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khyro
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VMware vCenter Server, 4.1.0: Windows customization resources were not found on the server.

Using the vSphere Client, I created a Guest Customization with "Target Virtual Machine OS" = "Windows".

Then I attempted to deploy a virtual machine from a Windows template. In the "Deploy Template" dialog, in the "Guest Customization" screen, the "Customize using an existing customization specification" is grayed out and disabled and I see the following warning:
     Windows customization resources were not found on the server.
Why am I unable to use the Windows Guest Customization I created?
I am running: VMware vCenter Server, 4.1.0, 345043 on Windows Server 2008 R2
According to the VMware Knowledge Base system preparation tools are built into the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system and do not have to be downloaded
Can someone help me resolve this issue?
Thankyou
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S_Grimbuhler
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HI

you can find the 2003 deploy.cab here : http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=23096

XP here : http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=11282

you have to copy sysprep files (extracted from the .cab) on c:/programData/VMware/VMware VirtualCenter/sysprep/(os)

Regards

Stéphane Grimbuhler

Senior Virtualization & Storage consultant (VCP / VCAP-DCA)

VMware Instructor (VCI)

Grimbuhler Stéphane (VCP, VCAP-DCA, VCI) www.virtualgeek.ch (My virtualization blog)

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S_Grimbuhler
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Hi

What is your template OS?

I guess it's not 2008R2. Maybe 2003...

That's correct, Sysprep tools are build into Windows 2008R2. But if your template is 2008R2. It doesnt concern the vCenter OS.

If your template is 2003, you will have to copy 2003 Sysprep files on your vCenter to make vCenter able to sysprep the new VM when deploying.

On a 2008R2 vCenter, you have to copy sysprep files on c:/programData/VMware/VMware VirtualCenter/sysprep/(os of the template)

hope it helps

Stéphane Grimbuhler

Senior Virtualization & Storage consultant (VCP / VCAP-DCA)

VMware Instructor (VCI)

Grimbuhler Stéphane (VCP, VCAP-DCA, VCI) www.virtualgeek.ch (My virtualization blog)
khyro
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Thanks Stéphane. Your reply was helpful. The OS on the templates I am trying to deploy to a VM are Windows 2003(various flavours) and Windows XP(also various flavours).

How do I generate sysrep files so that I can use the "Customize using an existing customization specification" option when deploying these templates to a VM?


Cheers

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S_Grimbuhler
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HI

you can find the 2003 deploy.cab here : http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=23096

XP here : http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=11282

you have to copy sysprep files (extracted from the .cab) on c:/programData/VMware/VMware VirtualCenter/sysprep/(os)

Regards

Stéphane Grimbuhler

Senior Virtualization & Storage consultant (VCP / VCAP-DCA)

VMware Instructor (VCI)

Grimbuhler Stéphane (VCP, VCAP-DCA, VCI) www.virtualgeek.ch (My virtualization blog)
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khyro
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Again, thanks so much Stéphane. Your reply was extremely helpful. I downloaded the cab file for Windows XP from the link and copied the containing files to the directory you pointed me too. I also generated a sysprep.inf file and included that in the customization I created and it worked like a charm! Can that same cab file be used for 64-bit Windows XP?

Thankyou

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