A PXE client computer is slow to start when you deploy Windows PE from a Windows Server 2003-based RIS server (906425)

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You deploy the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) from a Remote Installation Services (RIS) server. This RIS server is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003. You perform this deployment to trigger a Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) startup on a client computer. In this scenario, there may be a delay of up to 20 minutes before the client computer starts.

Note This problem occurs most frequently on Legacy-Free systems that emulate an 8042 keyboard controller chip in the system's firmware. However, other hardware configurations may also exhibit this problem.

RESOLUTION

To deploy this hotfix to the Windows Server 2003 RIS server, follow these steps:

Extract the binaries to a temporary folder such as C:\Temp.
Replace the startrom.com and startrom.n12 files in following folder with the files from the C:\Temp folder:
\RemoteInstall\OSChooser\<arch>\
On the image folder that has exhibits this problem, replace the startrom.com or startrom.n12 files in the following folder:
\RemoteInstall\Setup\<Lang>\Images\<ImageName>\<arch>\templates

Notes

Do not apply this hotfix on a Microsoft Windows 2000 Server-based RIS server.
Only apply this hotfix on x86 or amd64-based versions of Windows Server 2003.
Do not replace the startrom.com or startrom.n12 files in the templates folder of Windows 2000 images even if the image is on the Windows Server 2003 RIS server.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

   Date         Time          Size    File name
   -----------------------------------------------
   30-Aug-2005  04:21         24,882  Hdlscom1.com
   30-Aug-2005  04:21         24,866  Hdlscom1.n12
   30-Aug-2005  04:21         24,882  Hdlscom2.com
   30-Aug-2005  04:21         24,866  Hdlscom2.n12
   30-Aug-2005  04:21         24,530  Startrom.com
   30-Aug-2005  04:21         24,514  Startrom.n12