ok I am sort of a newb but I have done lots of reading-- I read as much of the MSFN guide (beginner/intermediate section) as i could and I couldnt find really any references to my issue. it seems like a real simple thing: I want to create a semi-automated (i.e. options are pre-filled out like CD-KEY and Admin name + pwd etc, and OEM drivers are available during setup) but I still want to be able to override the settings during install if I want (example: choose partition to install to, and change Time Zone if I need to etc) without re-burning the CD each time. Apparently you can do this by editing the WINNT.SIF file created by SetupMgr.exe and making sure the UnattendMode under [unattended] is set to "ProvideDefault". I have done this, in fact my whole WINNT.SIF is below. Question is: no matter what I do when Text setup (blue screen part) gets to the part where you choose what partition to install to, it does not allow me to do an IN PLACE UPGRADE. It just shows my HD and I am afraid to continue because I don't want it to delete my WINDOWS or documents folders. Usually it will show something like Choose a windows installation to repair: C:\WINDOWS -- Windows XP Professionaland then you press "R" to do the Upgrade install which preserves your settings. I dont want to install a whole fresh version of windows in this case, I just want to do the in place upgrade but not have to type in all my info again and get asked for drivers, etc. Is this possible?? please you gurus, thanks!! ;SetupMgrTag [Data] AutoPartition=0 MsDosInitiated="0" UnattendedInstall="Yes" AutomaticUpdates=yes [Unattended] UnattendMode=ProvideDefault OemSkipEula=Yes OemPreinstall=Yes TargetPath=\WINDOWS FileSystem=LeaveAlone Repartition=No WaitForReboot="No" OemPnPDriversPath="Drivers\000_chipset;Drivers\001_storage\3ware_9500; Drivers\001_storage\nvraid;Drivers\002_network;Drivers\003_graphics; Drivers\004_monitor;Drivers\005_audio;Drivers\007_pci; Drivers\008_usb\pl2303;Drivers\008_usb\triax" DriverSigningPolicy=Ignore NTUpgrade=Yes AutoActivate=Yes [GuiUnattended] AdminPassword=xxxxxx EncryptedAdminPassword=Yes OEMSkipRegional=1 TimeZone=35 OemSkipWelcome=1 [UserData] ProductKey=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX FullName="Luke Hamburg" OrgName="MyCorp" ComputerName=BLACK-BOX [Display] BitsPerPel=32 Xresolution=1280 YResolution=1024 AutoConfirm=1 [TapiLocation] CountryCode=1 Dialing=Tone AreaCode=212 [Identification] JoinWorkgroup=WORKGROUP [Networking] InstallDefaultComponents=Yes [Components] msmsgs=off msnexplr=off [Shell] DefaultStartPanelOff=Yes [IEPopupBlocker] BlockPopups=No [WindowsFirewall] Profiles=WindowsFirewall.TurnOffFirewall [WindowsFirewall.TurnOffFirewall] Mode=0