tazmaniandevil

I tried that to begin with, but at some point it seemed to be over-writing my settings. I tried adding them from a batch file using RunSynchronous too, and it was only partially successful. I suspect it's a permission thing.

I finally worked this one out through trial and error. It is not at all intuitive, and I have no idea how to do it any other way. Customise your desktop on a test account then run sysprep and boot into audit mode. Copy the appsFolder.itemdata-ms and appsFolderLayout.bin files from %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows to the system you develop your images on. Mount your install.wim file using DISM, and copy the 2 files into Users\default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Unmount the image. It's a PITA having to mount/unmount after each new addition to the desktop, but I guess this will become less frequent once we are all happy with the distribution image. If anyone knows of an easier method, please tell.

I'm not sure. AFAIK if you have a direct route to the internet at install, it should work. I only ever do WDS installs, so have never tried DU using any other method.

Setting <DynamicUpdate> <Enable>true</Enable> </DynamicUpdate> in the windowsPE pass of WDSClientUnattend will allow setup to download dynamic updates from Microsoft as long as there is no caching proxy in the path. We do have a web cache here, and dynamic updates still work fine. I assumed it was getting the updates from WSUS

Dunno about setup screens, but logon screen you need to edit %windir%\system32\imageres.dll using resourcehacker or similar. To change the 'Windows Orb' on the Windows property page to your own custom logo, you need to edit %windir%\Branding\Shellbrd\shellbrd.dll

Try /Y That's what I use to delete temp files etc. and it works for me.

Don't know whether this is related, but some of our Vista Business machines suffer from poor network performance. Downloads can be incredibly slow given we have a very fast connection here. I found a blog last week (Don't remember where - sorry) recommending running the following commands, which seems to have worked for our systems. netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=disabled netsh interface tcp set global congestionprovider=ctcp netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled netsh interface tcp set global ecncapability=enabled I have now integrated this into our WDS distribution and all seems well. No more slow downloads.

The local admin account is disabled by default, but there is usually an option to create an account during install, which gets admin rights. Log on using .\<account name you created at setup> The .\ forces local logon.

Are you using a sata/ide-usb converter to connect the drive? I sometimes need to reboot the host system when using mine to be able to mount the volume. Is there an option in disk management to import foreign disk/volume?

Cheers midiboy, I got that sorted out via Microsoft but since applying the patch each time I try to integrate the updates the integrity check fails. "Echo %ERRORLEVEL%" returns 1359 I'm currently looking at an alternative, because integrating the updates on one machine then creating the answer file on another is just too much trouble. I won't go into any detail here in case it turns out to be another red herring. Microsoft have also announced that integrating SP1 is likely to corrupt the .wim image. What a crock this is turning out to be. Surely it would have been much better to create a Vista deployment mechanism for RIS instead of releasing this sub-standard mess which does not work anyplace near where the documentation claimed.

I can also integrate the updates using pkgmgr, following this guide. I find however that after doing so, and creating a new catalogue file in WSIM, I am unable to re-open or save my imageunattend.xml file. Whenever I try I get the following error. This does not only happen after integrating updates, but any time I make any changes to the install.wim, which is why I have avoided doing so.

Would it be feasible to copy the data to the first partition using $oem$ folders then run a script to move it during FirstLogonCommands in the oobeSystem pass? It really depends on the space available. edit: There is probably some way to point $oem$ at the second partition, but I have no idea how.

I don't particularly want to alter the install.wim source. I have tried this for copying files and settings etc. $oem$ style, but kept getting errors telling me the source was corrupt. I also find it an incredibly long winded way of doing things. As we only ever build machines here from RIS/WDS I find it much easier to follow the XP style convention of using the $oem$ folders - whether M$ recommend it or not. I feel M$ have lost a lot of good features from RIS in their rush to push WDS - and don't seem to be listening to their customers when we ask for these features back.

Just saw this topic while searching for something else. I load a custom Default profile so all users get the same settings etc. My method is prolly not supported by M$, but then most of what I do prolly isn't supported. I take the ntuser.dat from %Users%\Default on a Vista machine and load it in regedit. Highlight HKEY_USERS File --> Load Hive... Browse to the donor ntuser.dat and open. When prompted at Load Hive dialog, call it Default_User --> Click OK Open HKEY_USERS --> Default_User and add any HKCU settings you want to apply to all users. Unload hive --> Copy modified ntuser.dat file to $oem$\$1\Users\Default This modified ntuser.dat is copied to the hdd at build time, and all users logging on for the first time get these settings. Apologies if this has already been covered in another answer.

Make the change in WAIK in your wdsclientunattend.xml As for the guide, unless you want to create images with pre-installed apps etc. I wouldn't bother with much beyond the 'building an answer file' section. You will find all the info you need here. The biggest problem is knowing what to search for. If in doubt ask, if the answer has been posted already, someone will usually point you at the relavent thread. You don't normally get the unhelpful type answers you get on other forums where all they say is search. I find those kind of replys particularly off-puting. We all had to start somewhere after all.

Pass=Windows PE Component=Microsoft-Windows-Setup <DiskConfiguration> <Disk> <ModifyPartitions> <ModifyPartition> <Letter>C</Letter> You should be able to select any drive letter.

Hi atabrk I am trying to add updates using this method, but so far it simply does not work for me. Vista setup stops with error message: "Windows could not apply unattend settings during pass. (Null)" I have each update in it's own folder, and I am using unc paths in the answer file. When setup stops, I have opened a cmd prompt to try and find the .cab files, but have not been able to find them. There is no connection to the reminst share at this point. Any guidance would be appreciated Tom

Theme file: ; Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1995-2001 [Theme] DisplayName=My Theme ; My Computer [CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-109 ; My Documents [CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\DefaultIcon] DefaultValue=%WinDir%SYSTEM32\mydocs.dll,0 ; My Network Places - SHIDI_MYNETWORK [CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon] DefaultValue=%WinDir%SYSTEM32\imageres.dll,-25 ; Recycle Bin [CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon] full=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-54 empty=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-55 [Control Panel\Colors] ActiveTitle=153 180 209 Background=0 78 152 Hilight=51 153 255 HilightText=255 255 255 TitleText=0 0 0 Window=255 255 255 WindowText=0 0 0 Scrollbar=200 200 200 InactiveTitle=191 205 219 Menu=240 240 240 WindowFrame=100 100 100 MenuText=0 0 0 ActiveBorder=180 180 180 InactiveBorder=244 247 252 AppWorkspace=171 171 171 ButtonFace=240 240 240 ButtonShadow=160 160 160 GrayText=128 128 128 ButtonText=0 0 0 InactiveTitleText=67 78 84 ButtonHilight=255 255 255 ButtonDkShadow=105 105 105 ButtonLight=227 227 227 InfoText=0 0 0 InfoWindow=255 255 225 GradientActiveTitle=185 209 234 GradientInactiveTitle=215 228 242 ButtonAlternateFace=0 0 0 HotTrackingColor=0 102 204 MenuHilight=51 153 255 MenuBar=240 240 240 [Control Panel\Cursors] Arrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_arrow.cur Help=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_helpsel.cur AppStarting=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_working.ani Wait=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_busy.ani NWPen=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_pen.cur No=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_unavail.cur SizeNS=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ns.cur SizeWE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ew.cur Crosshair= IBeam= SizeNWSE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nwse.cur SizeNESW=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nesw.cur SizeAll=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_move.cur UpArrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_up.cur DefaultValue=Windows Aero Hand=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_link.cur Link= [Control Panel\Desktop] Wallpaper= TileWallpaper=1 WallpaperStyle=0 Pattern= ScreenSaveActive=0 [Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics] [Metrics] IconMetrics=76 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NonclientMetrics=84 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PaddedBorderWidth=4 [boot] SCRNSAVE.EXE=%WinDir%\System32\logon.scr [MasterThemeSelector] MTSM=DABJDKT ThemeColorBPP=4 [VisualStyles] Path=%windir%\resources\themes\MyTheme\MyTheme.msstyles ColorStyle=NormalColor Size=NormalSize ColorizationColor=0X45409EFE [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\.Default\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Ding.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\AppGPFault\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\Close\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\DeviceConnect\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Hardware Insert.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\DeviceDisconnect\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Hardware Remove.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\DeviceFail\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Hardware Fail.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\LowBatteryAlarm\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Battery Low.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\MailBeep\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Notify.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\Maximize\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\MenuCommand\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\MenuPopup\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\Minimize\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\Open\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\PrintComplete\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\RestoreDown\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\RestoreUp\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\RingIn\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\Ringout\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemAsterisk\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Error.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemExclamation\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Exclamation.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemExit\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Shutdown.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemHand\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Critical Stop.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemNotification\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Balloon.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemQuestion\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemStart\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\SystemStartMenu\.Current] DefaultValue= [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\WindowsLogoff\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Logoff Sound.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\.Default\WindowsLogon\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Logon Sound.wav [AppEvents\Schemes\Apps\Explorer\EmptyRecycleBin\.Current] DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\media\Windows Recycle.wav unattend.xml extract: <Themes> <CustomDefaultThemeFile>%windir%\resources\themes\mytheme.theme</CustomDefaultThemeFile> <DefaultThemesOff>true</DefaultThemesOff> </Themes> Have tried the above with DefaultThemesOff set to true and false - makes no difference. This scheme loads fine on first boot, but on 2nd boot loads with black screen background and is classed as 'modified theme' HTH

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this.... but here goes. We want to roll Vista out with a custom desktop theme, exactly as Aero except no wallpaper and the background solid colour 0 58 152 So. Customised a machine to this spec. and saved the theme as.... The theme now appears in %windir%\resources\themes as 'new-theme.theme' (not the final name but you know what I mean) Vista install places custom theme in %windir%\resources\themes folder and user sees customised theme on first logon. Cool. If the machine is now rebooted however, this custom theme changes to having a black background, and the theme is listed as 'modified theme' Reset the theme to the custom theme and restart again, this time blue background returns, but again theme is listed as 'modified theme' although it all looks OK. I have tried setting the theme using group policy, with the same result. Any ideas?

"Why would you want to?" I know, I know..... By adding the following registry entry, IPv6 can be disabled in Vista. [HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters] "DisabledComponents"=DWORD:000000FF I have tried adding this as a RunSyncronous item, but the entry does seem to appear in the registry of the finished machine. Does anyone have any idea how to accomplish this easily? In case anyone is interested, or if I have made some glaring error, here is the runsyncronous entry: reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters" /v DisabledComponents /t REG_DWORD /d 000000FF /f

I still use the $OEM$ folders to copy files and folders with WDS, even though it is frowned upon by MS. I find it much quicker than the preferred 'data image' method, which I have not been able to implement successfully yet. I use the new 'Users' folder to add bits 'n pieces to the default user profile, but do so using $1\Users\Default\AppData etc. structure. It works fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I have the credentials for domain join embedded in the WDSImageUnattend.xml file, so anyone can boot the machine and hit F12 to start the build. When this file is copied to the machine hdd, the user details, product key etc. are removed. WDS has no ADSI support, so the only other way to do this as far as I have been led to believe by MS, is to write a script asking for username and password which then launches the install. This is a backward step IMO, but MS don't seem interested.

I was informed on the Microsoft Windows Vista Deployment and Imaging forum that the only way to do this is to run a script in WinPE which stuffs the unattend file. WDS has no ADSI support. Pretty cruddy really considering what RIS could do. I have no idea how to launch setup successfully from within WinPE.

OK folks, be gentle with me please....... We currently use RIS to deploy XP, very successfully. Our current setup deploys XP with no user intervention - Auto named machines, OU is selected in RIS menu, etc. I am trying to get Vista to deploy unattended using WDS, but try as I might, it just does not seem to read the answer file. The install launches quite happily, but stops on the language screen, and every other screen thereafter. i.e. attended install. If I run through the setup manually, none of the settings I want to use seem to have been picked up. I find the MS documentation to be sketchy at best, just like it was with RIS. I have followed the steps in this document, but still no joy. I copied the text from this post, changing credentials etc., but it still does not seem to read the answer file. I have even tried copying the answer file into %reminst%\Images\%Group%\install\Unattend\ImageUnattend.xml What am I doing wrong? edit: I have also tried the answer file from this thread. Still nothing.

As far as I know, you can only set partition sizes with RIPREP images. You could pre-partition the drive using partition magic or similar then ask RIS not to change anything. [Data] AutoPartition=1 [unattended] Repartition = No FileSystem = LeaveAlone RIS can auto generate a hostname to your specification, and join the domain. DHCP supplies IP address.