un4given1

The screens are completely customizable... That's just the standard screen. I'll see if I can fish up some of my old screens.

Yes, you can customize the CIW screens. They are written in a special HTML and have an .OSC extension. Off the top of my head I can't remember where exactly they are held, but I will let you know in a few.

When you press F12, it requests an IP address from the DHCP server (RIS). Once they communicate it launches the Client Installation Wizard screens on the PC. After you log in and make your selections it just as you put in a Windows XP disk. It can be compeltely customized just as a Windows XP disk can.

To launch the client you would enable PXE boot (Boot to Network) on the client. During boot you will be prompted to "Press F12" or maybe something else, depending on your BIOS maker. And there you go... You should get the Client Installation Wizard screens.

Here's a link to a post I did some time ago that will tell you exactly how to do it... http://bink.nu/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1684 Hope it's OK that I posted a link from another forum. If need be I will post the whole thing here... Good luck.

It's been nearly a year since I frequented this site, and recently have found time to make an appearance here and there. One thing I have noticed is there is certainly a lot more members. The other thing I have noticed is that it doesn't seem to be nearly as friendly around here anymore. It seems to me like the answer to most questions that are posted is "your an id*** because you didn't do a search or check a guide" Now while I understand that the forum rules state you should do a search before asking a question, it's still no need to be rude, right? Also, everyone has their own opinions on how to do things, that's obvious. The worst part about this is that everyone is so quick to slam other's ideas because they don't quite understand them or because they just dont have the time to figure it out. So, in closing... When someone post something, help them. That's what this site is for, right? If they are new, be understanding. If they ask something that may be answered elsewhere, be a little more polite about it and maybe help them find it. We could all jump on google to look up something, but maybe not all find the same things... isn't it possible that could happen here as well? Now, I know I am noone of importance around here, but I have been on this site for almost 2 years now, and having taken some time off and returned to what this site is now, I can't say I enjoy it as much as I used to... Just something to keep in mind. I wish you all a happy New Year! Let me know if I can be of help... PMs always welcome.

If you are going to be such a jerk with something you post, you should atleast make sure you are correct about it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using command0, command1 and so on... Test it, it works... and if you do some research on the microsoft website you will see this is referenced many times. Better luck next time...

Also, I encourage you to take a second and search back through my posts over the last year and a half. You will find that I bring a great deal of experience with me and that I know what I am talking about, (not trying to sounding too cocky) most of the time.

First off, I said I have spent 2 years working with it. The greater part of that time was spent learning unattended methods (I dare you to tell anyone here that's a waste of time). And, I like to believe I am good at my job, after all I am now the Director of IT for the company I work for. Must have done something right, huh? I have worked in multiple corporate environements and have come across almost any situation you could imagine. I have worked on the client level and the server level, and now the management level. I have experience with just about every piece of software out there. I am familiar with the many different ways to push software including AD, SMS and through using batch scripts and task scheduler. And, RIS is not free... It's the cost of your Windows server. Now, while I respect your way of doing things, I think you need to broaden your horizons. You seem like a headstong individual who, like me when I was younger, thinks he knows everything.

Also... RIS doesn't require you to preconfigure machines. You can if you wish, but that option can be removed very easily. Also, with RIS I was able to setup a menu, select different versions of software pieces or even select an employees position through custom CIW menus and it would install exactly what I asked for. If you wanted this ability you would have to carry around a case of disks and rummage out the one that had the EXACT image you wanted. Also, try fitting Windows XP, Office XP, Norton Corporate, and any other custom software you wanted onto one disk. Sure, you could always use DVD, but that isn't even a standard on most office PCs at this time. Also, RIS is great for more than that. How about the ability to run the console without having to run halfway across your office looking for a Windows XP disk, just simply boot to the network and go. Like I said, many different situations warrant different needs. I am not saying RIPrep is a complete waste of time, I was just simply making a suggestion. Admit it, your real hatred for RIS is because you just haven't figured it out yet...

Different situations warrant different needs. I have no clue why an exec would ever be standing over your shoulder while you reimage their PC. With RIS I can build a PC, add it to the domain, and install and configure any software I want. The images I created were completely configured and required NO manual work when done. Upgrading the image was as easy as just dropping files into a directory on the server. RIPrep requires remaking a disk. While I see why someone might use RIPrep, I don't believe it's as administerable as RIS. You use your RIPrep, I'll keep using RIS.

Boy are you delusional. I used to install XP on clients in about 45 minutes and another 30 to install all apps. All unattended and when it was all said and done I could box a PC and send it away. I could do 30 or more at a time and it only required me to spend 2 minutes at the start of PC on each PC. Waste of time? I am offended as a systems administrator who spent 2 years of his life learing everything about RIS.

Lose sysprep and just use an unattended install with all of the proper drivers. If you have access to a Windows 2000 or 2003 server I recommend using RIS.

Here you go... This is a post I did forever and a day ago. With a little editing it will work for your purposes... http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...indpost&p=82601

Doesn't anyone know you can use a /I switch and cut your "IF" statements in half by not having to use one for "Y" and "y"?

RIPrep is not the way to go. RIPrep images are hardware specific. I would recommend you build your image as you would an unattended CD. I used to have one RIS image that worked on 20+ different PCs, including laptops. Do a couple searches for old posts by me. I have posted quite a bit about RIS in the past. Let me know if I can help you any.

Look at the description of a CMD file. It's "Windows NT Command Script." While Windows still recognizes BAT files and processes them the same, CMD is the proper extension for Post 2000 Windows and they are called COMMAND SCRIPTS.

First lesson.. it's no longer called "batch script" it's "command script" and technically you should use the extension .cmd instead of .bat. BAT is only for backwards compatability.

Actually, decided it's just a LITTLE too cold to go to the beach (70F) so I am going to go tomorrow since it's supposed to be a little warmer. RogueSpear: the only problem I had with using group policy was that I built PCs that were shipped to remote locations. Some of them only having 256K fractional T1s, you couldn't push Microsoft Office over that. If everything is local or you have a nice pipe you can do that.

I worked in a corporate environment and sometimes walking from one side of the building to the other to get an XP disk was very frustrating. When I would need to run the repair console it was very frustrating, so I even had made it possible to boot to the recovery console by booting to the RIS server. RIS is great. You can do just about anything you would want to. I'm still looking for those files (I have moved 3 times in the last year) and I will post them later when I find them. As for the rest of today, think I am heading to the beach. Later!

Oh, and I later changed to a different method than those listed... I actually output the variables to the registry. That was the most reliable way. I'm still looking for my old OSC files and batch files.

OK... so I found my original post on this topic... here it is... http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=9481&hl= I hope it helps!

Nice suggestion, but there are easier ways. I myself worked with RIS for about 2 years. I contacted Microsoft about the possibility of passing variables from the OSChooser files to my SIF file and was told by them that RIS did not offer the ability to do that. I couldn't accept this, so I did some research. After about a year of playing around I found out it IS completely possible. I am sure you can probably search the forums here and you will find a post or two from me (that's sarcasm, because I used to spend almost every waking hour of every day here). I'll have to go back through some of my old files but if you are interested I can dig up some of my old OSC files. The way I had it working you were able to boot to the OSChooser, select the different software packages you wanted (or a preset build that I created) and then walk away. It would pass the variables to the SIF file... -this actually needs a little more explanation... the way the sif file works, when you run through the OSChooser screens at the end it passes the variables to the SIF file, replacing them with their values and uploads it to a place on the server for later retreval, then reboots Through a batch file I set up I was able to use these values. Microsoft told me it couldn't be done... what do they know... I did it. I'll see if I can find some of my old files (it's been about 9 months since I moved on from that job) and if you are interested PM me

That's not correct...

Are you running this regkey during cmdlines.txt? You may try running it using GuiRunOnce. Some settings are changed after cmdlines.txt so I would give that a try. It's been awhile since I messed with this, but I believe if you do a search you might find a topic where I discussed this.