jcbrief

Very interesting program. I've been playing with "breaking out" information from the WindowsUpdate.log for downloading the needed files that my system has installed. I've added to it a "watcher" program (autoit) that saves the basic info during the hotfix updates (IE windows update). I'm just trying to get the hotfixes so I can have an updated unattended install. Over the last years I've come up with my own Windows Unattended Install programs. One to do a network install of windows. The other is run during the windows installation and installs drivers depending on hardware, hotfixes, etc. your program is very interesting. I've played with it a bit, and will continue to do so. After getting into the WindowsUpdate.log I have many question; that is if you are interesting in just talking about these things we are doing. my environment: WinXP Home & Pro Win7 HomePro & Pro --- now on VirtualBox till I get my install program working on win7. Then will install win7 on my system as a dual boot. Thanks, Joe

I was grazing through the threads and ran across this one. I've been manually editing the registry and re-booting for some time. This is working fine, thanks I Install my home systems from the the home LAN. Each system is different, and having this just scan the system disk for the DVD/CD's (DVD.?, CDR.?) and the disable drives (DRIVE-.?) wouldn't work. I played around with your batch file and changed the logic a bit. The batch now searches the system disk, and all other disk. If it finds dvd or cd's or disable drives (DVD.?, CDR.?,DRIVE-.?) on another drive it clears the variable for those and uses what it finds. So the last disk it finds this info on will be what is used. I've just used batch files for simple things, even though your put lots of comments in your program, I think what I did was correct. I feel this is just a step in the same direction you are using with having the DRIVE.? on the drive needing to be re-assiged. I've done some testing with my version and it seems to be working. I'll attach it here so it can be furthur tested. filename=MapDrive-WORK.cmd I've never attached a file on this group; and the preview doesn't show it even though its been uploaded, so I hope it gets attached. Joe MapDrive_WORK.cmd

Thanks, will keep checking back, OBTW seeming simular to what is done to determine which OS, etc is this site (I think with .net). http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/osver...roducttype.aspx But from what I can tell, there are differences. Got lost at that point. Joe

Is there a way to determine the difference between XP Home and XP Pro?, Virtual PC 2007 only works on pro, not home. thanks Joe

It fixed my problem, Thanks, Joe

I called the 888 number, and the Microsoft rep told me I have to contact the person who has the volume license. So I'm trying that. I figure it may be a slim chance (from what I've heard here, no chance), but if I don't try, I won't get it. If I do try, I may. Well trying won't hurt . Thanks for you helps guys, Joe

Thanks, Will try them and see what I get, Joe

Nope, no COA, only the schools serial numbers on their stickers to keep track of things. But thanks anyway, Joe

Thanks for the quick reply. My son is already interested in installing linux, so that will work. Joe.

I figure I know the answer, but I might as well ask. Is there any way to transfer the rights from the origianl purchaser to me??. I've been trying to find microsofts 800 activation phone number to see if they can give me some direction. But that seems to be one elusive number. Google brings up mostly ways to "try" and get around activation (sigh), so far no luck there. I always needed 8 more paperwieghts . Thanks for the help guys, Joe

I'm a bit confused. I thought the OS was licensend to the computer, which is now mine. ????? My understanding is the school was not retaining the rights to the OS, or anything that was installed on the puters. Joe.

Yeah I know. The system is maxed out. But trying to use what I have (it was free). And Seeing that I have those copies of WinXP Pro (corporate edition) I'm trying to see if there is any problem with installing some of them on another puter. Joe

We have been given some "older" computers (450Mhz Intel CPU, 320Mb ram, 6Gb HD, 17" CRT), which are loaded with Windows XP Pro Corporate, and Word 2002. Several that I've tested have passed the "Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Check". I have no reason to believe these are not valid copies of WinXP-Pro and word 2002. I have W2kPro, WinXP-Pro, and WinXP-Home on my, wifes, and family puter. But they are OEM or Retail. I have very little idea of what the policies are re: these Corporate versions. Can anyone fill me in please: I'm getting back to the person where I got them from for ways to re-install them when I need to (not if, but when). I can't find on the systems any i386 folders to I can re-install them. Also Can I upgrade these systems. or move the OS to another puter like the Retail version? I don't want to bend or break any Microsofts rules. I'm just not sure what I can do with a corporate version. Now I realized these systems are, well, OLD, slow and underpowered. But they were free (a school upgraded and these were available). We have some friends who don't have any puters and we thought that we could get these setup for them. I'm looking at taking out several 6G HD's and put them in the other systems for more space. This would leave those OS's available. That is what got me thinking. Of maybe replace my xp-home with them. Thanks, Joe

When I tried nLite a few weeks ago I couldn't see how to rename the admin account, so I took another path then nLite. So I don't know much about more then using it a few times. A thought (I'm not sure it nLite supports it though), you could user the "User Creation Tool". With this you can rename the admin account, at least that is what I've done in win2k install with it. Its desiged for 2k & xp and more I think. This would rquire adding the $OEM$ folder, this will give you some idea of its layout. http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/18/ I put CreateUser.exe in the $OEM$ folder with a subfolder of Users to where I have the userfiles I've been doing much reading on getting my unattended up and running (well more like having fun playing with it ). Joe.

I'm having 2 problems: 1) when I have an occurance of CreateUser with only the computer info enabled the parameters are greyed out till I toggle the "Computer Details" box. 2) I'm Creating 2 new users, The following is from one of my tests, the names and info has been changed, but they are the same as where I use the FirstName as the UserName. [UserInfo] FirstName=One LastName=Last Description=One M. Last UserName=One Password=123 UnlimitedPass=1 AutoLogon=0 Admin=1 when this new user is created, it is not "One", but "One Last". I've encluded my test setup. I'm runing this on WinXP Home from an unateneded install from cmdlines.txt Thanks, Joeusers.zip