Deployment Guide for Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 and Windows 7 with SP1

Updated: April 27, 2011

Applies To: Windows 7 with SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1

About this guide

This guide is for IT administrators who are deploying Windows Server® 2008 R2 or Windows® 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1). This document includes technical information, procedures, and recommendations for installing SP1 in a business or corporate environment. Although this guide includes some basic operating system information, we assume that you already have a working knowledge of Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, and update installations.

For more information about deployment, see the following Microsoft resources:

Terminology used in this guide

The terms defined in the following table are used throughout this document.

Term Definition

Integrated installation

This is also known as "slipstream installation." In this installation method, the service pack is integrated into the operating system. As a result, the operating system and service pack are installed simultaneously. You use the integrated installation to upgrade computers and to perform new installations on computers that do not have an operating system.

Offline

In the context of updating images, the term "offline" refers to updating or applying changes to an operating system image that is not currently running. For example, you might update a Windows® Image (.wim) file by using ImageX in the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK).

Online

In the context of updating images, the term "online" refers to updating or applying changes to an operating system that the computer is booted into. For example, installing an update by using Windows Update is an online operation.

Package

A collection of files representing an update that fixes a problem or introduces new functionality. Packages include the files themselves as well as the necessary metadata to manage the packages.

Service pack

The means by which product updates are consolidated and distributed. Service packs are software packages that may contain updates for system reliability, program compatibility, security, and so on. These updates are bundled together for easier downloading and installation. A service pack includes all fixes released to date, as well as additional improvements to existing features.

Stand-alone package

A version of the SP1 package that contains all of the files necessary to install the package on any computer (even without an Internet connection). In contrast, when you install the SP1 package from Windows Update, only the files needed for that specific computer are downloaded and installed. There is usually a considerable size difference between a package that is downloaded using Windows Update and the corresponding stand-alone package.

Update

  • Noun: Any update, update rollup, service pack, feature pack, critical update, security update, or hotfix that improves or fixes a software product released by Microsoft. For definitions of all of these types of updates, see article 824684 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43258).

  • Verb: To make a computer or file more current.

Upgrade

  • Noun: A software package that replaces a particular version of a product with a newer version of the same product.

  • Verb: To update existing program files, folders, and registry entries to a more recent version by using Setup.exe from the installation media. Upgrading leaves existing files and settings intact, in contrast to when you perform a new installation in which all files are deleted and then reinstalled.

In this guide

Overview of SP1

Before you deploy SP1

Plan your deployment

Deploy SP1

Troubleshooting

Overview of SP1

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 SP1 is a recommended collection of updates and improvements to Windows that are combined into a single installable update. Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 also provides a comprehensive set of innovations for enterprise-class virtualization, including new virtualization capabilities with Dynamic Memory and Microsoft RemoteFX™.

Currently, no critical issues that require you to take corrective action either before or immediately after installation have been reported or discovered in testing. Release Notes documents are continuously updated, so if any such issues are discovered or reported, they will be available at the following locations:

For further details on specific features, see the documents linked from the relevant sections later in this document.

Before you deploy SP1

Complete the following steps before you deploy SP1:

  • Plan your deployment

  • Perform pre-deployment tasks

Plan your deployment

These steps will help you plan your deployment of this service pack: review the questions below, review the deployment scenarios available, check application compatibility, and be aware of certain considerations for virtualization.

  • Consider planning questions

  • Review available deployment scenarios

  • Check application compatibility

  • Be aware of virtualization considerations

Consider planning questions. To determine which SP1 deployment scenario or combination of scenarios is best for your organization, consider the following questions. Note that the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit documentation (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=108442) contains best practices and tools to help you answer questions about integrated image installation. For example, you should consider the following questions.

  • Are you updating existing computers that are running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7, performing new installations, or upgrading a previous version of Windows to Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7?

  • Which installation option should I use?

  • Where will the service pack files be stored?

  • Are there any impacts on my change and configuration management processes?

  • How should I test and validate the service pack or image installations before deployment?

  • What network capacity will you need to ensure that the service pack deployment does not adversely affect the network or cause significant performance issues for other business applications?

  • How do I determine that the service pack was successfully installed?

Review available deployment scenarios. For this release, six installation scenarios are supported:

  • Scenario 1: Installing by using Windows Update

  • Scenario 2: Installing the stand-alone package by using the installer executable file

  • Scenario 3: Creating or updating a custom image

  • Scenario 4: Deploying with WSUS

  • Scenario 5: Deploying with Windows Deployment Services

  • Scenario 6: Deploying with SMS, System Center Configuration Manager, or System Center Essentials

These deployment methods are discussed in detail in the Deploy SP1section.

Check application compatibility. Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.6 helps you identify and manage your overall application portfolio, which reduces the cost and time involved in resolving issues. For more information, and to download ACT 5.6, see https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=24DA89E9-B581-47B0-B45E-492DD6DA2971&displaylang=en.

Be aware of virtualization considerations. These considerations apply to you only if you intend to apply this service pack to a computer running Hyper-V™, especially if you use the new RemoteFX or Dynamic Memory features on any of the virtual machines. Otherwise, you can skip to the Perform pre-deployment tasks section.

Important considerations for virtualization

These considerations apply to you only if you intend to apply this service pack to Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 virtual machines, especially if you use the new Microsoft RemoteFX or Dynamic Memory features. Otherwise, you can skip to the Perform pre-deployment tasks section.

Hyper-V

If you are using Hyper-V on computers on which you want to install this service pack, you should be aware of the following considerations:

  • You can import and export virtual machines freely between virtualization servers running Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 as long as neither Microsoft RemoteFX nor Dynamic Memory are enabled on the virtual machine.

Note

Saved states and snapshots of virtual machines are compatible between the two versions as long as Dynamic Memory or RemoteFX has not been enabled.

  • Virtual machines running Windows as a guest operating system that have R2 integration services installed will run normally on virtualization servers that are running Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1. The Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX features, however, require the SP1 version of integration services, which includes other updates and enhancements as well. To get the SP1 version of these services, either install SP1 on the guest operating system or user Hyper-V Manager (see Hyper-V Getting Started Guidefor details).

RemoteFX

For more information about Microsoft RemoteFX™, see “What’s New in RemoteFX” at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=192437.

To use RemoteFX, the virtualization server must be running Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1, the virtual machine must be running Windows 7 Enterprise with SP1 or Windows 7 Ultimate with SP1, and the remote client computer must be running either Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 or Windows 7 with SP1.

For detailed information about important CPU and other hardware requirements for RemoteFX, see “Hardware Considerations for RemoteFX” at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=191918.

Before you start working with RemoteFX, take note of the following considerations:

  • You should install drivers for the video card on the virtualization server before you enable the Remote Desktop Services and Hyper-V roles. Otherwise, the RemoteFX 3D Video Adapter will not be available in Hyper-V Manager.

  • Disable any graphics processing units that use a Windows XP Display Driver model (XDDM) driver.

  • If you manage a KVM switch over IP with an onboard management adapter, install the RemoteFX Cap driver once you have enabled the RemoteFX role. The RemoteFX Cap driver supports KVM access over IP prior to the point where the Windows operating system loads (so that you can access the BIOS). Once the operating system has loaded, you can access the RemoteFX server using the Remote Desktop Protocol or a non-Microsoft solution for KVM management over IP. For more information about the RemoteFX Cap driver, see “Deploying Microsoft RemoteFX on a Single Remote Desktop Virtualization Host Server Step-by-Step Guide.”

  • If you do not manage KVM switches over IP with an onboard management adapter, be sure to disable any such adapters in the BIOS.

  • Be sure to install this service pack on the Windows 7 guest operating system before you enable a virtual machine with a 3D adapter. After installing Windows 7, enable Remote Desktop Services and verify that you can remotely connect to the virtual machine. Then shut down the virtual machine and add a new video card to the virtual machine by selecting Add Hardware in the Settings menu of Hyper-V Manager and pointing to 3D Video Card. Boot the virtual machine and connect to the virtual machine normally. For the full 3D desktop experience, start Mstsc.exe and confirm that the Experience setting on the Options menu is set to LAN (10Mbps or higher).

  • When you are using the virtual 3D video adapter, you will not be able to use the Virtual Machine Connection. Use Remote Desktop instead. If you need to use Virtual Machine Connection, you must remove the virtual 3D video card from the virtual machine.

Further guidance on setting up and working with RemoteFX is available in the following documents:

Dynamic Memory

Dynamic Memory is a new Hyper-V feature available in this service pack. It allows the virtualization server to pool memory and dynamically add or remove memory based on virtual machine usage. This allows for higher consolidation ratios of virtual machines on the virtualization server. To use Dynamic Memory, the virtualization server must be running either Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 or Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 with this version of the service pack applied.

Note

If you install this service pack and then enable Dynamic Memory for existing virtual machines, even if you set the maximum memory of the virtual machines to the previous static memory value, the maximum memory will be set to the default 64 GB. To correct this, set the maximum memory to your preferred value a second time.

Virtual machines running a wide variety of operating systems can use Dynamic Memory; for a complete list, see the “Dynamic Memory Evaluation Guide” at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=192444. The guide also discusses Dynamic Memory settings and usage in detail.

Remote administration

You can manage virtual machines with the Windows 7 version of the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT), although you cannot configure RemoteFX or Dynamic Memory settings with this version. The SP1 version of RSAT is not available as this time, so to manage those settings on a virtualization server running Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 with SP1, use a server running Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1.

You can also manage virtualization servers running Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 with System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), but you cannot configure RemoteFX or Dynamic Memory settings at this time. If you use VMM to move a virtual machine that has Dynamic Memory enabled, Dynamic Memory will be disabled.

Hyper-V clustering

A Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V Cluster can run as a mixed cluster of nodes running Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1. For information about installing a service pack in a cluster, see https://support.microsoft.com/kb/174799/. Before you install the service pack on a cluster, you should be aware of the following considerations:

  • Do not enable either RemoteFX or Dynamic Memory until the entire cluster is upgraded to Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1.

  • Migration of virtual machines that have Dynamic Memory enabled to a node that does not have Dynamic Memory support will fail

    Migration of virtual machines that have RemoteFX enabled to a node that does not have RemoteFX enabled will fail.

    To live-migrate virtual machines that have RemoteFX enabled, all nodes must be capable of supporting RemoteFX, all nodes must use identical graphics processing units, and all nodes must have RemoteFX enabled. For details of the CPU requirements for RemoteFX, see see “Hardware Considerations for RemoteFX” at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=191918.

Perform pre-deployment tasks

Perform the following tasks before you install SP1. If you are installing SP1 by using Windows Update, be sure to perform these tasks before you accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.

  1. Check disk space requirements. The following table lists the approximate disk space requirements for the system partition, which includes the English (EN) language pack by default. Note that these requirements will increase if other language packs are installed on your computer. For more information about each installation method, see Deploy SP1.

    For Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1:

    Installation method Approximate disk space requirements Download size of package

    Stand-alone installation

    • x64-based: 7.4 GB

    • Itanium-based: 3.6 GB

    • X64-based: 903 MB

    • Itanium-based: 511 MB

    Windows Update

    • x64-based: 850 MB

    • Itanium-based: not applicable

    • x64-based: 95.7 MB

    • Itanium-based: not applicable

Note

SP1 is supported for x64-based and Itanium-based computers.
For more information about system requirements for Windows Server 2008 R2 independent of this service pack, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=190938.

For Windows 7 with SP1:  
  


<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 33%" />
<col style="width: 33%" />
<col style="width: 33%" />
</colgroup>
<thead>
<tr class="header">
<th>Installation method</th>
<th>Approximate disk space requirements</th>
<th>Download size for package</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td><p>Stand-alone installation</p></td>
<td><ul>
<li>X86-based: 4.1 GB<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>X64-based: 7.4 GB<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul></td>
<td><ul>
<li>X86-based: 537 MB<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>X64-based: 903 MB<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Windows Update</p></td>
<td><ul>
<li>X86-based: 750 MB<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>X64-based: 1050 MB<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul></td>
<td><ul>
<li>X86-based: 44.3 MB<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>X64-based: 73.7 MB<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

For more information about system requirements for Windows 7 independent of this service pack, see [Windows 7 Technical Library Roadmap](https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Dd349342).  
  
  1. Read the release notes In general, release notes include vital information about issues you may encounter, along with steps to avoid or work around them either before or immediately after installing this service pack.

    Currently, no critical issues that require you to take corrective action either before or immediately after installation have been reported or discovered in testing. Release Notes documents are continuously updated, so if any such issues are discovered or reported, they will be available at the following locations:

  2. Use an administrator account. Log on to your computer using an administrator account, make sure all other users are logged off the computer, and close all open applications.

  3. Back up important data. Your backup should include all data and configuration information that is necessary for the computer to function. It is important to perform a backup of configuration information for servers, especially those that provide network infrastructure, such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers. When you perform the backup, be sure to include the boot and system partitions and the system state data. Another way to back up configuration information is to create a backup set for Automated System Recovery.

    For Windows Update and stand-alone installations, Setup automatically takes a system restore point before the installation of SP1 begins, which backs up system files. However, you may also want to back up any user data before you begin installing SP1.

  4. Ensure that drivers are up to date. Check Windows Update and the hardware vendor for updated drivers. Windows Update and the SP1 standalone installer will block SP1 installation if a problematic driver is installed or it will provide a warning if there will be minor loss of functionality.

  5. Disconnect UPS devices. If you have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to your destination computer, disconnect the serial cable before installing the Service Pack. Setup automatically attempts to detect devices that are connected to serial ports, and UPS equipment can cause issues with the detection process. You can leave your computer connected to a UPS for power as long as the UPS itself is plugged in. However, you should make sure that you have enough power for the entire installation, which can take a long time.

  6. Ensure availability of power. If you’re using a laptop computer, connect to an AC electrical outlet and don’t unplug or restart the computer during installation.

  7. Disable your virus protection software. Virus protection software can interfere with installation. For example, it can make installation much slower by scanning every file that is copied locally to your computer.

  8. Manage language packs. If you use any language packs, ensure that you follow either of the following supported sequences:

    1. Install Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7.

    2. Install this service pack.

    3. Install the updated language pack for this service pack.

    Alternately:

    1. Install Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7.

    2. Install language packs, using the versions released prior to this service pack.

    3. Install this service pack.

  9. Check for file and servicing store corruption issues. To ensure that your computer does not have any file corruption issues, we recommend that you run Check Disk (Chkdsk.exe), System File Checker (SFC.exe), and System Update Readiness tool (CheckSUR.exe) by using the following procedure.

    To check and fix any file corruptions

    1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window (click the Start button, type command in the Start Search box, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator).

    2. Run the following command (assuming that C is the system drive): chkdsk c: /F

    3. After the command in step 2 completes, run the SFC /Scannow command.

    To check and fix any servicing store corruptions

    1. Download KB947821 update from Microsoft Download Center (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109180).

    2. Double-click the Windows6.0-KB947821-NNN.msu file (where NNN is x86, x64, or ia64), which will run the System Update Readiness Tool (CheckSUR.exe).

Deploy SP1

For this release, six installation scenarios are supported:

  • Scenario 1: Installing by using Windows Update

  • Scenario 2: Installing the stand-alone package by using the installer executable file

  • Scenario 3: Creating or updating a custom image

  • Scenario 4: Deploying with WSUS

  • Scenario 5: Deploying with Windows Deployment Services

  • Scenario 6: Deploying with SMS, System Center Configuration Manager, or System Center Essentials

Scenarios 1 and 2 are most appropriate for deployment to relatively small numbers of computers. Scenarios 3 through 6 are best suited to large deployments.

Scenario 1: Installing by using Windows Update

This method of installation is for individual users who are currently running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 and have configured Windows Update to download and install updates.

To install the service pack by using Windows Update

  1. Ensure that you are connected to the Internet.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • If your computer is set to install updates automatically, when prompted, follow the instructions to install SP1.

    • To initiate the installation manually, perform steps 3 through 7.

  3. Click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Windows Update, and then click Check for Updates.

  4. Select the SP1 update and then click Install.

  5. Setup will begin the installation. When prompted, click Restart now. While Setup completes the installation, you will not be able to log on to the computer.

Warning

Do not restart the computer or turn the power off while installation is in progress. If you do, the computer may go into an unbootable state.

  1. When the Windows logon prompt appears, this indicates that Setup is completed. At this time, you can log on to the computer. A dialog box will display the status of the installation.

Scenario 2: Installing the stand-alone package by using the installer executable file

The installer executable file contains every file necessary to install the service pack. This file is self-extracting, and you can run it either from the command line or by double-clicking the file within Windows Explorer.

To install SP1 by using the stand-alone package

  1. Copy or download the installation file (Windows6.1-kb976932-nnn.exe) to a computer. You can download SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=199583.

  2. To run the package, use the command-line options listed later in this section, or double-click the file within Windows Explorer.

  3. Follow the instructions in the Setup wizard. While Setup completes the installation, you will not be able to log on to the computer.

Warning

Do not restart the computer or turn the power off while installation is in progress. If you do, the computer may go into an unbootable state.

  1. After the first phase of installation is complete, the computer will automatically restart. While Setup completes the installation, you will not be able to log on to the computer.

  2. When the Windows logon prompt appears, this indicates that Setup is completed. At this time, you can log on to the computer. A dialog box will display the status of the installation.

Command-line options for stand-alone installation

Use the options listed and described in the following table to define the way SP1 is installed. You can precede the following options with either a forward slash (/) or a hyphen (-). Note that the options are not case-sensitive.

Use the following syntax, where NNN is x86, x64, or ia64:

Windows6.1-kb976932-nnn.exe [/quiet] [/nodialog] [/norestart]

Windows6.1-kb976932-nnn.exe [/quiet] [/nodialog] [/forcerestart | /warnrestart[:<Seconds>]] [/promptrestart]

For example, to run the installation file in quiet mode without restarting the computer, type:

Windows6.1-kb976932-nnn.exe /quiet /norestart

Options Description

/forcerestart

If a restart is required, this option forces any open applications or documents to close.

/nodialog

Suppresses the success or failure dialog box at the end of the installation.

/norestart

Does not restart the computer after the installation is complete, even if a restart is required to complete the installation. You should use this option in conjunction with the /quiet option.

/promptrestart

If a restart is required, a dialog box notifies the user that a restart is required to complete Setup. You should use this option in conjunction with the /quiet option.

/quiet

Runs the installation in quiet mode. This mode shows no user interface during the installation of the updates. This is the same as unattended mode, except that the user interface is hidden. No prompts will appear during the installation process except the success or failure dialog box at the end of the installation. To suppress this dialog box, you must also specify the /nodialog option.

/unattend

Installs the service pack in unattended mode. Only critical error prompts and a progress bar will appear during the installation. For example, Microsoft Software License Terms is not shown, and the computer will be automatically restarted.

/warnrestart[:<seconds>]

If a restart is required, a dialog box notifies the user that the computer will restart in the specified number of seconds. The user can either cancel the restart or restart the computer immediately. The default setting for the automatic restart is 30 seconds.

/? or /help

Displays command usage.

Large-scale scenarios

These scenarios are applicable to businesses that want to deploy SP1 to multiple computers or deploy custom images, or both. We recommend that you use the SP1 integrated DVD to install SP1. Although it is not recommended, if you have custom Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 images that you want to update, you can boot the Windows image, apply the service pack, and then recapture the image. This online method is the only way to update images with SP1; SP1 cannot be installed to or uninstalled from an offline image of Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7.

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=108442) is the recommended methodology and solution to help you deploy Windows Server 2008 R2. This toolkit can assist you in building and deploying custom images, including zero-touch deployments using Systems Management Server 2003 and System Center Configuration Manager 2007.

Scenario 3: Creating or updating a custom image

Use this installation method if you have an automated process for reproducing images.When capturing custom images, you can use the Windows OPK or Windows AIK that was released for Windows Server 2008 R2. To update an existing Windows Server 2008 R2 image, boot into the image and then update it with SP1. You can only use an online method to update images with SP1. Also, you cannot install or uninstall SP1 from an offline image of Windows Server 2008 R2. For example, there is no comparable support for the /integrate option from previous versions of Windows.

Scenario 4: Deploying with WSUS

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) enables you to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to computers running the Windows operating system. By using WSUS, you can fully manage the distribution of updates that are released through Microsoft Update to computers in your network. For general information about WSUS, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=94244.

Before you start deploying with WSUS, you should be aware of the following:

  • If your WSUS server is running Windows Server 2003, you will need to install an update to ensure that SP1 is downloaded successfully. For more information, see Knowledge Base article 938759 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=108519).

  • If your organization is using the Service Pack Blocker Tool to block individual users from installing SP1, publishing the service pack to WSUS will automatically override the block, and SP1 will be installed.

Eventually, SP1 will sync automatically to your WSUS server as long as the server is configured to synchronize Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 service packs. Until then, use the following steps to manually import the service pack from the Microsoft Update Catalog site. The package that is installed contains both the prerequisite packages and SP1. This entire package will be downloaded to each destination computer, unlike with Windows Update, where only the components that are needed for a specific computer are downloaded.

To manually import SP1 in WSUS

  1. Open the WSUS Administrator console, expand the Update Services node, and then expand the node for the WSUS server.

  2. Right-click the Updates node and click Import Updates.

  3. At the Microsoft Update Catalog website, search for “976932.”

  4. In the results, click Add to add one or more of the following updates to your basket: Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 for x64-based Systems (KB976932); Windows 7 Service Pack 1 for x64-based Systems (KB976932); Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (KB976932). The last item is for x86-based systems.

  5. Click View basket.

  6. Confirm your selections and click Import to import these packages.

Scenario 5: Deploying with Windows Deployment Services

This section explains installation of an integrated version of Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 using Windows Deployment Services (WDS), but does not discuss installing or setting up Windows Deployment Services itself. For more information about WDS, see Windows Deployment Services Step-by-Step Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=84628).

To deploy an image of Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1, you can do either of the following:

  • Add the Install.wim image from the DVD that contains the integrated version of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 to your Windows Deployment Services server.

  • Create a customized installation image from a reference computer, and then add it to your Windows Deployment Services server to create a capture image and reference computer and then to create an installation image that contains the new image.

To create a capture image and a reference computer

  1. Add the Boot.wim file located in the \Sources folder on the Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 DVD to your Windows Deployment Services server.

  2. Create a capture image from the Boot.wim file, and then add it to the Windows Deployment Services server.

  3. Create a reference computer that contains Windows Server 2008 R2, SP1, and any programs and settings that you want to include in the image.

  4. At the command prompt, change directories to \Windows\System32\Sysprep.Run the following command: sysprep /oobe /generalize /reboot.

To create an installation image that contains the new image

  1. Restart the computer, and then press F12.

  2. Select the capture image that you created in Step 2 of the preceding procedure.

  3. In the Image Capture Wizard, select the appropriate drive, and then provide a name and description for the image.

  4. Click Next. You will only see drives that contain operating systems that have been prepared with Sysprep.

  5. Click Browse and then browse to a local location where you want to store the captured installation image. You must enter a local location to save the new image; otherwise, you will not be able to capture the image. This will prevent the image from being corrupted in the event of a network malfunction.

  6. Type a name for the image by using the .wim file name extension, and then click Save. You must use the .wim filename extension, otherwise the capture will fail.

  7. Complete the Image Capture wizard.

With this custom installation image, you can boot a client computer into the Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) and install the image. For more information, see the Windows Deployment Services Step-by-Step Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=84628).

Scenario 6: Deploying with SMS, System Center Configuration Manager, or System Center Essentials

You can deploy SP1 with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Microsoft System Center Essentials, or Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003. For a description of the options you can use to install SP1 (especially the /wsus option), see the command-line options section elsewhere in this guide.

Before you start deployment using any of these tools, take steps to mitigate any problems resulting from drivers:

  • Be aware that System Center Configuration Manager and Systems Management Server will not provide any warnings or errors that will prevent you from installing the service pack.

  • Prepare your support staff with information about how to recognize and correct driver issues.

  • Test SP1 installations before deployment. If needed, install updated drivers from Windows Update or vendors as they become available.

  • Install SP1 on your software update points.

  • Configure System Center Configuration Manager and Systems Management Server collections and software update points to deploy SP1 to client computers gradually.

  • For computers that have drivers for which updates are not yet available, correct the driver issues after you have installed SP1. For more information, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113723.

  • If you are using any of these deployment tools on a computer running Windows Server 2003, install the KB938759 update https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=108519) to ensure that SP1 downloads successfully. For Systems Management Server and System Center Configuration Manager, apply the update to each site server, software update point, and administrative console. This update is included in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2, but is not available for Windows XP. Start the Distribute Software Update wizard from a computer running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2003 (with the KB938759 update installed).

See the following for additional information about each deployment method:

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007: You can either distribute the software by creating a software distribution package and advertisement or by using Software Updates Management. For more information about using software distribution packages, see "Software Distribution in Configuration Manager” (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109191). For more information about using software updates management, see “Software Updates in Configuration Manager” (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109202). An advantage of using Software Updates Management is that no command-line settings or detection logic are required. In Configuration Manager, SP1 will be listed as an available update after a successful sync from the software update point.

  • System Center Essentials: For more information about System Center Essentials, see “Overview: System Center Essentials 2007” (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=89185).

  • Systems Management Server: You can either distribute the software by creating a software distribution package and advertisement or by using the Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU). For more information about using software distribution packages, see “Distribute Software” (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109218). For about using SMS and ITMU, see “SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates” (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=108463).

Uninstalling Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 or Windows 7 SP1

You can remove this service pack by using either Programs and Features (in Control Panel) or the command line. Note, however, that you cannot uninstall SP1 offline by using any method. You also cannot uninstall the service pack and other updates that were installed by using an integrated installation.

To uninstall SP1 using Programs and Features

  1. Open Control Panel, click Programs, and then click View Installed Updates.

  2. In the Microsoft Windows list, right-click Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932), and then click Uninstall.

  3. When prompted, restart the computer.

Uninstall SP1 from the command line

Remove the service pack by following these steps:

To uninstall the service pack

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window (click Start, type command in the Start Search box, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator).

  2. Run the following command:

    Wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:976932

The following command-line options may also be useful to you:

Options Description

/norestart

Prevents Wusa.exe from restarting the computer automatically. If you run Wusa.exe with both the /quiet and /norestart options, you must manually restart the computer to complete the uninstallation.

/promptrestart

If a restart is required, a dialog box notifies the user that a restart is required to complete the process. You should use this option in conjunction with the /quiet option.

/quiet

Runs the installation in quiet mode. This mode shows no user interface during the installation of the updates. No prompts will appear during the installation process.

/warnrestart[:<seconds>]

If a restart is required, a dialog box notifies the user that the computer will restart in the specified number of seconds. The user can either cancel the restart or restart the computer immediately. The default setting for the automatic restart is 30 seconds.

Removing backup files

When you install this service pack, Setup backs up any files that are replaced by the service pack. You can remove these backup files to save space with the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

Important

Once you remove these files, you will not be able to uninstall this service pack.

To remove service pack backup files

  1. To remove the files online, run the following command:

    DISM.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /spsuperseded

  2. To remove the files from an offline image, run the following command:

    DISM.exe /Image:<path_to_offline_image> /Cleanup-Image /spsuperseded

The /spsuperseded option removes the backup files created during installation. You can use the /hidesp option to hide the service pack from the list of installed updates without removing the files.

Troubleshooting

To confirm that SP1 is installed, right-click Computer and then click Properties. You will find a reference to the service pack in the Windows Edition section.

When installing SP1, some computers may run into issues that block the installation or otherwise cause it to fail. These issues may include the following:

  • A problematic BIOS or application

  • A corrupted hard disk

  • Memory failures

  • Software and file system synchronization issues. For performance reasons, the file system keeps a copy of the contents of some files in the memory, and it can take a while for these contents to be written back to the hard disk. Therefore, sometimes the contents of the files on the hard disk may be slightly out of synchronization with the memory.

To work around installation problems, perform the following steps in the specified order:

  1. Ensure that you have enough disk space, as specified in the "Check disk space requirements" table under Perform pre-deployment tasks earlier in this guide. Then restart the computer and try again to install SP1. This will ensure that all files are synchronized properly.

  2. If the installation still fails, download and extract the KB976932 update from the Microsoft Download Center. The Windows6.0-KB976932-NNN.msu file will ensure that the computer is ready to be updated. Then try again to install SP1. For information about this update, including information about how to obtain it, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109180.

  3. If the installation still fails, open an elevated Command Prompt window, and then run the chkdsk /f command. The Chkdsk tool checks the file system and metadata for errors, and then it fixes the errors, if possible. Then try again to install SP1.

  4. If the installation still fails, open an elevated Command Prompt window, and then run the MdSched.exe command. The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool tests the random access memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. Then try again to install SP1.

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