Rexx72

I'm not much introductions I usually just wade right in. As can be seen by the fact that this is my 8th post and only just thought to say Hi! This seems to be a great resource.... Hopefully I can give as good as I get. BTW: It's not so sunny right now. (Dis Leeu koud -> Net kop en maan hare )

This is as much as I know. http://2dos.homepage.dk/batutil/help/RAMDRI_S.HTM hope it helps you out

I've completed my first 2 objectives (and then some), namely; - Boot and Fdisk - Reboot & Format automatically *BRAG* Quite proud of myself actually, 2 days ago I didn't know what a batch file was. *BRAG* Details I've modified a win98 boot disk (with which I then create a boot CD) that removes upto 5 Logical Partitions (+ Extended) and 1 Primary. I assume if someones multibooting OSes they won't be needing me to re-install for them so therefor in most cases there would only be one primary partition. It then creates a Primary Partition and formats it, ready to go for the win98 installation. Details Changed the config.sys to boot with cd in 3 seconds. menudefault=CD,3 Changed Autoexec.bat to Set CD to Z: and run my bat file (used the /f command .com switch so it doesn't get dump to a prompt when it trys to Label a drive that doesn't exist) LH %ramd%:\MSCDEX.EXE /D:mscd001 /L:Z and command /f /c autoform.bat Modified the edb.cab to included my stuff and the progs for label and choice. I'm sure my batch file isn't as streamline as it could be. Had to use a disk in B: (CDrom uses a: for boot) to provide a persisted & changeable data source. Basically I just write files to it to reference where in the process I am, so that the .bat file doesn't repeat itself after rebooting. .bat file then handles the fdisking to delete partitions, then reboots, fdisks the new partition, reboots and then formats. This disk is not something to leave lying around unmarked!!! (or maybe on the bosses desk. hehehe ) When I've tested this I disable any 2ndry HDD and CDs @echo off REM ================ Check where you are in the process ==================== if exist b:\formatd.one goto END if exist b:\fdisk2.scr goto FORMAT if exist b:\fdisk1.scr goto FDISK2 goto QUERY1 REM ==========================Start the process ============================ :QUERY1 echo A - Remove & Recreate Partion, Then Format & Install echo B - Create Partiton, Then Format & Install echo C - Format & Install echo D - Quit REM Gives you 30 seconds to get out of Dodge choice /c:abcd /t:a,30 if ERRORLEVEL 4 goto END if ERRORLEVEL 3 goto MENU3 if ERRORLEVEL 2 goto MENU2 if ERRORLEVEL 1 goto FDISK1 REM ============================ Menu Options =================================== :MENU2 echo done > b:\fdisk1.scr goto FDISK2 :MENU3 echo done > b:\fdisk2.scr echo done > b:\fdisk1.scr goto FORMAT REM ==========================Killing the Partions================================ REM Handles up to 6 Logical (+ Extended) & 1 Primary (Patched) :FDISK1 REM Changing all formated Drives labels to DELETE in prep for fdisk for %%1 in (c d e f g h i) do label %%1:DELETE copy %RAMD%:\fdisk3a.scr b:\*.* copy %RAMD%:\fdisk3b.scr b:\*.* copy %RAMD%:\fdisk4.scr b:\*.* copy %RAMD%:\fdisk1.scr b:\*.* copy %RAMD%:\fdisk1b.scr b:\*.* REM Removing Logical Partitions (whether Formatted & not) fdisk < b:\fdisk3a.scr fdisk < b:\fdisk3b.scr REM Removing Extend Partition fdisk < b:\fdisk4.scr REM Removing Primary Partition (whether Formatted & not) fdisk < b:\fdisk1.scr fdisk < b:\fdisk1b.scr del b:\fdisk3a.scr del b:\fdisk3b.scr del b:\fdisk4.scr del b:\fdisk1b.scr REM only fdisk1.scr remains for checking restart.com REM ===========================Partitioning the drive============================= :FDISK2 copy %RAMD%:\fdisk2.scr b:\*.* fdisk < b:\fdisk2.scr restart.com REM ============================Format The Drive================================== :FORMAT format c: /autotest /u if errorlevel 0 goto SETUP1 echo ********* Problems formating drive ********* goto END REM =========================Begin Next Stage of Installation===================== :SETUP1 ECHO Success .... ready to begin setup Del b:\fdisk1.scr Del b:\fdisk2.scr echo done > b:\formatd.one goto END :END rem winsetup.bat btw Antivirus programs are not keen on the format line. pccillian kept quarantining the file. HAHAHA I'd appreciate any comments and/or suggestions @moderators I couldn't find anything about length of posts in the rules. Just let me know if I need to split this up or something.

@ Justice Thanks for the reply. As I said I've got the msbatch & infinst (that's what I think your refering too) things sorted, no problem. Its getting it to move on to the next bit is where I'm becoming unstuck. @ prathapml Thanks, I could do with some help. I'm begining to see how much time it takes 16 hours to prep first step, which I'll discuss in my next post.

I'm a newbie to this scripting stufff... I'm trying to make a unattended install CD for win98 + the updates and some programs. (I provide support for a lot of people running win98 boxes (usually after a serious viral infection) and i'm tired of looking at the setup screen just to push a few buttons) here's my wish list for the CD - Boot and Fdisk (should be able to find something with command line switches to include in a batch file) (Done - see below) - Reboot & Format automatically (ditto) - install windows (seems simple enough with msbatch.ini ) - install drivers (could hit a wobbly here lots of different systems, so would probably have to install manually or ***) (Low Priority) - install updates, security patches, ie6, directx, etc (don't forsee any problems, plenty of resources both here and elsewhere) - install common programs e.g. flash, mozilla, winzip, etc (ditto) - run a script to automate the setting up of things like DUN, etc. maybe reading from a "answer file" (hope the terminology is correct, all new to me) I know most of this is possible from some of the posts. ================ (NB!! NB!! How do I do this)================== I have a problem at the moment of not being able to see the connection, nor know how to construct the *.reg files required to move from the msbatch part to the rest of the process. I have a vague notion that stuff needs to be loaded to the runonce, etc part of the registry. Could you help me by either; - Refering me to some online source of info about the format of the reg file you used to achieve the above or - Perhaps you could let me have a copy of your msbatch & .reg files to look at (I'm sure I could figure it out if i had a complete set at the moment I have no idea what I'm looking for.) ================ (NB!! NB!! How do I do this)================== I've got the basic part of setting up the msbatch.ini file from the MS articles and have successfully done so, although a lot of the stuff in that article did not seem to be relevant to what i'm trying to do. (best article is here!) However it seems that the sources of a "lot of info by searching google" about same referred to in posts both here and elsewhere have dried up or point to the MS articles on msbatch.ini The rest would seem simple enough as there are plenty of examples in other posts of what switches etc to use for the installing updates,etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated..... *** could I perhaps use the MRU bit in msbatch to refer to Dir created and copied from another (re-writable) cd post format and before install begins. It would seem only chipset drivers are essential before updates and apps are installed.

Q. What interest is there in Unattended Windows 98 + updates A. A lot from me..... I'm a newbie to this scripting stuff. And am currently trying to achieve same, I'd be happy to document and contribute what i've learnt. FYI: Win98 is still very prevalent in South Africa.... esp since the cost of XP home is more than the monthly household income of about a 1/3 of the population. Therefor few people even consider upgrading.