This recipe is similar to another one on here but this one differs in that it explains how to create a sif file in notepad and what command line script to use to execute it and start your xp unattended install.
I’m a lazy geek and I reinstall my OS on a monthly if not bi-weekly basis at times. Plus, it keeps my skills honed.
In turn, I’m to the point where i use a basic .bat file to run my install. You can use the tool on the XP CD to create a sif file or you can also go the fun route of opening the sif file w/notepad or creating one from notepad.
1. Open Notepad.
2. Paste this code into notepad (similar to what i use).
- ;SetupMgrTag
- [Data]
- AutoPartition=1
- MsDosInitiated=”Yes”
- UnattendedInstall=”Yes”
[Unattended]
UnattendMode=DefaultHide
OemaSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=No
TargetPath=\WINDOWS
[GuiUnattended]
EncryptedAdminPassword=NO
AutoLogon=Yes
AutoLogonCount=1
OEMSkipRegional=1
TimeZone=20
[UserData]
ComputerName=”xxxxx”
ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
FullName=”xxx”
OrgName=”xxx”
[Display]
BitsPerPel=32
Xresolution=1024
YResolution=768
[Components]
iis_common=On
iis_www=On
[TapiLocation]
CountryCode=1
Dialing=Tone
AreaCode=”xxx”
[RegionalSettings]
LanguageGroup=1
Language=00000409
[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup=yournetwork
[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents=Yes
modify it to your preference (be sure to replace items w/xx’s in them!), then save it. After you save it, just rename it w/a .sif extension (ie custom.sif); if you are hiding file extensions, in Windows Explorer go to Tools > Folder Options > View tab and uncheck the “Hide extensions for known file types”.
i will usually put this sif file in the root of my XP install files (same folder as the i386 folder)
after creating your sif file, you can then create a nice .bat file you can then run that will run the setup from a dos environment. i put this batch file in the same folder as my sif file.
here is the commandline to start your XP Automated Install.
- cd i386
- winnt /s:..\i386 /u:..\custom.sif
there is only one point where you will need to interact w/the installation.
also this can be a very useful and powerful tool and can be combined to say create a your own custom automated install cds.
links:
How to Perform an Unattended Installation of Windows from a CD-ROM (microsoft kb article)
-from the mouth of the horse itself
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-xp-pro-installation-disc/4377e7a9-9d5f-4085-9c20-3b29cfa944e2
Barts Boot Image Extractor
handy for extracting boot image from original xp cd to make custom cds
http://www.nu2.nu/bbie/
How to burn an XP Bootable CD with SP1 Slipstreamed
also very similar technique as you would use to create custom automated xp install cd
http://www.infocellar.com/CD/xp-boot-cd.htm
