WDS Issue: DP: An error occurred while trying to create the directory for the architecture. Error Information: 0x3

Question

_{Thursday, May 21, 2020 8:27 PM}

We recently had an issue where machines were not able to PXE boot (I know I should be using IP helpers but are not there yet, on the to do list) Anyway we had option 60 configured on the DHCP and removing that fixed it. However, in the process of trying to figure that out I had removed the boot image and OS images and replaced them. So we get past DHCP and get a WDS error. So I removed PXE and WDS from the DP and added it back then redistributed the boot image and OS but I am getting the error

An error occurred while trying to create the directory for the  architecture.
 
 Error Information: 0x3

in the Event Viewer that makes it seem like the RemoteInstall folder is not being built out right and WDS is saying there is no architecture for the machine we are trying to boot. Any ideas?

Thomas Faherty

All replies (7)

_{Friday, May 22, 2020 2:37 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

Hi,

Thanks for posting in TechNet. You can also try to initialize the server:
open cmd with admin privilege 
run wdsutil /uninitialize-server at the command prompt,
then run wdsutil /initialize-server /reminst:<path to RemoteInstall folder>

Refer to: WDS not installing when PXE enabled on the DP
Troubleshooting PXE boot issues in Configuration Manager

Thanks for your time. 
 
Best regards,
Simon

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact [email protected].

_{Friday, May 22, 2020 8:06 PM ✅Answered}

There seems like there was a lot of misleading stuff here but I figured out what it was. I recently setup a cloud distribution point which required that I set the MP to use HTTPS for client communication. I didn't realize this meant for everything and we were not really setup for HTTPS which caused all this. Kind of feels a bit silly but now I know. removed the use HTTPS and everything went back to working after 15 minutes. Those troubleshooting links you added are pure gold though. I am going to mark that too incase anyone else ends up here. That could really help.

Thomas Faherty

_{Thursday, May 21, 2020 8:51 PM}

Also found this after trying to image in the DP event logs

The PXE server processed a request from a client of architecture x64uefi.  However there were no boot images installed for this architecture.  PXE clients of this architecture will not be able to complete the boot process successfully.  To resolve this problem, add at least one boot image for this architecture.

Thomas Faherty

_{Thursday, May 21, 2020 9:01 PM}

Found this post and gave it a try. I am not back in the Office till tomorrow so I wont be able to test till then but wanted to post it incase it works. It was the case that I was missing this file. 

Your "remoteinstall" folder (under Boot\x64) might be missing a file called  wdsmgfw.efi 

There is some sort of problem on WDS (at least on Windows Server 2016) that does not place this file where it needs to be. It may also stem from MDT or some other reason. 

You will find a copy in the C:\Windows\System32\Reminst (?) folder.

Copy that file over to your WDS RemoteInstall folder (under boot\x64) and let us know how it goes.

Fixed my issues instantly.

Thomas Faherty

_{Friday, May 22, 2020 3:05 PM}

So when I try that command I get this message back about 5 times Warning: Could not find a description for a message that was meant to be displayed. Message ID: 0x4104080A I also noticed if I launch WDS and look at the boot folder there is nothing in it. The boot folder in the remoteinstall folder has content but IDK if that is supposed to show on the WDS app too?

Thomas Faherty

_{Friday, May 22, 2020 5:33 PM}

Tried rebuilding PXE and WDS again then redeploying the rebuilt boot images but still no good. Also put face through keyboard. No good either.

I can see when I check the PXE box that the RemoteInstall folder is created and the WDS is automatically installed. Just doesn't actually work.

Thomas Faherty

_{Friday, June 12, 2020 8:43 AM}

Hi,

Thanks for your reply and feedback. Here's a short summary for the problem.

Problem/Symptom:

Got the error when redistributed the boot image and OS: An error occurred while trying to create the directory for the architecture. Error Information: 0x3 

Solution:

Removed the use HTTPS and everything went back to working after 15 minutes.

Thanks again for your time.

Best regards,
Simon

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact [email protected].