Help: Clean Install XP from network share with Bart PE

[billnight]

This might sound like an old and simple topic, but I do need your help:

I was using a volume license XP with SP2 CD created a network share with Setupmgr. With the same CD, I created a BartPE. Boot a machine with the PE disc and mapped (drive letter H) to the share, then run "winnt32.exe /S:H:\i386 /unattend:H:\unattend.txt". Until this point, it is all textbook steps.

I got following error after I hit enter:

"the setup script does not contain a valid product ID contact your system administrator for a valid product ID"

Googled the error and checked my answer file, it appears:

* I don't have "," in my answer file;

* "UnattendedMode" is set to FullUnattended;

* I toggled between "ProductID" and "ProductKey";

* I even use Ethereal to moniter the traffic between client and server and it appears client did get the whole answer file from server.

Here is my answer file and appreciate if you give me som advice.

;SetupMgrTag

;[Data]

; AutoPartition=1

; MsDosInitiated="0"

; UnattendedInstall="Yes"

[unattended]

UnattendMode=FullUnattended

OemSkipEula=Yes

OemPreinstall=Yes

TargetPath=\WINDOWS

[GuiUnattended]

AdminPassword="password"

EncryptedAdminPassword=NO

AutoLogon=Yes

AutoLogonCount=1

OEMSkipRegional=1

TimeZone=4

OemSkipWelcome=1

[userData]

ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

FullName="ABC"

OrgName="XYZ"

ComputerName=*

[Display]

BitsPerPel=16

Xresolution=1024

YResolution=768

Vrefresh=60

[setupMgr]

DistFolder=C:\windist

DistShare=windist

[GuiRunOnce]

Command0=%systemdrive%\APPS\appsinst.bat

[identification]

JoinWorkgroup=WORKGROUP

[Networking]

InstallDefaultComponents=Yes

[Atheros]

this is just a thought. does VLE XP actually support this method of installation. it could be that the 32-bit launcher is looking for an OEM key and not a VLE key.

try an OEM pro key and see what that does, (i know its not practical, but would be nice to see if my theory is correct)

[NegaTiveCreep]

Not sure if you have figured your problem out yet or not, but I noticed that you in your answer file you forgot to put quotes around the product key. Hopefully this helps

[bfrawley]

I am having a similar problem using windows PE 2.0.

Were you ever able to find out what your problem actually was?