Unlock Your Surface Book 2’s Hidden Potential: Comprehensive PXE Boot Guide

PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) booting allows you to boot your Surface Book 2 from a network server instead of its internal hard drive. This process is commonly used for deploying operating systems, troubleshooting hardware issues, or performing system recovery. In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to PXE boot Surface Book 2, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure that you have the following:

• Surface Book 2
• Network connection
• PXE server with a bootable image
• USB flash drive or external hard drive (optional)

Configuring the Surface Book 2

1. Enable PXE Boot:

• Power off the Surface Book 2.
• Press and hold the Volume Down button while pressing the Power button.
• Release the Power button once the Surface logo appears.
• Keep holding the Volume Down button until the UEFI menu appears.
• Navigate to the “Security” tab.
• Enable the “Secure Boot” option.
• Exit the UEFI menu and save changes.

2. Configure Network Settings:

• Return to the UEFI menu and navigate to the “Boot” tab.
• Select “Network” as the first boot option.
• Configure the network settings, including IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
• Ensure that the Surface Book 2 is connected to the network.

Creating a Bootable USB Drive (Optional)

If you do not have a PXE server, you can create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus.

1. Download Rufus: https://rufus.ie/en/
2. Insert USB Drive: Insert a USB flash drive into your computer.
3. Select Boot Image: Launch Rufus and select the bootable ISO file you want to use.
4. Configure Settings: Ensure that the “Partition Scheme” is set to “GPT” and the “Target System” is set to “UEFI (non-CSM).”
5. Start Creation: Click “Start” and follow the prompts to create the bootable USB drive.

Booting from PXE

1. Insert USB Drive (Optional): If using a bootable USB drive, insert it into the Surface Book 2.
2. Restart Device: Restart the Surface Book 2.
3. PXE Boot: The Surface Book 2 will automatically attempt to PXE boot from the network.
4. Select Boot Device: If prompted, select the PXE boot option from the list of available boot devices.
5. Load Image: The PXE server will load the bootable image onto the Surface Book 2.
6. Boot from Image: The Surface Book 2 will boot from the loaded image.

Troubleshooting

• No PXE Boot Option: Ensure that PXE boot is enabled in the UEFI menu.
• PXE Server Not Found: Check the network connection and ensure that the PXE server is running.
• Boot Failure: Verify that the bootable image is compatible with the Surface Book 2 and that it is properly configured.

Conclusion: PXE Booting Made Easy

By following these steps, you can successfully PXE boot Surface Book 2, enabling you to deploy operating systems, troubleshoot hardware issues, or perform system recovery with ease.

FAQ

Q1: Can I PXE boot Surface Book 2 without a PXE server?
A1: Yes, you can create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus.

Q2: What are the benefits of PXE booting?
A2: PXE booting allows for remote deployment of operating systems, troubleshooting, and system recovery.

Q3: How do I exit PXE boot mode?
A3: Restart the Surface Book 2 and enter the UEFI menu. Change the first boot option back to “Internal Storage.