BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

jgregmac — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:30:56 GMT

Ben:

This is a stupendous suggestion. Unfortunately, I am finding that there is not enough detail here for me to implement it.

You suggest deleting "every task except for the custom tasks that you want to test"; however, if I do this and then launch "litetouch.vbs" on the testing workstation, I find that litetouch does not run my custom "application" tasks. After running "LiteTouch", I step through the initial wizards and select my custom build, then the LiteTouch wizard flashes past and completes without running anything.

Perhaps there are some core task sequence components that need to be preserved? Any clarification that you could provide would be appreciated. I am having a heck of a time debugging my application installers in the context costom task sequences (they all work fine when called from ZTIApplications.wsf!)

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

dsleigher — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:00:01 GMT

Ben:

I agree with the 1st post. When I run LiteTouch.vbs using my newly modified TS.xml, it runs the Task Sequencer and my custom tasks do not run. I believe I'm taking too much out of the TS.xml.

I took it a step further and created a new build point and instead of modifying the TS.xml directly, I clicked the "disable task" box on all tasks in the Task Sequencer that I didn't want to run. I get the same result. It's as if my custom tasks don't even exist.

Any additional input would be great.

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

Mosquat — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:14:48 GMT

Great tip Ben, like you say will save hours of time thanks very much :)

I'd like to add that the best way to get this to work is to incorporate your application in the usual way (right click applications, new, follow wizard etc) and then go to the task sequencer and (after following Ben's steps) click new and then choose application...I selected "new task" and have wasted time checking my switches! (the %deployroot% is put automatically for you in the "start in field")

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

BenHunter — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:06:25 GMT

Hi Dsleigher,

Have you looked at my updated post detailed at the end of this post?

Thanks,

Ben

Deployment 4 - UPDATE - How to create a custom task sequence

Ben Hunter — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:16:40 GMT

I have previously mentioned how to create a custom task sequence to save time when testing application

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

GrahamK — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:02:58 GMT

Ben

I've followed the instructions for the application test task sequenceplease the update post, how ever I still have a problem. when I run the litetouch vb script I get the windows deployment wizard asking for a computer name, then the build type on which i select the Application test build version it then asks me for the network share credentials which I supply and then it displays the Final details(Ready to Begin)dialogue. I click begin and the machine reboots. Any idea what i've done wrong

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

BenHunter — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:59:52 GMT

Hi Graham,

Can you send me a copy of the ts.xml file for you task sequence? My email is ben dot hunter at microsoft dot com.

Thanks,

Ben

BDD 2007 - How to create a Custom task sequence with reboots

Ben Hunter — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:23:37 GMT

I am often asked how to setup a custom task sequence that will continue after a reboot. If you have created

BDD 2007 - How to create a Custom task sequence with reboots

Ben Hunter — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:44:06 GMT

I am often asked how to setup a custom task sequence that will continue after a reboot. If you have created

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

Bryan — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:31:46 GMT

Very informational Ben, thank you. I have a problem testing my apps and registry fixes. I also get the Refresh Computer Screen. I followed all steps that I have read and was wondering how does the Lite Touch.vbs know what ts.xml to use. I have different builds that I created. Am I missing a step? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

BenHunter — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:11:22 GMT

Hi Brian

If you have a look in the distribution\control folder you will find a sub folder for each build. EAch of those sub folders contains a ts.xml file for the build. It as contains the any other build specific files such as sysprep.inf or unattend.xml.

You can ignore all of the screens that appear when you run through the wizard. These will be ignored by the custom task sequqnce.

Thanks,

Ben

Thanks,

Ben

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

Roy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:21:23 GMT

Hi Ben,

This works great, except that I seem to have a problem when I make changes to the TS in workbench. It would appear the client is using a previous version. Is the xml being cached anywhere? I fixed a problem with a command line in the TS but when I re-ran the build it gives me the previous error and only a reboot seems to fix.

I have removed both c:\minint and c:\windows\temp\deploymentlogs folders.

Thanks

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

BenHunter — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:02:46 GMT

Hi Roy,

Have you removed the C:\_SMSTaskSequence folder? You also need to update the deployment point using the "update files only" option each time you make a change.

Thanks,

Ben

re: BDD 2007 Time saving tips - How to manually use a BDD Task Sequence to test application installation

Roy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:18:48 GMT

Hi Ben,

The _SMSTS folder gets removed as soon as you click finish. I've also updated the files on the deployment point but it still runs the previous TS. And just as I type that I find the problem.. There is a copy of TS.xml in x:\deploy\tools\x86, if I delete this and run the TS again it is then updated.

OSD: Dynamic Application Installation

The Deployment Guys — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:59:23 GMT

In this post I am going to talk about a solution I put together for a customer around OSD and application