Just a few simple changes...

[bengee]

Hi

i want to use a WINNT.SIF file to do a couple of simple changes to a new WinXP install, namely changing the "Documents and Settings" and "Program Files" directories. I've tried various ways but keep getting the "internal setup is corrupt pahse(0)" message. Here's the WINNT.SIF file i'm using :-

#---------------------

[GuiUnattended]

ProfilesDir = "c:\home"

TimeZone = 085

[unattended]

ProgramFilesDir = "c:\apps"

CommonProgramFilesDir = "c:\apps\_common"

#---------------------

There's not much more i can take out of this! (apart from the TimeZone setting).

Any advice?

[army20]

Maybe the underscour [ _ ]

[bengee]

Ok, i removed the underscore, no luck :-( Infact, i've reduced the WINNT.SIF file down to the bare minimum (see below)

#-------------------------------

[GuiUnattended]

ProfilesDir = "c:\home"

#-------------------------------

Amazingly, i still get the same error. Please, can anyone tell me what i'm missing here?!

[Yzöwl]

try this:

[Unattended]
    ProgramFilesDir=\apps
    CommonProgramFilesDir=\apps\_common

[GuiUnattended]
    ProfilesDir=\home

Also I get the impression you are wanting only the above in your winnt.sif file, you can try it but I have a feeling that Windows may require a fuller file!

[bengee]

Thanks Yzowl. I tried the text that you gave, but i'm still getting the "Internal Setup data structures are corrupt phase(0)" message :-(

I think you're right in saying that are more fuller file is needed, any ideas what else would be needed? Also is there a utility that can check winnt.sif files quickly, as i'm currently re-re-re-installing Windows xp on a vmware virtual pc and it's getting a bit teadious!

[Yzöwl]

I would suggest that for creating your winnt.sif file you try:

» Winnt.sif Creator - by b0r3d

Do a forum Search for it

» Setup Manager from the XP Deployment Tools

Using this tool, if you input as little information as you possibly can, the wizard will let you know what is required as you go!

[bengee]

Yzowl - i tried the setup manager from xp deployment tools. Winxp has now installed correctly. vmware won't boot winxp though. i'll try burning to cd and re-installl on my REAL pc. Thanks a lot m8 :-)

[bengee]

Ok i finally got it all working, getting my "Documents and Settings" and "Program Files" dirs renamed. Here's the complete WINNT.SIF file for anyone else that has difficulty in getting this to work. Note that %SYSTEMDRIVE% doesn't seem to work for the "ProgramFilesDir" and "CommonProgramFilesDir" settings... instead i had to specify the actual drive letter, i.e. "c:". Using %SYSTEMDRIVE% works fine for the "ProfilesDir" setting though! Weird? That's MS for you :-)

#----------------------------------------

;SetupMgrTag

[unattended]

UnattendMode=ProvideDefault

OemPreinstall=No

TargetPath=winxp

ProgramFilesDir="c:\apps"

CommonProgramFilesDir="c:\apps\_common"

[GuiUnattended]

ProfilesDir="%SYSTEMDRIVE%\home"

EncryptedAdminPassword=NO

OEMSkipRegional=1

TimeZone=85

[Data]

AutoPartition=0

MsDosInitiated="0"

UnattendedInstall="Yes"

[userData]

ProductKey=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

FullName="Ben"

OrgName=""

[TapiLocation]

CountryCode=44

[RegionalSettings]

LanguageGroup=1

SystemLocale=00000809

UserLocale=00000809

InputLocale=0809:00000809

[identification]

JoinWorkgroup=WORKGROUP

[Networking]

InstallDefaultComponents=Yes

#----------------------------------------

[Yzöwl]

Did you not try it as I said in my previous post:

ProgramFilesDir=\apps

CommonProgramFilesDir=\apps\_common

i.e. no drive letters