Gazzieh]

I have just configured RIS to deploy XP without issue but the final stage should be to connect the unit onto the network, placing the system in the AD OU (this latter part is fine).

However, the unit fails to install the network driver correctly (I have the $oem$\$1\Drivers\Nic structure and the declaration in the SIF). The initial configuration is obviously fine since it uses the INF and SYS file during the textual install section and I presume it is using the $oem$ driver INF and SYS for the latter GUI section of install. Yet the OS is failing to install it properly. Any ideas?

 

[porkchopexpress]

What model network card is it?

 

[twoody54]

Also, make sure you have that directory structure in the original vanilla image, not the image you are trying to use. Confusing I know...

Are you getting any errors?

 

[Gazzieh]

The adaptor is an Intel Broadcom chipset; part of a Dell system. I have placed only the INF and SYS file within the $oem$/$1/Drivers/Nic folder; I presume I do not place the entire structure into this folder; since this would make multiple NIC drivers near impossible.

As regards images, I am unsure about the term Vanilla but would state that I am using this to simply deploy a clean XP install and am not using SYSPREP or anything else to create a valid image; I have no interest in using imaging in any way shape or form. All software is deployed via MSI and all updates via WSUS. Will begin reviewing SMS soon but no urgency in this way.

And no, no error messages anywhere. Simply the system installs Windows across the network using RIS and then acts as a normal CD install when Windows does not have the drivers required. I believe this is normal, since RIS simply copies the install files over and then runs the usual setup. I can therefore also assume that I am doing something wrong since I should be able to add the NIC and other drivers to a standard Windows XP SP2 installation via CD.

 

[porkchopexpress]

Is it an actual Intel network card? I've had issues with Intel cards giving error "the image selected does not contain drivers for your hardware."

I found this fix from Intel worked it involves copying the .inf file to the i386 folder as well as the $oem$ folder. This could be an issue with other manufacturers cards as well.

http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-000023.htm

 

[porkchopexpress]

Oh also if i'm reading it correctly you might not have your directory structure setup correctly you can have a sub folder for different card types within the Nic folder

$oem$/$1/Drivers/Nic folder\Intel
\3COM
\Realtek