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August 23rd, 2021 13:00

Creating a Dynamic Image with Dell Image Assist in Hyper-V

Dell Image Assist Image Assist can help you create a custom cross-platform image that you can use on your orders.

Try the interactive demo to familiarize yourself with the tool & process.

 

Get started with Image Assist

  1. Build a reference system with the image you’d like to capture.
  2. Download and install Image Assist on your reference system to create a WIM image.
  3. Capture & test your Image Assist WIM image to make sure everything works as you expect.

 

Get Help with Image Assist

The Image Assist helpdesk team is available from 7AM-5PM CST.

Image Assist KB

Join Zoom Imaging Webinar

every Thursday from 9:30AM-10:30AM CST (3:30-4:30 UTC/GMT)

www.dell.com/imagingwebinar
Webinar presentation materials

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February 13th, 2023 06:00

@Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono 

Reference this section from the article above.

*TIP > It’s not possible to create the DIA USB drive from within Hyper-V. Here’s how to do it on your host (physical) machine.

If not on Domain, skip steps 2 and 3

  1. Unzip the files to the system.
  2. Edit the ImageAssist.exe.config file by changing the below entry to TRUE
  3. true" />
  4. Run imageassist.exe (you may see errors, but you can select next)
  5. Accept EULA, Leave dynamic default, Then click on gear at top right of screen
  6. Then Additional tools
  7. Click “Create USB or ISO”
  8. Insert USB key and click “create”

Once it’s created, download the applicable zipped family driver packs into the “Dell_Driver_Packs_Local” folder and place the WIM image in the “Dell_Images” folder.

February 10th, 2023 11:00

Can Integration Services be used for mounting USB drives with Image Assist without problems?
It's such a pain trying other methods, and the drives don't always support the disconnect option in Disk Management, etc. My concern is that integration services tweaks the guest OS in ways that I imagine could affect the bare metal machine if Image Assist copies that part over and if integration services would interfere with bare metal operation. Anyone have knowledge or hints to share? 

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February 10th, 2023 13:00

Hi @Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono - What is your intent with the USB & Hyper-V?

February 10th, 2023 14:00

At this point, reference image capture as in this video tutorial:

https://www.dell.com/support/contents/en-id/videos/videoplayer/dell-imageassist-hyper-v-part-3-reference-image-capture/6079789772001

slightly adjusting the steps as necessary to use my host machine running Win 10 Pro and the jump drive I have on hand. 

February 10th, 2023 15:00

The USB drive containing Dell_IAX needs to be connected to the HyperV VM.
The Dell support video suggest using Disk Management to disconnect a drive, then connecting it as a SCSI drive to the VM.

Not all jump drives support that. The one we have on hand doesn't. Instead I'm trying a technique from this video to mount the drive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01BXQup3m9k

This method uses a well hidden method of sharing USB drives called Integrated Services.
The VM must be logically powered off, then

In HyperV Manager, Right-click the VM and choose:
Settings > Management > Integration Services > [check] Guest services > Apply > OK

After checking it, restart the host machine, and start up both the host and guest machines.
Thenceforth when connecting to the virtual machine you will have an opportunity to connect to any host drive:

In HyperV Manager, Right-click the VM and choose:
Connect... > Show options > Local Resources > More... > + Drives > Drives that I plug in later or the drive letter if it's listed > OK
optionally: Display > [check] Save my settings for future connections to this virtual machine
finally: > Connect

You will find the drive mounted at "This PC" listed under "Redirected drives and folders"

I don't know if it will work or not, but giving it a try...  Has anyone else tried this technique?
Or is there a reason not to?

February 10th, 2023 16:00

Problem is it's getting a "No USB drive detected" error when Image Assist is attempting to Create USB.

Could an option be added to use a non-USB drive, since the USB drives on the host machine don't appear as USB drives on the guest machine? They seem to appear as  "Redirected drives".

February 10th, 2023 17:00

@DELL-Tyler M is there any way to get Image Assist to produce a file instead of a USB? ... or a chance the option to produce a .ISO image could be added where we currently select the option to produce a bootable USB? 

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