I have put together an unattended cd with no problem, but I find that I am always updating apps with new versions.

I would rather create a generic xpcd that directs start.cmd or runonceex.cmd to install my various programs from my d:\install files directory.

This way I can update the apps without having to create a new cd and also install more programs than would fit on a cd in the $OEM$ folder.

I haven't been able to figure this out.

Check out this post

I did read that post, but I'm not trying to install Windows from another hard drive, I just want RunOnceEx.cmd or Start.cmd to install programs from a hard drive after windows has been installed.

Normally, the programs are copied from the cd OEM folders and installed from C:\apps. I want to direct the install to be done from D:\install files (for example).

Ow, sorry I misunderstood your question

This can be done very easily.

You can do this in two ways:

Method 1

You can use the drive path of which you want to install from.

Example, you want to install from another harddrive ( D:\ ) and you have your applications under d:\install_files.

You can now use this line under RunonceEX:

REG ADD %KEY%\010 /V 01 /D "D:\install_files\peace_of_software\application /Switch" /f

In this way $OEM$\$1 folder isn't neccesary anymore.

Method 2

Ofcourse you want to use direct paths as less as possible. So now we are going to change D:\ into %harddrive%

Add this line to the top of your RunonceEX:

SET tagfile=\install_files\install_from_harddrive.txt
FOR %%i in (c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z) do if exist "%%i:%tagfile%" set harddrive=%%i:

Now, create a textfile (you can leave the file empty) and name it install_from_harddrive.txt

Be sure to put it in the right folder like this:

D:\install_files\install_from_harddrive.txt

.

D:\ can ofcourse be something else.

When this batch is loaded, it will check the locations C:\install_files to Z:\install_files to find if the file install_from_harddrive.txt exists. If so, this drive can be called with %harddrive%.

Now you can use code like this in your runonceex:

REG ADD %KEY%\010 /V 01 /D "%harddrive%\install_files\peace_of_software\application /Switch" /f

I hope this help

Erik

Thanks for your help. That's what I'm looking for. I think my problem has been the spaces in the path.

Why is that not a problem for an install from OEM folder C:\apps, but it is when you direct it to D:?

For example, I had no problem with my Batch.cmd that I loaded from:

[GuiRunOnce]

%systemdrive%\apps\batch.cmd

Can I have winnt.sif directed to D:\install\batch.cmd or is it better to stick with runonceex.cmd?

ECHO.

ECHO Installing K-Lite Codec V2.34 ...

ECHO Please wait...

start /wait %systemdrive%\apps\K-Lite Codec\klcodec234f.exe /silent

But, to install it from D:\install\Batch.cmd I had to change it to:

ECHO.

ECHO Installing K-Lite Codec V2.34 ...

ECHO Please wait...

start /wait %systemdrive%\apps\K-Lite_Codec\klcodec234f.exe /silent

without the space in the folder name.

Here Is Another Way With A Error Control

Blue Is The Folder adjust to your needs

echo off && cls && Mode 65,5 && Color 5e && Title My Install

set P4=Ping -n 4 127.0.0.1

SET tagfile=\SomeFolder

FOR %%i in (c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z) do if exist "%%i:%tagfile%" set harddrive=%%i:\

if exist "%harddrive%" goto Confirm

if not exist "%harddrive%" goto Missing

:Confirm

echo. && echo Your Install Location -^> %harddrive%

%P4%>nul

goto quit

:Missing

echo. && Echo The Location Not Present && %P4%>nul

goto quit

:quit

Goto EOF

exit

Thanks for your help. That's what I'm looking for. I think my problem has been the spaces in the path.

Why is that not a problem for an install from OEM folder C:\apps, but it is when you direct it to D:?

For example, I had no problem with my Batch.cmd that I loaded from:

[GuiRunOnce]

%systemdrive%\apps\batch.cmd

Can I have winnt.sif directed to D:\install\batch.cmd or is it better to stick with runonceex.cmd?

ECHO.

ECHO Installing K-Lite Codec V2.34 ...

ECHO Please wait...

start /wait %systemdrive%\apps\K-Lite Codec\klcodec234f.exe /silent

But, to install it from D:\install\Batch.cmd I had to change it to:

ECHO.

ECHO Installing K-Lite Codec V2.34 ...

ECHO Please wait...

start /wait %systemdrive%\apps\K-Lite_Codec\klcodec234f.exe /silent

without the space in the folder name.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The problem isnt the location.. the problem is that in your original example, you have spaces in your paths... you need to use quotes. i.e:

start /wait "%systemdrive%\apps\K-Lite Codec\klcodec234f.exe" /silent

@gunsmokingman

That seems like a great addition

Can you explain the following to me?

set P4=Ping -n 4 127.0.0.1

And

%P4%>nul

What is the function of ping here?

Ping -n 4 127.0.0.1>nul will ping that ip address (your local machines 'loopback' address) for 4 seconds (-n 4).

This is just a common way of 'stalling' or 'pausing' your batch file for a determined about of time.

The syntax he used just cleaned it up a bit... he created a variable called 'P4' and set it to 'Ping -n 4 127.0.0.1'. This way if he had to use it multple times through out the script he can simply reference the variable instead of typing out the entire line every time.

Ping -n 4 127.0.0.1>nul will ping that ip address (your local machines 'loopback' address) for 4 seconds (-n 4).

This is just a common way of 'stalling' or 'pausing' your batch file for a determined about of time.

The syntax he used just cleaned it up a bit... he created a variable called 'P4' and set it to 'Ping -n 4 127.0.0.1'.  This way if he had to use it multple times through out the script he can simply reference the variable instead of typing out the entire line every time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You Beat Me To It Thanks For Replying

@durex

Okay I see, thanks

So basicly I could change this into a sleep of 4 seconds. Then again, I won't change it, this looks better