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t comes as no surprise that Google would want its employees to use its products, including the forthcoming Chrome OS. But months before the operating system is released publicly, the company has reportedly started pulling the plug on internal use of Windows computers. going so far as to require special permission to use Microsoft’s OS. See also: * No more Windows at Google: Just FUD? * Google dumps Windows for Mac OS and Linux * Google ditching Windows over security makes little sense A Financial Times report late Monday cited “several Google employees,” who say the shift was accelerated by security concerns following the hacking attack that prompted Google to shut down its China site earlier this year. The report says that new hires are given the option of a Mac or Linux-based PC as their company-issued computer. It also quotes some employees who say that uproar at Google over the phase-out of Windows has been far less than it might have been if the company had pulled the plug on Apple products. I realize that it’s only one company - a soon-to-be-competitor, no less - but I can’t help but wonder if this move by Google is a sign of worse things to come for Microsoft, as it relates to the future of the Windows operating system. I only raise the point because this FT report reminded me of a blog post by Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps last week in which she explores Microsoft’s position in the tablet game and the company’s need for an answer to the iPad - from an OS point-of-view. In it, she talks about the concept of “curated computing,” a style of personal computing where choice is limited but relevance is abundant. That, of course, is the iPad model, which she refers to as jukebox style computing. But, there’s no reason Microsoft can’t - and shouldn’t - also come up with a curated computing device to go head-to-head with the iPad, especially if it can tether with the Xbox to create a digital living room that the company has envisioned for years. Back in April, Microsoft pulled the plug on Courier, a folding tablet/booklet device that was reportedly in “late prototype” last fall. That’s unfortunate, Rotman Epps writes, because the company needs to be in this ball game - for the sake of the OS. She writes: At stake for Microsoft is no less than the future of the OS: For Microsoft to remain relevant to consumers, it needs to adapt its operating system to new form factors beyond the traditional PC. Forrester estimates that tablets will outsell netbooks in the US starting in 2013, and tablets will constitute 20% of all PC sales in the US in 2015. Microsoft needs its operating system on those tablets. Now it needs to convince its partners — and consumers — that they need Microsoft, too. Certainly, I don’t think a decision by Google to pull the plug on internal use of Windows machines spells the end for the OS. After all, Windows is a security risk because it’s so deeply entrenched into the world of personal and business computing. Tech bad guys tend to target the biggest audience of users - and that’s Windows. But the growing popularity of the Mac, as well as computers that are Linux-based, and now the upcoming launch of Chrome, does put some increased pressure on Microsoft. Investors are already feeling shaky about the company’s missteps on the mobile front and now the OS is coming under attack, as well. via ZDnet > http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/google-dumps-windows-is-microsofts-os-headed-down-a-troubled-path/35212

yes add it manually if it is already in SCCM's database, otherwise import it using computer association or use the unknown computers collection

change the advertisement distribution point properties, or script the package to manually copy it down and then execute it that way

i had a very similar issue recently with some software being installed via a task sequence (SAP) and i reolved it by looking closely at the vbs script that was doing the work, there were some settings in the script causing it to 'sleep' and ConfigMgr reported the exact same error as you are seeing (waiting for...) so, rule out the MST or script or whatever by reducing the install commands, see if it helps just a thought cheers niall

i've no idea what my IQ is but i'm glad it has helped

i would do the build and capture on virtual machines, use vmware or hyperv, both will make your job much easier, trust me

well take a look at the webcasts here, specifically the PXE boot parts, you'll see that they are quite slow, but then again they are running on virtual machines (hyperv) and on Windows Server 2008, where I'm working currently is using Windows Server 2003 and the PXE process is slow, I am assuming that is down to slow network/slow backend hardware (virtual servers) and possibly QOS throttling on the network

yes its possible, in the task sequence properties screen, check Environment and set the program to run on an OS that you DO NOT HAVE in your organisation, for example Windows Vista X64 or Windows 2000, now when you are in Windows, the client will not show the task sequence in Run Advertised Programs (it will remain hidden) but they can PXE boot at any time and access the Task Sequence

sounds about right to be honest, however have you tried varying your nic speed from gigabit to different duplex settings ? is there a switch between you and the clients ?

The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable. (Error: 80070570; Source: Windows) <-- is interesting, what boot media are you using ? tell me how you created it and have you tried to create something else ? what hardware are you trying to deploy to exactly ?

within the ts itself, please test it and you'll see what i mean, it's a free tool, just fire up winpe, and execute it from the command prompt

you can script it to add the computer to a collection, it's part of the SDK look here

they are 32 bit apps, here is what you should see when the view is set to small icons

you could try using the tsenv2 tool from 1e, you can use that to set variables including the site code you are mentioning

so this is software updates for windows xp or what ? have you tried having more than one Install Software Updates task in the ts with a reboot inbetween ?

remember this much, software updates will only deploy when a computer is in a collection that the Deployment Management Task is pointing to during the Operating System Deployment, so where is your computer during the deployment, what collection ?

yup, look at the updating section of the SCCM guides here

yes it has to be SP2

try here and no i don't think it will help you with your restore problem, i'd break up your usmt testing first of all in to two collections, state capture and state restore then create two simple task sequences, one for state capture, one for state restore, you can cut/paste the needed bits from a standard Install task sequence (if you want the features of USMT 4 then thats another story...) once you have state capture working (and you'll know from reading the scanstate.log and scanstateprogress.log files) you can then start testing state resore, what does your loadstate.log file say ?

closed for now, sorry

good point, i'd recommend starting with Firefox as a test, if you can install that (and it's very easy) then you are on the right track

the bootable option just replaces the PXE boot and not a whole lot more, meaning you use it in areas where you cannot use PXE the standalone option puts everything on your usb key/cd/dvd which is cool and can be faster when it comes to deployments covering usmt4/large wims/large apps/etc

yup, in the OSD section, expand task sequences, select your deploy 7 task sequence, right click on it, choose Create Task Sequence Media, the first option is probably best for you, (Standalone) you can create bootable USB keys, or CD/DVD's cheers niall

we are very excited to announce the release of Beta 1 for System Center Configuration Manager v.Next. System Center Configuration Manager v.Next is uniquely positioned to provide for powerful and flexible user-centric client management, allowing users to be able to seamlessly access their data from virtually anywhere, across multiple device types while providing IT with unified management tools and centralized control. This next release of Configuration Manager is focused on 3 main pillars: User centric application management - Empowering Administrators to define intent, and end users flexible access to the right application at the right time * Allow the administrator to think users first * Application management model to capture admin intent * End user self-service software portal Infrastructure simplification – Simplify management infrastructure, processes and administrative overhead * Unified management across PCs and devices * New role based administration and end-user experiences * Automated content distribution and troubleshooting * Redesigned core infrastructure and improved scalability Simplify Client Management – Daily tasks, model based configuration management and improvements over existing capabilities * Automated compliance remediation * Client health and auto remediation * Remote control enhancements * Offline servicing of OS images Over the coming weeks, there will be a wealth of content for you to experience. From online labs, to virtual machines, review material, interviews and demonstrations. For now, join the beta, join the conversation, and learn about the next generation of client management. http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2010/05/24/the-next-generation-of-client-management.aspx

good work, did you do that guide ?