The Power of Task Sequences, Part 4, Misc Notes

This is part 4 of many!  For the most part, this is same content/notes that I had done as part of my SCCM Guru sponsored webcast in early 2012.

• Part 1 – The Fundamentals
• Part 2 – Non OS Deployments
• Part 3 – OS Deployments

Tips & Tricks

1. Copying steps between different task sequences
2. Controlling reboot behaviors with the exit codes
   1. http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/nbrady/archive/2010/07/28/preventing-task-sequence-reboot-after-software-install-which-produces-a-3010-exit-code.aspx
   2. Maybe extend this script to use a TS variable to modify the restart behavior?
3. Only execute when certain software is installed
   1. https://t3chn1ck.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/task-sequence-condition-to-execute-only-if-not-installed
4. Using SMS_InstalledSoftware instead of Win32Reg_AddRemovePrograms
   1. http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2011/11/04/community-solution-task-sequence-64-bit-condition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=community-solution-task-sequence-64-bit-condition
5. Installing multiple applications
   1. http://joshuasmueller.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/installing-multiple-applications-in-a-task-sequence
6. Troubleshooting OS deployments using task sequences, such as Software Updates
7. List of hotfixes for task sequences??
8. WMI conditions for if statements
9. How to access the SCCM client during a task sequence
10. Installing software updates
    1. Bug in software updates for task sequences

i.     how to run fix with VB Script

ii.     powershell fix – http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2012/01/24/use-powershell-commands-to-assist-with-patching-during-sccm-image-build

1. Workaround for installing Office updates during a TS
2. How to halt/kill execution of an actively running task sequence
3. Updating SCCM default boot images to support HTA
4. How to add language packs without MDT
   1. https://t3chn1ck.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/how-to-add-a-language-pack-to-win7-osd-without-mdt
5. Hiding the display dialog box
   1. Set ProgressUI = CreateObject(“Microsoft.SMS.TsProgressUI”)

ProgressUI.CloseProgressDialog

1. http://blogs.technet.com/b/mniehaus/archive/2010/03/26/hiding-and-showing-the-task-sequence-progress-dialog-box.aspx
2. When this is useful

 

Community-Developed Solutions

1. TS documentor
   1. http://blogs.technet.com/b/deploymentguys/archive/2009/02/20/update-to-the-tasksequence-documentor.aspx
2. Copy logs (check Maik’s blog)
   1. http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/maikkoster/archive/2010/07/07/add-logging-to-your-applications-nlog-for-beginners.aspx
3. Email notification
   1. http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2011/11/16/sccm-task-sequence-completion-email-notification/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sccm-task-sequence-completion-email-notification
4. Automagically include support-related files in your boot images for troubleshooting during task sequences.
   1. http://www.1e.com/blogs/2010/07/17/ConfigMgr-OSD-Always-including-certain-files-in-your-Boot-Images-think-Trace32
5. How To: Inject Drivers from USB During a ConfigMgr Operating System Task Sequence
   1. http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2011/11/03/how-to-inject-drivers-from-usb-during-a-configmgr-operating-system-task-sequence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-inject-drivers-from-usb-during-a-configmgr-operating-system-task-sequence
6. Jason Sandy’s OSD App Tree
   1. http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2011/11/02/osd-app-tree/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=osd-app-tree
7. Automatically documenting your task sequences
   1. http://blogs.technet.com/b/deploymentguys/archive/2009/02/20/update-to-the-tasksequence-documentor.aspx
8. Versioning / Monitoring SCCM Task Sequences
   1. http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/maikkoster/archive/2011/05/12/versioning-monitoring-sccm-task-sequences.aspx
   2. http://mdtcustomizations.codeplex.com/releases/view/65824
9. How can I get my task sequence to prompt for a password?
   1. http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/nbrady/archive/2010/07/22/how-can-i-get-my-task-sequence-to-prompt-for-a-password.aspx
10. Jason Sandy’s OSD++
    1. http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/jsandys/pages/osdplusplus.aspx
11. Logging TS Variables –
    1.  http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2012/01/12/logging-configuration-manager-task-sequence-variables/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=logging-configuration-manager-task-sequence-variables
12. Possible to run a DCM in a TS to detect inventory?
    1. http://trevorsullivan.net/2011/06/22/powershell-initiate-evaluation-of-configmgr-dcm-baselines
13. Enhanced Patch Management
    1. http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2011/11/23/sccm-patch-management-using-the-task-sequence-engine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sccm-patch-management-using-the-task-sequence-engine
14. Displaying HTA in an OS or allowing user interaction with ServiceUI
    1. https://t3chn1ck.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/how-to-add-a-language-pack-to-win7-osd-without-mdt
    2. http://myitforum.com/myitforumwp/2011/11/04/configmgr-osd-install-software-that-requires-allow-user-interaction-during-task-sequence-deployment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=configmgr-osd-install-software-that-requires-allow-user-interaction-during-task-sequence-deployment
15. Hardware configuration with the Dell CCTK
    1. http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/gramsey/archive/2010/07/30/how-to-enable-trusted-platform-module-tpm-on-dell-latitude-optiplex-and-precision-workstations.aspx