System Builder Chat:  How to Get Started Using the OPK - What’s In It For Me? (August 03, 2005)

Published: August 5, 2005

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Hello everyone! Welcome to today's web chat about the OPK. We are starting earlier than normal today as we would like to be more convenient for some others from around the world. We will welcome our experts today. I am Matt Davis, WW Technology Specialist for MS's System Builder Channel

Doverton (Expert):
Hi. I'm David Overton - the System Builder Tech lead in the UK, and it is a nice 2pm here in the UK :-)

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
If you'd like to ask a question on today's chat, please use the "Ask the Experts" button before clicking Send and David and I will be sure to answer them as quickly as possible. Chats are only fun and engaging when people are asking questions

Doverton (Expert):
Yes, there is a team in the UK..

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
It is a bit early for me...6am Pacific time...and everyone in my family is still in bed. ;)

Doverton (Expert):
WinPE is part of the OPK, so fire away, provided it is in context of the OPK, not 50,000 desktop deployments ;-)

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Will system builders be able to get thier hands on the Beta release of Vista
A: We're working on creating a Beta for Windows Vista for System Builders. We expect approximately 1000 System Builders to be involved in Beta 1. If you'd like to be considered, email SBBeta@microsoft.com and we'll add you to the list.

Doverton (Expert):
Oh, the UK does have a web site - http://oem.microsoft.com and http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/system_builder/default.aspx

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Matt or David, can you clarify when the Vista OPK Beta shall begin?
A: I just answered this in another thread but I'll give more details on Vista. We will include 1000 System Builders in Beta 1 but unfortunately there still is no OPK for Vista. It's still in the design and spec review stage. The goal is to have the OPK ready for Beta 2 / RC0. For now, you'd just be able to deploy Vista if you get on the System Builder beta.

Doverton (Expert):
OPK - OEM Pre-Installation Kit - it is something that enables you to build configuration sets that are pre-installed onto systems as speed, and often completely hands off - installing OS, drivers and apps

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: What sort of questions do you expect today? Is it only the opk or could there be winpe related questions as well?
A: Sure...ask about OPK and/or WinPE...anything you like. The floor is yours...we have a small group and want to provide as much useful information as possible

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Why so early Matt?
A: LOL...I just wanted to try a new timezone to help out some folks on the east coast of the US and/or later in the day in Europe or in Australia...well, it's gotta be very late in the evening. :)

Doverton (Expert):
Q: Is there anyway to install programs such as firewall etc on first boot with no user input at all, that it "just installs"?
A: Using the OPK you can easily configure programs that are installed as part of the OS install. The machine is then sysprep'd (made so the user gets the 1st user experience) when they turn on. Apps choose how they act when a new user is added. You can script it so some of these are configured / executed on 1st logon.

Doverton (Expert):
Things such as the MS firewall can be configured before sysprepping the system

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: I am a Novell Sys Admin for a K-12 District, what is OPK?
A: OPK stands for the OEM Preinstallation Kit. It is a toolset provided to OEMs and System Builders to help out with their Windows-based deployments. It includes WinPE or the Windows Prienstallation Environment.

Doverton (Expert):
Q: Where am I able to get a copy of the OPK that allows x64 supprt? Or is there just an addon or something to that sort I should download?
A: x64 OPK is delivered by booting the standard OPK, building a config set etc as normal, booting the 32-bit WinPE, and letting it run. The x64 OS will be installed

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Will there be a support for adding mass storage drivers to floppyless systems for example pressing F6 and installing the driver from any usb device?
A: Are you asking about if this support will be in Vista or updated/included in Windows XP or Server 2003? For Vista, yes, we will allow USB based devices to include updated mass storage controllers due to the re-architecting of Setup which has taken place. For the XP/Server 2003 timeframe it's still F6/floppy or include the mass storage controllers in a custom OPK and in your configuration set when preinstalling using the OPK/WinPE.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Vista OPK for system builders when can we?
A: Email SBBeta@microsoft.com and get included on the list. The plans are still being worked-out now but we will have many System Builders involved in Beta 1 and a lot more Beta 2 and after that...

Doverton (Expert):
Q: What OS options does OPK Work with? I know Microsoft, but just 2003 Server? Sorry, I am new, we are a Novell shop and in the process of considering MS Options for our servers.
A: The OPK works with any current shipping MS OS (and some older ones), so Windows 2000 Pro & Sevrer, XP Home, Pro, Media Center, x64, Server 2003 - x64, and x86

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: As a system builder, I like to be able to provide releases as soon as the Product comes available, so with Vista, how would we manage to get copies of the OPK? Would we pre-order a 3 Pack from Distributors and get the Vista OPK too, or are plans not known?
A: When the Release to Manufacturing for Vista occurs after about 3 weeks the product including the OPK CD will be available from our distributors at http://www.microsoft.com/oem/authdist/default.mspx This would still typically be about 1 or even 2 months before our public launch date.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: I heard future versions of the OPK and WinPE will use XML files instead of text files, can you confirm this?
A: Yes, unattend.txt / winnt.sif / winbom.ini / sysprep.inf type functionality will all be included in one file: unattend.xml

Doverton (Expert):
Q: Floppy / USB / F6, what about the current Operating systems?
A: Current OS - Floppy, USB Floppy, USB Key is the OS will emulate it as a floppy, or WinPE CD that has been customised, or OS Install over the wire, where the OS has had the driver added (RIS or OPK)

Doverton (Expert):
BRC - what settings do you want to preview?

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Matt, so we would be able to get Vista 1 or 2 months before it is released to Public?
A: Yes, definitely. about a month or two depending on formal launch date. this has been the case with XP skus and Server skus in the past. For example, MS Releases the product to manufacturing today. In about 3 weeks you could order it from your distributor. Then, the formal "street launch" would normally be about 4 to 6 weeks beyond that time. We normally RTM a product about 2 months and sometimes even longer before the actual "launch parties" that we often have in San Francisco or New York.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Floppy / USB / F6: If you press F6 it first emulates it as a floppy and then, when the drives have been detectec, it emulates it as a drive an the mass storage drivers cannot be found anymore. Are there any plans to change this behaviour for current OS?
A: No there are no plans to change this for Server 2003 or Windows XP. You can help the process somewhat by using the full OPK and adding the mass storage controllers into your configuration set in a folder called TXTMODE under $OEM$. And then add the mass storage controllers to a custom OPK (WinPE) CD. But, direct answer to your question is that there are no plans to change current Setup behavior due to the way that Setup functions.

Doverton (Expert):
Q: All settings that I enter that the user will see and have access to, I would like to see how they function before i build the CD
A: BRC, the settings such as the OEM Info etc can easily be previewed on that machine by moving the file around. Failing that, you might want to run in a Virtual PC, however if you have hardware specific settings, the only way to see the impact is to try a test install. Since an OPK install can be finished in 20-25 mins, it does not take toooo long to see things besides OEM info, program icons etc

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Thanks Matt. When we the the SKU(s) of Vista before the Street Launch, would we be able to sell products with Vista on before Street launch or would we have to wait for launch?
A: Great question, James... As soon as you have product available to purchase, you can sell it. So, yes, your customers could get Vista preinstalled PCs sold by you prior to the official launch of the product.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Floppy / USB / F6: This is a problem for floppyless built to order systems. The customer has no chance to restore his system with the microsoft - cd
A: Unfortunately this is correct. You can try a couple things: 1) include a USB floppy drive with your PCs as most BIOSs will show a USB floppy to setup for the controller OR 2) You could include a hard drive-based Recovery image for the customer to use in case of catastrophic failure. The System Builder website www.microsoft.com/oem has info on how to create a recovery solution (hard drive only, not CD/DVD based) or includes links to Partners like PCAngel who create programs to do hard drive recovery for you. The main issue is that USB flash type devices cannot be seen during Text Mode and that is when the mass storage controllers are needed. It's ugly... :(

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Then allow us access to VISTA OPK for to familar ourselves as with XP.SP2.SP2 way ahead like you did in the past (H)
A: As I said previously we are including 1000 System Builders in Beta 1 and more (probably like 40,000 worldwide) at Beta 2. Right now, there is no OPK for Vista so all a Beta 1 kit will include is the operating system itself.

Doverton (Expert):
Q: Are there any more whitepapers available other than the ones that shipped with the OPK?
A: There is lots of OPK docs om the OEM website - for example - making CDs - http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentPage.aspx?pageid=554376
or why get logo'd - http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=554523 - I would explore the http://oem.microsoft.com/OPK

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: helo
A: hey...

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Do you think with the unattend.xml file, it will be easier for system builders to OPK?
A: That is the hope, yes! With one config file to create/change/update/modify it should be easier. Right now some settings go in unattend.txt, some in winbom.ini, some in sysprep.inf and some in oobeinfo.ini depending on what you are doing. Hopefully one file is easier than 4 (or more) files...

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Also, is it true that Vista Client and Server 07 will be in a component form, so you can chop and change parts?
A: Lots of questions about Vista today, eh? ;) Yes. Windows Vista will be component-based. Setup will be easier, faster and more customizable. Now, if we can only get that OPK ready for Beta 2! :P

Doverton (Expert):
Q: hello
A: Hello, do you want to post a question?

Doverton (Expert):
Q: Winpe Changes: Could you please list the important changes that have been made to winpe2005 compared to the last version?
A: Feature parity with Windows Server 2003 SP1 Windows PE feature sets
WMI support for access to multiple hardware based providers and classes
Windows based driver injection and PnP boot support
Inject in Windows based 32/64-bit device drivers within Windows PE for reliable test and diagnostic results
Ability to flash the system BIOS and device ROM’s within Windows PE
RAMDISK boot support for Hard Drive (HD), Compact Disc (CD), DVD, USB Flash Drive (UFD), and Pre-Boot eXecution Environment (PXE)
Min 256MB required on boot machine
Read only Ramdisk today
Sub 30 second boot times possible using either network or USB Flash Drive (UFD)
Internet Connection Firewall support
Ensures Windows PE safe from viruses, worms, etc
WinPE Boot support on USB Flash Devices
Currently an OEM only feature in XP/Server 2003
Supports sub-30 second boot times on platforms supporting USB 2.0 in core BIOS
(IBM, Dell, and Gateway)

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Does that mean, that i can install x64 in winpe32? What about the winnt32.exe, will it run in x32? "x64 OPK is delivered by booting the standard OPK, building a config set etc as normal, booting the 32-bit WinPE, and letting it run. The x64 OS will be installed"
A: no, technically we only provide the 32bit bootable WinPE CD in a 64bit box. You will need to create your own custom x64-based OPK (WinPE) CD. I created a video that you can watch and/or a PPT that details the process. Or, if you look in OPK.CHM help file you'll see a topic titled Creating a Customizable Windows PE image that details what you need to do

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Will the new OPK be specific to the current OS it is shipped with and previous ones. E.G, will Vista Client OPK, not work with the future MCE SKU of Vista and we have to get the MCE Vista OPK with the MCE SKU Three Pack?
A: sku specifics haven't been announced yet. So, I don't yet have the answer to this question. Sorry!

Doverton (Expert):
Q: What is on the horizon for Microsoft with the OPK?
A: Lots of change - this was covered in some detail at the WInHEC conference in April. Expect big things, much, much easier device mgmt support, including network and storage, possibly once PE has booted. Howver, nothing is final or confirmed until it ships, so no point in getting too excited

Doverton (Expert):
Wow, have we exhausted you of questions

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: WinPe Changes: Thank you very much. And what are the limitations? Is it true that for example the net time command like net time /set does not work anymore because of the new limits? Net time works fine in older versions of winpe and fails in pe2005
A: Yes, net time will not work in WinPE 2005. This actually should not have worked previously. It is a limitation of WinPE that was supposed to be in-place in the past.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Matt, so you think the OPK Beta will be in the Beta 2 timeframe?
A: That is the hope...we are targeting Beta 2 so that System Builders can see the full OPK and work with it. If it doesn't get included with Beta 2 our Readiness activities for Vista will be later than we plan. If we have to base everything on Release Candidate 0 it will push things back slightly...

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Winpe Changes: Could you possibly name some more limitations? Is there a chance to share a network drive from within PE?
A: WinPE is not tailored to be a full OS "replacement". It is not intended for thin client scenarios. So, no, setting up a share *into* a WinPE machine is not allowed. Other limiations are a forced 24-hour reboot. (max uptime for WinPE is hard-coded to 24 hours)

Doverton (Expert):
Q: Will sysprep be updated much for upcoming releases?
A: It is probably a bit early to discuss the OPK, sysprep etc. These are all changing, but the details are not public beyond those delivered at WinHEC. Expect things to get easier for the System Builder community

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: WinPE X64: I have tried to place a x64 win PE Image on our Ris Server, but the image e.g. Windows 2003 Server X64 has not been added to the client installation wizard? Is this a know problem or would i have to create a service request for this problem?
A: Maybe a known issue but honestly I am not a RIS expert. I'd suggest opening a service request with the Product Support Services organization or possibly emailing SBST@microsoft.com (system builder support team) with your question. Can you create an OPK ISO for x64 and boot that? Does that work correctly?

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
We have only 10 minutes left...bring on the questions! (H)

Doverton (Expert):
JaneW, I would suggest a quick trawl of support.microsoft.com and then a call to the help desk

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
i know that a good friend of mine, Todd Klick, in our PSS organization that supports System Builders was just looking into a sacsvr issue yesterday. You might email sbst@microsoft.com and ask for Todd's assistance on that one

Doverton (Expert):
Hi Jose, do you want to post a question?

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: WinPE X64: Yes, the iso works fine. I think this is not a PE Problem, it seems more like a RIS / Operating system problem on our Win 2003 ENT installation server.
A: Yeah, it does sound like a RIS issue then. Todd Klick and Erik Alston can both be reached by sbst@microsoft.com (as well as about 20 other people around the world) and they should be able to help out with the RIS issue with x64. I'd assume they would have tested it.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Yes, Todd is really good! He solved this problem for us yesterday and i wanted to know if anybody else has this kind of problem here.
A: I thought maybe it was from you... ;) Just wanted to be sure that you had the right answer. Yes, Todd is great!

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Looks like the questions are winding down...any last questions that David or I can help with?

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: When will there be the next opk - meeting? The one in munich has been canceled last week and i would really apreciate another one. I think this is important before vista arrives.
A: I do monthly chats. My next scheduled chat is Sept 7th at midnight Pacific time, 8am UK time and 9am for Central European time. I'll be discussing OPK again. And one week later Sept 14th at 10am Pacific I'll be talking about Media Center 2005 Rollup 2. Check www.microsoft.com/oem chat page for updates. I think the Sept chats still are not listed yet.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Q: This isn't OPK related, but Steve Winfield in a webcast said a little bit about the MCE 2005 Update 06, a service pack basically for MCE 2005. Matt or David, can you comment on a date for that and confirm if it will be like Steve said a small service pack?
A: The product is still called Media Center 2005 but we will re-release it to include last year's Rollup 1 and now a new update called Rollup 2. Target is "later this year". We don't have a public date yet but RTM is very soon.

Doverton (Expert):
James... Soon..Matt will tell you how lovely an experience we are expecting it to be for all concerned.

Matt Davis -- MSFT (Moderator):
Thanks everyone for attending today's moderated OPK web chat. This concludes our session. The chat transcript will be up on the chat page in the coming days! Take Care!

Doverton (Expert):
Folks, it is 3pm for me - and this means I either turn into a pumpkin, a 128MB DIMM or go attend anohter meeting. For this reason I've opted for the DIMM, no, I mean the next meeting