Quickest way to install Winxp 1

[stech1]

Lately we have been having to restage alot of machines. I noticed that the guy we buy our prebuilt systems from has the windows installation ask for the code at the end of the install instead of the middle.

Is there a way to automate windows xp installs so that all the questions are answered automatically and we just put in the keycode at the end of the install?

TIA
Ray

 

[franklin97355]

Try asking this in the windows xp forum779 It's not really a hardware question.

 

[tekuser999]

This link could be what you're looking for

http://www.networkclue.com/os/Windows/install/unattended-install.php

 

[garebo]

tekuser999, i gave you a star for that. thanks!


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[DTSMAN]

We copy a folder onto the hard drive that has all the drivers for that paticular machine and the I386 from the Windows. Then run Winnt from the command prompt.

Bo

Kentucky phone support-
"Mash the Kentrol key and hit scape."

 

[stech1]

Sorry franklin, all these late night restages are affecting my judgement .

Tekuser999 - you rock! That was exactly what I was looking for. Any idea how to also install apps (acrobat reader, antispyware apps, etc) with an unattended install? Also, what do you do if you dont have a floppy drive?

Bo, which os folders contain the drivers? Is it just the drivers and inf folders?

Thanks all, you have been a great help!

Ray

 

[temporello]

If you have identical PCs ghosting would be the solution!

 

[tekuser999]

Stech1,
Glad to know the info is relevant. If you don't have a floppy drive then you'll need to incorporate the winnt.sif file into the i386 folder of the installation CD.

Here's how to do it:

http://www.hytekcomputer.com/Articles/XPInstall/5.shtml

Also you might like to slip-stream the SP2 to the XP CD, here's the link:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20040908/index.html

You might want to leave out the product key section, as you'll need a different key for each pc, the installation will prompt you for the key.

Have not tried to pre-install third party software, but I think it would be similar to this:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prbd_std_emjn.asp

(the link is really long, so beware of wrapping)

Have fun