Attention Fernando 1:

In regards to nLite's ability to change unattended setup options (by I386\winnt.sif), there might be a way to change these, yet still allow users to use the F6/floppy option to install RAID or SCSI drivers!!

I just spent an hour studying unattended installations. A good reference of the winnt.sif file appears here http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/19/ I have never thought I needed this feature, but apparently, I do!

I have not tested this, but it seems one could change nLite's default setting of the Oempreinstall variable from "Yes" (which prevents the F6/floppy driver install) to "No" which should allow it. (In the I386\winnt.sif file).

nLite MAY HAVE A BUG HERE ACTUALLY (I could be wrong, however). The Oempreinstall option is supposedly to support automatic copying of files from directories called the "$OEM$ Distribution Folders" to the final installation, regardless of where it is on the target system. If these are not used (nLite does not seem to allow their inclusion or modification) this option can probably be turned off.

I have not tested this (I will try to and post my results), but perhaps nLite should just set this option to "No." Unless the option does something else, I think that will allow a CD Key, and other unattended options, to be integrated into the install and still allow RAID/SCSI drivers to be installed in Windows textmode using F6.

You may test it, but I doubt, that you will succeed by just disabling the OEMPreinstall option.

Why don't you just integrate the nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers into your bootable XP CD's by using nLite? Even if there is no nForce RAID array, you won't get any problems, because Windows Setup will only install drivers, when it finds the associated hardware.

If you want to use the "Unattended Install" part without using the "Driver Integration" part of nLite, there is still the possibility to manually integrate the nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers into your nLited CD before creating the ISO file., but I don't see any reason for going that hard way.

This post has been edited by Fernando 1: Jul 27 2007, 02:43 AM

That's my exact question! Do I need any nForce SATA/RAID drivers if I have such controllers in the motherboard, but am only using the IDE controllers?

I would have thought this was the ideal thread for a question like that? I already know about the ethernet and audio integration, but I'm trying get the basics working before I touch even more drivers.

Thanks for your time.

No!
If you want to use NVIDIA's native IDE driver (nForce P-ATA = IDE s/w driver), you should integrate the LEGACY subfolder of the 6.86 chipset driver package as PnP driver, but many users reported, that they had less problems by using the XP in-box MS IDE drivers.

I'm using nlite to slipstream the raid drivers for the P5N32E SLI motherboard. When i integrated the drivers it didn't include the textsetup.oem file into the folder that has the raid drivers. Does that file need to be in that folder? I used the single file method. I'm using the latest drivers from nvidia's web site. The textsetup.oem file is in their raid folder after it extracted. If it needs to be on the cd why didn't it add it? If it does need that file how do I get it to add it? Also, do i need to add the serial_ata drivers as plug and play on the cd? Sorry for all the questions. Nice thread and thanks for trying to help everyone.

P.S. The driver package is 9.53

This post has been edited by rcflyer: Jul 31 2007, 08:42 PM

Everything is fine as it is. There is no need for the TXTSETUP.OEM file within the nForce RAID driver folder of your nLited CD.
The TXTSETUP.OEM file contains some informations, which are needed for the correct installation of mass storage controller devices and is only needed during the very first (=TEXTMODE) part of the Windows OS installation (otherwise the OS Setup routine wouldn't be able to detect your RAID device). NLite uses the informations of this OEM file, but you don't see the file itself within your nLited CD.

Below is where I am getting stuck.

"If you are using the new SATARAID/SATA_IDE integration method, you have to integrate the SATARAID subfolder as textmode driver and additionally the SATA_IDE subfolder of the same package as PnP driver. "

I seem to be proceeding ok but when I get to this step, I do not get to control whether the SATARAID driver gets integrated as textmode or not. I have no choice, it just adds it as PnP driver. I do not know how to get it to add as textmode. I did some research and it seems I require some kind of text file in the folder to make it integrate as text mode. Please let me know what I can do.

My chipset is nForce 430.

Thanks in advance!

Normally you haven't to do anything - nLite will automaticly integrate the SATARAID folder as TEXTMODE driver (because this driver folder has a file named TXTSETUP.OEM) and the SATA_IDE folder as PnP driver (PnP drivers don't have a TXTSETUP.OEM file).

There has to be a file named TXTSETUP.OEM within the SATARAID folder. If not, please post the nForce chipset driver package version you are using.

The following is the chipset driver version I am using. First of all I assume that Vista drivers will work for XP Pro since there are non for XP Pro. I got these from the nVidia download website. This chipset is the one that fits mine because my nForce 430 board has integrated graphics.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf400_...sta_15.01G.html

You cannot use Vista nForce chipset drivers for pre-Vista Operating Systems as Windows XP (it makes no difference, if you have XP Home or XP Professional).
These drivers will not work at all for you!

EDIT: Take these nForce chipset drivers!

This post has been edited by Fernando 1: Aug 16 2007, 02:33 PM

Ok. I will proceed with your recommendations but then I need to address the fact that this set does not have a video driver. My motherboard has integrated video and therefore I need the driver for it. Perphaps I can get the driver from somewhere else? Since the PC is a Dell, I can certainly grab the driver from them. Do you think that is ok?

There is no essential need to integrate any special graphics driver into your bootable XP CD, because the integrated graphic chip will work with the Windows standard graphics driver.
Nevertheless you should integrate or install (after the successful XP Setup) the latest NVIDIA Forceware driver. You will find it at NVIDIA's download home page. I think, that this driver will be the best one for you.

This post has been edited by Fernando 1: Aug 16 2007, 03:53 PM

Ok, here is the status.

First of all, it worked! Created a bootable CD with Windows XP Pro did an OS wipe on my Dell 531s that had Vista on it with a nForce 430 chipset.

Second, there was some points that still confuses me, maybe you can clear it up. When loading the SATARAID driver (nvraid.inf), I was offered two line items-- nVidia nForce Storage Controller (required) and nVidia Raid Class Driver (required). Since you instructions where not specifc on what to do with these, I added them both but I was uneasy. However, it worked.

Third and last, it seems that XP Pro did not have sound/audio drivers so I got not sound. I did a few quick searches found a couple of drivers, loaded them but didnt work. The nVidia nForce 430 chipset also does not include audio drivers. So at this point I have to reseach some more about this but if you can point me at the right direction, it would be great. Also, let me know if I can possibly create another bootable disk and include the audio driver in as well.

Overall, thanks a lot that you go me through my most challenging part of doing an OS wipe on m y Dell 531s.

Here is the text of my guide:

The choice of the suitable sound driver depends on the sound chip of your motherboard.
Look into your manual to find the exact type of sound chipset and then you will find here the correct driver.
EDIT: If you have downloaded and unzipped the suitable sound driver, it will be no problem at all to integrate it into a bootable XP CD by using nLite.

This post has been edited by Fernando 1: Aug 17 2007, 10:53 AM