MSFN Forums > Unattended Guide for Vista

Incroyable HULK

Nov 10 2006, 09:33 AM

[EDIT]
I must appologize because it's been almost a month since the MSDN release of vista and there is nothing concrete about unattended installation...

I don't know if this is the case with all of you but I feel like Vista automation is just to early. There is currently no need for it at work so it may be a while before I dive into it.

For now, take a look here:
Windows Vista Deployment Step by Step Guide
[/EDIT]

This topic is a proposition for collaborative work with the community in order to produce a guide to unattended vista installation.

The first goal is to get the user up and running with the simplest method around. Later, we will expand to include more advanced techniques.

I know the BDD is not completed yet by Microsoft so we have to work with preliminary information....

So go ahead, post your idea and I'll clean it up as it goes...

Everyone who contribute will have their name listed as a reference.

FireGeier

Nov 10 2006, 04:19 PM

Which method you'll ever use, the basic chapter should be "Creating an Answer file with WSIM".

Content:
1. Build a very simple Autounattend.xml, with just the basic Settings like Language, Product Key, AutoLogon, OOBE.

2. How to prepare your drive with Autounattend.xml

3. Use this file from Stick or FD with the original Vista-DVD.

Could look like here. It's in German but the gifs are English. I think you can get an idea what I'm talking about.

Martin

Nois3

Nov 10 2006, 04:58 PM

This is going to be an interesting thread. If any of you have been playing with the beta, I have a few questions.

I assume autounattend.xml works like winnt.sif and unattend.txt? Do you create it and toss it in the i386 directory? Is there even a i386 directory? (Sorry, I've been avoiding Vista until necessary).

Can you deploy Vista with a Unattended Installation CDROM? Will it even fit on a CDROM (700MB)? Probably not. What about a Unattended Installation DVD, will that work?

Any clarifacation would be appriciated

fizban2

Nov 10 2006, 05:10 PM

next monday i'll have a unattended doc written up. you will get to see the whole proccess beginning to end

Lost Soul

Nov 12 2006, 10:36 AM

QUOTE (fizban2 @ Nov 10 2006, 07:10 PM)

next monday i'll have a unattended doc written up. you will get to see the whole proccess beginning to end

im looking forward to it

hinz

Nov 12 2006, 03:44 PM

QUOTE (fizban2 @ Nov 11 2006, 12:10 AM)

next monday i'll have a unattended doc written up. you will get to see the whole proccess beginning to end

Can't wait!

cheers

MagicAndre1981

Nov 13 2006, 05:19 AM

QUOTE (fizban2 @ Nov 11 2006, 12:10 AM)

next monday i'll have a unattended doc written up. you will get to see the whole proccess beginning to end

Great

fizban2

Nov 13 2006, 02:49 PM

Gah sorry guys

the new BDD was delayed till the end of the week, i hope to have a short version up later this week (think wednesday) just to get people the idea of what is needed for vista to be used with an un attend file

Lost Soul

Nov 13 2006, 03:13 PM

ok fizban2 no worries,

MagicAndre1981

Nov 13 2006, 06:42 PM

it's ok

MGadAllah

Nov 13 2006, 07:11 PM

it will be very nice to find such a one

larciel

Nov 14 2006, 12:19 AM

thanks for heads up!

Alanoll

Nov 14 2006, 09:39 AM

Need I remind people...
The Unattended site is a sorta wiki

This coming holidays, I plan to update the codebase of it to improve it a bit. So any suggestions you make may make it in.

Dumpy Dooby

Nov 16 2006, 11:26 PM

Is there going to be a big difference between this one and Microsoft's guide?

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvi...3dd53bc3fa.mspx

I haven't even taken a look at Vista yet, let alone any of the guides. I'm so not looking forward to learning everything all over again.

Spooky

Nov 20 2006, 11:22 AM

Personally i'm using the guide from MS right now. When you first look at it its seems confusing but after you use it to build your first un-attended install it all becomes very clear. Heck, you can automate the whole process just about by using a batch file, sort of a 'one click does it all' batch file.

After you do your first basic one from the MS guide (for the practice and experience) you will realize there are tons of places to put in your own stuff.

I am however looking forward to the guide from fizban2

Sneakyghost

Nov 20 2006, 11:56 AM

Well, i'm only just reading myself into the whole thing. Really sounds like its gonna be a lot more easy right from the beginning, at least its prepared by MS already a lot more.
Looks like the actual technology is a little more complicated (xml in the answer file, right?), but in the whole there's easier access all the way by means of specially designed assistants.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe its gonna be a massive big toy for all of us deployment and unattended guys...

so i'm kinda looking forward to the first comprehensive guides. allthough i probably won't be able to contribute much myself since i'm gettin tied up in work more and more recently. But i enjoy reading your guys attempts and trials and trying a bit myself every now and again.

Good luck to all you enthusiasts out there!

LeveL

Dec 3 2006, 05:56 AM

I complained about this new way of doing unattended in the beginning
but now i can see, it is a far better, easier and more customizable way.

I only have one problem though if I use oscdimg.exe to compile
my ISO - it ends up putting every single file and folder name in uppercase.
This normally wouldnt be a problem but I am putting things on the start
menu and desktop and it just looks horrible!

Using oscdimg.exe with these switches > -m -n -h -o -b

-m = Override 700Mb ISO limitation
-n = Allow long filenames
-h = Include hidden files and directories
-o = Encode duplicate files only once (saves about 4% of your Vista ISO)
-b = Make bootable
-nt = Make compatible with Windows NT v3.51 (not recommended, this leads to file renaming!)

There is no switch to toggle uppercase on and off when checking via oscdimg.exe /?

Here is the MS description straight from the command window >

CODE

Usage: OSCDIMG [options] sourceroot targetfile

       -l  volume label, no spaces (e.g. -lMYLABEL)
       -t  time stamp for all files and directories, no spaces, any delimiter
             (e.g. -t12/31/2000,15:01:00)
       -g  encode GMT time for files rather than local time
       -h  include hidden files and directories
       -n  allow long filenames (longer than DOS 8.3 names)
       -nt allow long filenames, restricted to NT 3.51 compatibility
       -b  "El Torito" boot sector file, no spaces
             (e.g. -bc:\location\cdboot.bin)
       -x  compute and encode "AutoCRC" values in image
       -o  optimize storage by encoding duplicate files only once
       -oi ignore diamond compression timestamps when comparing files
       -os show duplicate files while creating image
           (-o options can be combined like -ois)

Instead of using oscdimg.exe I have gone back to the older cdimage.exe

To use cdimage I use the following >

start cdimage.exe -lISOlabel -h -j1 -m -o -b\ROOT_FOLDER\boot\etfsboot.com \ROOT_FOLDER C:\Vista.iso

This works fine (cdimage can use etfsboot.com to make Vista bootable) but you do
not have the Segoe font on the "Loading Boot Files" part at the very beginning, not
that I really care about this to be honest - in fact without it loading that font it seems
to load the boot files in about a quarter of the time! The main thing is, using cdimage,
it does not put all your files and folder names in uppercase, it leaves the case intact.

Spooky

Dec 4 2006, 10:32 AM

don't use the -nt switch

imbrod00

Dec 8 2006, 08:56 AM

Hi everyone, is the unattended document you all mentioned in the first thread available? I would love to see the approach...thanks!

cai_sebas

Dec 10 2006, 09:00 AM

@ LeveL, Look at this thread: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=88281

It surprises me how less info there is on Unattended Vista. I am searching for an way to include tweaks (Use, *UAP, etc) in to my install, with no results.

MSFN should launch an Unattended website dedicated to Vista!

SoultakerPT

Dec 11 2006, 11:58 AM

QUOTE (cai_sebas @ Dec 10 2006, 09:00 AM)

MSFN should launch an Unattended website dedicated to Vista!

I subscribe that!

funkydude2005

Dec 14 2006, 07:00 AM

Hello. I am a new member and i wanted to share some information regarding the process... I am also new to forums so please bare with me.

oscdimg.exe will generally be used for creating a Discover Boot CD for a WDS Server. The process will remain the same (or similar for Vista CD).

NOTE: This comes at the deployment phase when you are using CD (BootPE) based deployment from WDS Server.

After u install the WAIK Toolkit you can import the Vista Boot Image from the Vista DVD. (Check Vista-Boot.jpg).Click to view attachment

You can then create a Capture Boot Image from the menu. Once it creates the .WIM file you can do this:

1. Start “Windows PE Command Prompt Tools” from Start -> Programs -> Microsoft Windows AIK. This option will configure PATH variable to include WAIK Tools and start a new command

Command: copype.cmd x86 C:\DiscoverISO-x86

2. Delete the existing WIM Files from C:\DiscoverISO-x86\ISO\Sources Folder.
3. Copy the previously extracted WDS Discover WIM to C:\DiscoverISO-x86\ISO\Sources Folder and rename the new file to boot.wim.
4. Run the following command to create a bootable ISO Image. This ISO can be later burned on to a CD and boot a client to install Windows Vista on PCs.

oscdimg.exe -n -bC:\DiscoverISO-x86\etfsboot.com C:\DiscoverISO-x86\ISO C:\DiscoverISO-x86\ISO_NAME.iso

Innocent Devil

Dec 14 2006, 12:08 PM

FYI
oscdimg is same as that of cdimage

it can be used with all the possible switches for cdimage too
like -j2, -u2, -m, -k, -q, -d

Lucaz

Dec 17 2006, 12:33 PM

CODE

19:17 :
19:17 : User Name:              Lucas
Machine Name:           LUCAS-PC
Processor Architecture: x86
Domain Name:            Lucas-PC
CLR Version:            2.0.50727.312
OS Version:             Microsoft Windows NT 6.0.6000.0
Current Directory:      E:\Microsoft.Windows.Vista.Final.MSDN\sources
Command Line Parameters: "C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Image Manager\ImgMgr.EXE"
Physical Memory for this process: 15364096
Bitness for this process: Native 32-bit
File Version Information
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Image Manager
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Command.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Common.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformImplementation.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     x86
        Microsoft.componentstudio.componentplatforminterface.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Controls.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Serializer.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     msil
        ImageCat.EXE     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     msil
        ImgMgr.EXE     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     msil
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Image Manager\EN
        imagecat.resources.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386     msil
        ImgMgr.resources.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Command.resources.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Common.resources.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.resources.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386     msil
        Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Controls.resources.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386     msil

C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\SmiEngine.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     x86
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\pkgmgr.exe     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     x86
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\cbscore.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     x86
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\wcp.dll     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     x86
C:\Windows\system32\drivers\WimFltr.sys     Microsoft Corporation     6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205)     x86
File does not exist: C:\Windows\system32\wimgapi.dll

Strange error, cause the file is there :\ anyone knows how to solve this?

SoultakerPT

Dec 18 2006, 03:42 AM

I think you shoul download the latest WAIK version because in a quick google search I found reference to this issue using a previous WAIK.

weezul2

Jan 2 2007, 01:22 PM

i agree with the website. I tihnk a lot of unattended/extended XP ISOs would not even exist if it was not for this website

look forward to all the noob vista guides that i will be able to make sense of

Sgt_Strider

Jan 21 2007, 11:29 PM

So has anyone here got Vista up and running unattended?

Gwido

Jan 23 2007, 09:36 PM

A complete guide like the XP covering Simple to advance would be a great idea. The XP guide helped me out when learning OPK.

The biggest issue i see with settying up a vista site to do the same is the variants of the OS. There would have to be a generalised version that applies to all SKU's and then more indepth sections covering the specific SKU's like Home Basic / Premium / Business / Ultimate Etc...

systemsmb

Feb 8 2007, 05:02 AM

I don't know about you guys but I am really struggling to get my head round Vista deployment.

I used RIS at work for ages and was able to pretty much do what I wanted but WDS seems a lot harder.

I think my major problem is understanding the basic way in which it works.

I have been trying to complete the following steps without any joy. I have WIM images on my WDS server (grabbed from a Vista CD using the WDS console on our Windows Server 2003 WDS box but can get no further.

1. Configure boot.wim image to be automated with language options.
2. Configure a simple unattended install.wim with a simple XML answer file.
3. Create images and answer files for all motherboard we currently sell.

It is early days so there isnt much info around at the moment and the microsoft guide seems incomplete to me.

Are there any sites anyone knows of that I should be looking at?

Are we going to have a WDS section on this forum like the old RIS one?

SoultakerPT

Feb 8 2007, 05:56 AM

I really believe that viewing Microsoft Webcasts about Vista Deployment, gives us a pretty good look about what to do.
And of coure, offical documentation does it too.

zedox

Feb 20 2007, 05:40 AM

Do we have to put the unattended file on a removable storage? Can't it be read from the actual disc?

sp00f

Feb 22 2007, 08:55 PM

QUOTE (antonio_king @ Feb 20 2007, 12:40 PM)

Do we have to put the unattended file on a removable storage? Can't it be read from the actual disc?

Yes you can.

Sgt_Strider

Feb 22 2007, 10:40 PM

I'm assuming that no one has manage to make a unattended install of Vista?

systemsmb

Feb 23 2007, 02:56 AM

I am still finding the whole thing extremely unclear.

I am trying to use WDS to deploy Vista to new computers we build here in our workshop.

Does anybody have a guide which they could send me? I would be most grateful.

Thanks

Systemsmb

Saiera

Feb 26 2007, 05:09 PM

I have been deploying Vista through my server for a while now and it works great. The tools that Microsoft provided with their OPK cd are enough and no extra nlites or vlites are necessary to configure proper setups this time. Since applying parameters to the autouannatend.xml it's made easy using the imaging system. And the catalog files used for that purpose handle over 7000+ controls applied to the setup and configuration which only 10 - 20 are really used for basic.
I don’t have time to write a guide but I would be happy to provide answers to specific questions on deploying Vista through WDS.

Sgt_Strider

Mar 2 2007, 02:50 AM

QUOTE (Saiera @ Feb 26 2007, 03:09 PM)

I have been deploying Vista through my server for a while now and it works great. The tools that Microsoft provided with their OPK cd are enough and no extra nlites or vlites are necessary to configure proper setups this time. Since applying parameters to the autouannatend.xml it's made easy using the imaging system. And the catalog files used for that purpose handle over 7000+ controls applied to the setup and configuration which only 10 - 20 are really used for basic.
I don’t have time to write a guide but I would be happy to provide answers to specific questions on deploying Vista through WDS.

What kind of documentations are you using?

Saiera

Mar 3 2007, 09:31 PM

Well mostly trial and error and reading here and there. Also Microsoft offers webinars on deploying vista so you can't get lost.

MAVERICKS CHOICE

Mar 4 2007, 01:24 AM

QUOTE (Sgt_Strider @ Feb 23 2007, 03:40 PM)

I'm assuming that no one has manage to make a unattended install of Vista?

I have certainly unattended Vista, however its no where I'd like it to be in comparison to where I have XP.
Guess it will be some time yet. But in saying that making up ground all the time & you'll find the Waik.chm files very helpful through most.

Sgt_Strider

Mar 5 2007, 01:35 AM

QUOTE (MAVERICKS CHOICE @ Mar 3 2007, 11:24 PM)

QUOTE (Sgt_Strider @ Feb 23 2007, 03:40 PM)

I'm assuming that no one has manage to make a unattended install of Vista?

I have certainly unattended Vista, however its no where I'd like it to be in comparison to where I have XP.
Guess it will be some time yet. But in saying that making up ground all the time & you'll find the Waik.chm files very helpful through most.

I guess I'll stay with Windows XP Professional for now. It's lighter and runs better on both my desktop and laptop.

maxXPsoft

Mar 5 2007, 10:42 AM

or better yet, dual boot them if you willing to put in a little time there Strider, How?
Grab my VistaUA light in my sig and give it a whirl. Or don't you have that want to in your blood. That Dream Scene is pretty impressive in the Ultimate

Sgt_Strider

Mar 5 2007, 10:37 PM

QUOTE (maxXPsoft @ Mar 5 2007, 08:42 AM)

or better yet, dual boot them if you willing to put in a little time there Strider, How?
Grab my VistaUA light in my sig and give it a whirl. Or don't you have that want to in your blood. That Dream Scene is pretty impressive in the Ultimate

I don't have Vista Ultimate, just business.

maxXPsoft

Mar 6 2007, 08:21 AM

well the app works with all
Vista is impressive the way it handles memory and a lot of other things if you want to mess with it. I do have XP on so I'm dual booting with XP as the primary. Its a learning experience for us all.

elajua

Mar 15 2007, 10:31 PM

im just starting to play with WAIK but i dont know if there is a deployment method that can take you to a final image file to burn and install just like winxp with cdimage.

the waik is supposed to make an image for netwotk share distribution, so many opf us that want to deply it from time to time individually are stuck with a hard disk image?

im still reading some docs on BDD and WAIK to see if i can come up with some iso file so we can burn-boot-install.

urie

Mar 16 2007, 06:26 AM

QUOTE (elajua @ Mar 16 2007, 04:31 AM)

im just starting to play with WAIK but i dont know if there is a deployment method that can take you to a final image file to burn and install just like winxp with cdimage.

the waik is supposed to make an image for netwotk share distribution, so many opf us that want to deply it from time to time individually are stuck with a hard disk image?

im still reading some docs on BDD and WAIK to see if i can come up with some iso file so we can burn-boot-install.

VistaUA will do this take you from start to finish and create iso and burn it:))

CODE

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?s=&showtopic=93215&view=findpost&p=627262

browney595

Mar 31 2007, 12:40 PM

All you need to do is to put your xml file onto a memory stick which saves the time burning a new dvd and can be easily edited from its curent location

rehansiddiq

Apr 8 2007, 12:45 PM

u r doing Great ...........

xper

Apr 20 2007, 07:33 AM

QUOTE

MSFN should launch an Unattended website dedicated to Vista!

We will soon.

Paradox Me

Aug 23 2007, 03:15 AM

QUOTE (xper @ Apr 20 2007, 09:33 AM)

QUOTE

MSFN should launch an Unattended website dedicated to Vista!

We will soon.

Soon? How soon is "soon"? That message was written April 20th and it is now almost September. Come on guys I think there are many eager people (like me) who want to see your project completed instead of sticky's.

Alanoll

Aug 23 2007, 07:26 AM

My bad! Life took over....

FireGeier

Aug 23 2007, 08:53 AM

QUOTE (Paradox Me @ Aug 23 2007, 11:15 AM)

QUOTE (xper @ Apr 20 2007, 09:33 AM)

QUOTE

MSFN should launch an Unattended website dedicated to Vista!

We will soon.

Soon? How soon is "soon"? That message was written April 20th and it is now almost September. Come on guys I think there are many eager people (like me) who want to see your project completed instead of sticky's.

There is a guide here and other helpfull projects - like this here from maxXPsoft. Or look here at nuihs vlite project. I think there are enough options on the board to get an unattended Vista setup.

No one gets paid for the work here - AFAIK - so these are all free time projects... if you think a guide should be published sooner, feel free to write one.

Martin