ConfigMgr OSD fails to start in WinPE

A simple task sequence deployed to a collection, a virtual machine (Hyper-V guest) booting with PxE to run that task sequence.

WinPE starts up, loads the networking (which gives a working IP address, can ping/connect to servers) but then the computer just reboots. No errors or warnings.

With WinPE debug mode enabled, you can press F8 to load the command prompt, but smsts.log doesn’t report an obvious error. Lot’s of “access denied” type messages that led me hunting issues with Network access accounts and such

Hyper-V Powershell command are missing

In my never ending quest to learn a new thing everyday, I decided I needed to spend more time with Powershell. After a recent Hyper-V issue it seems it would be just the thing to help. So imagine my surprise when nothing I did could get the Hyper-V PS commands to work!

It turns out that because my server had been upgraded to Server 2012 from 2008R2, when the Hyper-V role is installed, the Hyper-V PS module isn’t.

Hyper-V Failed to update configuration for port

On a Hyper-V server I’m seeing an EventID12 in Hyper-V-VMSwitch appearing at what appears to be random intervals. I haven’t seen a pattern to when they appear, but I’ve started paying more attention

Failed to update configuration for port {GUID} (Friendly Name: {GUID}) on switch SWITCH-SM-{GUID} (Friendly Name: {Name}), status = An attempt has been made to remove a file or directory that cannot be deleted..

I’ve found various registry entries that match the various GUIDs, so I’m thinking I’ve ended up with some redundant duplicates or something. The entry seems to describe my actual main Production virtual switch though, so some more investigation is needed.