Boot CD and Winnt.sif?

[lameid]

I am trying to create an unattended install CD to be used to bring a server up.

The only issue I have now is that I am prompted by setup to specify the partition. In this case I want to overwrite an existing partion. (I have tried both Yes and No for Repartion option in WINNT.sif)

This cd is to be used to blank out a server and bring it back to a base configuration. Specifically this server is going to be used for disaster recovery (but hopefully not) and I want to speed the time of being back in business by running the automated install (and back up software installation) after each Recovery test.

I am hoping the prompting has something in my WINNT.SIF file below. Any insights would be more than appreciated.

WINNT.SIF
;SetupMgrTag
[Data]
AutoPartition=1
MsDosInitiated="0"
UnattendedInstall="Yes"

[Unattended]
UnattendMode=FullUnattended
UnattenedSwitch=Yes
Repartion=No
FileSystem=ConvertNTFS
OemSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=Yes
OemPnPDriversPath="Drivers\ML350"
TargetPath=\WINDOWS
WaitForReboot=No

[GuiUnattended]
AdminPassword="weak"
EncryptedAdminPassword=NO
OEMSkipRegional=1
TimeZone=35
OemSkipWelcome=1

[UserData]
ProductKey=<Removed>
FullName="Generic Title"
OrgName="Company Name"
ComputerName=ComputerName

[LicenseFilePrintData]
AutoMode=PerSeat

[TapiLocation]
CountryCode=1
Dialing=Tone
AreaCode=513

[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup=STAND

[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents=No

[NetAdapters]
Adapter1=params.Adapter1

[params.Adapter1]
INFID=*

[NetClients]
MS_MSClient=params.MS_MSClient

[NetServices]
MS_SERVER=params.MS_SERVER

[NetProtocols]
MS_TCPIP=params.MS_TCPIP

[params.MS_TCPIP]
DNS=No
UseDomainNameDevolution=No
EnableLMHosts=Yes
AdapterSections=params.MS_TCPIP.Adapter1

[params.MS_TCPIP.Adapter1]
SpecificTo=Adapter1
DHCP=No
IPAddress=192.168.18.9
SubnetMask=255.255.255.0
DefaultGateway=192.168.18.1
DNSServerSearchOrder=192.168.18.9
WINS=No
NetBIOSOptions=0

 

[PScottC]

Try adding...
[Unattended]
ExtendOEMPartition = 0


Or... Here's a stanza from my RIS answer file (I'm not sure if it will help you or not)...
[RemoteInstall]
Repartition = Yes
UseWholeDisk = Yes


PSC

Governments and corporations need people like you and me. We are samurai. The keyboard cowboys. And all those other people out there who have no idea what's going on are the cattle. Mooo! --Mr. The Plague, from the movie "Hackers

 

[lameid]

ExtendOEMPartition = 0

Either that helps or the fact that I didn't drop the logical partitions and the extended partion yields that it only prompts me to owerwrite the existing windows directory. I'll have to get back to you on that... Is there just a way to tell it to format before getting started?

I don't think I want UseFullDisk because my existing partion is 12 GB out of <60 GB?> but I may try changing back to
Repartion=Yes. This is for a database server so I want separate partions on the same logical drive (Raid 5).

Thanks for the help so far.

If by chance you have an answer, is there a way to change the boot loader so that it does not prompt to press a key to load (I can always start a new topic)?

 

[lameid]

Unfortunately, the lack of prompt was because the disk was Fully partitioned.

 

[lameid]

Trying the below excerpt. I found that I had mispelled repartition in my original file. Alos I found a Technet article (thanks to google and a search for UseWholeDisk) that says that specifying UseWholeDisk to no should simply use the existing partition...

[Unattended]
UnattendMode=FullUnattended
UnattenedSwitch=Yes
Repartition = Yes
UseWholeDisk = NO
ExtendOEMPartition = 0
FileSystem=ConvertNTFS
OemSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=Yes
OemPnPDriversPath="Drivers\ML350"
TargetPath=\WINDOWS
WaitForReboot=No

Test so far shows it copying files with no prompt other than the boot from CD (seriously want to nix that). I'll update with verification that the original partition size was used in the morning.

Keeping my fingers crossed. And thanks again for the correct keyword (worthless MS search engine).

 

[lameid]

This resulted in using the entire disk. But there were no prompts.

 

[lameid]

I finally decided to create 2 logical drives in a RAID configuration accross 3 physical drives instead of 1 logical drive. Doing this allows me to make the first drive the size of the first partition and the second for the remaining partitions. I am trying to think if there is any reason to avoid this solution and nothing is jumping out at me.

The below sections are what changed since my last install. I will only post another followup if it does not correctly restore to the first drive with an existing Win2k3 install on it. I should have results tomorrow A.M.


[Data]
MsDosInitiated="0"
UnattendedInstall="Yes"

[Unattended]
UnattendMode=FullUnattended
UnattenedSwitch=Yes
Repartition = Yes
UseWholeDisk = Yes
FileSystem=ConvertNTFS
OemSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=Yes
OemPnPDriversPath="Drivers\ML350"
TargetPath=\WINDOWS
WaitForReboot=No

 

[PScottC]

Glad to hear you got it going. I generally use a 16GB logical for the OS and an additional logical drive using the rest of the available space. Hasn't hurt me yet.



PSC

Governments and corporations need people like you and me. We are samurai. The keyboard cowboys. And all those other people out there who have no idea what's going on are the cattle. Mooo! --Mr. The Plague, from the movie "Hackers