Image Assist Dynamic for Multiple Platforms Version 10.0 User's Guide June 2021 Rev.
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Contents Chapter 1: Introduction................................................................................................................. 4 Image Assist Dynamic......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Supported operating system and recommended framework....................................................................................4 New and enhanced features.........................
1 Introduction Image Assist is a tool set that enables you to use Dell imaging services to quickly create and maintain a ready-to-deploy Microsoft Windows image. Depending on your requirement, use Image Assist Static or Image Assist Dynamic to create an image. To use Image Assist Static, install the Image Assist Static tool. Image Assist Dynamic The Image Assist Dynamic tool enables you to create and capture a custom cross-platform, ready-to-deploy Microsoft Windows image.
2 Getting started with Image Assist This section provides information about setting up your system, downloading Image Assist, and installing it. Setting up your system You can create an image using a virtual machine or a physical system. But, it is recommended that you use a virtual machine to create an image. Image Assist works at its best when initiated from a virtual machine.
NOTE: If you edit the registry, log file, or the file location where Image Assist is checking, the image may be rejected. Download Image Assist Steps 1. Register and sign in to https://www.techdirect.dell.com. 2. Go to Services > Orders and Deployments > Dell Image Assist. The Image Assist page is displayed. 3. On the Download Dell Image Assist card, click DOWNLOAD. Results The Image Assist installer package (.zip) is downloaded. Install Image Assist Dynamic Steps 1.
3 Using Image Assist Dynamic Image Assist Dynamic helps you prepare a custom cross-platform Windows 10 image that includes the operating system, licenses, applications, desktop customization, and network configuration settings. Create and capture Dynamic image Prerequisites If you are using the Hyper-V Manager to capture the image, ensure that you switch from Enhanced session to Basic session before capturing the image. Steps 1.
Restore and test image About this task Restoring a Dynamic image and drivers enables you to test your WIM file before you submit it to Dell factory. NOTE: If you are restoring a Reference image, there is no option to select drivers. Steps 1. Boot to the Image Assist Dynamic USB drive or ISO file. 2. On the Welcome to Image Assist Dynamic WinPE page, in the Restore Image card, click RESTORE. The Restore Image page is displayed. 3. Click BROWSE, select the WIM file that you want to restore, and then click OK.
4 Image Assist Dynamic tools Additional tools are recommended for system administrators or users familiar with Image Assist. Create a bootable USB drive or ISO file Create a bootable USB drive or ISO file that you can use to capture and restore images. Steps 1. On the Image Assist home page, click and click Additional Tools. 2. In the Create USB Drive or ISO File card, click CREATE. The Create USB Drive or ISO file page is displayed. 3.
Table 1. Fields and description of the Unattend XML file (continued) Fields and options Description Time Zone Select the time zone for the destination systems. Workgroup or Domain Specify a workgroup or domain. Computer Name Provides an autogenerated system name or allows you to customize the system name. Administrator Password Provide the administrator password for all destination systems. User Account Creation Create a local system administrator account and set a password.
Checking the image Image Assist performs multiple checks to ensure that the system is ready for Sysprep and image capture. It also validates the software for common build errors that would prevent Dell from successfully deploying the image in the factory.
Check the image Steps 1. On the Image Assist home page, click and click Additional Tools. 2. In the Check Image card, click Validate. The Check Image page is displayed. Image Assist checks the image and verifies the registry, files, rearm, Sysprep, software, driver, policy, and Unattend.XML. 3. If failures are detected during the Check Image process, click RESOLVE ISSUES and the tool helps fix the issues. For more information about the common build errors, see Checking the image on page 11.
The Split WIM File page is displayed. 3. Click Browse and select the .wim file. 4. Click Split. The WIM file is split into multiple .swm files and saved in the same folder where the .wim file is available. 5. On the confirmation window, click OK.
5 Using Image Assist Dynamic on virtual machine You can create an image using a physical system or a virtual machine. But, it is recommended that you use a virtual machine to create an image. If you are using a physical system, it is recommended that you use a Dell OptiPlex, Dell Latitude, or Dell Precision system.
Steps 1. Open the VMware Workstation Pro application and click Create a New Virtual Machine. The New Virtual Machine Wizard page is displayed. 2. Click Next. 3. On the Guest Operating System Installation page, select one of the following options and click Next. ● Installer disc ● Installer disc image file (ISO) ● I will install the operating system later The Select the Guest Operating System page is displayed. 4.
Results The Windows 10 operating system is installed on the virtual machine and you can download, install, and use Image Assist to create an image. Connect a USB drive to VMware Workstation Pro Prerequisites Ensure that a USB drive is connected to the host system. Steps 1. On the VMware Workstation Pro home page, go to VM > Removable devices > USB device > Connect (Disconnect from host). 2. Click OK. Boot from CD or DVD ISO file in VMware Workstation Pro Steps 1.
Create a virtual machine in Hyper-V Manager Steps 1. Go to Hyper-V Manager page and click Action > New > Virtual Machine. The New Virtual Machine Wizard window is displayed. 2. Perform the following steps: a. On the Before you Begin page, click Next. b. On the Specify Name and Location page, perform the following steps and click Next. i. Enter the name of the guest operating system. ii.
Results The Windows 10 operating system is installed on the virtual machine and you can download, install, and use Image Assist to create an image. NOTE: Ensure that you switch from Enhanced session to Basic session before capturing the image.
6 Related documents In addition to this guide, you can access the following documents for more information about Image Assist. Table 3. Related documents Document title Image Assist Dynamic for Single Platform Online Help Image Assist Dynamic for Multiple Platforms Online Help Image Assist Dynamic for Single Platform User's Guide How to access the document Click on the Image Assist Static home page. Click on the Image Assist Dynamic home page. See the ImageAssist Documentation.
A Frequently asked questions 1. How many Windows images should I capture for my Image Assist project? You can capture several images using Image Assist. However, it is recommended that you capture the following images: ● Reference or Maintenance image—the image captured before the sysprep process. ● Gold or Dynamic image—the image captured after the sysprep process. 2. Can I use a virtual machine to build an image? Yes, it is recommended to use a virtual machine to build an image.
WinPE supports the base VGA display settings. Therefore, the display in the WinPE environment might not be aligned properly. Some text may also be cut off, and window elements may not be positioned properly. Also, on some systems, video cards and monitors may not be able to display full resolution graphics. For more information, see Technet.microsoft.com. 13. Where can I download Hyper-V Manager? Hyper-V Manager is a Windows integrated optional feature.
B Glossary The following table describes the terms used in this guide: Table 4. Glossary Name Description Image The image is a file encapsulating the operating system, software, and settings configured on the system. Reference or maintenance image To prepare a reference build, several tasks must be performed such as installing an operating system, running Windows updates, configuring desktop, customizing policies, and so on.