jrf2027

Hey all, I suspect that somebody out there has had this same problem...on Saturday I clean-installed my computer, like I have probably every month or so for the last four years. When I was sure I had everything in correct running order, I ran the Windows online activation, and was greeted by a window telling me that I had reached my maximum number of activations for my product key! I didn't think this was possible. I've never installed this product key on any other machines, just this one, although I've upgraded over the years. So then I tried to activate using the telephone. After reading my numbers to the computer on the other end, I was informed that the system could not automatically activate me and I needed to speak to a customer service representative. Once I talked to the rep, I was able to activate Windows. He of course grilled me, making sure I did not have this product key installed on any other computers, etc, but then allowed me to activate. After activation, I asked him if I would always have to call in for activation and he said yes. Anybody else have this experience? I have a retail upgrade version of Windows XP Professional. Let me know if you've experienced similar problems - I just find it mildly amusing, maybe a way of telling me I shouldn't so quickly resort to a clean install to solve problems!

Does anybody know if Adobe has released a "basic" version of 7.0.5 Reader, as opposed to the full 20 MB download? I really don't like the full version of Adobe Reader 7.0.5, and have tried to patch my prior administrative install of Adobe Reader 7.0.0 Basic without success. On the other hand, if anybody has had any luck patching an administrative install with this patch...please share!

From looking at the security bulletins, it looks like the following hotfixes have been replaced by newer versions: 873333 - replaced by 902400 893086 - replaced by 900725 This was confirmed in the first post of the thread. But, the following hotfixes appear to be replaced, upon reading the security bulletins: 899588 - replaced by 905749 896727 - replaced by 896688 903235 - replaced by 896688 Can anybody confirm these? I really feel lazy tonight and don't want to spend the time to confirm through fresh install...

Did the message about not being able to find the file pop up during text-mode setup (when files are copied to the drive) or during the GUI mode (when Windows is actually installed?) If in GUI mode, at what point? If during text-mode, check txtsetup.sif (in the i386 folder). If during GUI mode at the T-13 point, check cmdlines.txt (in the $OEM$ folder).

I haven't tried integrating the nVidia drivers into the CD yet, or include a path to them in winnt.sif. But I do have the drivers and software install during my RunOnceEx. If you get the latest nVidia driver from nVidia's web site, it is an InstallShield installer. Using WinRar, extract the files from the installer and make an .iss file using the instructions on the unattended site. You can then install the driver silently. I don't know about ATI drivers. As for telling the computer to install the right one, you could possibly do this using the computer's name, or MAC address, or something. I don't know for sure. If you are going to use one disk to install on multiple computers, you could look into using WPI for your installation needs. It would allow you to check which drivers you want to install.

When's the next train to Siberia? This has been discussed ad nausaeum. Please SEARCH for NIS 2005, or NAV 2005, and you will find out how to shave a good portion of that out by integrating the most recent versions of LiveUpdate and the most recent URL update into your install.

I noticed that if you are using Win XP with SP2 integrated, and with MS Java not installed, all that KB903235 really does is add the registry entry previously mentioned - in fact, the javaprxy.dll file isn't even part of your system. The direct registry entry does the same thing - prevent access to a file that doesn't exist on your system. Why is this even listed as a critical update on SP2 systems? Shouldn't it be a critical update only if MS Java is installed? Perhaps, similar to the GDI+ detection tool, you could put a note to import the proper registry entry instead?

Where's "none of the above"? I test using a spare 20 GB hard drive - far faster than any VM software, plus you can test using your hardware rather than the VM's and really find out if your drivers are working. Takes me about 30 seconds to shut down the computer, unplug the power cable, press the power button to purge any remaining power, and swap the hard drive cable.

4.9 was just released. Anybody know if the current syntax still works? I'd test it myself but I'm going to be on vacation until next week. Please let us know if you have success!

@Brindamour: I tested that last night. Right now, the problem I have is that my XP Pro CD is a retail upgrade edition, and it doesn't seem to want to do a full install - it will only allow upgrades when running winnt32.exe. I was able to get it to work with a Dell OEM XP Pro CD that I use at the office, but since my home Dell did not ship with XP from the factory I can't use it on my home computer. I'm working on this, though, and hopefully I will find a solution to it. @bish542002: Just move RunOnceEx.cmd to the D:\ drive. Like I said, you may want to try running useraccounts.cmd from the D:\ drive too, if you change your users frequently enough to justify it. Otherwise it's probably OK on your CD.

Actually, my useraccounts.cmd file is still in $OEM$. I suppose it could be placed in the D:\ drive, as long as you had the path to it in cmdlines.txt. cmdlines.txt has to be in the $OEM$ folder, as far as I know. I place cmdow in the $OEM$ -> $$ -> System32 folder, which automatically copies it to %windir%\System32.

Here's my cmdlines.txt file: [Commands] "cmd /c start /min cmd /c D:\Install\Scripts\RunOnceEx.cmd" "useraccounts.cmd"

This is exactly how I install my applications after a reformat. I use RunOnceEx to do it. You can set up your RunOnceEx in two ways: If your second hard disk drive has the same path all the time (if it's always recognized as d:, for example) you can just put that directly into the RunOnceEx. For instance, your line: REG ADD %KEY%\010 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\install\dvdshrink.exe /SP /VERYSILENT /NOREBOOT" /f becomes: REG ADD %KEY%\010 /V 1 /D "D:\install\dvdshrink.exe /SP /VERYSILENT /NOREBOOT" /f assuming, of course, the file is located in the D:\install directory. I even have my RunOnceEx file on the second hard drive, so I can edit it on the fly. (I'm at work right now and don't have the exact command to call it, but if you need it I'll post it later.) The other way you could set it up, if the drive does not always have the same path, is to follow the directions for CD-based installations of programs (have a file in the root of the drive named install.txt or whatever, do the "if exist..." commands). I agree, putting the programs on the second hard drive results in a much faster install than installing from CD, even from DVD. If you need any assistance, PM me. Now...just need to figure out how to run Windows install from the second hard drive, thus eliminating the need to create new CD every time...

Great job on re-posting your guide. Now, in an attempt to route searches to it... NAV 2005 NAV2005 Norton Anti Virus Anti-Virus Antivirus AV NIS2005 NIS Internet Security Because, as everybody should know by now, the installation method is essentially the same for NAV and NIS 2005. If there ever is another "how do I silently install Norton Antivirus 2005?" post, the user posting it should be banished to Antarctica.

You could reformat your drive using a third-party reformatting tool before running the Windows install - of course, if you have a retail upgrade version of Windows you will then have to have your media handy for your original version of Windows.

How are you making the unattended disks? You should make sure you use the same boot.img (called Microsoft Corporation.img on retail disks, called something else on Dell OEM disks) as is present on the Dell OEM disks. I can see how this would cause a problem. Yes, IsoBuster will allow you to extract the proper version of the .img from the Dell OEM disks. No, you won't need to extract it all the time - just extract it once and save it somewhere (it's a quite small file, only about 2 Kb I think), and then use it when creating Dell OEM slipstreams.

I've never used nLite to make my winnt.sif or integrate service packs or hotfixes. That being said, I've never had any problems slipstreaming SP2 and hotfixes into OEM Dell disks and using winnt.sif to make an unattended installation. I've never been prompted to activate, just register. (Regarding the on-board winnt.sif, I find it a bit amusing that the file still refers to "Whistler" - it's been around for a while!) I wonder if it's something nLite does that is causing the problem...you may want to peruse the nLite forum to see if anybody else has had the same problem.

From personal experience on about ten Dell machines - if you are using the Dell OEM disk that ships with Dell computers, and using the product key contained on the winnt.sif file on the disk, you should never have to activate Windows - it's pre-activated. As far as time zone and owner info - put it into winnt.sif, and put the file on a floppy disk if the computer has one. Otherwise, burn a new CD for that install.

All the search links are dead for some odd reason - I found the threads but the links went to other threads. Basically, here's what you have to do: If you have purchased the CD version of NIS 2005, you will have a file called URLLIST.exe within the \Support\URLList directory. Using WinRAR, open the .EXE (Right-click the file, select "Open with WinRAR...) and replace the URLLists file inside with the URLLists file found at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Symantec\Norton Internet Security\URLLists . Use best ZIP compression to save some more space. If you have purchased the downloaded version of NIS 2005, PM me and I'll send you a dummy copy of the URLLIST.exe file, in which you can insert the URLLists file from your machine. If the search links ever are repaired, Astalavista has made a comprehensive guide on shrinking NIS 2005 down to about 54 MB using 7Zip - due to Symantec making the URLLists file smaller lately, I've gotten it down to 53 MB using WinRAR. You just need to type "NIS 2005" in the Google search bar at the top of the screen to find the threads.

Before this breaks out into an all-out flame war, here's what I noticed: If you already have Spy Sweeper 3.5 installed, and click the "Update Program" button under Options, the Web site tells you that you have the most current version installed. BUT... If you go to Webroot's web site, click on "Re-Download Purchased Software", and enter your information, it sends you a link for 4.0. The installation is for 4.0.1 Build 331. The new download is about 6 MB, twice as large as the size of 3.5. If you right-click the executable, under Properties -> Version -> Comments it says the executable's built using Inno Setup, but I also couldn't get any of the usual Inno Setup switches to work. Also, based on the way the program looks and feels, I'd say it's still a beta. Graphics are not as advanced as in 3.5. Memory scan takes a long time, but scans of the hard drive hardly take any time at all, so overall scan time is down. If you're concerned about being exposed to spyware, you may want to continue to run 3.5, since it's the tried and true. If your system is somewhat safe, and behind a firewall, and you don't participate in the "click the monkey and you win a prize!" crap, go ahead and give 4.0 a try.

Yes, it's possible. Method is the same for Norton Antivirus 2005 and Norton Internet Security 2005. It's already been discussed ad nauseum, so I'll leave it to you to do the searching.

Your problem has nothing to do with cmdow.exe - cmdow.exe only allows you to run command windows with no visible window on the screen. Your problem lies with RunOnceEx - I've experienced it myself, but haven't found any good solution other than shortening up my descriptions. It doesn't affect any functionality, it just doesn't look really pretty...

I've just been putting Window Washer as the last item to install. Not unattended, but it works for me... Also, you may want to look for an update - my version is 6.0.5.409.

Yes, follow the old posts. Here's what was accomplished a while ago: - Solved need to activate after each installation by copying symlcrst.dll to correct location prior to installation. NOTE: This will only work on the same system which originally had NIS 2005 installed. You can't just go copying a symlcrst.dll from one system to 50 others - plus, even if you could, it would be a violation of the EULA. - Solved need to download 30+ MB of updates through replacing URLLists file in URLLists.exe executable with most current version (this changes about every two weeks, so you need to update this before wiping out an installation, otherwise you'll have to download at least some updates). - Integrated Live Update 2.6 into the installation. My installation SFX is at 54.1 MB right now. With download of virus definitions, total download after install is around 10 MB. P.S. Steps 2 and 3 also work with NIS 2004. Haven't yet figured out activation problem and really don't care since I don't use NIS 2004 on my system.

This is not correct for Windows XP. One copy = one machine, whether retail or OEM. (Unless you're covered by a volume licensing package...) You're thinking of Office XP or 2003 - if you buy the full retail package, you're allowed to install on your primary computer as well as a laptop that you use. This does not apply to OEM copies of Office XP or 2003 - they are computer - specific (they can only be used on the computer they are originally installed on). If you're using a retail upgrade version of Office, it relates back to the original full version the updated version is replacing - if you're replacing an OEM copy, you can't install on two machines, but if you're replacing a full retail package, you can, if it's allowed by the original retail pack's EULA. Here's what I would do to save your 30 days of work: 1. Go to the nearest software retailer and buy a copy of XP Home or Professional - your choice, really. 2. Can you access the computer using Safe Mode? If so, you can access the Windows registry - you may be able to enter a new product key from a new copy of XP Home right from there. Just do some searches for "enter new Windows XP Key". There's a tool called Keyfinder that may help you here also. 3. If you can't access the computer using Safe Mode, download the latest version of Knoppix (a Linux CD-based distribution) and copy all your necessary files to a FAT-based drive. Then reformat your drive and install your new copy of XP Home on your laptop. Since you say the laptop is "new", does that mean it came without an OS? If it didn't come with a version of Windows (XP Home, XP Pro, 2000, ME, 98) already installed you'll have to buy the full retail version of XP to be in full compliance with the retail EULA.