How do I point PXE client to unattended install structure?

[wlandymore]

I have setup a PXE server/TFTP with this guide http://ping.windowsdream.com/winner/doc/pxe.html but it boots into a custom interface that they have designed. I would like to make an unattended folder structure with all of the software, drivers, etc. and then be able to access that with the PXE boot.

Can anyone point me to a guide or something that will show me how to use the PXE/TFTP server (which is assigning IP's properly) to get people to a folder that I've shared with the install stuff and get it to run? I'm new to this so it would be good if there was a guide on this particular setup.

I have made unattended CD's for XP before, but I've never booted over the network to access the files from the CD for the install...

[Tripredacus]

You can run a setup from the WinPE 2.0+ but if you use a WINBOM you are going to need the old WinPE 1.5 or lower. Just call the install using regular setup.exe switches.

[wlandymore]

right now I have it so that it boots from the network and then stops at the z:\ prompt.

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I tried running net use \\server\share from the command line and it gave me:

"This command is only available on enhanced workstations" error. I need a way to have less user interaction as well. I need to work the net use (if I can get it working) into the PXE boot so that it knows where to go and then it can start running.

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Okay, it was trying to connect as Administrator so when I used: net use F: \\server\share and then typed in the password it connected me to the folder.

However, is there a way I can put this in to run at the end of the boot process so it will connect automatically and then run a file??

Edited October 16, 2008 by wlandymore

[wlandymore]

I got to the share can then tried to run the setup.exe and it said that the program could not be run from DOS mode. Any way around that?

[Tripredacus]

I got to the share can then tried to run the setup.exe and it said that the program could not be run from DOS mode. Any way around that?

That software boots into a Linux shell. You are right, you can't run the setup.exe from there. And you can't run it from the DOS prompt. Did you follow the rest of the instructions to make the Windows installation source? It seems pretty staight forward, you should get a menu and pick what you want to install.