Page 1
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Sitemap
Sitemap
q
Introduction
q
Beginner Introduction
r
Step 1 - Creating a Local Source
r
Step 2 - Slipstreaming Latest Service Pack
r
Step 3 - Updating Setup Source with Latest Hotfixes
s
Getting the Hotfixes
s
Installing the Hotfixes
s
Post-SP2 Hotfix Switch
s
SVCPACK.INF Method
s
nLite
r
Step 4 - Creating a Basic Unattended Setup
r
Finalising and Testing the CD
q
Intermediate Introduction
r
Methods of Install
s
Batch Scripting
s
RunOnceEX
r
Device Drivers
s
Drivers via WINNT.SIF
s
Drivers from CD
s
RAID/SATA Drivers
s
Bâshrat the Sneaky's Driver Packs
r
Applications
s
Office XP Index
s
Simple Installation
s
Advanced Installation
s
Office 2003 Index
s
Office 2003 Slipstreaming
s
Simple Installation
s
Advanced Installation
s
Application Database
s
Inno Setup
s
Installshield
s
NSIS
s
Windows Installer (.msi)
s
Wise Installer
r
Adding Users
r
Activation
r
Registry Tweaks
s
Registry Tweak Database
r
Finalising and Testing the CD
q
Advanced Introduction
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Advanced Methods of Install
s
RunOnceEX from CD
s
Windows Post-Installer
s
Windows Installation Helper Utility
s
XPlode
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Using Modified System Files
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Unsigned Visual Styles
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More Concurrent Connections
s
Windows File Protection
s
Other Modified files
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Cosmetics
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Setup Billboard
s
New Style Setup Billboards
s
Background Image
s
Other Images to Change
s
Text
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Sitemap
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Colors
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Classic Style Setup Billboards
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Boot Screen
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Themes
s
Logon Screens
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Adding custom OEM Info
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Slimming down your CD/DVD
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Creating a Multiboot CD/DVD
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Member Created Applications
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Finalising and Testing the CD
q
Reference
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FAQ
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Timeline
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Overview of the $OEM$ Folders
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winnt.sif Reference
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Crashcourse in Switches
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Virtual Machine Tips
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Compressed Files
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Using CDIMAGE GUI
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CMDLINES.TXT Explained
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Examples
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Member Sites
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Downloads
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Credits/Copyright
Last updated 2005-12-24 15:57:57
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Page 3
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Introduction
Introduction
Welcome!
Have you ever wanted a Windows CD that would install Windows by automatically putting in your name, product key, timezone
and regional settings? And have it merged with the latest Service Pack to save time? Followed by silently installing all your
favourite applications along with DirectX 9.0c, .Net Framework 1.1 and then all the required hotfixes, updated drivers, registry
tweaks, and a readily patched UXTheme.dll without any user interaction whatsoever? Then this guide will show you how you can
do just that!
Through the course of this guide, you will create a CD that does all the installing for you. The CD will be fully updated with the
latest hotfixes, and install all your programs for you.
This guide has been broken up into three parts: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.
It has been done so, to help you understand what you're doing and not to get over your head too fast. There are pages upon
pages of information on this subject, and this guide only covers the tip of the iceberg.
The Beginner portion will cover the updating of your CD, along with automating setup itself.
The Intermediate portion covers adding Drivers and Applications to your CD, as well as User creation and other little tidbits.
The Advanced section is where it gets really fun. We'll customize the look and feel of your setup, as well as add hacked files to
remove the limits put upon the system.
I must strongly suggest that you adhere to the sections untill you feel you have completely mastered them. You don't want to go
sailing without knowing how to sail.
Target Audience: Home users - who are taking up a time-consuming process of re-installing Windows, manually installing
essential applications, downloading windows updates, and tweaking their OS to perfection on every re-format.
Difficulty: Requires an intermediate experience of Microsoft Windows and a basic knowledge of how batch commands function.
Though batch scripts are briefly covered, it will be a good idea to brush up on your skills before starting.
» Latest Site Updates
24th December 2005 - Another major renovation you say? OF COURSE! New design, new backend management system, AND the
ability for normal users to submit additions???? HECK YES!
Enjoy!!
» Translations
These translations are neither supported or maintained by MSFN. We cannot verify the integrity of these translations so please use
at your own risk. Requesting help in your native language (with the exception of english) is not permitted on the MSFN forums.
You can check this forum thread to see if a translation is in progress if its not listed below. Please reply to the thread if you want
to make a translation.
German | Russian | Italian | Dutch | Simplified Chinese | Polish | Turkish
Last updated 2005-12-24 16:33:09 by Alanoll
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Page 4
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Beginner's Introduction
Beginner's Introduction
Welcome to the beginner's section of the guide. This portion is intended solely to get your CD updated and create a basic
Unattended disc. What this means, is that you get your CD/DVD updated with the latest service packs and hotfixes and
automating the majority of Windows Setup.
What you will need:
q
A Windows CD. This portion of the guide is applicable with Windows 2000 through Windows 2003.
q
The Service Pack you wish to use for your operating system. You will need the NETWORK INSTALL. It's the larger of the
two options to download. Windows 2000 SP4 - Windows XP SP1a - Windows XP SP2
q
The Deployment tools for your operating system. This guide will cover the build for Windows XP SP2. Those can be found
here
When testing your CD/DVD, instead of burning countless test discs, you could use a Virtual Machine. They're slightly slower, but
you don't have to reformat your computer just to test your CD/DVD.
Last updated 2005-12-14 16:46:19 by Alanoll
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Page 5
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 1 - Creating a Local Source
Step 1 - Creating a Local Source
This step is perhaps one of the easiest things to do, and with all easy things, many different ways to accomplish it.
I'm just going to cover two methods: Manual, and Automated.
» The Automated Way
We're going to use a program called nLite. It requires the .NET Framework, so if you don't want that on your computer, skip down
to the Manual section.
So let's get started.
q
Put the OS CD into your CDROM drive. If the Autorun menu starts, feel free to close it. We're not going to use it.
q
Now let's start of nLite. And continue untill you get to this screen.
q
Click the "Browse" button.
q
Select the CDROM drive with your OS CD inside of it.
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 1 - Creating a Local Source
q
Now, because you have selected a READ-ONLY source, i.e. the CDROM, another box will come up just like the first. This is
where your CD will be copied to.
q
Click OK and when finished, go ahead and exit out of nLite.
» The Manual Way
I prefer this method myself, primarily because I like doing things myself. We're going to manually copy our CD to the hard drive.
q
Put the OS CD into your CDROM drive. If the Autorun menu starts, feel free to close it. We're not going to use it.
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 1 - Creating a Local Source
q
Open up My Computer, then Right-Click on the CDROM with your CD in it, and select Open.
q
You can either, click and drag selecting all the contents of your current location, or simply press <CTRL><A>
q
Right-Click on your mouse, and select copy, or press <CTRL><C>
q
Now navigate to your hard drive, and create a new folder called whatever you want. Just remember it's name.
q
Open that folder, Right-Click on your mouse, and select paste, or press <CTRL><V>
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 1 - Creating a Local Source
From this point on, for the sake of ease, I will call the destination of your copied source XPCD.
The next step is to slipstream your copied source with your service pack.
Last updated 2005-12-03 18:22:22 by Alanoll
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Page 9
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 2 - Slipstreaming the Latest Service Pack
Step 2 - Slipstreaming the Latest Service Pack
As with the making of the local source in Step 1, this step also has two ways of accomplishing the goal.
The two methods are the Manual way, and the Automated way using nLite.
» The Automated Way
q
Start up nLite. Just keep clicking next till you get to this screen:
q
Click the Browse button, and select the folder you copied your source to in Step 1. I'll be using C:XPCD
q
After selecting the folder click till you get to this screen:
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Page 10
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 2 - Slipstreaming the Latest Service Pack
q
Click the Select button, and navigate to your download of the network service pack file, and click Open.
q
A couple boxes should come open with progress bars.
The above is for the extracting of the service pack, and the below for the integration of the service pack.
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 2 - Slipstreaming the Latest Service Pack
Just wait untill they all close and you're back at the nLite screen. If you receive this box:
feel free to click OK.
q
Back in nLite, the area just above where you clicked Select, should now reveal your Operating System and what service
pack level it is at.
q
Exit out of nLite, and continue to Step 3.
» The Manual Way
This way is going to walk you through the steps necessary, as if you didn't have nLite and wanted to type in the commands
necessary.
q
Click Start, and select Run. If you don't see it on the start menu, simply press <WINDOWSKEY><R>
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 2 - Slipstreaming the Latest Service Pack
q
Now click within the box where it says your filename, and type:
-s:C:XPCD
Where C:XPCD is the path to your Operating System local source. Note however, I did NOT point it to the I386 directory. It
MUST be the directory I386 is within.
q
You should see these boxes appear on screen:
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 2 - Slipstreaming the Latest Service Pack
q
Click OK on the final box, and continue to Step 3.
Last updated 2005-12-03 18:24:08 by Alanoll
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Page 14
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 3 - Updating Setup Source with Latest Updates
Step 3 - Updating Setup Source with Latest Updates
At the time of making this guide, there's probably approximately 25-35 MB of critical updates on Windows Update for Windows.
Nobody likes to download them, especially if you're on 56K when you're eager to get all your essential applications installed and
making a full backup before properly using your OS. Thanks to the silent install switches, we can now include 35 MB of hotfixes on
the CD and get them installed all in one go. This section covers two parts - Getting the Hotfixes and Installing the Hotfixes.
Getting the Hotfixes | Installing the Hotfixes
Last updated 2005-12-03 18:14:28 by Alanoll
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Hotfix Introduction
Hotfix Introduction
Welcome to the portion to add system updates to your OS CD. There 4 methods. 2 manual, and 2 automated.
» Manual Way
The two methods here are using the /INTEGRATE switch of the newer hotfixes, or creating a SVCPACK.INF file. The /INTEGRATE
method only works for the most recent hotfixes released, I recommend using this ONLY with Windows XP SP2 hotixes. This does
not include the Internet Explorer patches. The SVCPACK.INF method is the old official method, which the /INTEGRATE switch does
create, but doing it by hand allows you to also add the IE patch and others. The SVCPACK.INF method is compatible with Windows
2000-2003
Choose your method now:
/INTEGRATE switch | SVCPACK.INF Method
» Automated Way
The other way is nLite which is only compatible with the newer hotfixes that have been recently released, and again suggested
only for Windows XP SP2.
nLite Method
» Other Ways
A member of our forums, RyanVM, has created his own Update pack based on the Microsoft patches. While this is an efficient
method of apply the hotfixes, it will not be discussed as there are many variables involved. However, if you are interested, feel
free to visit his webpage for details. RyanVM's MSFN Files
XPCREATE is another member program created by GreenMachine. It's not mentioned in this guide because it is currently being
updated and will be added at a later date. GreenMachine's Website
AutoPatcherXP and associated programs will not be discussed here as well. This is not meant to be a form of bias, but as above,
there are many variables, and not everyone requires the patches that are included in this pack. AutoPatcher's Homepage
Last updated 2005-12-22 14:59:03 by Alanoll
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Getting the Hotfixes
Getting the Hotfixes
You're probably wondering how to find out which exact hotfixes you need for Windows, there are 4 ways to do this, excluding
using XPCREATE which downloads them for you:
» Method 1 - An up-to-date list
A full list of Critical Updates are available at this forum thread (Covers Windows 2000 up to 2003). The list at the forums is kept
up-to-date at all times.
» Method 2 - Windows Update
Set up a base install of Windows XP SP2 (with no updates installed), and go to Windows Update. Take note of the 6 digit numbers
on each Critical Update, e.g. "329441: Security Update for Microsoft Windows".
After you have taken note of all the 6 digit numbers on every security update, you need to attach them to the end of this URL:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=xxxxxx replacing the xxxxxx with the numbers you wrote down.
Then download from the link provided at the Knowledge Base Article (some articles will link to a Technet Security Bulletin). Repeat
for the other updates shown on Windows Update.
» Method 3 - Windows Update Catalog
Set up a base install of Windows XP SP2 (with no updates installed), and access Windows Update. . Click on the "Personalize
Windows Update" link on the left pane, Check the "Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog" under the "See Also" check-
box under "Set options for Windows Update" list in the right pane, Click the "save settings" button in the top right of the right
pane.
Then click on the "Windows Update Catalog" link under the "See Also" list in the left pane, click "Find updates for Microsoft
Windows operating systems" in the right pane, select OS (Windows XP SP2) in the Operating-system-list and your OS language in
the Language-List, and then click search in bottom right of the right pane.
You are now presented with links to "Critical Updates and Service Packs", "Multi-Language Features" and "Recommended
Updates". Open each link and add what components/updates you want and click the "Go to Download Basket" link when you are
done. Select the path to download the updates in (Must be an existing folder) and click on the "Download now" Button. The
updates will now be downloaded and categorized in separate folders, automatically on your own hard-drive.
Note: The Windows Update Catalog is not as accurate as Windows Update itself.
» Method 4 - HFNetChk
Instead of accessing Windows Update, grab the freeware HFNetChk Utility. As it explains on its site: "HFNetChk.exe is the multi-
threaded command-line tool you can use to assess a computer or selected group of computers for the absence of security
patches.".
Install HFNetChk and open up Command Prompt (Start > Run > CMD). Change to the directory where HFNetChk is installed
(Usually C:\Program Files\Shavlik Technologies\HFNetChk\), and type: hfnetchk -v
Make a note of the Knowledge Base Article numbers and look them up as explained in Method 2, or use the Technet Security
Bulletin numbers (MSxx-xxx) and look them up using this URL:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MSxx-xxx.asp replacing the xx-xxx with the numbers shown in HFNetChk.
» Conclusion
Its a lengthy process, but it certainly does pay off in the end. It will be much easier to maintain your hotfix list in the future since
only a hotfix or two is released every second tuesday of the month. (That's Microsoft Patch Day!). Hotfix updates will be
announced on the frontpage of MSFN.org as soon as they are released.
Last updated 2005-11-21 16:33:04 by Alanoll
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Page 17
MSFN's Unattended Windows : /INTEGRATE Method
/INTEGRATE Method
Of the manual methods, this is most likely one of the simplest. All we're going to do is execute the hotfixes we downloaded
previously, and add the /INTEGRATE switch to them.
» Getting down to business
q
Open up the Run dialog box.
q
Click browse, and select your first hotfix file.
q
Now click into the box, and type:
/integrate:C:XPCD
Change C:XPCD to the directory you copied your source to in Step 1.
q
Click OK.
q
When the process has finished, a box similar to this should appear:
q
Continue repeating these steps untill you have processed all the hotfixes you have downloaded.
Last updated 2005-12-02 22:14:45 by Alanoll
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : SVCPACK.INF Method
SVCPACK.INF Method
In this section of the guide, we'll help you set up a hotfixes installation that will run in the GUI-mode part of Setup. The hotfixes
installation will execute at the "13 minutes left" stage, which will take somewhere between 5-20 minutes to complete - depending
on your system specifications.
(I know this page seems very long, but it only takes 10 minutes to do everything explained. Its just very detailed!)
» Setting up your Hotfixes and the svcpack.inf file
Copy all your downloaded hotfix files into this directory: C:\XPCD\i386\SVCPACK\
All hotfixes must be renamed to an 8.3 naming format (no more than 8 characters in length). For example, filenames such as
Q819696_WXP_SP2_x86_ENU.exe and WindowsXP-KB824146-x86-ENU.exe should be renamed to Q819696.exe and
KB824146.exe in that order respectively.
Below are the necessary SVCPACK.INF entries for Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows 2003 respectively.
Open Notepad and copy and paste the following below:
;Windows 2000
[Version]
Signature=" NT$"
MajorVersion=5
MinorVersion=0
BuildNumber=2195
[SetupData]
CatalogSubDir="\i386\SVCPACK"
[ProductCatalogsToInstall]
[SetupHotfixesToRun]
Q330994.exe /Q:A /R:N
Q819696.exe /Q /O /N /Z
KB824146.exe /Q /O /N /Z
qchain.exe
;Windows XP
[Version]
Signature=" NT$"
MajorVersion=5
MinorVersion=1
BuildNumber=2600
[SetupData]
CatalogSubDir="\i386\SVCPACK"
[ProductCatalogsToInstall]
[SetupHotfixesToRun]
Q330994.exe /Q:A /R:N
Q819696.exe /Q /O /N /Z
KB824146.exe /Q /O /N /Z
qchain.exe
;Windows 2003
[Version]
Signature=" NT$"
MajorVersion=5
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : SVCPACK.INF Method
MinorVersion=2
BuildNumber=3790
[SetupData]
CatalogSubDir="\i386\SVCPACK"
[ProductCatalogsToInstall]
[SetupHotfixesToRun]
Q330994.exe /Q:A /R:N
Q819696.exe /Q /O /N /Z
KB824146.exe /Q /O /N /Z
qchain.exe
Save this as svcpack.inf in C:\XPCD\I386\. You must delete svcpack.in_ in the I386 directory otherwise Windows XP Setup will
not use the svcpack.inf file.
The entries shown in [SetupHotfixesToRun] are just an example. All the hotfixes you have downloaded, renamed and copied to the
SVCPACK folder should be added under this section in svcpack.inf in numerical order. The images below will help to know what
syntax should be used:
Files that look like this should be installed
using the /Q /O /N /Z switch.
We'll call them Type 1 Hotfixes
Files that look like this should
be installed using the /Q:A /R:
N switch.
We'll call them Type 2 Hotfixes
You can also check this page for an in-depth description of the Type 1 switches. Keep in mind that the MDAC update does not use
any of those switches, please look here for the latest information on hotfixes and their switches.
» DOSNET.inf
Open up DOSNET.infin the i386 directory with Notepad and add the following text into the blank space you see in Notepad, (this
can be put anywhere really):
[OptionalSrcDirs]
SVCPACK
» QCHAIN.exe
Don't forget to add QCHAIN.exe to your SVCPACK folder. This utility will ensure that the highest file version is installed if there is
a scenario where 2 hotfixes contain the same exe/dll file with different version numbers.
Download and extract the file to get the actual QCHAIN.exe inside the compressed file. Copy QCHAIN.exe to the Update folder
then add QCHAIN.exe to the very last line after all your hotfix entries in svcpack.inf. It does not require any switches.
» Adding Windows Media Player 9/10
If you wish to include the latest Windows Media Player version, there are both available from this site as silent install packages,
below are the links. These are for ENGLISH platforms ONLY.
Adding this to SVCPACK.INF is simple.
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : SVCPACK.INF Method
Open up your SVCPACK.INF file, and add an entry BEFORE any other hotfixes, simply with the name of the file you download
below. That's it!
Download: Windows Media Player 9 | Windows Media Player 10
» End Results
If you have done it all correctly, there should be no Critical Updates listed on Windows Update!
Last updated 2005-12-24 20:08:42 by Alanoll
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Page 21
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Explanation of Hotfix Switches used
Explanation of Hotfix Switches used
There are 5 switches in total which we can use with the Type 1 Hotfixes (the other switches documented by Microsoft's Knowledge
Base articles are irrelevant). Below you can find an explanation of them, and choose which ones you can use.
/U - Unattended Mode. No user interaction is required to install a hotfix, but you will see progress bar windows.
/Q - Quiet Mode. This functions exactly the same way as /U, but does not display any progress bar windows. You do not need to
use /Q and /U together.
/O - Overwrites OEM Files without prompting. Recent tests by several forums users have seen this to speed up hotfix installation
very noticeably, roughly shaving off one minute per hotfix. This is because each hotfix installation spends time searching for "third-
party drivers" repeatedly one after another. Using /O will prevent this.
Please use this switch with caution as this may overwrite any driver files you choose to install. (although we've not
heard any side effects from this since mentioning it here)
/N - Do not back up files for removal. This won't create any backups of older system files, thus there won't be any Add/Remove
entries for the hotfixes.
/Z - Do not restart when installation is complete.
Last updated 2005-12-03 02:01:09 by Alanoll
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Page 22
MSFN's Unattended Windows : nLite Method
nLite Method
nLite can also be used as a hotfix slipstreamer, however it can only be used with the LATEST hotfixes, and RyanVM's Hotfix Pack.
» Adding Hotfixes to be slipstreamed
q
Start up nLite click next till you reach this screen:
Right now everything is selected, deselect everything besides Hotfix Integration and click next.
q
After clicking next, you'll be brought to this screen:
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : nLite Method
Click browse, and select your local setup source you created in Step 1, then click next.
q
The next screen is where you will select what hotfixes to integrate into the CD.
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : nLite Method
Click the insert button, and select one of your downloaded hotfixes. Continue untill you select all your hotfixes. When
you're done, click next.
q
Click Yes, and nlite will begin it's business.
When the next button at the bottom becomes active, click it, and then you'll be at nLite's final screen. Click Finish, and
you're done.
Last updated 2005-12-03 02:17:53 by Alanoll
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Page 25
MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 4 - Creating a Basic Unattended Setup
Step 4 - Creating a Basic Unattended Setup
An answer file is a way to script the answers for a series of graphical user interface (GUI) dialog boxes. An answer file also tells
Setup how to interact with the $OEM$ distribution folders and files you create, and supplies Setup with all of the information that
the end user would provide during a typical Windows Setup.
With the XP SP2 Deployment Tools you downloaded, simply extract them to a folder, or double click on the Cab file. The only files
you will need is setupmgr.exe and ref.chm:
The Setup Manager (setupmgr.exe) is a wizard-based answer file creation utility, so you won't come across too much difficulty in
using this application. To start you off, make the following choices:
q
New or Existing Answer File: Create New
q
Type of Setup: Unattended Setup
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 4 - Creating a Basic Unattended Setup
q
Windows Product: Which ever version you're preparing for
q
User Interaction: Fully Automated
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 4 - Creating a Basic Unattended Setup
q
Distribution Share: Set up from CD (ignore the message about IE customizations, they work actually!)
Having done that, accept the Licence Agreement, then fill in all the boxes as you would during Windows XP Setup. If you come
across a section that you don't understand, then ignore it. Windows XP will use whatever default option there is for that section.
When you've finished, it creates a file called unattend.txt. Since we are going to run Setup from a CD we need to rename this to
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Step 4 - Creating a Basic Unattended Setup
WINNT.SIF. Be sure that the file does not infact end up WINNT.SIF.TXT. It MUST not end in .TXT
» I want to manually control my partitioning and formatting options...
If you prefer to manually choose a partition during text-mode setup with full control on choice of file system, then make sure you
have these lines set as they are under the [Data] and [Unattended] sections in winnt.sif:
[Data]
AutoPartition=0
[Unattended]
FileSystem=*
If you want to automate this process with exact specifics on drive letters, partition sizes and file systems, you may want to
consider using Bart's PE and diskpart.
» Where does the winnt.sif file go?
Copy winnt.sif to the I386 directory within the local setup source folder you created in Step 1.
» Additional Information
Refer to the Reference page, or read through ref.chm to see how you can add extra options to your winnt.sif file, such as asking
Setup not to install Windows Messenger 4.7 and MSN Explorer 7.
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Finalizing and Testing the CD
Finalizing and Testing the CD
Once you're happy with your Unattended XP CD preparation, double check to see if everything is correct, including the winnt.sif
answer file, all the batch files, svcpack.inf and anything else you might have added.
It is very likely that you will have several mistakes that have gone unnoticed, so its a good idea to test your installation in a
Virtual Machine. If you prefer to not use a Virtual Machine be sure to use CD-RW/DVD-RW discs to test before burning to a single
burn medium.
» Using Microsoft's CDImage Tool to create the ISO
CDImage is a command-line driven application developed by Microsoft to create an ISO image from a directory of files and folders.
We'll be using the CDIMAGE GUI to better illustrate the switches, especially since it's easier to determine which switches you wish
to use. The CDIMAGE GUI is just a frontend for the command-line tool. Read more about CDIMAGE GUI in the reference section.
Alternatively, doing it the long way round, you can burn all the contents of C:\XPCD\ to a CD-R, using one of these guides: MSFN
Windows XP SP2 Guide | The Elder Geek Windows XP SP2 Guide
» Notes
Make sure you burn the ISO using Disc-at-once in your burner options, rather than Track-at-once. Because this usually helps
resolve bootability issues or file copy errors.
Using software such as WinISO, UltraISO or any other variant to create/edit your bootable ISO image is not recommended as
there is a risk of corrupting your ISO file.
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MSFN's Unattended Windows : Intermediate Introduction
Intermediate Introduction
Welcome to the Intermediate section of the guide. This portion to intended to take your basic Unattended CD you created in the
Beginner section, and turn it into a CD that will also install your drivers and your favorite applications. Along with a few Registry
Tweaks, your CD may just be what you've needed for quite sometime, a CD that will install Windows and have it completely usable
from the start. Good luck with this portion of the guide, and remember if you have any problems, don't hesitate to ask in the
forums.
What you'll need:
q
A Basic Unattended CD from the Beginner Section
q
Some basic knowledge on Batch scripting
q
All your drivers and favorite programs handy
» OEM Preinstallation
We will be using the $OEM$ distribution folders to install our favorite software, drivers, and registry tweaks. But to make this
work, we need to specify two values in the WINNT.SIF file under [Unattended]
To edit the WINNT.SIF file, simply open it up in notepad and edit it as follows:
[Unattended]
OemPreinstall=Yes
UnattendSwitch="yes"
OemPreinstall=Yes instructs Windows XP Setup that there is an $OEM$ distribution share on the CD. This will tell setup to copy
them over to the destination hard drive of where Windows is being installed.
UnattendSwitch="yes" instructs Windows XP Setup to skip the "Welcome to Windows XP" screens, where user account and
Internet setting-up takes place. If you didn't skip this then it wouldn't really be "unattended" would it? :-) (Although we'll worry
about User Account creation by going to the Add Users & Auto Logon page later).
Now remember, just as with the beginner section, it is highly advisable to use a Virtual Machine. The downside of a Virtual
Machine at least in this section, is that you will have to hope your drivers will install in a real system, but drivers are usually the
easy thing to get working.