Upgrade windows 2000 Pro to XP Pro Unattended how to? 1

[fenstrat]

What is the best way to upgrade from 2000 pro to XP Pro?
I have been looking at the unattended installation with the answer file but is there a way to use the unattended file without entering computer names? I want to be able to insert the cd and have it do an in place upgrade automatically without prompting and without assigning new computer names.

Thanks for any responses.

 

[trusted]

One way around having to create a database of computer names is by using an illegal character in the ComputerName= statement. When the unattended installation reads the computer name with the illegal charter it will prompt you to rename the computer.

So in a way you create an almost unattended installation.

Here is a simple answer file that illustrates what I an talking about.

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

[Unattended]
UnattendMode=FullUnattended
OemSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=Yes
TargetPath=\WINNT
ExtendOemPartition=1700
[GuiUnattended]
AdminPassword=cleartextpassword
OEMSkipRegional=1
TimeZone=20
OemSkipWelcome=1

[UserData]
FullName=Blofeld
OrgName=Specter
ComputerName=Server*

[LicenseFilePrintData]
AutoMode=PerServer
AutoUsers=10

[SetupMgr]
DistFolder=C:\win2000dist
DistShare=win2000dist

[Branding]
BrandIEUsingUnattended=Yes

[Proxy]
Proxy_Enable=1
Use_Same_Proxy=1
HTTP_Proxy_Server=192.168.13.40:3128
Proxy_Override=<local>

[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup=WORKGROUP

[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents=Yes

 

[fenstrat]

I read an article saying you could use the command winnt32.exe /unattend to simply upgrade the computer using the existing values in windows 2000 to upgrade to XP. This would allow you to upgrade without changing the computer name. The only problem I see is that it will still ask for the key.

 

[fenstrat]

There is an option to put multiple computer names in the unattended installation file. If you add multiple computers does each computer use the unattended installation file and recognize it's own computer name in the list and keep it. In other words can you use one installation file with multiple computers and have the computers keep there name throughout the upgrade?

 

[trusted]

You create a UDF (Uniqueness database file) that has the desired names and you then choose the name from a list of presented names. The name that you pick will not be removed from the UDF, so you have to keep track of the names that have been issued.