How to setup a PXE boot server?

I want to try and setup a PXE boot server for a laptop that has a damaged hard drive. I have a custom built desktop with Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and I want to make it my server so I can use my laptop to boot from an image. I have been looking all over the internet and could not find a clear article that shows step by step. I have heard of CCBoot but I am not sure how to use it. Can someone point me into the direction I need to go or show me an article?

Solution 1:

You would need to setup a DHCP server for handling the assignment of the IP address to the laptop, and then set up a PXE server to handle the boot file transfers.

To do both of these functions, I would recommend you install TFTPD, available here: http://tftpd32.jounin.net/

Basic steps are:

• Download and install TFTPD, and then add port 69 to the Windows Firewall exceptions list (Control Panel - Security - Firewall).

• Assign your computer a static IP address.

• Configure TFTPD with the bootfile location and DHCP range.

• Connect the two computers with a crossover cable, or use a switch and patch cables.

• Boot the laptop with the network boot (PXE) option enabled.

To boot a Windows image, I recommend Steve's answer: How to install Windows 7 from the network?

Solution 2:

Just set up and configure WDS (Windows Deployment Services) and it automatically sets it all up for you. Just boot your client PC from LAN and it will automatically find the server and then boot from it. You can then choose what to install.