Here is a general Driver question that some of you might know.

In the answer file, you can include drivers using the

[unattended]

OemPnPDriversPath=

and include drivers for the computer that you are installing.

Now, what if I want to install on 2 different types of computers with different drivers?

Can I include all of the drivers for both machines on the same "OemPnPDriversPath" line in the same answer file, or do I have to make up a different answer file for each machine.

What I'm looking at trying to do is install several different machines from the same answer file/image. Is windows going to automatically pick the right driver from the "OemPnPDriversPath" list and discard the rest or do I have to lead it by the hands by using a different answer file with each type of machine?

You may include all drivers you can even consider you will need in the same answer file.

Windows XP matchs the PNP-ID's to the device INFs and will search through all the INFs to find the correct driver. It may slow down your install depending on access times, but Windows will select teh proper driver ( ie, it won't select a nvidia driver for an ATI card)

http://unattended.msfn.org/xp/drivers.htm

okay...little clarification on that.

Can I add drivers in the same folder.

Say I have

[unattended]

OemPnPDriversPath=%Path%\Chipset;%Path%\Video;%Path%\Moniter;ETC

and in each of those folders I have all of my Chipset drivers, in the next folder is all of the video drivers, etc.

Will Windows still manage to get the right driver, or do I need to create a seperate folder for each driver.

okay...little clarification on that.

Can I add drivers in the same folder.

Say I have

[unattended]

OemPnPDriversPath=%Path%\Chipset;%Path%\Video;%Path%\Moniter;ETC

and in each of those folders I have all of my Chipset drivers, in the next folder is all of the video drivers, etc.

Will Windows still manage to get the right driver, or do I need to create a seperate folder for each driver.

Windows will manage to get the right driver.

The question is if you copy all drivers in the same folder if there are no duplicate filenames..... Duplicate filenames will work if the files are identical at binary level, otherwise it will fail.

WHY has M$ been unable to enhance setupapi.dll such as it will scan subdirectories for drivers.....???? This has been a serious problem since the first release of Windows 2000 and is still unresolved.

okay...little clarification on that.

Can I add drivers in the same folder.

Say I have

[unattended]

OemPnPDriversPath=%Path%\Chipset;%Path%\Video;%Path%\Moniter;ETC

and in each of those folders I have all of my Chipset drivers, in the next folder is all of the video drivers, etc.

Will Windows still manage to get the right driver, or do I need to create a seperate folder for each driver.

don't think that shall work, you have to use

[Unattended]
OemPnPDriversPath=driver\Chipset;driver\Video;driver\Moniter;ETC
and per brand a subdir
 like 
OemPnPDriversPath=driver\Chipset\intel;driver\Chipset\sis;driver\Video\ati;driver\Video\nvidea;driver\Moniter;ETC

read here as alanoll proposed.