InTheWayBoy

Yeah...as everyone else has said if that's not working then you probably have issues elsewhere. I hear it's best to use the Setup Manager first, then hand edit the rest...don't make the *.sif and then feed it to Setup Manager.

So the $82 is too much? I can't say I've ever ordered in a volume that you are talking about, but from what I hear that's about as close to cost as you can get. Factor in all the extra steps you'll have to take to become a OEM through Microsoft and I would be inclined to think it's just easier to order via a distributor. You should check it out, and let us know what kinda cost savings you can get going straight to M$. And good luck on the new business!

Didn't even see that before...what the hell does that mean? So since I'm 25 I can't comprehend the things you old bastards know? If that's the case then what does this mean: See to me, and most people, that makes it sound like you are the id***. First off that whole first sentence makes absolutely no sense what so ever. It's better suited for network connections since these computers provide network jacks...come on man, that's like saying the apple is red because it's red. Two, you don't need Pro to run simple peer-to-peer networks, so your lack of clarity makes you look ignorant. As I mentioned, if you are connecting to a domain then you have to use Pro...but for many that is not a concern. Three, you again make it sound like the only way to get computers with advanced features such as extra USB ports and memory card readers is with XP Pro...again, a stupid idea. All of those parts are OS independent, and most manufactures offer Home first, and then Pro as an upgrade. So you could in fact get those features on a computer that doesn't have Pro. And every new computer I've seen from HP for the past two years has had extra USB ports and multiple memory stick readers on them...and all run Home. And you know when I order my Dells with Pro, they don't magically come with all these extra features...I still have to pay extra for them regardless of if it's Home or Pro. And finally, the image viewer is still in pro...and as far as I can tell it's the same one as in Home. I will admit, I might be wrong on this one...must be because I haven't developed those awesome adult brain cells that you so obviously have. Oh, and you spell "syndrone" with an "m"

I've always wanted to contribute to a useful application developer...if that's a few sticks of RAM then so be it. 4. 3 is sounding nice, keep up the good work!

Right...on Home it's called Remote Assistance. I guess the other things are the security features...like NTFS File Permissions and better user configuration. Add that to the GPO, Dynamic Disks, and IIS that have already been mentioned and you get a lot of stuff...that you really never use. At least on a single user computer...Oh, and Encrypted File System, which I have never attempted to use. Seems like they are all just extra things to break sometimes

Yes and no...you can use notepad, but you must have this at the top of the file: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General] "BackupWallpaper"="c:\\windows\\web\\wallpaper\\xppaper.bmp" "Wallpaper"="c:\\windows\\web\\wallpaper\\xppaper.bmp" The first line is required, and has to be followed by a blank line...after the blank line you can insert your code and then save as "tweak.reg" and you should be good to go!

You would probably have better luck just setting up an account with a distributor and buying from them...or just go to newegg.com and buy from them. You can expect to pay around $80-90 for an XP Home OEM. I've use MALabs before, and they aren't too bad.

If you use the Setup Manager from Deploy.cab you can set the password AND encrypt it. If you open the *.sif with notepad you'll see a bunch of gibberish, but that's the encryption at work. I've never tested this, only read about it...good luck!

I don't know what that guy above me is talking about...here Pro can do everything home can do and then some: 1. Join A Domain 2. Dual CPU Support 3. Remote Desktop Support 4. More Advanced Configuration Of Certain Parts (File Sharing) You really only need Pro when you are needing one of the first two...I seem to recall that Home has some kinda limited Dual CPU Support now, maybe because of HyperThreading. There may be more differences but those are the biggies...for most tasks you can get by on just Home and save a few $$$.

Yeah...it's in the *.sif I bet. There is a few entries that can make the computer always logon with the Admin account. Post your *.sif and I'm sure one of us will be able to help ya.

In regards to you repair question...if you are looking to use the SFC thing, then an nlite install probably won't work if you have removed components. Now a Repair Install, or as M$ calls it an "In Place Upgrade" is different...that's when you basically reload Windows over itself, saving the registry and files. This too probably won't be doable with an nlite install...unless the source install was the same nlite install. Also, Resource Hacker is another good program to do what you need in regards to editing the Setup Screens.

Can you upgrade to 2000 from a Win9x based system? Hell, even if you could I would doubt you find anyone here who would actually suggest it...cut your loses and go for the clean install.

I see...in that case then I'm sure there has to be a better, cheaper way. However, I can't think of any off the top of my head. I would think something along the lines of a centrally managed firewall might work best for you. Something you could deploy to all the computers and lock down to your settings. I was looking in to Kerio WinRoute Firewall for that earlier, but haven't really done much investigating.

Because it hates you...or, maybe you have some problems. Either way, I would think we need some more info. What's your system config, in regards to CPU, RAM, and Video. Also, I would try running it without a lot of programs running first...such as WinAmp and the like. Also, a quick google search reveals that this looks to be a problem with many people who are trying to run the game off a backup or downloaded copy. Is that the case here?

Yeah, you should really check out the guide a little more...a *.sif is a simple text document that you can open with a text editor. This file, once configured, is usually placed in the I386 directory. I believe nlite will make this for you automatically, but I usually like to manually tweak it. The file your friend sent you looks okay, but it references a lot of items that you probably don't have on your CD. This will most likely cause a problem. Of course, if you just used mine you would have a similar problem, in that I use WPI to complete my unattended. Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead...sadly there are no easy and effective programs that solve all the problems. In fact nlite is only a piece of the puzzle by most accounts. If you really get into this like most of the memeber here, you'll find that you really never learn it all...it's just a continuing lesson. I would recommond starting from scratch and trying just a simple unattended setup by hand, then progress into the more advanced things like stripping aways features and adding tweaks and applications. If you can't get the regular unattended down, then you'll always be tripping over that with every other function you try to add.

I don't think AD can do that out the box...you'll still need another program to accomplish that. I think that's what Microsoft's ISA Server is supposed to do...

Here's my *.sif for reference: [Data] MSDOSInitiated="0" UnattendedInstall="Yes" AutoPartition="0" AutomaticUpdates="Yes" [Unattended] DUDisable="Yes" UnattendMode="FullUnattended" UnattendSwitch="Yes" OemPreinstall="Yes" FileSystem="*" Repartition="No" TargetPath="\WINDOWS" OemSkipEula="Yes" WaitForReboot="No" DriverSigningPolicy="Ignore" NonDriverSigningPolicy="Ignore" ;OEMPnPDriversPath="" [UserData] ProductKey="" FullName="NAME" OrgName="COMPANY" ComputerName="TEMP" [GuiUnattended] OemSkipWelcome="1" OemSkipRegional="1" TimeZone="035" AdminPassword="*" ;Autologon="Yes" ;AutoLogonCount="1" [GuiRunOnce] "C:\Install\WPI.CMD" [Display] AutoConfirm="1" BitsPerPel="32" XResolution="800" YResolution="600" VRefresh="75" [Networking] InstallDefaultComponents="Yes" [Components] msmsgs="Off" msnexplr="Off" indexsrv_system="Off" fax="On" OEAccess="Off" [WindowsFirewall] Profiles="WindowsFirewall.TurnOffFirewall" [WindowsFirewall.TurnOffFirewall] Mode="0" With that, I still have to manually partition the computer in the text mode, but after that it's all unattended.

1) I think so...normally you setup the partitions in the text mode setup. The unattended nature of this all normally will only take place after the text mode. But watch out, there are some settings that can be entered in your *.sif that may be getting in the way. You should post your *.sif file so we can take a look...don't forget to blank out the CDKEY. 2) I've never done this myself, and I know you don't want a link to links...but there is a sub-forum here dedicated just for this function. At the least you can root around and see what you can find: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=92 3) I don't know...I don't think so. But hopefully someone else will prove me wrong. Normally when I make an unattended, I'll through a vanilla copy of the OS on just for this reason. This will require you to get dirty with multi-boot CD's, Boot Menu's, and CDimage.exe. An excellent guide is the Multi-Boot DVD guide...you can use these same tactics to make a multi-boot CD. http://flyakite.msfnhosting.com/

All the Server 2003 share the same tech...certain editions are tweaked for specific tasks. For instance a Web edition cannot become a Domain Controller...but it's also half as much than the Standard edition. Enterprise edition is targeted to servers that require four or more CPU's and vast amounts of memory. The other, cheaper versions can't do that...which is why they have an Enterprise edition. So if you have a regular computer with a choice of Standard or Enterprise, you won't get one single thing more from using Enterprise...at least, nothing that you would actually use. There may be better functions elsewhere, but I'm sure they aren't things that would affect common use. Clustering, 32GB of RAM (Which can be hot-swapped!), and advanced Resource Management are just some of the things that Enterprise offers...and you'll never use them

What ftp server software are you using....sounds like some kinda Passive Mode issue. That's a term, Passive Mode...I still have never really understood what it does other than p*ss me off. Now, do you have the server running at one location behind a router? The Dlink I think? And you can connect to the server from your laptop, which is also linked to the same Dlink router? If so, then it's most likely an issue with the router...you need to at least open port 21, and if you want to try and enable Passive mode then you would need to open the appropriate ports. Of course, you forward the ports to the internal server, most likely 192.168.0.xxx. You could try putting the server in the DMZ, which is where it has no protection from the router. Sounds like you might have tried that already. There might be other settings in the router that are getting in the way. You'll want to consult their website for more info. Also, check to make sure you don't have a software firewall on the sever that is blocking external traffic. Or the server isn't configured correctly.

I use AutoIT to install it as well, but only to clean up after the install. Most of the recent versions of Acronis products support a silent install...this is my code: setup.exe /silent /serial=XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX Simple as that! This should work with TrueImage as well...good luck!

That's kinda what I figured...but like you say, can't win em all...thanx!

Well it sure does...nice! Is the search results just as good as the forum's search results?

GPMC didn't make it in time...you gotta download it...it's still free of course! http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/gpmc/default.mspx

robocopy can do that...I think xcopy can too, but it's harder. http://www.ss64.com/nt/robocopy.html Good luck!