Use this procedure to build a reference computer to use to capture an operating system image. You can configure the reference computer manually, or you can build the reference computer and create the capture image using a task sequence. For either method refer to the Administrator Checklist: Configure the Reference Computer for Operating System Deployment for additional guidance in configuring the reference computer. When building the reference computer using a task sequence, refer to the Administrator Checklist: Create the Capture Task Sequence for additional guidance.

How to Build a Reference Computer Manually

  1. Identify the computer that will be used as the reference computer.

  2. Configure the reference computer with the appropriate operating system and other software needed to create the operating system image.

    Note
    You should minimally install the appropriate operating system and service pack, support drivers, any required software updates, and the appropriate version of Sysprep.

  3. Configure the reference computer to be a member of a workgroup.

  4. Reset the local administrator password on the reference computer to be blank.

  5. Copy the appropriate Sysprep files (sysprep.exe and setupcl.exe) to the C:\Sysprep folder on the reference computer.

  6. Run Sysprep using the command: sysprep -mini -quiet -reseal -reboot

How to Build a Reference Computer Using a Task Sequence

  1. Identify the computer that will be used as the reference computer.

  2. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Operating System Deployment / Task Sequences.

  3. In the Action menu, or from the Actions pane, select New, then Task Sequence to run the New Task Sequence Wizard.

  4. On the Create a New Task Sequence wizard page, select Build and Capture a reference operating system image.

  5. After you successfully complete the wizard, select the new task sequence from the Task Sequences pane.

  6. In the Action menu, or from the Actions pane, select Edit to run the Task Sequence Editor and customize the task sequence steps that are included with the task sequence and to add any additional task sequence steps that are required.

  7. If the reference computer is a Configuration Manager 2007 client, in the Action menu, or from the Actions pane, select Advertise to run the New Advertisement Wizard. If this is a new computer you can import the computer using the Import Computer Information wizard which will add the computer to the Configuration Manager 2007 database.

    Important
    If the task sequence has a disk partitioning task sequence step, do not select a Download Program option for the advertisement.

  8. If the reference computer is not a Configuration Manager 2007 client, you can run the Task Sequence Media Wizard to create bootable media to use to install the image on the reference computer.

  9. If the reference computer is a Configuration Manager 2007 client, Advertise the task sequence to the reference computer:

    1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Operating System Deployment / Task Sequences.

    2. Select the task sequence to advertise from the Task Sequences pane.

    3. On the Action menu, or from the Actions pane, select Advertise to run the New Advertisement Wizard.

  10. Alternatively, you can create bootable media such as CD or DVD and use that to manually run the task sequence on the reference computer.

See Also