Reinstalling a Computer

When a computer is reinstalled, all active policies that exist for this computer will be re-executed.
Depending on the settings you are using, the operating system may be reinstalled as well.
Even inactive policies can be automatically re-activated for reinstallation if the Instance Activation on Reinstall property of the instance is set accordingly.

You need the DSM OS Deployment for the reinstallation of the operating system via DSM. DSM OS Deployment requires a license.
The activation of policy instances for reinstallation can also be combined with the OSD Self-Service functionality.
For more details on preparing and assigning operating systems and on reinstalling computers, please refer to the OSD documentation.

Usually, reinstalling a computer means that the execution mode of all software policy instances is set to Reinstallation. After an operating system installation, the system regards the assigned software as not installed any more; therefore, the execution mode of the policy instances is set to Installation.
If you are using DSM OSD, the system automatically sets the correct execution mode. If you install your operating systems in any other way, set the following registry value for computers with a new operating system before the first Installer run, in order to achieve the same effect:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\NetSupport\NetInstall
OperatingSystemInstalled=1 (DWORD)

How to reinstall a computer:

  1. Select a computer in the Object window.
  2. Select Reinstall computer.

    The Reinstallation dialog is opened.

  3. If required, specify Start reinstallation immediately to activate the computer if it had been inactive up to now.
    When the Installer starts next, the reinstallation process is started on the computer.
    If not, the status of the computer remains 'as is' and you must activate the computer manually, if required, to start reinstallation.
  4. Select Wake up Computer to start ('wake up') a computer that has been shut down.
    The computer's mainboard and the network card have to support Wake on LAN (WoL).
  5. If required, enable Update policy instance to make sure that the current status of the individual policy is also applied to the instance.

    This option is only necessary if the respective policy had been updated uncritically (e.g. update to a new revision of the software package). If you enable this option, the current status of the policy is applied to the instance (if not, the instance remains unchanged).

  6. Confirm your changes by closing the dialog.

    If you select the option Start reinstallation immediately, the reinstallation process is started when the Installer starts next on the managed computer.
    The Compliance pending status of the policy instance remains until the reinstallation process is finished. If you want to undo the reinstallation process for individual computers or policy instances, select Cancel any pending actions.

    Depending on the upcoming policy instances, the system restarts the computer (in case the operating system is reinstalled, via DSM OSD) or checks for upcoming installations.

    If the selected computer can only be accessed via a firewall, please note that the following settings in the configuration table have to be specified:
    Installation Settings > Allow FastInstall via a TCP Port
    Installation Settings > FastInstall TCP Port