Creating a Custom Platform Pack

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Creating a Custom Platformer Pack

1. Accessing Support Form:

   • Visit the SmartDeploy support website at smartdeploy.com/support.
   • Submit a support ticket or request the team to build a platformer pack for you.

2. Downloading WMI VBS Script:

   • Go to the platform pack page where the instructions are provided.
   • Download the WMI VBS script to generate the WMI text by running it on a Windows machine.

3. Downloading Drivers:

   • Obtain the necessary drivers for your custom platform pack, focusing on Ethernet, storage, wireless LAN, and audio drivers.
   • Ensure to check the readme files that come with the drivers for detailed information.

4. Organizing Driver Files:

   • Create a folder structure to organize the extracted driver files.
   • Separate the drivers by type (e.g., Ethernet, wireless) and keep them in individual directories for easier management.

5. Identifying Specific Drivers:

   • Use the WMI information to identify specific drivers needed for each component.
   • Search for unique lines in the driver files to ensure you copy only the necessary files.

6. Copying Driver Files:

   • Open the INF file associated with each driver to identify the required files.
   • Copy the essential files listed in the source disk section of the INF file to include in your platform pack.

7. Creating a CSV File:

   • Compile a list of the required driver files in a CSV format for efficient copying.
   • Use a command line to copy the files from the source directory to the destination directory.

8. Building the Platform Pack:

   • Access the SmartDeploy platform manager located at Program Files x86 > SmartDeploy > SmartDeploy Enterprise > Platform.exe.
   • Create a new platform pack for your specific model (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad T44p for Windows 10) by adding drivers and customizing the WMI filter.

9. Adding Drivers to the Pack:

   • Import the driver files into the platform pack by selecting the Windows 10 folder containing the organized driver directories.
   • Ensure each driver has a unique folder within the platform pack for easy identification.

10. Versioning and Saving:

    • Include a version number and date in the platform pack comments section for tracking and updating purposes.
    • Save the platform pack and test it using offline deployment media or deploy it directly for use.

11. Injecting Drivers into Boot Image (if needed):

    • If certain drivers are missing during deployment, inject them into the boot image.
    • Add the necessary drivers to the WinPE folder within the platform pack to ensure they are included in the boot image.

12. Finalizing and Testing:

    • Save the platform pack with injected drivers and test it to ensure all components function correctly during deployment.
    • Deploy the platform pack using SmartDeploy, ensuring it applies only to the designated custom systems.

By following these steps, you can create a custom platform pack tailored to your specific hardware requirements using SmartDeploy's tools and resources.