Combine drivers from multiple Win7 boxes to single image for deployment

[game_over]

I'm trying to setup one deployable image that can be pushed out across my network to image machines, in recent years we have started buying the same machines, but we have problems with buying newer models and some of our older computers are a different brand so i'm going to have issues with drivers.

 

What is the best solution to this? I don't want separate images for each individual brand, is it possible to bundle all the drivers for each machine and do it that way? I know the image will have the default drivers installed already so i'm not sure how it will work.

[Skiver Veteran]

I'm not sure it's the best way, but nLite OS offers pretty customisable options when it comes to slip streaming drivers.

 

http://www.nliteos.com/

[game_over]

I'm not sure it's the best way, but nLite OS offers pretty customisable options when it comes to slip streaming drivers.

 

http://www.nliteos.com/

 

Thanks,

 

Maybe i could use nlite to create a new ISO with the drivers slipstreamed, and then install that ISO in a VM on one of the machines, setup and configure and then create a new image based on that? Maybe someone who has done it before can chirp in :D

 

I really want the final deployment process to be as painless as possible ie.. unattended with a fresh imaged machine ready to be used on the domain.

[Skiver Veteran]

I believe there are options within Nlite to build a silent install so it may be as simple as dropping in a disk, as long as you can get to said machines of course.

[game_over]

I believe there are options within Nlite to build a silent install so it may be as simple as dropping in a disk, as long as you can get to said machines of course.

 

That is the way i have been doing it and it's a bit, meh.. i hate CDs, will be much nicer to boot up machine, press a button and image downloads from the network.

[TPreston]

Don't recommend nlite personally, Sysprep wim capture and deploy is a much more flexible solution.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh825072.aspx only install drivers that are common to all devices for example smartcard drivers with the base image then add drivers. For the other drivers don't install them stage them so they are added to the driver store but only used if the hardware is present. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh825070.aspx

[yeoo_andy_ni]

I do this via WDS and MDT. If you have Server 2008 R2 or above, it's gonna be a sinch to pull off. You can break the machines down by make/model to only give exact drivers to specific machines. The best resources I've found for deployments like this are:
 

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles-tutorials/windows-7/Deploying-Windows-7-Part1.html

http://scriptimus.wordpress.com/category/mdt-2013/

 

They will get you started. It's how I get going. I now have a WDS image that I update every few months and have MDT deploy my domain machines automatically using the WDS image(s). All I need to do is choose what image to rollout, Windows 7/8.1 in x86/x64 variants :) Everything else is done for me, including domain join and OU placement!

[sc302 Veteran]

I would use wds for your deployments. As mentioned above, wds will allow you to inject drivers into the image.  You also don't need a boot device (usb boot or cd/dvd boot) as it boots from the network. 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd759162.aspx

[game_over]

I do this via WDS and MDT. If you have Server 2008 R2 or above, it's gonna be a sinch to pull off. You can break the machines down by make/model to only give exact drivers to specific machines. The best resources I've found for deployments like this are:

 

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles-tutorials/windows-7/Deploying-Windows-7-Part1.html

http://scriptimus.wordpress.com/category/mdt-2013/

 

They will get you started. It's how I get going. I now have a WDS image that I update every few months and have MDT deploy my domain machines automatically using the WDS image(s). All I need to do is choose what image to rollout, Windows 7/8.1 in x86/x64 variants :) Everything else is done for me, including domain join and OU placement!

 

This is exactly what i need, thanks for the links will read up on it now.