This guide provides info on the steps necessary for building and deploy a Vista image

In this scenario I have used three computers for testing:

PC0001 - Technician computer, Tools, CD/DVD burner

PC0002 - Vista Master Installation

PC0003 - Deployment Target

The guide is divided in four parts

- Prepare a Windows PE 2.0 image with the Ximage tools

- Prepare a Vista installation and run sysprep

- Capturing the Vista Installation

- Deploying the Vista image

Part 1 - Prepare a Windows PE 2.0 image with the Ximage tools on the Technician computer (PC0001)

1. Create a folder named C:\Winpe20 and copy the following file and folder from the Vista DVD to it.
   
   BOOTMGR (file)
   BOOT (folder)

2. Create a subfolder folder named C:\Winpe20\Sources and copy the following file from the Vista DVD to it.
   
   SOURCES\boot.wim

3. Create a folder named c:\Winpe20\Tools and copy the following files from December CTP Windows Driver Kit (found in the \wdk automated deployment tools\i386 folder) to it.
   
   ximage.exe
   xmlrw.dll

4. In the c:\winpe20\tools folder, create a file named wimscript.ini with the following content.

[ExclusionList]

Hiberfil.sys

Pagefile.sys

"System Volume Information"

$RECYCLE.BIN

RECYCLED

cd /d c:\winpe20\Tools

ximage.exe /boot /info c:\winpe20\sources\boot.wim 1

Note: This will change the default boot image to a generic WinPE 2.0 image already included in boot.wim

6. Copy the oscdimg.exe file folder from a WinPE 2005 CD (found in \winpe folder) to c:\winpe20\tools

7. Compile a new bootable Vista WinPE by starting a command prompt and execute the following commands
   
   cd /d c:\winpe20\tools
   
   oscdimg.exe -bc:\winpe20\boot\etfsboot.com -h -n c:\winpe20 c:\winpe20.iso

8. Burn the c:\winpe20.iso file to a CD

Part 2 - Prepare a Vista installation and run sysprep on the Vista Master Installation computer (PC0002)

1. Install Windows Vista 5270, either manually or using an answerfile (see my previously posted guide on how to do unattended installs with Vista)

2. Logon as administrator and run the following command

c:\windows\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe /quiet /generalize /shutdown /oobe

Part 3 - Capturing the Vista Installation on the Vista Master Installation computer (PC0002)

1. Start the sysprepped computer and boot from the customized Windows PE 2.0 (including the ximage tool)

2. Capture the Vista installation by executing the following commands

cd /d <cd-drive>:\tools

md c:\Images

ximage /capture C: C:\Images\Vista-5270.wim “Vista 5270”

Note: The image file will be about 1.7 GB in size when capturing a clean Vista Install. <cd-drive> is not X:, X: is the mounted boot.wim file.

3. Copy the C:\Images folder (containing the Vista-5270.wim file) to C:\winpe20\ folder on the technician computer (PC0001). Either by connecting to PC0001 over the network while still in WinPE (net use) or by rebooting the computer into Windows Vista, allow the minisetup to run and then copy the file over the network while in the Vista GUI.

4. On the Technician computer (PC0001) create a Windows PE 2.0 including the Vista-5270.wim image file by starting a command prompt and execute the following commands  

cd /d c:\winpe20\tools

oscdimg.exe -bc:\winpe20\boot\etfsboot.com -h -n -m c:\winpe20 c:\vista_5270.iso

5. Burn the c:\vista_5270.iso file to a DVD

Part 4 - Deploying the Vista image

1. Start a new computer (PC0003) and boot from the Windows PE 2.0 DVD (including the Vista image file).

2. Partition and format the drive using diskpart/format by executing the following commands

          diskpart.exe

diskpart>select disk 0

diskpart>clean

diskpart>create partition primary

diskpart>active

diskpart>assign letter = C

diskpart>exit

format C: /fs:ntfs /v:system /q /y

3. Restore the wim-file and fix the bootcode by executing the following commands

cd /d <dvd-drive>:\tools

Ximage /apply <dvd-drive>:\Images\Vista_5270.wim 1 C:

Note:  <dvd-drive> is not X:, X: is the mounted boot.wim file.

4. Reboot and boot from the Windows PE 2.0 DVD once again

5. Create a new Windows Vista operating system entry in the bootcode by executing the following commands

bcdedit /set {default} device boot

bcdedit /set {default} osdevice boot

6. Reboot and allow mini-setup to run.

Done! You have now deployed a Vista Image :)