Trying to use Infinst to add drivers to win-98 install

[submix8c]

Question 1 - Precopy1.cab "slides into" Precopy2.cab ("split"/"spanned" file via DIAMOND compression) you have to "re-cab" both using the correct DDF. Or unpack Precopy1 only (with both Precopyx in the given folder) then "re-cab". Repeat for Precopy2 - expect the CAB sizes to be different from the original. In addition, go look at LoneCrusader's thread for a tad more info.

Question 2 - read LoneCrusader's (and my) post #43 above. Short answer - yes.

I assume this is an "experiment" (an exercise in knowledge) since it's unnecessary for Clean Installs to modify ("hack") Setupx. That is, unless you intend/need-to "upgrade" a pre-98SE. I really don't think this is going to change your results (MSBATCH entries). I'm pretty sure I tested mine with a Retail 98SE and got the same results. The differences between versions has already been stated/linked (the OPK items are in all versions AFAICR).

[LoneCrusader]

How does Win-98 setup know that it's working with a modified precopy2.cab file? Is there a checksum or similar that it looks for?

I've tried unpacking precopy2.cab and using makecab.exe or cabarc.exe and can't re-create a cab file with the same size as the original.

Or is any of this necessary? Can a modified setupx.dll just be placed in the /win98 install directory - and will be used by setup instead of the one in precopy2?

All of the CAB files are "linked" together, and files are "split" between them so that each CAB can be the same size, originally to fit on DMF formatted (1.68MB) floppy disks. Similar to splitting up a large file/archive with WinRAR, etc. To change one of them, you would basically have to rebuild the whole set. (That's what I've been doing in the thread submix8c referred to, using tools I purchased from rloew.)

Any updated/altered file placed in the \WIN98 folder that already exists inside the CABs will be picked up by the installer instead of the "older" one inside the CABs.

Obviously you have your own legal copy of Windows 98 to experiment with, but as submix8c stated earlier, you will need a product key that is appropriate for the install type.

Edited February 1, 2011 by LoneCrusader

[submix8c]

All of the CAB files are "linked" together, and files are "split" between them so that each CAB can be the same size, originally to fit on DMF formatted (1.68MB) floppy disks.

Stipulation - depends on the media and maybe OS (expanding on the theme "originally"); some had other CAB sizes.

Win95 on CD/Floppy - (varies may be 1.95mb; generally Floppy-size variation is the "originally" or sometimes 1.2mb/1.44mb)

Win98 on CD - 1.72mb

WinME on CD - 7.81mb

I have a Compaq OSR1 set "generated backup" (from the old beast) at 1.2mb - 31 floppies! There were "variations" for the Win95-series (3 PRECOPYx cabs). AFAIK, the 98/ME series were as stated.

Could be wrong about 98FE. Kind of irrelevant, tho (I believe this is what the 98SE "step-up" was used against).

Nonetheless, LoneCrusader's expansion of info is correct. If you want more info, dig into the SDK for specifics. Believe it or not, I "corrected" a corrupted CAB once using that info (header stuff) and a hex-editor.

[Guest wsxedcrfv]

Ok, I've now got the win-98 setup / installation working to the point where I'm not asked anything during the install, and all the drivers are loaded and working (all except for 3 items in device manager which I think are related to the on-board HD audio). So what I'm going to work on next are adding registry files to msbatch that do the following:

- remove taskmon.exe and task scheduler from the run group

- set my folder-view preferences in explorer

- delete "connect to the internet" and "set up msn internet access" from the desktop

Upon the first real start-up, it's asking to search for a driver for the monitor, and it's defaulting to looking at "A:/". I want to change the default search setting to "C:\windows\inf" and remove the checkmark for the other options. How can I do that as part of the setup / msbatch.inf ?

As for the monitor, I don't know why windows wouldn't or doesn't resort to using monitor.inf, but I guess I'll try using infinst to add monitor.inf to the setup procedure.

Those items aside, here's a really big question:

Once I've got a basic win-98 installation up and running with all the hardware drivers - what do I do next? As far as I know right now, my options are:

A] install IE6SP1, go to windowsupdates and download everything, and then seek out the various "SP2" packages and install the one that works or that I like best or (???).

B] Bypass windowsupdates and just seek out the various "SP2" packages and install the one that works or that I like best or (???).

Basically, is windowsupdate a recommended (or even necessary) first step or stage before taking the system further?

[LoneCrusader]

...what I'm going to work on next are adding registry files to msbatch that do the following:

- remove taskmon.exe and task scheduler from the run group

- set my folder-view preferences in explorer

- delete "connect to the internet" and "set up msn internet access" from the desktop

submix8c or someone else may be able to give you instructions for setting those things in MSBATCH if it's possible, personally I would look for the INF's that set things that way to begin with. I have completely eliminated the installation of AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, and so forth from my Windows 95 install by simply editing MSINFO.INF and MOS.INF, I don't know offhand if these same INF's are present in 98 or used for the same things, but take a look around. Search for the string "msn internet access" inside your CABs, and take a look at any files that contain that string or a reference to something else you want to alter. It's too bad all of the work I'm doing in this department right now is with Windows 95, I haven't gotten to 98 yet, or I could be of more help.

A] install IE6SP1, go to windowsupdates and download everything, and then seek out the various "SP2" packages and install the one that works or that I like best or (???).

B] Bypass windowsupdates and just seek out the various "SP2" packages and install the one that works or that I like best or (???).

Basically, is windowsupdate a recommended (or even necessary) first step or stage before taking the system further?

This all comes down to personal preference. On a clean install, I first install DX9C, then IE6SP1, then WMP7. Then I would apply any specific hotfixes or addons I need, like NUSB for example. I don't like "Unofficial Service Packs" because they always want to replace my Notepad or change my icons or tweak my settings etc etc, and often they do not play well with other updates or patches.

[submix8c]

Upon the first real start-up, it's asking to search for a driver for the monitor, and it's defaulting to looking at "A:/". I want to change the default search setting to "C:\windows\inf" and remove the checkmark for the other options. How can I do that as part of the setup / msbatch.inf ?

As for the monitor, I don't know why windows wouldn't or doesn't resort to using monitor.inf, but I guess I'll try using infinst to add monitor.inf to the setup procedure.

Have you put this in your MSBATCH.INF?

[installLocationsMRU]

"C:\WINDOWS\INF\"

Otherwise won't know where to look (if it's PnP; you never said what make/model) and defaults to the floppy unless you tell it. Remember, you're doing an "unattended" install and (AFAICR), you're using the INFINST and a "CUSTOM.INF" which is the first place searched.

?Which other "options"? (ref. my Optional Components section) Side note: BATCH.EXE is the 98 version and not updated to 98SE so options are not consistent. My example has all of them correctly listed.

Really, I told you to look my example over. If you see a section in my sample and you don't have it filled in, do a "search" on that section or read the MS documentation. My example "does it all" (except Full SlipStream, as in LoneCrusader's project).

As far as the other question/questions, I could answer you with the examples from UBCD but I haven't had time to "boil it down" to start the "New UBCD How-To Without Violating Licenses And MSFN Rules So I Won't Get Banned Or The Thread Being Removed" thread. Please press no further yet and be patient. It will come. I might even incorporate other projects into it (e.g. SlipStream) that other MSFN'ers are working on.

Please note other threads/projects for various methods of Updates (e.g. WUPG98 or AutoPatcher, both being still available). Do look here for all of your individual Hotfix/Patch needs/wants. They are clearly marked "Unofficial" if not "Official" and have been gathered prior to support being dropped by MS.

Argh, matey! Here be support as MSFN!

Edited February 4, 2011 by submix8c

[Guest wsxedcrfv]

Have you put this in your MSBATCH.INF?

[installLocationsMRU]

"C:\WINDOWS\INF\"

Otherwise won't know where to look (if it's PnP; you never said what make/model) and defaults to the floppy unless you tell it. Remember, you're doing an "unattended" install and (AFAICR), you're using the INFINST and a "CUSTOM.INF" which is the first place searched.

Ok, I have a list of about 5 paths that I've added under [installLocationsMRU]. There was nothing there originally. Funny - the drop-down location list in the "search for new driver" dialog box shows these paths in the reverse order that they appear in msbatch.inf.

However, putting those entries under [installLocationsMRU] doesn't change the fact that the first time you're presented with that dialog window, that the floppy disk is still the only location with a check-mark beside it.

Upon the second re-boot during win-98 installation, Windows throws up a dialog box saying that it detected my monitor (gives the make and model) but it still spawns the Add-new-hardware wizard where it wants me to search for a driver for "Plug and Play monitor". I take it that it's always looking for monitor.inf at this point - it's the only .inf file that it ever accepts.

I've added monitor.inf to setup.exe using infinst.exe, but that doesn't seem to help. Is there no way that monitor.inf can be incorporated into an unattended win-98 install? Or is there some way it can find monitor.inf without asking for my help?

Also - the "Setup MSN Internet Access" and "Connect to the Internet" icons still show up on the desktop, despite what looks like entries in msbatch designed to prevent that. What needs to be done to prevent them from appearing on the desktop?

[LoneCrusader]

- how to NOT have "setup MSN internet access" and "connect to the internet" desktop icons present?

I want to see the "connect to the internet" and "set up msn internet access" desktop icons killed during installation. I don't want to see them on my desktop the first time win-98 boots up.

Also - the "Setup MSN Internet Access" and "Connect to the Internet" icons still show up on the desktop, despite what looks like entries in msbatch designed to prevent that. What needs to be done to prevent them from appearing on the desktop?

A long time in coming, but I have solved the MSN issue in my own Windows 98 SE Slipstreaming Project.

Extract SETUPPP.INF from PRECOPY2.CAB, and delete the lines referencing OLS.INF and MSNCLNUP.INF. Then Save the modified SETUPPP.INF in your \WIN98 directory.

These two INF's apparently don't do anything except install MSN, AOL, AT&T, Prodigy, and CompuServe garbage.

This has the added benefit of also making them disappear from the options during SETUP.

If running a "full slipstream" like what I'm working on, this allows one to eliminate a bunch of useless files from the CABs, I can elaborate on this if anyone is interested, I don't know of anyone else using the same tools/method.

[LoneCrusader]

A long time in coming, but I have solved the MSN issue in my own Windows 98 SE Slipstreaming Project.

Extract SETUPPP.INF from PRECOPY2.CAB, and delete the lines referencing OLS.INF and MSNCLNUP.INF. Then Save the modified SETUPPP.INF in your \WIN98 directory.

These two INF's apparently don't do anything except install MSN, AOL, AT&T, Prodigy, and CompuServe garbage.

This has the added benefit of also making them disappear from the options during SETUP.

If running a "full slipstream" like what I'm working on, this allows one to eliminate a bunch of useless files from the CABs, I can elaborate on this if anyone is interested, I don't know of anyone else using the same tools/method.

Elaborating further on this, the "Connect to the Internet" Icon can be killed in two ways:

Either delete the line referencing ICW97.INF from SETUPPP.INF as described in the last post (this will kill the installation of the Internet Connection Wizard completely) OR, Extract ICW97.INF and delete the following line from it:

HKCU,%KEY_RUNONCE%,"^SetupICWDesktop",,"%29402%\icwconn1.exe /desktop"

The Windows 98 Welcome screen can be stopped by extracting SHELL.INF and deleting or commenting out the line

HKLM,%KEY_RUN%,"Welcome",,"%25%\welcome.exe"

SHELL.INF can also be used to set some other things if one wishes, for example I added the following lines to remove the "Favorites" and "LogOff" selections from the Start menu:

HKCU,%KEY_CURRENT%\Policies\Explorer,NoFavoritesMenu,1,01,00,00,00

HKCU,%KEY_CURRENT%\Policies\Explorer,NoLogOff,1,01,00,00,00

I have not yet figured out how to stop Task Scheduler from running automatically, I believe it is set to run by 2 or more INF's as the change I made to one did not stop it.

Edited July 6, 2011 by LoneCrusader

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

Would it be easier to create an extra cab file with all your drivers pack inside of them, and just have the added inf files point to the updated cab file?

[LoneCrusader]

I suspect adding a CAB would be tricky. I've never tried it, just placed added files into the original CABs, trying to follow any logical "patterns" present, for example placing DLL files in a CAB with other DLLs, INF's with INF's etc.