Enabling the network card

[mister technology]

how do i enable my network card with out the OS installed. Doing a project for big customer. They want the network card enable just in case the OS crashed. So they can still access the computer through the network. What software would i use

 

[shamrin]

And what exactly will they be accessing on the computer if the OS is crashed? The BIOS?

 

[mister technology]

yes to the bios. So right now just trying have it boot to the network card with no OS installed

 

[ATTech]

I really hope you don't charge people for performing this kind of work.

What you're referring to is PXE. Every BIOS is different, so It's impossible for me to say where you need to go in the bios, but you need to find in the bios, where you can enable PXE.

Not every system has it, but it was a standard introduced by Intel in 2001, so most computers have it.

 

[TLE]

yes to the bios. So right now just trying have it boot to the network card with no OS installed

For what purpose? Why would they want access to the BIOS if it has crashed?

Re-read your post, yes ATTech has hit the nail on the head with PXE, although not all motherboards support this feature.

 

[mister technology]

Just talk with the guy. He want to be able to do commands in dos in case the the system crashed. Going to be like 10 systems or more.

 

[Xander]

BIOS =/= DOS

A real tech would know that.

 

[ATTech]

Just talk with the guy. He want to be able to do commands in dos in case the the system crashed. Going to be like 10 systems or more.

Then he'll need to PXE boot a DOS image.

If you're referring to doing commands in the command prompt (a DOSish shell), then he can setup a WinPE image to boot from, rather than dealing with the hassles of trying to get DOS to work.

This is probably the better option, because all he'll need is a server running WDS and the WAIK to create the WinPE image. DOS would be a bit more complicated, and seeing as how neither you or him are really tech savvy, I'd go with the easier option.

 

[shamrin]

Then he'll need to PXE boot a DOS image.

If you're referring to doing commands in the command prompt (a DOSish shell), then he can setup a WinPE image to boot from, rather than dealing with the hassles of trying to get DOS to work.

This is probably the better option, because all he'll need is a server running WDS and the WAIK to create the WinPE image. DOS would be a bit more complicated, and seeing as how neither you or him are really tech savvy, I'd go with the easier option.

Blatant Thread Hijack

ATTech, what's the use-case for the PXE strategy? The OP wanted to get access to the machine if the OS crashed, but if that occurred, the machine would just be sitting there vegged-out. It wouldn't get to the network unless the crash caused a re-boot (in which case why not just boot back to the OS?).

 

[NeutronTech]

Then he'll need to PXE boot a DOS image.

If you're referring to doing commands in the command prompt (a DOSish shell), then he can setup a WinPE image to boot from, rather than dealing with the hassles of trying to get DOS to work.

This is probably the better option, because all he'll need is a server running WDS and the WAIK to create the WinPE image. DOS would be a bit more complicated, and seeing as how neither you or him are really tech savvy, I'd go with the easier option.

Ummm... I doubt he knows what a WinPE image is, let alone how to make one. And if he does know what one is, WDS and WAIK are going to be a complete mystery.

My suggestion to OP is to contract this job out to a more experienced tech. That way you'll still make some money on it and maintain your company's image while someone who understands computers better performs the work. Then the customer will be happy, you will be happy, and the sub will be happy. Win Win Win Situation

Take the money you make off of this job and buy some books or sign up for some courses on computers.

 

[Martyn]

Ummm... I doubt he knows what a WinPE image is, let alone how to make one. And if he does know what one is, WDS and WAIK are going to be a complete mystery.

My suggestion to OP is to contract this job out to a more experienced tech. That way you'll still make some money on it and maintain your company's image while someone who understands computers better performs the work. Then the customer will be happy, you will be happy, and the sub will be happy. Win Win Win Situation

Take the money you make off of this job and buy some books or sign up for some courses on computers.

Good advice


...filler....

 

[ATTech]

Blatant Thread Hijack

ATTech, what's the use-case for the PXE strategy? The OP wanted to get access to the machine if the OS crashed, but if that occurred, the machine would just be sitting there vegged-out. It wouldn't get to the network unless the crash caused a re-boot (in which case why not just boot back to the OS?).

I think you are looking too narrowly on his situation. He didn't say that he wanted to access the machine remotely. He didn't say that what he meant by crashed was that the system froze in the operating system. The only additional information he provided was that he wanted to boot to the network when no OS is installed. He's looking for a way to run command line (I assume what he means by DOS) on a machine through the network. PXE booted WinPE is exactly what he is looking for.

Ummm... I doubt he knows what a WinPE image is, let alone how to make one. And if he does know what one is, WDS and WAIK are going to be a complete mystery.

My suggestion to OP is to contract this job out to a more experienced tech. That way you'll still make some money on it and maintain your company's image while someone who understands computers better performs the work. Then the customer will be happy, you will be happy, and the sub will be happy. Win Win Win Situation

Take the money you make off of this job and buy some books or sign up for some courses on computers.

You're right, but at least I've told him what he's looking for, so he can contact a more experienced tech and tell him that he needs a network bootable WinPE image