ran

I've just gotten a laptop whose native display is something like 1600x1300 - waayyyy to small for me. I have found however that I can enable 'Extra large icons' under appearance which helps immensly (for some windows - not all seem to follow that). In addition, I chose the 'silver' instead of 'blue' theme. Where are the registry entries for this located? Is there a simple registry 'comparer' that would allow me to make changes, then determine the "before & after" to see what was actually changed? (As a side note, I seem to have a windows explorer window keep popping up everytime I boot into windows - even though I have 'remember previous windows' unchecked. Where can I change the registry to keep this from happening?) As always, thanks for all your help! Ran

Well, I loved creating one of these .mst files for installation of Office 2003. However, I've also just got MS Money 2004 (came with my new Dell laptop). I'd like to create an unattended.mst file for that, but the deployment tools for Office 2003 don't work with it. Is there a set of deployment tools that will work with MS Money 2004 and allow me to create the .mst file for unattended silent installation? Ran

You should change the poll to the following: 1. Left thumb (Left-handed) 2. Left thumb (Right-handed) 3. Right thumb (Left-handed) 4. Right thumb (Right-handed) 5. Ambidextrous (either thumb or hand) Would be interesting to see the results.. (like I have nothing else to know about right now.... )

Installshield apps let you define installation directories (usually) via the setup.iss file. Many other programs just have switches - and you have to dig for 'em (e.g. Winamp, Java, Daemon tools, etc...)

Actually, I've got two entries - but not sure if one or both are required: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\SuperHidden] "DefaultValue"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced] "SuperHidden"=dword:00000001 Note that one is HKCU, whereas the other is HKLM. Does the LM entry set a systemwide property, whereas the CU only adjusts for that user? Ran

Hmm...on a whim I tried the same thing. sfc.exe /scannow I also get multiple prompts - but it asks for my XP Pro SP1 CD..even though this is an XP Pro SP2 installation. Is that normal? I had slipstreamed SP2 into my original XP Pro CD. is there a way to see the files it thinks are "wrong"? Ran

why not? sounds like a reasonable idea. Why not prevent WMP from installing/setting them in the first place? Ran

Well, I'm not sure if this is a tip, tweak, or just a silly notion..but: When I setup my partitions, I use the following: c:\ ~1200MB d:\5GB e:\everything else C: becomes my "Swap" partition on which I create a 1GB pagefile. D: becomes my System drive where XP is installed E: becomes my programs drive and whatever else. I always thought that putting the pagefile on the first dedicated partition (short of using a different drive) was the next best thing to do for optimizing pagefile access. Is this true? Also, by putting the OS on D: and everything else on E:, it makes reinstalling a snap as nothing needs to be changed on E (of course apps need to be "reinstalled" into the new OS). I usually copy D: documents and settings somewhere else, and then just straight copy it back when I'm done.... This also allows backup of just the OS & documents and settings (via Ghost). Does this seem reasonable, or is there a far better way to set things up?

RyanVM, I'll be the first (well probably not the first) to say "THANKS SO MUCH" for all your hard work. I know you are trying (completely unselfishly, I might add) to help others out here. What I've had to get through my thick head is that, with all of people's helps/tricks/repackaged files and such here..I will still run into problems/errors/things not working. Now, 95% of the time it's my fault. But, that other 5% is like biology - randomness in the equation relating to people's hardware, software, geographic location, and phases of the moon in their part of the country. Hence, I've also got to accept that not everything will work just as it does for others. I, too was unable to effectively use your repackaged J2SE file. I downloaded the version from Sun and have now gotten that to work silently, to the directory I wish, and with no reboot...but it took a couple of weeks! 8-) So, don't be disheartened, and know that many many people are sleeping easier at night knowing they've successfully saved a few MB on their install CD and have had to do away with annoying switches while executing their setup files... Ran

Admittedly, no I did not create the .iss file. The reason I did not create it is because it nevers creates them. I've tried the '-R' switch 'til I'm blue in the face, and then after the installation I've searched my entire computer for a setup.iss file. No file is ever found. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong during the "practice" install to generate the .iss file? Seemed id***-proof (just add the -R switch)..but well, I *am* a pretty good id***. I was just using the prepackaged one. Ran

Hey everyone, First, again and again and again, THANKYOU. This is a terrific site with people who spend inordinate amounts of their precious time making things easier for so many people who require/want unattended installs. Now, onto my problem: I install the ATI 4.9 Catalyst Drivers and Control Panel separately. Well, I should say I *attempt* to install them. Both packages are extracted and 7zip (self-extracting) compressed into .exe's I then use RunOnceEx entries to: a: extract into a directory (e.g. Ddriver4_9, CPanel4_9) with the 7zip -y switch. b: Run the setup files REG ADD %KEY%\015 /VE /D "ATI Device Drivers v4.9" /f REG ADD %KEY%\015 /V 1 /D "%Systemdrive%\Install\applications\DDriver4_9.exe -y REG ADD %KEY%\015 /V 2 /D "%Systemdrive%\Install\applications\DDriver4_9\setup -s -f2\"%systemdrive%\Adriver.log\"" /f REG ADD %KEY%\020 /VE /D "ATI Control Panel v4.9" /f REG ADD %KEY%\020 /V 1 /D "%Systemdrive%\Install\applications\CPanel4_9.exe -y REG ADD %KEY%\020 /V 2 /D "%Systemdrive%\Install\applications\CPanel4_9\setup -s -f2\"%systemdrive%\APanel.log\"" /f Extraction always works as expected and I can find the extracted directories and actually install from the directories if I do it from a commandline. But, Whereas the driver installs fine (Error code 0), the control panel gives me an 'Error Code 3" in the log file and it does not install. Any ideas why?

Prathapml (or whomever), Should disable autorun dwords utilize: 000000b1 or 00000091? Also, does the key end with 'Explorer' or actually end with 'NoDriveTypeAutorun'? Example: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutoRun] "NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000b1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000b1 Or: ; disable Autorun for all Drive Types [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091 I think I've been staring at these reg entries too long... *yawn* Ran

example code would be (to merge .reg from runonce).... Ran

Hmmm..... a bit confused: For adding more runonceex's..would you have to have a reg entry at the end of your original runonceex.cmd that "calls" another .reg file? Or are you saying that by having the naming scheme "b2001" it will automatically run those on 2nd bootup? Ran

Hmm.. I completely forgot the use of tildes..... Do you think they'll still work in the RunOnceEx fields? I'll have to give those a try..... Thanks! Ran

Hmmm... That should already be set, I would think by my winnt.sif. I know the path is right, I just can't seem to get it interpreted correctly in the RunOnceEx.cmd file Funny thing is, if I try this: "%SystemDrive%\Install\Applications\jre150.exe /s /v\"/qb ADDLOCAL=jrecore IEXPLORER=1 reboot=Reallysuppress JAVAUPDATE=0 INSTALLDIR=e:\Program files\java\jre \" " /f It still won't work, due to the space between 'Program' and 'Files'. I've tried enclosing the INSTALLDIR path with quotes (\"E:\Program Files\java\jre\") and that doesn't work either. and I get an 'incorrect parameter' message So, my installer refuses to accept the %..% pathname, or a direct "en-quoted" path name. It has to be a straight path with no spaces for it to work (e.g. e:\java\jre). Maybe I'm missing something basic with how msiexec or these .cmd files work..but I'm clueless! Ran P.S. thanks for the replies!

Thanks for the reply sdageforde! I actually PM'd him yesterday and he suggested the same. So, I downloaded the new one..and still...reboot! Weird! 8-)

As the title suggests, I am having a problem using the installdir to set the installation directory. If I hardcode it (e.g. e:\Java) then it works. But, If i attempt the following: REG ADD %KEY%\030 /VE /D "Sun Java VM v5.0" /f REG ADD %KEY%\030 /V 1 /D "%SystemDrive%\Install\Applications\jre150.exe /s /v\"/qb ADDLOCAL=jrecore IEXPLORER=1 reboot=Reallysuppress JAVAUPDATE=0 INSTALLDIR=%ProgramFiles%\java\jre \"" /f Then it won't unpack the .msi and install in my desired directory. I've tried adding quotes around the installdir path as well (\" ... \") , to no avail. I just don't want it installing to 'C:\Program Files\' as C: is my swapfile partition - no files to go there! Any ideas? (I've tried RyanVM's as well, and for some reason his still reboots on me - hence I'm trying to use the Sun version) Ran

Trying to install CDEX 1.51 with the /S option. Installation is silent, but I'm still getting a prompt to view the readme after installation. REG ADD %KEY%\040 /VE /D "CDex 1.51" /f REG ADD %KEY%\040 /V 1 /D "%SystemDrive%\install\Applications\cdex_151.exe /S" /f Is there another switch I'm missing? EDIT: Saw this on the MSFN site: Guess that answers my question, eh? Ran

Hmm... the InstallDir option in the ini file bombed the whole installation: Installdir=%ProgramFiles%\Winamp I kept getting 'error 1606' couldn't find the path %ProgramFiles%\Winamp (yes I know this is the default install) I also tried enclosing %ProgramFiles%\Winamp in quotes, but that didn't help. I just wound up taking that line out and it installed ok. Why wouldn't that work?

NM - just learning Registry hacking 101 - sorry! Ran

Ummm...are you saying that installing the .msi via RunOnceEx won't work? Was close to burning the final CD here.....<gulp>

(Moved from Unattended forum, sorry) OK, I know that SiMoNsAyS has a long thread started about Nero 6.6 Here. However, I am sitting here staring at my retail boxed CD of Nero 6 ultra (6.3.1.15) and wondering.....can I make a silent unattended install of some of the applications that I use? (There are just so many files all over, I'm not sure how to split them up, or what 'setup.exe' to run, what 'common files' folders I need, etc...) (I use quite a few of the programs, including burning rom, wave editor, dvd player, case designer) In addition, I downloaded all the updates (e.g. Burning ROM 6.3.1.25 update, etc...) Could I "slip-stream" these updates into my existing Nero before creating the Unattended? Is there a simple thread that explains all this that I somehow missed in all my searching? Should I just ask Hell to freeze over? (BTW, this site (all of you!!) have been *MOST* helpful....I've almost gotten my XP and Office2003 CD's done) (As a side note, I assume nero 6.6 requires a new license purchase/key, right?) Ran

Well, as indicated in the batch file code above, I do have the statement, set OFFICECD=%%B. and if I echo back %OFFICECD% I always get the right drive that the image is mounted in. So....... To overcome having to use %OFFICECD% in the commandline that executes the Office 2003 setup, I did the following: PATH=%PATH%;%XPCD%;%officecd% start /wait setuppro.exe TRANSFORMS=Unattended.MST /qb- I don't understand *why* that works, but it does. Once the %OFFICECD% variables are removed from the start line, it works fine. I'd *REALLY* like to know why that is messed up...but... if I can get it to work with setting the path, I'll take it! Ran

Mhz, Thanks for joining the hunt. I followed the "advanced" Office 2003 directions here at MSFN for the Unattended. The key here is if I just go to the directory and type the "start /wait etc..." at a command prompt, no problem it begins the silent install. I just don't get what could be wrong with the %OfficeCD% parameter, if in fact that's the issue (just my guess at this point). Ran