PXE Boot Menu Options do not appear in the PXE Configuration Utility

Products

• Ghost Solution Suite

Issue/Introduction

The PXE Configuration Utility within Ghost Solution Suite contains no Boot Menu Options for any PXE server or 'Shared Configuration' PXE Servers. The only option listed within the PXE Configuration Utility is 'Next Device (BIOS/EFI)'.  So, when a PXE boot is attempted, the additional menu options are available which were previously created. These menu options are also visible in the \PXE\Images folder on the express share. Attempting to boot to these configurations may fail.

Environment

GSS 3.x

Cause

In at least one instance of this issue, the GSS server was completely out of disk space on the installation drive and corruption had occurred within the GSS PXE components.

Resolution

If the PXE Configuration Utility shows a blank Boot Menu Options or only shows 'Next Device (BIOS/EFI)', ensure that you have selected the 'Shared Configuration' in File > 'Choose PXE Server'. If the menu is still missing previously created PXE configurations, a reinstallation of the PXE components should correct the issue as outlined below:

NOTE: Reinstalling PXE components will require re-creating PXE boot configurations/Menu Options. It is recommended to take a backup of the GSS server and SQL DB prior to attempting this. If you are unsure of any of the steps below, please contact Broadcom Technical Support for assistance.

Step 1:
Ensure you are signed in to the GSS server using the GSS service account. Open the PXE Configuration Utility and make note of all settings configured so these can be reconfigured later, then close both the GSS Console and the PXE Configuration Utility and stop all GSS Services

Step 2:
From the Windows Programs and Features on the PXE server, do an uninstall in this order: iPXE add-on's, and PXE Server. Then uninstall the PXE Manager from the GSS server (this may be on the same server as PXE)

Step 3:
In File Explorer, navigate to \Program Files (x86)\Altiris\eXpress\Deployment Server (or location of eXpress share). Rename or delete the folder/directory called 'PXE' to something else

Step 4:
Installation files for the currently installed version by default are located at C:\DSSetup. Navigate to this directory and right click on axinstall.exe and select 'Run as administrator'. Pay attention to the GSS Installation Pre-requisites to ensure that the 'Server Check Summary' passes all requirements.

In testing, a full 'Custom Install' has been successful in reinstalling PXE and PXE Manager. If this option is selected, ensure you select 'yes' to use the existing DB and eXpress share.

If you would prefer not running the full installation, the issue may also be resolved by repairing the PXE Manager from 'Component Install', then installing PXE server components.

Step 5:
Create a new PXE Configurations/Menu items and ensure all settings in PXE Configuration Utility are correct.