Unattended XP installation without floppy disk

[Whisper]

Hi to all!!

this is my 1st topic here, I open it just because I already searched across the site but i didn't find what I need..

Is it possible to push an unattended XP installation without use a floppy disk? I mean, jus one bootable CD with the Installtion folder and winnt.sif file.

Thansk for all of you that can help me!!

[jbm]

Just put your winnt.sif file in the i386 folder on your CD.

I tried to remenber where I got this information and give

you a link "maybe in the unattended guide?" but a quick look

didn't find anything.

[Whisper]

I tried a procedure found on the internet:

created a folder called XPCD

created folder called $OEM$ in C:XPCD

copied XP installation CD in it.

copied winnt.sif file

created image ISO with CDIMAGE PRO

Burned it with Nero (Boot CD) with NoEmulation

But it does not work, i cannot see files in the CD but if i right click - properties i can see 458Mb on it. the CD is a RW, and i did not closed it. Could this be the reason?

thanks!!

[CHANDER]

Just to clarify..if you are copying your xp cd contents then you need to create the $OEM$ folder in the root directory of your cd...so if you copy the contents of your cd to C:\XPCD then C:\XPCD\$OEM$ would be the folder with the files you want copied over during the windows install. In the cd root directory there should be a folder i386, C:\XPCD\i386 this is where you place your winnt.sif file.

oh and I recomend finalizing your disc before you using it, I dont know if this it will not work otherwise but judging by your experience , it is a RW so you can always erase it

[MCT]

u WONT have an Install Folder, but thats how its sposed 2 be layed out

i386 = Your xp (if u explore your original xp cd u will see this folder copy it to that folder)

$OEM$ contains folders such as $1 , $$ , $Docs which arent neccessary, for your cd 2 work, its just optional

$1 = is copied to your system drive (usually c:\)

$$ = is copied to your windows directory (usually c:\windows)

$docs = is copied to documents and settings (usually located in c:\)

theres other directories u can use in there, but just as an example

OEMPreInstall = Yes MUST be in winnt.sif for folders 2 be copied during unattended install

[^_^]

I like to create an iso from the official Microsoft CDIMAGE links to it here http://unattended.msfn.org/xp/finish.htm

put the winnt.sif file in the i386 folder, edit the batch file from the download in above link so it points to your XPCD folder wherever you created it.

once it's the correct scripting, then run the batch file, it will create an iso image file of your folders, bootable just like the original XP CD.

then find the iso image file, right click it and open with NERO.exe

it'll take care of the rest