NobleSir

I use SERVA, which allows me to host the windows 8 files on my network (desktop), where it creates a "mock server." I am able to install windows 8 w/o any media on my laptop/other computers no problem with all the normal prompts through my network. What I'd like to do is make it all automated - which has turned out be more difficult than I though. I have already created my autounattend file and have tested in a VM and it works for what I need. However, after my laptop loads the serva/pxe configuration and I select windows 8 to install, it defaults the to the normal installation prompts. I have moved the xml file around and within the serva (which has the win 8 files) folders and I cannot get it to read it. I know that serva is based off of Linux and it does read a cfg file, but I don't know what to edit/do or if it is even possible. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Anyone? Anyone know how to create a bootmenu from scratch? I'm sure I could modify it to my needs

hey n3x, I've seen that error before and for me it looked like it had to do with creating a user either it being an administrator for everything being automatic. I think it was when I created a user name other than administrator. Also, check to make sure your d drive really exists when fresh installing vista from the autoattended - the drive letter could be different, thus causing the error. Also, try checking out these links. The 2nd one might be more useful. Link 1 Link 2

Yea, I think I am no longer a novice user of WAIK =p. I followed the guide, but it needs to be updated for SP1 - especially when it comes to booting to audit mode and not having the network window come up upon first boot. Also, when going in to audit mode to install my apps and then rebooting into real mode, the prompts for user name and language, etc appear. I tried to create the other unattended xml file to have it pass those settings, but I couldn't get it to work. Everything else works though =).

Ok so I have created an unattended vista install using the WSIM (windows system Image Manager) included in WAIK. I have it auto install office 2007 with the commands added in to Autounattend.xml file - so everything is automated, or so I thhought it would be... All of the above sounds great, BUT it's pointless because I still have to be present to take out my USB Key during each restart during vista install and when going into audit mode. Booting from a USB key does not give the option to boot from it like a DVD would. Is there a USB_Multiboot_10 for vista only, or is there other boot menus that would give the option to boot from the usb key or just continue loading from the C drive? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Another solution: Settings to Use for Automating Windows Welcome In order to not see the all that stuff after the final reboot make sure you have the following in your XML file. This webpage has all the information needed. Yes this page has more than what the dude's guide has.

In order to not see the all that stuff after the final reboot make sure you have the following in your XML file. This webpage has all the information needed. http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista...3.mspx?mfr=true

Thanks for the help! I'm going to try the WAIK way first and if I can't figure that out, I will try BDD2007. Minus30 - Does the guide in which you found the information start from scratch? For example - start the WAIK program, then do step A, B..etc? I looked on that other page but I could not find where you got the info. Can you post a direct link? Thanks

Background I have created a customized automated install of office 2007. It's a silent install so all you see is a window that comes up and shows setup initiating and then it disappears and office installs. I need some help using WAIK for the automation features with Vista. Question: How do you have an unattended vista install - install an unattended office 2007 automatically - once vista has loaded? - I have tried, but the WAIK stuff is greek to me. - I know that vista does not work like XP with the winnt.sif Simplified: Is there a way to make Office 2007 part of the vista install? (WAIK or vlite)? Any help would be appreciating please and thanks. -Noble

Background I have created a customized automated install of office 2007. It's a silent install so all you see is a window that comes up and shows setup initiating and then it disappears and office installs. I need some help with the automation features with Vista. Question: How do you have an unattended vista install - install an unattended office 2007 automatically - once vista has loaded? - I have tried, but the WAIK stuff is greek to me. - I know that vista does not work like XP with the winnt.sif Simplified: Is there a way to make Office 2007 part of the vista install? Any help would be appreciating please and thanks. -Noble

Hey everyone, I have spent many hours trying to get this batch file to work. My problem was that the batch file worked fine, but when I went to boot, it just sat at a black screen with a blinking cursor. After many hours of troubleshoot and reading "guides" I discovered on my own what the problem is: The USB key HAS to be formatted (NTFS or FAT) with 64 kilobytes as the allocation size. I ran the format utility (not the bartpe or the other one) from the choosing H (the hp program) and that did not work. Simple Fix: Use the PetoUSB program and have it format the usb key with quick format and Enable LBA (Fat 16X) checked. Restart the batch file and when it asks to format just do the last option to skip past it. Everything else works on the fly. Another thing I noticed. I already had an nlite XP-MCE, with winnt.sif set up for the unattended. A note needs to be said that you DO NOT need to modify that file because the batch file does it for you - to have it work on the usb key. I hope this helps for those who have had problems. -Noble