bookie32

Hi MAVERICKS CHOICE Thanks for you comments. Sorry, not my intention to offend. I just feel like I am in limbo here...LOL. Got a computer that I want to set up so that my girlfriend can get going and I can't seem to solve these little problems. I will keep reading and trying to understand what it is I am doing wrong. The computer I am trying to get an image from is a newly built upgrade and that is why my attention is focused on getting that up and running and save my self future problems by dealing with them now....there is logic in my madness. Thanks again for coming around. bookie32

Hi guys, well, I am beginning to realize that this section of the forum hasn't much interest. We have so many members on line but hardly anyone visits here? Well, don't see the point of posting if there isn't any interest in helping. Sorry if I am asking stupid questions all the time. This is new to me and I am reading just about every thread that has anything to say on these matters...but that isn't much. I have even based my updates regarding adding accounts and IP addresses on other threads but that isn't helping. Please, please, don't take this the wrong way but I don't see the point of a section unless people are going to help others. I can't believe that there are so few that work with unattended? My worst nightmare is having to reinstall the comuter after a crash. I even have a crash folder on another partition for that purpose but it still takes hours!!! I just want to save a bit of time like you could with XP and have an image with everything installed to reinstall when it is needed. I wont give up and will share my findings with the forum as I learn. OK, sorry to be a pain and I am sure someone will come down on me as if I am some sort of an asehole but I wont waste my time asking for help if there is none. There are other forums and the main reason for my coming here is because I heard such good things about MSFN. YES, I am aware that we all have private lives.....not saying otherwise ...just asking the members to help those in need. I am not lazy and read a hell of a lot every day to understand the process more but still need help. As my mum usually says, if you don't ask you don't get.....So, please no sour grapes over my comments....not trying to offend anyone...just want the members that can to remember how it was for them before they learnt .... bookie32

Hi guys, well, a step in the right direction....LOL I updated the xml file and removed the settings for dns and ip addresses and it works. I now have a basic unattend xml that creates my accounts as requested. So, I now have to look at the network side of things. There is something there that doesn't add up Back to the drawing board on that one. Please feel free to comment if anyone has anything to say. Feeling a bit lonely here...LOL bookie32

Hi guys Thought I'd start a new thread to deal with my latest problems. OK I have a basic unattend which I took from FireGeier. This works fine, but I would like to add more settings....LOL I am laughing but getting a bit strained now I thought I'd add the ammended.xml that I cannot get to work. I have removed rearm to see if that was causing problems...nada. I have removed computer name to see if that works...nada. I haven't removed anything else yet but have removed my key code and changed account names. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> - <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"> - <settings pass="windowsPE"> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> - <SetupUILanguage> <UILanguage>sv-SE</UILanguage> </SetupUILanguage> <InputLocale>041d:0000041d</InputLocale> <SystemLocale>sv-SE</SystemLocale> <UILanguage>sv-SE</UILanguage> <UserLocale>sv-SE</UserLocale> </component> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> - <UserData> - <ProductKey> <Key>*****-*****-*****-*****-*****</Key> <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> </ProductKey> <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula> </UserData> - <Display> <ColorDepth>32</ColorDepth> <HorizontalResolution>1024</HorizontalResolution> <VerticalResolution>768</VerticalResolution> </Display> - <ImageInstall> - <OSImage> - <InstallFrom> - <MetaData wcm:action="add"> <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key> <Value>Windows Vista BUSINESS</Value> </MetaData> </InstallFrom> <InstallToAvailablePartition>false</InstallToAvailablePartition> <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> </OSImage> </ImageInstall> </component> </settings> - <settings pass="specialize"> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC-UX" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <SkipAutoActivation>true</SkipAutoActivation> </component> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <ComputerName /> </component> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-TCPIP" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> - <Interfaces> - <Interface wcm:action="add"> - <Ipv4Settings> <DhcpEnabled>false</DhcpEnabled> </Ipv4Settings> - <UnicastIpAddresses> <IpAddress wcm:action="add" wcm:keyValue="192.168.0.200/24">1</IpAddress> </UnicastIpAddresses> - <Routes> - <Route wcm:action="add"> <Identifier>0</Identifier> <NextHopAddress>192.168.0.1</NextHopAddress> <Prefix>0.0.0.0/0</Prefix> <Metric>20</Metric> </Route> </Routes> <Identifier>Local Area Connection</Identifier> </Interface> </Interfaces> </component> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-DNS-Client" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> - <DNSSuffixSearchOrder> <DomainName wcm:action="add" wcm:keyValue="2">195.54.122.204</DomainName> <DomainName wcm:action="add" wcm:keyValue="1">!95.54.122.200</DomainName> </DNSSuffixSearchOrder> - <Interfaces> - <Interface wcm:action="add"> <DisableDynamicUpdate>false</DisableDynamicUpdate> <Identifier>Local Aerea Connection</Identifier> </Interface> </Interfaces> </component> </settings> - <settings pass="oobeSystem"> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> - <AutoLogon> <Enabled>true</Enabled> <LogonCount>2</LogonCount> <Username>Administrator</Username> </AutoLogon> - <Display> <ColorDepth>32</ColorDepth> <DPI>96</DPI> <HorizontalResolution>1024</HorizontalResolution> <VerticalResolution>768</VerticalResolution> </Display> - <OOBE> <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage> <NetworkLocation>Home</NetworkLocation> <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC> <SkipMachineOOBE>true</SkipMachineOOBE> <SkipUserOOBE>true</SkipUserOOBE> </OOBE> <TimeZone>W. Europe Standard Time</TimeZone> - <UserAccounts> - <AdministratorPassword> <Value>NQA2ADcAMwA3ADgANwA5AG0AYQBBAGQAbQBpAG4AaQBzAHQAcgBhAHQAbwByAFAAYQBzAHMAdwBvAHIAZAA=</Value> <PlainText>false</PlainText> </AdministratorPassword> - <LocalAccounts> - <LocalAccount wcm:action="add"> <Name>Girlfriend</Name> <DisplayName>Girlfriend</DisplayName> <Group>Administrators</Group> </LocalAccount> - <LocalAccount wcm:action="add"> <DisplayName>bookie32</DisplayName> <Group>Administrators</Group> <Name>bookie32</Name> </LocalAccount> </LocalAccounts> </UserAccounts> </component> - <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <InputLocale>041d:0000041d</InputLocale> <SystemLocale>sv-SE</SystemLocale> <UILanguage>sv-SE</UILanguage> <UserLocale>sv-SE</UserLocale> </component> </settings> <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:g:/vista_installation/install.wim#Windows Vista BUSINESS" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> </unattend> Can someone have a look at that and tell me where I am going wrong. I have a firewall as a standard gateway 192.168.0.1 The computer's Static IP-addresss 192.168.0.200 Dns-server range 195.54.122.200 195.54.122.204 Thanks as always bookie32

Hi guys I have been batteling with the unattended.xml for a while now. Finally got it to work by using FireGeier's basic unattend. OK that said I would like to add two user accounts and ip address settings to this basic unattend. The first thing I notice when looking back through FireGeier's guide is the following: OK I have set it as FireGeier has shown - but now want to add local accounts to my xml. Does it mean that I need to remove the Administrator as user name part of the equation? Can someone give me some help on this. I have tried just adding the local accounts as I want them but get and error on reboot. bookie32

Hi Tripredacus Thanks for the info. I will do some research about extending the activation. Thanks again bookie32

Hi guys, well, things are looking up a bit now . I now have a working basic unattend.xml file that I have tested in sysprep. I would like to thank FireGeier fo his basic autounattend I haven't all my programs installed yet but had several before I made my image. OK! I have now successfully reinstalled my image to the hard drive and it works ....as I am on that computer at the mo. I am going to work with the xml file to see if I can add my accounts and static ip addresses...seen some threads on those two. I have a couple of questions about my reinstall. When you copy the image back to C´: and apply it - it leaves a copy of the image on C:. Can I safely dispose of it before running my next sysprep? I have my copy on another drive. The other question is this - how many times can I run sysprep without problems? Does it begin from zero every time I copy my image back to the drive and reinstall...sorry that was the third question....LOL Can someone give me a little info on those items please. I can then start a new thread if there is anything else. bookie32

Ok here is a question. If I avoid using sysprep - how do I get an image and reinstate it working? I tred that also yesterday. I installed Vista Business and added a couple of programs and my two accounts (for me and my girlfriend) and just tried to take an image off the C: drive and then reinstate it.......nada?! If I don't need sysprep - as I have read I don't - then could someone kindly explain to me how I can create an image from the C: drive and then reinstate it at a later date. YES, I am reinstating it back to the same drive. bookie32

Hi Tripredacus, thamks for the tip. I will definately look into that as regards settings etc....stilll leaves me with the installing all my programs again and not being able to image the computer to save that part of the equation. I hope they have thought of something better with Windows 7 because this stinks. Never been much of a fan of Vista and will seriously look at moving to Linux for good. Wanted to keep windows for my girlfriend but she will have to think again. I am not going to reinstall all her programs including adobe cs4, which takes for ever, every time the computer decides to crash. I can clone Linux no problems. XP has been the only real gem that Microsoft has managed to produce and that isn't saying much with all the technology at their disposal.!! All I want is to be able to trust sysprep and a simple unattend to do their job. I installed one program yesterday and just ran syprep without an unattend and restarted the computer and that seemed OK - apart from my settings. I ran sysprep again with the same settings and the one extra program and after shutting down ran PE and compressed and moved the image, reformated and moved the image back reinstating it. Well, sysprep couldn't even manage that!! Thanks for you help. I do apprectiate it. Just a bit fedup with the crap that Microsoft produces these days. When you have something that works ....DON'T fixit!!! bookie32

Hi guys, now please don't get me wrong ....always grateful for the help I get here...just I can't understand why it is so hard to get info that is reliable with sysprep? On XP one could run sysprep and save all settings..network, static ip addresses, account information etc. Why is it so hard with Vista. I just want an image of my C: drive and all its settings? I appreciate it is a case of reading and understanding all the info on this ...just that XP was so easy. The idea behind sysprep is nice it breaks things down and gives you a new fresh install everytime you install an image. Why in heavens name did they have to complicate things on Vista? bookie32

Hi guys, still batteling on here and could do with some inspiration....LOL What I would like to try is a basic unattend.xml that I can then put in C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep and run it in conjunctin with sysprep to save all my settings etc. I have two accounts and would like to save those profiles, so that after reboot setup doesn't ask me to enter account details. Of course I wont be saving stuff in my documents etc. It will be a basic install, with updates and my extra programs. After running my sysprep I can restart with PE and capture my image onto another partition as stated in a previous thread. So, the unattend doesn't need to be elaborate ...just keep profile settings etc. As always, would appreciate any help I can get on this matter. bookie32

Hi guys, I have been looking at my problem again and still can't think of a doable solution at the moment. I thought I might be lucky by replacing the unattend.xml. When I ran sysprep and prepared the computer - then some scripts must have been written into the image otherwise replacing the answer file should have worked. I was wondering if there was a way to mount the wim image in vmware and re-run sysprep without a unattend.xml but haven't seen anything that can help me with that idea. I will have to reprogram and then try again. bookie32

Hi guys, well I had spelled Myimage1.wim wrong and that was my problem. I edited my image and replace the xml file and saved it. Well, that didn't solve a thing and now I am faced with a reinstall minus my language program!! What I can't understand is the basic Vista setup was no problem could reinstate image no problem..And then I go to all the trouble of installing all my programs and drivers and run sysprep and shutdown the computer. I copied the image OK but on reinstallation it was just a mess?!! What is the point of all this if I can't reuse my image? I never had problems running sysprep on XP. Well, back to the drawing board. bookie32

Hi Kelsenellenelvian The info you asked for is 6.0.6001.18000 Hope this helps. bookie32

Hi guys, well, been looking around for info about my problem and found that wim images can be edited. I have followed instructions found here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library...067(WS.10).aspx I have not been able to mount my image even if the path is right I still get: Listing all mounted images..... Number of mounted images 0 I have since seen that you need to install wimfilter which I have and rebooted but still same problem? Is there anyone who can throw me a bone on this one? bookie32

Hi guys, got a bit of a dilemma and could use some advice as to what my options are. OK the situation is as follows. I installed my Windows Vista Business and added all my drivers, programs, etc and then ran sysprep to prepare the image for new start. To run sysprep I had created an xml file which I put in C:\ Windows\system32\sysprep (folder). I envoked the sysprep command to use my unattend xml file and close down the computer. All OK so far. I then restarted my computer with my PE cd created from info on microsofts website. This went OK. I then compressed the image on C: and then copied it to the D: drive as I hadn't set up NET parameters. I then proceeded to erase the drive and re format it and after exiting the diskpart - I reinstated the image back on C: and rebooted (removing my PE boot cd ). OK everything seemed to be working but it threw up errors about not being able to translate parts of my unattended file. I thought I'd be able to bypass them and continue...nada! My first attempt at sysprep worked fine without any hitches, but that one is without all my additions. I will add that on the second run I had changed the xml file for another one to add a few more parameters and it is that xml file that is letting me down. OK here is my question! What are my options now. I have an image that I would like to keep because it took several hours to compose with all my programs etc. Is it a simple case of opening the image with all my programs in WAIK and redoing the xml file? I can give you more info as required. One more thing. I have added a language program that I bought here in Sweden. Every time the computer crashes I need to retrieve a new key from the program site...I haven't any more keys left and don't want to have to pay for a new one. I would, as always, appreciate any help I can get on this matter. Thanks bookie32

Hi Tripredacus Thanks for the update. I will remember that now. bookie32

Hi guys, feeling like an id*** again............. I recreated PE boot cd and there was no hiccups this time? Perhaps a bad burn? So, I will call this closed. Thanks bookie32

Hi guys, I went ahead and created myself a PE boot cd to clone an image from my new installation and when I boot from the cd it starts to load and then comes up with error 0x00000e9.. There is supposed to be a usb appliance which is causing the problem...don't have any connected. I created the PE cd from microsofts http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library...929(WS.10).aspx to create windows PE media. If anyone has any suggestions to my next move.........apart from banging my head against a brick wall - then I would be grateful if they add a reply. Thanks as always bookie32

Hi guys, well, it would seem like this is a dead duck, so I will call it closed. bookie32

Hi again, feel a bit stupid.... I added the produkt key to the 1 windowsPE pass. Hope that clarifies things a little. bookie32

Hi MagicAndre1981 , Yes. I did validate it without errors I could see. Which pass should it go in? bookie32

Hi guys, I will probably be shot down in flames....just got to try...LOL I have been trying to use FireGeier's unattended guide to create a Vista Business version. I have followed the instructions and added my (legal) product key but everytime I run setup it stops at the add your product key window? I have searched and searched and cannot find a solution to this problem. Is there anyone who would like to take a stab at this for me? I can get everything to automate even formating the drive etc but cannot get past this problem and I am hundred procent certain that my product key is legal (bought it with Vista Business). I can go on and install Vista Business and validate it by adding my product key after install and everything is hunky dorry but can't get setup to use my product key from answer file....now I am babbling on a bit. If someone would like to take a stab at this for me, I can provide what ever info you need (apart from my product key)....LOL bookie32

Hi jaclaz I understand that the BOOT.INI is responsible for the information about which distro should boot and in what order. I don't unstand why I would list other distros - when there is only one on that hard drive I want to chain boot? I am trying to understand ARC paths etc but find it a bit much. OK! I would like to thank you for your time and I will come back one day when I have had time to understand what it is I am missing. I can see that: Bios>IPL>bootmgr>bcd>bootmgr>ntldr>boot.ini> and then into Windows XP. According to the link you gave me it goes into Windows system32. I can't see where it goes into ntldr and boot.ini on the windows xp partition...or is that what I am missing? Sorry, I will leave you in peace bookie32

Hi jaclaz Look I know this is a shot in the dark...but could it be that the Windows 7 verision is a beta and I have only English to choose from for my install. XP is a Swedish install. Just a thought. bookie32