Tripredacus

I've had problems in the past with card readers in notebooks that like to take the C drive letter. I got around it by modifying my diskpart script to do something at the beginning: sel vol c assign letter=y

There are only a few things that can cause the XML to not be detected: 1. wrong arch in XML 2. file in the wrong place If you are installing a 32bit Windows 7, AND are using a 32bit install source, it should read this file. If you were using a 64bit install source, it would ignore this file since you have "x86" as your arch. As far as where the file is. Windows 7 Setup will look in the root directory of any attached drives for the XML file. It must be named Autounattend.xml. You can put it on the root of your install key, or you can put it in another USB key and have that attached. Another method is to use a USB Floppy Drive. I do not do USB installs for creating master images, I use a DVD without an unattend file on it. Then during an install, I insert a USB key with the appropriate XML file on it. One last thing, if your USB key has multiple unattend files in the root, this could be a problem also. Make sure you only have 1 XML in the root, and put the other ones you may have into a folder. And check for noob mistakes like having the wrong file on the drive.

I'm not certain how MDT works, but you definately do not want to use the Vista wim to deploy Windows 7 installs. The install method is different between the two. You could try it, but don't hang your hat on it if it works.

This looks interesting. Somewhat like PE Explorer but laid out better, and also have the ability to actually change things...

Are you just trying to change it using the Clock on the screen? What happens if you run the TIME command from the CMD?

If you know what update it is, maybe you can download it manually from here: http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx * you need to use IE to go to that link.

Welcome to the MSFN! I will move this to the Unattend forum (which was were that topic you found was in) and you can also check out these links:

A strange introduction indeed! It really sounds like you have a virus. Make a post about it here: http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/114-malware-prevention-and-security/ Or in the software section: http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/19-software-hangout/

Is it possible that you are trying to install IE8 at a point in time when Windows is not activated? It may have something to do with IE8 doing the WGA check prior to install.

What about data discs? What happens if you boot a Live CD like Linux or WinPE?

Have you checked your drive off-line to see if that file is indeed missing?

I shall move this topic to the Customizing forum.

You can find sample XML files here:

Can you attach your XML file (sans product key) to a reply?

How much memory have you allocated to your VM?

How are you going about doing updates? Does it freeze at downloading, installing in Windows or installing during a restart?

Boot into Safe Mode and use MSConfig to disable all start up programs. Or you can create a different account and then try logging in with that instead.

You should probably look at Windows 7 Embedded, which has Thin Client support. There is a trial version available here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/westandard/default.mspx Of course, this isn't a retail product.

I'll move this to Software Hangout to get better exposure.

Minidumps are typically useless for determining the root cause of an BSOD for troubleshooting purposes. This is why we always ask for the full dump. Minidumps are typically used for metrics and usually only have almost the same info you can find in Event Viewer.

This isn't an error. The log file shows that the installation finished successfully but requires a restart to complete. Since your OS is modified with nLite, we may have no idea how to troubleshoot this on your system. My installs of IE8 on XP are done like this: IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.exe /passive /norestart /update-no This does not open the prompt to restart. I do not know if you can specify command line parameters with nLite. Also your binary name might be different.

If you aren't interested in making images for your XP installs, then RIS is the place to start looking. I have no experience in it, but we have a forum for it you can look at: http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/127-unattended-ris-installation/

What I would do is create an unattend file that has everything but computer name or product key filled out. For the WinPE side, you can use the default installation key, but do not put one in the OOBE section. This is only if you are not booting to audit mode. Then what happens is that after the install is done, when Windows Welcome comes up, it will ask you for Computer Name and Product Key only and then go to the desktop.

I have some questions to start (I won't be looking at your dump) 1. Are you able to get into Windows at all? 2. Is there a specific reason why you aren't at Service Pack 2? 3. Is your XP OS installed on an IDE drive?

Welcome to the MSFN!