Not to touch the subject again, but I did do the reading and I drew a blank. I wasn't asking for somebody to do the work for me...I gave a few examples of what I had done and asked for an analysis.

Not to touch the subject again, but I did do the reading and I drew a blank.  I wasn't asking for somebody to do the work for me...I gave a few examples of what I had done and asked for an analysis.

OK, let's summarize the thread one more time then.

On your CD, you have an $OEM$ directory. Directories within that use a special structure that can be used for copying to certain directories on the computer during an unattended setup. One such directory is $1, which translates to %systemdrive% (which is C:\ in 99% of installs - it's the drive that windows is installed to). So anything contained in $1 is copied to c:\ (for the sake of our example). So, if you have a folder named install inside $1, it'll be copied to c:\install.

Get it?

Um...yes I got that portion of it. $1 = c drive...$$ = windows folder.

the origal inquiry was pertaining to the actual syntax of the cmd entry.

'does this path look correct for all the files?

C:\XPSP1a_ENG_PRO\$OEM$\$1\Install

in conjunction with:

start /wait %systemdrive%\install\Applications\OfficeXP\setup.exe TRANSFORMS=Unattended.MST /qb-'

Thanks for pointing out the obvious...yes i am a dumbass. I rode the short bus with the tinted windows.

That puts things into perspective.  Thanks for the 'noob' explanation.

you're welcome

Ahh.......eureka!

I think I know why...he prolly got confused about where %systemdrive% came from...think i would too if i just looked at the guide: (i'm there now) There's no explanation about how that came from...correct me if i'm wrong

@the_duck: think of it as two separate things:

1 -> "$oem$\$1" is how you would actually place the folders (the physical arrangement of your files and folders)

2 -> %systemdrive% is the way you would call them in your command lines

So if you put in your command line something like this:

start /wait $OEM$\$1\install\Applications\sav\savceclt.exe

it wouldn't be called, cos windows doesn't recognise it. you would need to use %systemdrive%

hope that helps!

Um...yes I got that portion of it.  $1 = c drive...$$ = windows folder.

the origal inquiry was pertaining to the actual syntax of the cmd entry.

'does this path look correct for all the files?

C:\XPSP1a_ENG_PRO\$OEM$\$1\Install

in conjunction with:

start /wait %systemdrive%\install\Applications\OfficeXP\setup.exe TRANSFORMS=Unattended.MST /qb-'

Thanks for pointing out the obvious...yes i am a dumbass.  I rode the short bus with the tinted windows.

EDIT: Nevermind, I misread how you said it. Do us a favor next time and don't put the c:\xpsp1a_eng_pro part in front of your path. We'll assume you're working from the root of your install source.

I hate to confuse you but it would be simpler if you just copied OfficeXP folder to the install folder and make it short like this

REG ADD %KEY%\iAdd /V Inum /D "%systemdrive%\Install\Office\setup.exe TRANSFORMS=\"%systemdrive%\Install\Office\office.mst\" /qn" /f

Forget the Applicatons folder thing cause it's unnecessary

All that doies is tell it to look on %systemdrive% for the Install folder and do it's thing.

TY lpl...you were correct in that I was confused as to if I needed the %system% drive in front and if I needed to be specific in calling the folder path. Thank you for being patient with me. I've been up since 3:30 this morning and it's 10:15 now (dogs next door wouldn't shut up). I've only got another 6 or 7 hours left in my work day.

Or as another alternate method (which I use) is to run the program directly from the CD. Saves a lot of time during textmode setup since all the files don't have to be copied off the CD.

@the_duck, if you're interested in that, I can show you how to do it.

oh hell...

one step at a time LOL. It may be simpler to you, however this is my first attempt at unattended installs. I'm not a programmer, I'm more of a 3D artist. I'm just in the wrong part of the country to find that wonderful job. It's a bi-product of relationships and compromise.

oh hell...

one step at a time LOL.  It may be simpler to you, however this is my first attempt at unattended installs.  I'm not a programmer, I'm more of a 3D artist.  I'm just in the wrong part of the country to find that wonderful job.  It's a bi-product of relationships and compromise.

No prob. I started doing the same thing (having everything copy). Just so you know, it's really not as hard as it sounds.

I would prefer to run things off of the cd, however I looked around for the %cdrom% thingy and came up with too many results. What I mean is the search tool didn't narrow down the results enough for it to be of any use. I don't want to take up any of your time. I know you have things that you would rather be doing.

I would prefer to run things off of the cd, however I looked around for the %cdrom% thingy and came up with too many results.  What I mean is the search tool didn't narrow down the results enough for it to be of any use.  I don't want to take up any of your time.  I know you have things that you would rather be doing.

Yeah, the search tool is quite lacking. Unfortunately, I'm also at work right now, so I don't have access to my unattended CD. Shoot me an IM any time after 5 ET and I'd be happy to help you.

I'll look out for you when I get back home (after 5 mst). Thanks for the offer and sorry for being so short. It's Monday

you're welcome!

This kind of thing takes time..and patience, and perseverence! but when you do it, the result is so sweet!

I'll look out for you when I get back home (after 5 mst).  Thanks for the offer and sorry for being so short.  It's Monday

Not a problem. We all have those days