just_laze

Hi cluberti, Thank you for a quick response! laze.

Hello, I have a US version of Windows, can i delete the Language folder, will my answer file still set everything to English (UK) without it? Regards, laze.

Hello, Unfortunately i cannot help you. However, while we're on the subject of auto-logon, and it not working correctly, does anyone have any idea why the below wouldn't work. It's an example taken from Alanoll's Unattended Windows page. Batch file: net user John asdf1234 /add net localgroup Administrators John /add net accounts /maxpwage:unlimited REGEDIT /S autologon.reg EXIT Registry entry: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] "DefaultUserName"="John" "DefaultPassword"="asdf1234" "AutoAdminLogon"="1" laze.

Hi Plamdi, All codecs will hopefully be covered in whatever codec pack we eventually decide on, StartupCPL seems like an extremely useful little tool! I'd almost classify it as an essential... actually why not, it's my list :-P. Secondly the host-file you linked to seems great, i'm not sure if gugutz suggestion supersedes it or not. Thanks for your replies guys. laze.

Hi Grimbo45, I haven't used jclare's wmp11 integration pack, but i have used booogy's - successfully too! see here for more info. laze.

Hello, The best method is to integrate the hotfixes using RyanVM's 'Windows XP Post-SP2 Update Pack' and nLite. laze.

Hello, Once setup completes, prior to the welcome screen being displayed a flash animation is shown, the animation is accompanied by a sound. I'd like to remove both the flash animation and the sound, how can this be done? laze.

Hello, This solution still contains bugs. If you right click an item on your start-menu favourites (new style) the Copy To... Move To... buttons appear twice. Screenshot below and i implemented the solution exactly as outlined above. laze.

Hi gugutz, Thanks for your reply, you clearly spent a long time composing it! You make some valid suggestions, but 90% of them fall outside the definition of what i consider to be 'essential' or are already on the list. Ascentive Library Files is something i have never heard of, but i think it qualifies! laze.

Hello Plamdi, Thank you for your reply. To confirm, disabling the Security Centre service will remove the icon+pop-up that you're presented with if you do not have anti-virus / firewall software installed on your PC? It will not remove Security Centre itself, or have any adverse effects on security other than the removal of the warnings? laze.

Hi, .NET v2.0 does not replace .NET v1.1? Argh, i guess i will need to install both then. laze.

As requested: laze.

Hello, I've just began creating my very own unattended copy of Windows XP Professional, naturally i've ran into a few problems. The 'Help Protect Your PC' screen still shows even though i've included 'AutomaticUpdates=yes' in my answer file. The "Register your copy of Windows with Microsoft" screen is highly irritating, how can i remove it? Thank you guys! laze.

Hello, Perhaps to give Windows users the option to increase IE6's security, or upgrade to IE7. I'd imagine a lot of corporate customers may decide to stick with IE6 until they've played with IE7 and customised it to suit their needs. laze.

Hello, Does this file work with Internet Explorer 7? laze.

Hello, I think this thread is exhausted, as there's been no replies for sometime now. However, i did think of something else that may be considered essential, some form of cd-image reader, perhaps Daemon Tools or a preferred rival. just_laze.

Hello! This post originally included the list i'd compiled, the list has now been moved to the original post. laze.

Hello, Thanks for your reply blinkdt, judging from your response you've understood perfectly where i'm coming from. Windows Update v6.0 would be useful, rather than having to install it the first time you visit; Visual Basic 6 runtimes, another good suggestion as well as Java runtimes, Acrobat Reader and Flash / Shockwave plugins. I'd probably skip the rest of your suggestions, the reason being because they're either in beta or geared toward your personal tastes in software (winzip, diskeeper, avg etc...). DRauch i almost forgot codecs, definitely something i'd consider an essential, notepad++ would be a worthy replacement for notepad too. laze.

Hi manu144x, I'm aware of the unnattended.msfn.org site but other than the Application List there isn't anything advising what would be considered essential. The only obvious essentials that a user unfamiliar with the Windows XP Professional operating system would know about is Service Pack 2 and Critical Updates, while .NET, DirectX9.0c and Windows Installer v3.1 are also important essentials that everyone should include in the BASE build of their unattended installation. I'm just trying to move toward v0.01, no fancy bits, just a secure (in microsoft's eyes), fully functional unattended installation. :-) Thank you for your reply legionaire, i'd definitely consider a custom hosts file and have recently read this thread which appears to be a better solution than replacing the host file itself considering the associated slow-downs - Paint.NET and PowerCalc would be great replacements for Paint and Calc. The rest of your suggestions i see as post-installations, although sensible recommendations i don't want to consider including applications until i'm happy that i've slipstreamed all updates to the operating system itself and the commercially shipped applications. laze.

Hi guys, I realise you're not being paid to respond, but imagine, if i had one response for each view even if it were a single line response, i'd have over a 100+ useful replies now! Anyone?

Hello, I am creating a Windows XP Professional unattended installation CD. To begin with i have integrated SP2 and hotfixes dated August and earlier (ryanvm v2.1.1). I aim to create an unattended installation that is as generic as possible and caters for the majority. I wanted to know what the essentials are for an unattended installation of Windows XP, by essential i mean updates to the operating system and it's components. For example, i would consider the following essential in order of importance: SP2 Critical updates Direct X 9.0c runtimes Windows Installer v3.1 .NET framework v2.0 Windows Media Player 10 Windows Live Messenger Can i ask for the advice of forum members on what they consider essential updates? What i want once my installation of Windows XP has completed is an operating system that is 100% up-to-date with all the functionality of the original operating system and any additional functionality released (by microsoft) since. _________________________________________________________________________________________ My definition ----------------- Updates to system security, ensuring the user is protected. (sp2, critical updates...) Update and add additional functionality released by Microsoft. (.net, installer, dx9c...) Avoid the need for post-install of commonly required components (flash, acrobat reader...) Replacing existing programs to benefit the user in terms of functionality. (wmp10, paint.net, notepad++...) Avoid installing custom programs to your taste (av, firewall, maintenance utilities...) Microsoft Windows XP 'Essentials' (updated 06.11.06) Stability & Functionality -------------------------------- Windows XP Service Pack 2 Critical Updates Windows Update 6 Windows Installer v3.1 .NET v1.1 .NET v2.0 Ascentive Library Files (replaces Visual Basic 6 runtimes) StartupCPL 3rd party ------------ Sun Java runtimes Adobe Acrobat Reader Macromedia Flash & Shockwave plugins Codec pack of some sort Replace operating system components -------------------------------------------------- Internet Explorer v6, with v7. Paint with Paint.NET Windows Messenger with Live Messenger Calc with PowerCalc Windows Media Player v9, with v11 Notepad with Notepad++ Security ----------- Custom Hosts file or alternative. Is there anything missing guys, that you'd consider an essential and doesn't break the definition? laze.

Hello, I thought i'd re-introduce myself due to the fact i haven't been very active lately or in the past. I hope to become a little bit more of a frequent face around here as i aim to create an unattended installation i'm happy with. laze. :-)

cheers guys, very helpful.

Hello, Could a member please confirm whether i can replace sfc_os.dll and apply the accompanying registry tweak after i've installed Windows? If possible and after downloading the correct file from this page would i need to boot into safe-mode in order to replace it then return to normal mode and apply the registry tweak? Regards, laze.

I've already found my tweaks and created the *.reg file but i'm unsure of how to apply them during installation. I want them to be applied to all user-accounts and any additional user-accounts i create during the life of the OS, how could this be done? Thanks.