InTheWayBoy

Right, but it's only ever included in a RIS SIF, and never in a CD based one...makes me think it's some kinda trick that RIS uses. So if it were to be changed from the default value maybe the RIS server looks elsewhere, resulting in a file error...at least, that's my opinion as of right now. What do your RIS SIF's have for that value?

Not 100%...you can't natively join a domain, although you can hack that in I hear.

No, it's asking you to add a user because you didn't specify an option in you answer file...again, this is in the unattneded.msfn.org site. You have: UnattendSwitch=No That means it will run your through the mini-setup, where you create a user etc...you need to change that value to: UnattendSwitch=Yes There are other things that may effect this as well. But that's the major one...you should specifically spend time reading this section: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/19/

wcl_ftp is pretty nice...the webiste is sh*tty but the app is very handy: http://www.pacific.net/~ken/software/ I use it in my login scripts and it works very well.

You might want to take some time to read this: unattended.msfn.org Most of those issues are addressed there. To pre-partition your HD you'll need to look into something like WinPE and diskpart.

If that's the full reg file then your problem is you didn't format it correctly...you need the appropriate header. It should be: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Ahead\Nero - Burning Rom\Info] "User"="User" "Company"="User's Computer" "Serial6"="XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Ahead\Plug-ins\DVD-Video\Info] "Serial6"="XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX" Without the header it won't import...also, and I might be wrong, but I think you have to leave a blank line at the end of the file as well. I seem to have heard that somewhere and have always included that. And just so you know there are ways for you to include the serial for Nero during the install, so you wouldn't have to do this at all. Check out the Application Install sub-forum for more info.

Is it BgInfo? If it is, there should be a way to manually enter reginfo into the config file, but I don't know how you would go at pulling the RIS version from there...isn't that normally held on the server? You could try and insert your own reg entry during the RIS setup that provides the version info, and then pull that through BgInfo. Check this thread out for more info: http://www.sysinternals.com/Forum/forum_po...p?TID=4623&PN=1 It's a link to BgInfo's forum, which someone is asking a similar question. Looks like it's possible if you know the full path to the regkey. If it isn't BgInfo then I have no clue...good luck!

You couldn't even install MCE over Home anyways, because MCE is more like Pro than Home.

That is indeed the problem...you can't AutoLogon with an Encrypted Password...says so in the ref.chm.

fizban2 What is this "Windows Deployment Services" you speak of? I did a quick google and only found some references to Vista and such. Any links/docs you can provide? .raven You may want to look at your answer files...there are some settings there that are different than I've seen. Namely: LocalSourceOnCD=0 In every RIS SIF I've seen it's always: LocalSourceOnCD=1 Now what that really means is beyond me, as M$ doesn't include a definition of that in any of the help files I have access to, but I would assume that might cause a problem with reading files. Also, and I could be wrong on this, but you can't AutoLogon with an encrypted password. I would suggest starting from scratch, but don't go editing anything until you know it works...take it step by step. First make sure it works with the default SIF, then after you know that works start editing things. I know this is frustrating, but if you don't have a good implimentation then your alternative is your current situation. RIS is great, yet it does have it's problems. I highly recommend scouring the RIS sub-forum, as it has all the appropriate info you'll need. RogueSpear's guide is very handy, even if you don't impliment all his tweaks it still serves as a great baseline. It should be a sticky-post if I remember correctly.

It gives you three MMM? That doesn't seem to even be possible...

The most important, and annoying, thing is that the programs you want to install must be an MSI installer. If it isn't then it becomes much more complicated, as you'll either need to convert the installer to an MSI (Which depending on the program can be impossible) or you could 'wrap' the installer inside an MSI. The wrapping isn't suggested, because it will cause problems later when you want to upgrade/uninstall the application.

It's a pain, but it's not impossible. Check this page out: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...y/tpcdploy.mspx Since you have a VLK it won't be so bad. I had to 'hack' together a version because my tablet's came with a restore CD.

Well if you copy the tools to your system folder (Typically C:\Windows\System32) then they will be in the 'path', so you can run them by just calling the name. If you put them in a sub-folder of the system folder like you are wanting then you will need to add that manually to the 'path'. There are several ways to do that, but generally I avoid that as it's more things to go wrong. To get an idea of what you need to do if you want to manually edit the 'path', right-click on My Computer, then Properties, then Advanced. Click the 'Environment Variables' button and you'll see a listing of different variables. You can manually add new items to the list, such as your System32\Programs...I'm sure there is a way to automate this, but I don't know off hand how to do that. Good luck!

I too have run into this issue, but only with Server 2003. I'm gonna try this fix when I get back (On vacation), but a suggestion would be to use the %WINDIR% variable which should resolve to your Windows folder. You would need to add the "System32" after it of course. I'm pretty sure a .reg file supports that. If not, you could always convert the command into a reg.exe syntax. Just a thought!

PCI Intels for me as much as possible...I have some Broadcom and Marvell's that are just a pain. I used 905C's for a while, but never for PXE so I can't vouch. But they are nice cards...Realteks are not so good for this from what I hear.

Just wanted to check in...I have been bombarded at work to the point I have very little free time for the next week. I really like where this thread is going, and plan on testing some of the concepts when I get a free moment.

Apple always does their stuff better...and just think, soon we might be able to benefit from that! I can't wait to dual-boot an XP and OSX system...mmmmm. Back to the topic, given the information you provided, looks like this is the closest: [HW70] ID=USB\VID_1131&PID_1001 Type=Bluetooth USB Dongle DLL=Driver\USB\btcusb.dll DLLD=Driver\USB\btcusbd.dll Inffile=Driver\USB\btcusb.inf Manufacture=ISSC Now if you could see if btcusb.inf is somewhere and post that, we might get somewhere. I just noticed that the long file you posted earlier is an ini file, so that isn't the actual driver file...the btcusb.inf should be the one we need.

If you are looking to load over the network, then you have two choices in my opinion: 1. RIS - M$ Tool that does what you need...requires 2000 or 2003 to run, and needs a functioning Active Directory. 2. Unattended - Looks to be an opensource form of RIS, with some small differences. This is the way to go if you don't have the requirements for RIS. After you decide which route to take, and there are more, then you'll want to start creating and testing your images. If the machines have a PXE capable NIC, then you most likely won't even have to use a boot disk, if can boot right of the network! That is by far the best feature...

Great...another util worth it's weight in...KB? LOL Very useful, even if there are other options...it's nice to have one program do one thing and nothing more. I have moved from bat/cmd installs to AutoIT specifically because of this issue...but now I might switch back. I'll grab this and hang on to it for now, keep up the good work!

This will do it from WINNT.SIF: [TerminalServices] AllowConnections="1"

Well, we have yet another kink here at work. Gonna need remote access to a silly little time clock software. There is also rising need for a few financial people to access the Quickbooks app from anywhere...greedy people always like to know what's going on I guess Looks like Terminal Server is the way to go. I have a spare computer; not server class, but not too shabby. It's AthlonXP 3200+ (Socket A), 1 GB DDR, 2x80GB Mirrored. The time clock application is like 2MB, and Quickbooks takes up around 1GB when it's all patched. We have 20 users for the time clock software, but only five that need access to the Quickbooks. The usage of the time clock will only be when the clock in/out, so no constant sessions. The Quickbooks is different...there will be one to two on during normal business hours, and then the rest of the use will be from all five users but at random times. The way I see it I need to install 2003, join the domain as a member server, and then install Terminal Services on it. Then I would install the applications, using Add/Remove Programs...I hear that's important for software that isn't certified to run in TS. Next, I would need to create a scipt for the time clock users that only shows the app and then ends session when it's closed. Then create a security group that has all the users in it, and then add that group to the group that gives access to TS...can't recall the name. Finally, create a GPO that not only launches the script but configures the session settings for TS. Now, assuming I'm right so far, I have a ton of questions: 1. Will this computer be powerful enough given the info? 2. Is there a way to make a shortcut that would launch a TS session, but execute a different application depending on the shortcut config? So my for the people who need it, they would have a time clock icon as well as a quickbooks icon. 3. How do profiles play into this? I understand that since it's running the session locally there will be new profiles made. I'm not concerned about the profiles...a manditory one would be nice. Can I make just one profile that all users have to use, and then only have to backup one profile? 4. I know Quickbooks isn't certified for TS, but it's just a registry access permissions issue. There is info to get around this. The time clock one might not even work...it's that shaddy. If I run into an issue with the time clock, are there any possible workarounds? 5. When thinking about backup, what should I be concerned with. The profiles? Are there any extra TS only files that I should watch out for? 6. Once this is all configured, can I run it headless? For most admin work I could logon with my domain admin account and be able to configure like normal right? 7. I've seen figures saying each session will require 3-6K per user of bandwidth...that sounds too good to be true. 8. There is the problem that there will be a 'spike' when everyone uses the time clock software...everybody is only the same 9-5 grind. Given that it's such a simple app I would think it could handle that, but I could be wrong. 9. HAHAHA! 10. Is the licensing gonna kill me on this...one per user right? So that's 20 licenses for one stupid little application...grrrr. It really burns me becuase they bought this crap behind my back, so I didn't have a choice to dismiss this application. But if that's the case then they can eat the costs of the license...b*st*rds. But, this feeds my craving for more tech stuff. I'm sure I'll have more questions, but that should get me started for now. And this is a bonus question...since I've never used one I don't fully understand the capabilties, but could I run this whole setup on a hosted server? To be clear, I'm talking about when you pay a monthly fee for a server that they own but you configure and use. I see a lot that can be purchased with 2003, which makes me think I should be able to configure it to be a TS server. But since I always see Plesk or some other management software I don't know if I can get in low enough to do this. It would seem to me it would make a great disaster recovery plan, which we are trying to develop as we speak. Since the hosting companies have fast connections, it should still run just as efficiently then right? Hell, if it's the same I might just forget running this locally and do it all on the hosted server...unless there is some big issue with that. Thanx again, I know there are some smart mofo's on here, and you all always help me out.

Yeah, it's very easy to over look the CAL...I didn't know about for a long time myself. Not only do you need to have a license for the OS the computer runs, you also have to have another seperate license for each device accessing a server. So each client needs a minimum of a Windows XP License (The one everyone has) as well as a CAL. And depending on the device or service the client is accessing, you have different CAL's...real p*sser if you ask me. And they wonder why people pirate it so much...

Yeah, I always forget about the Domain Controller GUI...it's not very convient though...by then I've already launched Explorer and gotten to it...it's all a matter of personal preference in the end. Good call...

And for a visual: Just like N1K mentions, set your view as you like it first, and then click the button.