SCCM2012 R2 CU3 deploying windows 8.1 image on clients leaves a folder SMSTasksequence

Hi there,
I have SCCM2012 R2 CU3, I use to deploy windows 8.1 image on my Helix clients.  For some reason SCCM2012 is not cleaning the _SMSTasksequence folder (it has other folders as Applybootsystem, contentcache, drivers, logs, osd, packages,sms and TSEnv) once the image deployment is complete, since the folder is big, the users come back to me after a week with a big red bar on C drive to free some space.  What can be done to prevent this huge folder left behind after deployment.  I just deployed a new image on X200 machine and on C drive _SMSTasksequence is cleaned by SCCM2012.  I need help on why Helix clients get this folder left by sccm.
Thanks
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amanzoorNetwork infrastructure AdminAsked:
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Mike TLeading EngineerCommented:
Hi,

The only reason that folder get's left behind and not removed is if the task-sequence ends early, i.e. it crashes. The folder is needed for your deployment to work, as that's where software is downloaded. In normal operation, the whole folder will be deleted,

Your Helix clients have a problem running the task-sequence. Unfortunately if you have ticked the option "continue or error" you will not realise anything failed, as the task-sequence will carry on as if nothing happened. It will gracelessly end,  not delete the folder and may well not exit provisioning mode. If you *ever* see that directory it is a sure sign something is wrong.

Therefore you need to track down the cause. For this you need to read and understand the logs, in c:\windows\cccm\logs. There are several:

smsts.log - the first to check
execmgr.log - contains the exact command line of packages
AppDeploy.log - the command line of applications

Check the smsts logs first and use CMTrace to read them. When you open both files, tick "merge".
Look for red fail lines. You can attach (don't paste) the logs here.

Mike
PS: just deleting that folder is easy enough, but not the solution at all.
amanzoorNetwork infrastructure AdminAuthor Commented:
Hi Mike,
I have updated the SCCM 2012 R2 to CU5.  One thing which I have found about this task Sequence, once I click on it the compliance for All unknown computers is 0.0% where as other task sequence which are working fine(cleaning after them) are 100% compliance.  How and where can I make this TS compliance to all unknown computers?  Also
Same results even I uncheck the 'continue on error' which was checked on updates.  Under SMSTS.log
Still working on finding the cause.  Need help
I have these Errors in RED
**************************************************************************************
Failed to read filesystem from OSDPartitions2FileSystem, not formatting      OSDDiskPart      11/30/2015 10:17:51 AM      1136 (0x0470)
***********************************************************


I had these errors in yellow:
**********************************************************************************
Unable to fixup reparse points in C:\programdata\Microsoft\Windows\LocationProvider (0x80070005)      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:38 AM      1364 (0x0554)

Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Generic volume'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:46 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Generic volume'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:46 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'HID-compliant vendor-defined device'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:46 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'PCI Express Root Complex'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:46 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Microsoft Basic Display Driver'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:46 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Motherboard resources'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Microsoft AC Adapter'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Numeric data processor'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Embedded Controller'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Volume Manager'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)
Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device 'Generic SuperSpeed USB Hub'.      OSDDriverClient      11/30/2015 10:36:11 AM      1108 (0x0454)

************************************************************************************


There were just instructions, I guess have no significance where _SMSTasksequence is set not to be wiped
***********************************************************************************:
Starting to apply image 1 from HelixC2.wim to C:\      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:46 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Wiping C:\      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:46 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Set "C:\_SMSTaskSequence" to not be wiped      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:46 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Set "%OSDStateStorePath%" to not be wiped      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:46 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Set "%_SMSTSClientCache%" to not be wiped      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:46 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Set "%_SMSTSNewClientCachePathToCleanup%" to not be wiped      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:46 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Skipping C:\_SMSTaskSequence for wipe      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:46 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Calculating expected free space.      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:47 AM      1756 (0x06DC)
Reporting deletion progress.      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:47 AM      1756 (0x06DC)
Successfully wiped C:\      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:47 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Applying image to C:\      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:47 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Applying image 1 to volume C:      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:28:47 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Successfully applied image to C:\      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:30 AM      1364 (0x0554)
OfflineRegistry::Init("C:\WINDOWS")      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:30 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Loading offline registry hive "C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\software" into HKLM\OfflineRegistry1      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:30 AM      1364 (0x0554)
Loading offline registry hive "C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\system" into HKLM\OfflineRegistry2      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:32 AM      1364 (0x0554)
CurrentControlSet is mapped to ControlSet001      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:32 AM      1364 (0x0554)
System root for target OS is C:\WINDOWS, System drive is C:      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:32 AM      1364 (0x0554)
OS Version is 6.3      ApplyOperatingSystem      11/30/2015 10:34:32 AM      1364 (0x0554)
*****************************************************************************
Mike TLeading EngineerCommented:
Hi again,

That's a lot of errors and a lot of work to fix. I'll help where I can but you really need to read up on things yourself I think. Remember we're volunteers and SCCM is a very advanced product and can take lots of effort to get right which is way beyond a post here.

That said you need to concentrate on the following:

Errors: Unsuccessful in finding a suitable device driver for device
Point to your machine not installing the right drivers for most of the hardware.
What make and model is the hardware? Thinkpad X200? (guessing!)
What drivers are you applying?
How are you applying them?
What drivers do you have in the boot WIM, WinPE?

You need to fix those before going any further at all. Without drivers nothing much will work. Drivers need identifying, downloading, organising, pruning, testing, importing and targeting. They are the biggest piece of work for OSD and the most important.

The 3rd error you pasted:
Set "C:\_SMSTaskSequence" to not be wiped      ApplyOperatingSystem      

is completely normal. The process is:
boot into WinPE
wipe the disk
format at NTFS
create a new DIR called _SMSTasksequence
start copying files SCCM needs to _SMS...
install things from that path
run through all steps of the TS
finish and clean up _SMS as last few steps
display logon screen

Your build is way off that. Check the monitoring section to see how far the deployment got.

Mike
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amanzoorNetwork infrastructure AdminAuthor Commented:
Mike,
I am using the Lenovo drivers package for SCCM 2012 R2 for this Helix tablet make 3698-4LU.  No idea why SCCM logs are complaining about.  Anyways, my image for Helix has all the drivers already, in the TS if I uncheck the option of install of drivers, SCCM logs still complain.  
-In the boot image I have some generic drivers for NIC cards, should I remove them and try?
- I tried making new TS the _SMSTasksequence folder is still not deleted at the end of TS.
Still struggling to get this _SMStasksequence deleted at the end of TS.
Thanks
Mike TLeading EngineerCommented:
Hi,

I'm afraid the logs are more likely right. As such you have drivers missing so have bigger problems than just being left with the _smsts folder.

When you open device manager is everything showing as installed?
What device drivers are you applying during the task-sequence?

There are two main phases during an OSD:
WinPE
Windows OS

WinPE is your boot WIM and for Windows 8.1 has enough driver support that it is highly unlikely hardware needs any more. Note, you only ever need drivers to see the hard disk and get an IP. Nothing else is needed at this point.
I have only ever needed to add network drivers. If you have more than 4 then you're either unlucky or have too many. Some people stick 32-bit and 64-bit drivers in for example.

Try just using the default Microsoft boot WIM but don't edit it and see if you get an IP. If you do, then you don't need any extra drivers at all for the winPE phase.

The Windows OS phase is almost the opposite. You need to download all the drivers for each hardware category. In your case you need to install the following drivers from Lenovo. I know you say they are there already, but Lenovo disagree and provide all the below for your model:

 Software name                                         Build ID    Version number
  --------------------------------------------------    --------    -------------------------
  Broadcom NFC Driver for Windows                       GFWN04WW    1.0.0.4020
  Integrated Camera/Integrated Rear Camera Driver       GFC214WW    3.4.7.26/1.0.0.78
  Intel Chipset Driver                                  GHF2S1WW    9.3.0.1020
  Intel Management Engine Interface 9.0                 GFRT04WW    9.0.0.1287
  Intel SATA Controller AHCI Driver                     GFI203WW    11.6.0.1030
  Intel Smart Connect Technology                        GFRB02WW    1.0.8.0
  Lenovo Power Management Driver                        GRKU10WW    1.67.03.13
  Synaptics ThinkPad UltraNav Driver                    GGGX40WW    17.0.12.3
  ThinkPad Monitor INF File                             GROI03WW    5.03

  Where: Build ID is for administrative purpose.

The good news is that Lenovo supply all those as a single file for SCCM for you. You just need to download them, extract them and then import them to SCCM. Download them from:

http://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-helix-series-laptops/thinkpad-helix-type-3xxx/3698/4lu/downloads/DS039048

You then create a driver package and apply it. Then the errors in the log will go away.
Try that and see what happens. It may well fix the folder deletion issue simply because the TS finishes cleanly.

Mike

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amanzoorNetwork infrastructure AdminAuthor Commented:
Mike,
I removed all the drivers from the Boot image, downloaded the SCCM driver package as you linked above.  Downloaded the image onto the Helix and No luck.
I am closing this case considering I have to make a new image and then check.  For making the new image I need some extra time.  Thanks for the help.  I really appreciate it.
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