USB_MultiBoot_10 and NLite issue

[xiangkc]

Hello I am new here.

I am using USB_MultiBoot_10 and nLite 1.4.5

After I created a cd image, I decide to move it to USB key. I follow the instruction on how to use usb to install xp, and the problem occurred,

In my winxp installation CD created by nlite, I set it so the gui won't ask me to create the first user, but when carried to the usb drive via usb_multiboot_10, the gui ask me to create the first user(and cannot skip). Any one knows how to solve this kind of problem?

[wimb]

After Selecting Your XP Source created by nLite, Select Yes to Use all Setup Parameters from XP Source.

When the 8 parameters are displayed, you can Select Cancel to keep Settings Unchanged,

and you are not asked to create the First User. Then there is No problem

C. Undefined Install - UserName = Unknown

No Changes are made in winnt.sif file or $OEM$ folder

This is useful when Setup Parameters were defined externally e.g. by nLite

In all cases Selecting Cancel keeps given Settings for winnt.sif file and $OEM$ folder Unchanged

Edited June 6, 2008 by wimb

[xiangkc]

I am sure that's how I do it the first time. but I will try it again.

first prompt window

Existing File winnt.sif in xpsource is detected with setup paramaters

clicked YES

second prompt

Existing $oem$ folder in xpsource is detected used for registry tweaks and user accounts

clicked YES

third prompt

8 parameters are displayed

the 8th one First User Name for $OEM$ = None

clicked Cancel for unchange

pick number 2 and3 choose usb source and copy files to usb drive.

4th prompt

yes = copy xp + extra sources to usb-drive

no = only copy extra sources to usb-drive

picked YES

5th prompt

Filecopy to usb-drive is ready - ok - success

yes= make usb=stick in xp setup to be preferred boot drive U:

no = for mixed sata /pata config: don't change migrate.inf

picked yes.

PS. btw I got an "Produkey" auto protect from my symantec for "wintools\othertools\" but i didn't bother with it, since my main goal will be getting the xp installation to work. Don't think that's the reason.

Okay. I will let you know if everything is preserved or it's my imagination.

Thank you for your help

EDIT: doesn't work... still asking for first user name. Is there any file I can post here to help you guys help me?

reburned my cd to see if i have the right iso. the iso skips the creating first user

And when i create the nlite cd, on unattended section, I pick administrator under Users->autologon hope that helps

Edited June 6, 2008 by xiangkc

[wimb]

Check your winnt.sif file in the XPSOURCE produced by nLite

In the [Data] Section you have got to add:

unattendswitch="Yes"

so that Windows Welcome Screens are Skipped and screen for giving First User will not appear.

For Install of XP from USB we have got to remove the [unattended] Section in your winnt.sif file,

and that is where nLite has put the unattendswitch="Yes" Setting for you.

Running USB_MultiBoot_10.cmd makes that the Setting unattendswitch="Yes" is lost

and you have got to add this in some way to the [Data] section of your winnt.sif file

when you want to skip Windows Welcome Screens for giving First User Name.

The problem of loosing the unattendswitch="Yes" Setting from the [unattended] Section

wiil be repaired in the next version, but for the moment you can use the following workaround.

Instead of the manual edit of your winnt.sif file described above,

it is also possible after Display of the Setup Parameters,

to Select Unattended Install instead of Cancel,

and go through the Edit Screens (use Enter) for the 8 Setup Parameters.

Selecting Unattended Install will take care that

unattendswitch="Yes" is added to the [Data] section of the Current_winnt.sif copy of your winnt.sif file.

In this case a given UserName in Screen 8 is not used when Setup Parameters come from nLite.

In $OEM$ Folder a file useraccounts.cmd is made, which however is not used in this case.

Edited June 7, 2008 by wimb

[xiangkc]

I didn't reformat the usb drive, I change the winnt inf file. and now it's working fine and didn't ask me to enter first user. nice wimb you are the best.

[kachman]

HI guys

I have created this bootable flash using usb_multiboot_10. But one thing I have not noticed is that I can only Install a fresh copy of windows on a hard drive. How about REPAIRING and existing installation using xp on the flash drive, say in case some system files are corrupted but i dont wanna lose the programs and data on the hard drive.

Is this possible?

B.R

[ilko_t]

Yes, it is, in case in BOOT.INI on the hard drive the line about USB repair is intact.

[kachman]

Yes, it is, in case in BOOT.INI on the hard drive the line about USB repair is intact.

The line is there in my hard drive's boot ini. But when i restart my computer with usb device plugged in, I click on USB repair, But i get error about hal.dll

[ilko_t]

You need to boot from your USB stick, choosing the appropriate BIOS option. On the USB stick you need to have XP setup files prepared for install from USB. Then you stall normal setup procedure until you get offered repair installation.

You do NOT start from your hard disk choosing the option USB repair, it would be in use only by Setup.

[kachman]

You need to boot from your USB stick, choosing the appropriate BIOS option. On the USB stick you need to have XP setup files prepared for install from USB. Then you stall normal setup procedure until you get offered repair installation.

You do NOT start from your hard disk choosing the option USB repair, it would be in use only by Setup.

it does not give me any option to repair. I have made the USB stick the FIRST BOOT DEVICE IN BIOS. Wen I reach the step in setup where I have to press F8, it has to show somthing like " WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL" R = REPAIR, ESC = DONT REPAIR etc. but it doesnt, it goes straight to show the harddrive and partitions.

But if I use the CD, it gives me repair option.

[ilko_t]

1) Was that installation made from USB stick?

2) Post here or attach boot.ini on the hard disk

3) Post here or attach \windows\system32\$winnt$.inf on the hard disk

4) Post here or attach \$win_nt$.~bt\winnt.sif on the USB stick

[kachman]

1) Was that installation made from USB stick?

2) Post here or attach boot.ini on the hard disk

3) Post here or attach \windows\system32\$winnt$.inf on the hard disk

4) Post here or attach \$win_nt$.~bt\winnt.sif on the USB stick

1. At first I tried using my 20gig hard drive which was formatted and installed on using USB Stick, but still i could not repair that installation using usb stick.

2. I then tried on my 80gig hdd which was formatted and installed with CD, i tried repairing its installation with USB stick but still it cant be repaired. it skips to the partitions list.

below is the info u requested.

(1) boot.ini from my 80gb Hard Disk

[boot Loader]

timeout=30

Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[Operating Systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

(2)$winnt$.inf for my 80gig hdd

[setupparams]

skipmissingfiles=0

[data]

unattendedinstall=no

floppylessbootpath=no

producttype=winnt

standardserverupgrade=no

winntupgrade=no

win9xupgrade=no

win31upgrade=no

sourcepath=\device\cdrom1\

floppyless=0

msdosinitiated=0

dospath=E:\

(3)\$win_nt$.~bt\winnt.sif on the USB stick

[Data]

MsDosInitiated=1

floppyless=1

unattendswitch="Yes"

UnattendedInstall="Yes"

EulaComplete="1"

[GUIRunOnce]

"binifix4.cmd c:"

"undoren.cmd"

;

; Changed by USB_MultiBoot for INSTALL XP from USB

;

command9=%SystemDrive%\DPsFnshr.exe

[userData]

FullName="USER"

OrgName="USER"

productkey="XXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXX-XXXXX"

ComputerName=USER

[GuiUnattended]

OEMSkipRegional="1"

TimeZone=115

AdminPassword=*

[identification]

JoinWorkgroup="WORKGROUP"

[setupParams]

UserExecute = "ren_fold.cmd"

Edited July 9, 2009 by kachman

[ilko_t]

As I get it on the 20GB disk you did manage to perform repair install from the USB stick, right?

For the 80GB disk- add to boot.ini the following line and try repair again:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="USB Repair" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

[kachman]

As I get it on the 20GB disk you did manage to perform repair install from the USB stick, right?

For the 80GB disk- add to boot.ini the following line and try repair again:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="USB Repair" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

NO i did not manage to perform repair install on both harddrives. As for the 20gb, what I meant is that i did a CLEAN install using the USB Stick. but for the 80GB Hard drive I just used the ordinary XP CD. but neither hard drives can do a repair install using USB Stick.

[jaclaz]

NO i did not manage to perform repair install on both harddrives. As for the 20gb, what I meant is that i did a CLEAN install using the USB Stick. but for the 80GB Hard drive I just used the ordinary XP CD. but neither hard drives can do a repair install using USB Stick.

Then, add the line:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="USB Repair" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

to the BOOT.INI of BOTH your 20 Gb and 80 Gb HD.

Something is not "kosher" on the BOOT.INI you posted, however:

[boot Loader]

timeout=30

Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[Operating Systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

The contents of the Default line should correspond to one of the choices under [Operating Systems].

jaclaz