AutoPartition=0 seems not to be working in WINNT.SIF (SP3)

[FirmamentFX]

Hi guys,

I have an nLited Windows XP Pro SP3 (on CD and also as a folder on my system). Installing the first OS from the CD is fine - I get all the textmode control and all the GUI stuff is fully automated as I want it.

BUT, I want to install XP twice more on my system, and because I have 4 physical disks (containing 7 partitions) on my PC, I want to install the remaining two from the initial Windows - this is because in textmode install the partition letters are not the way I want them, but if I install XP from within the first Windows, the partition letters stay as I have set them up.

My setup is:

DISK 0 - C, D, and E

DISK 1 - F

DISK 2 - G

DISK 3 - H

Whereas booting from CD, I get:

DISK 0 - C, G, and H

DISK 1 - D

DISK 2 - E

DISK 3 - F

However, whether I set AutoPartition=0 or even remove it altogether (I also have FILESYSTEM=*) in WINNT.SIF, I never get asked what partition to install to .

The command I am running to install Windows (from Windows) is WINNT32 /unattend:WINNT.SIF. This copies the initial files over, and then reboots into textmode setup, and immediately starts copying the files over, without asking me any questions... I need to be able to select the partition.

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks,

Martin

[FirmamentFX]

Think I *may* have solved it... I need to run WINNT32 /unattend:WINNT.SIF using the local CD, NOT a local source folder...

Will try and report back.

M

[RUSerious]

I would also like to find the combination of WINNT32 switches & WINNT.SIF settings that will allow to have choice of partition.

Especially if I could just use build folder (where WINNT.SIF is on HDD) without an ISO or CD. Any luck with this??

As far as the lettering goes, I export the key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices] from my main install, and then import that on my fresh install on the other partitions (after removing Key) and reboot. AT YOUR OWN RISK. Get a fresh export if you alter partition sizes.

On anything else you import, try to use %SYSTEMDRIVE% rather than C: , but remember that you have to use cmd or inf with variables -- can use reg files ONLY with fully defined path.

So, any help on the combination of WINNT32 switches & WINNT.SIF settings that will allow to have choice of partition?

Edited November 11, 2008 by RUSerious