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Tip when trying to install server 2012 from Win PE

Instructions on how to create a Win PE boot USB drive. 

Creating a Win PE boot disk requires the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK)

Information on how to create the USB drive is available from https://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/library/hh825109.aspx

The following features from the ADK need to be installed:
  • Deployment Tools: includes the Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment.
  • Windows Preinstallation Environment : includes the files used to install Windows PE.

  1. Start the Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment as an administrator.
  2. Create a working copy of the Windows PE files. Specify either x86, amd64, or arm:
    copype amd64 C:\WinPE_amd64
  3. Install Windows PE to the USB flash drive, specifying the drive letter:
    MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:\WinPE_amd64 F:

The guide at the link above also includes trouble shooting tips.


Storing Windows Images on the Windows PE Drive

  • Typically you won't be able to store or capture Windows images on a Windows PE USB flash drive.
    Most USB flash drives support only a single drive partition. The MakeWinPEMedia command formats the drive as FAT32, which supports booting both BIOS-based and UEFI-based PCs. This file format only supports file sizes up to 4 GB.
  • For external USB hard drives, you can create a separate NTFS partition that can handle larger file sizes:
    diskpart
  list disk
  select <disk number>
  clean
  rem === Create the Windows PE partition. ===
  create partition primary size=2000
  format quick fs=fat32 label="Windows PE"
  assign letter=P
  active
  rem === Create a data partition. ===
  create partition primary
  format fs=ntfs quick label="Other files"
  assign letter=O
  list vol
  exit

MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:\WinPE_amd64 P:

Troubleshooting

  • If the copype command isn't recognized, make sure you're running the command from the Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment, which is part of the Windows ADK.
  • If Windows PE doesn't appear, try the following workarounds, rebooting the PC each time:
    • To boot a PC that supports UEFI mode, in the firmware boot menus, try manually selecting the boot files: \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI.
    • Try a different USB port. Avoid hubs or cables.
    • Avoid USB 3.0 ports if the firmware doesn't contain native support for USB 3.0.
    • Clean the USB flash drive, and then reinstall Windows PE. This can help remove extra boot partitions or other boot software.
      diskpart
  list disk
  select disk <disk number>
  clean
  create partition primary
  format quick fs=fat32 label="Windows PE"
  assign letter="F"
  exit

MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:\winpe_amd64 F:
    • Try booting Windows PE from a DVD instead. Create an ISO file that you can burn onto a DVD:

      MakeWinPEMedia /ISO C:\winpe_amd64 c:\winpe_amd64\winpe.iso
      In File Explorer, navigate to C:\winpe_amd64, right-click winpe.iso, and select Burn to disc. Follow the prompts to create a DVD.
    • If your PC requires storage or video drivers to boot, try adding those same drivers to the Windows PE image. For more info, see WinPE: Mount and Customize.
    • Update the firmware of the PC to the latest version.
  • If the PC doesn't connect to network locations, see WinPE Network Drivers: Initializing and adding drivers.
  • WinPE should have all the drivers for a Server 2012 installation 
  • Check out "Source Image" , for an answer file, you may need to specify install.wim,

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