Unable to PXE boot new hardware using a USB dongle, receiving error "network device not available" or "PXE-E07 - Device not ready"

Products

• Deployment Solution

Issue/Introduction

Attempting to PXE boot newer models using USB dongles due to not having a ethernet port will result in failed PXE boot with error "network device not available" or "PXE-E07 - Device not ready."

At least these Dell models will be unable to PXE boot using a USB dongle:

• XPS 12 9Q23
• XPS 12 9333
• XPS 13
• XPS 15
• Precision Workstation M3800

This may happen with other non-Dell models as well.

Environment

DS 8.x

Cause

This is failing due to when the BStrap.efi is running, the NIC UNDI driver is not loaded for the USB NIC.

Resolution

This behavior was fixed in DS 8.x by changing the PXE server to write out *.pxe files under SBS\Images of all data that would be communicated out on UDP 4011 to client machines.

However, this change is not enabled by default. If you're having this issue do the following on the PXE/SBS servers:

1. Open regedit
2. Browse to 'HKLM\Software\Altiris\Deployment'
3. Create a new DWORD named "WritePxeFiles" (\WritePxeFiles) and set it to a value of 1.