tim

I actually worked this out for myself, I didn't rip it off from anywhere. I spent ages playing with VBScript and BAT/CMD files before I came across this solution to my problem. BTW thanks for the nice comments everyone.

Oh good, at least my post was some use to somebody

Ok, just trying to help. For what I need it does me fine. and it's neat , I like that

Huh? You could use the START command to run things right away.

Ah yes, this is really just for 2000/XP/Server2003 CD installs.

From reading the many post here, that is what most people want it for. e.g. setting RunOnce keys and the like.

Yes i agree, but most people here just want the CDROM location to create the RunOnce setup keys. They are normally installing apps from the CD.

Try this: SET CDROM=%CD:~0,2%

Here is how: SET CDROM=%CD:~0,2% That's it. Do this at the top of any .CMD file(s) that run from the install CD. To find out how this works, start a CMD.EXE session and type SET /?

[Off Topic] Here are some of the others I get: Tim, dim but nice (english comedian character) Top Cat (cartoon character, my initials are TC) Not heard about the Monty Python one before, i'll add it to my list [/Off Topic]

I like a challenge, I like to learn. It's been interesting making my Unattended and All-in-one CDs and DVDs. With Unattended I can kick-off an install and go off and do other things, saves me loads of time. [EDIT] Lame reply but ya get the message [/EDIT]

It would be usefull to see the whole WINNT.SIF file.

Looky here: http://www.msfn.org/win2k3/

You need to look at this: http://www.msfn.org/win2k3/

I had this problem before. It was the AVG6 anti-virus software choking on the corrupt EXE file. Had to disable the real-time scanner to get rid of duff EXE files.

You don't need those or any other plugin to have full NTFS Read/Write access with BartPE. It runs a 'mini' version of XP (or Server 2003) from the boot CD, complete with NTFS.SYS driver.

Look here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=21298

Errrm, is it April 1st today?

I think you missed the point. To get the boot files using "winnt32 /noreboot" needs a valid key. Is it possible to use the boot floppies to create the boot files? I tried but this gives me the CDBOOT error 5.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\tips] "Show"=dword:00000000 This also works to disable the "Manage My Server" screen.

You have to create a .CMD batch file with the START command in. Then setup a short-cut to the .CMD file.

Here it is: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\tips] "Show"=dword:00000000

Windows XP "Start" command help: Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command. START ["title"] [/Dpath] [/MIN] [/MAX] [/sEPARATE | /SHARED] [/LOW | /NORMAL | /HIGH | /REALTIME | /ABOVENORMAL | /BELOWNORMAL] [/WAIT] [command/program] [parameters] Do "Start /?" to see the rest.

Hey, im' just about to do a Win2K install to test a mutli-boot CD I created. I'll see if I can track down the reg entry when I got it up and running.

Yeah I get that error too, but for a different reason I think. Using the MSFN Multi-boot DVD guide requires that you have valid keys for XP HOME SP1 and XP PRO SP1 (the install process needs the key). I don't have any of these (just corp keys). I tried to be clever and use an extract of the boot floppies to create the boot directory. It didn't work, I just get the error quoted above. I'd be gratefull for any help. TIA