Is it possible to start unattended setup, but before the setup actually starts, give the computername as a parameter which can be used during the setup ? I would like to do this so every time i use unattended install i can give the computer a unique computername.

In the winnt.sif ensure you remove the computer name. It will prompt you for the name on installation.

[userData]

ComputerName=

OK, but this really interrupts my installation. I would like to enter my computername after the "press enter to start the windows installation ..." message. Maybe some sort of script that would ask for a computername and that would pass this variable to the windows installation??

Thx.

If you are running network based installs vs. cd-rom based, you can use a .udf file to specify the computername.

Otherwise you may be looking at creating a custom boot loader.

I do it afterwards witrh RunonceEX and a utility called compname.exe.

Awesome little utility

Cheers

Stav

My solution:

In unattend.txt I got ComputerName=**COMPNAME**

Before starting installation, I search&replace this value with anything I want (e.g. from command parameter, look in file for MAC&PCName data etc.)

I do it afterwards witrh RunonceEX and a utility called compname.exe.

Awesome little utility

For a link to compname.exe go here!

yep.... I'd say either do it after the installation or use:

[UserData]
ComputerName=*

which will give the computer a random name, based on the "Organisation" name.

Regards,

N.

With compname.exe you can have the computer named anything + the motherboards serial # or MAC ...

It ensures that every computer has a different name. (Most of the time)

yep.... I'd say either do it after the installation or use:

[UserData]
ComputerName=*

which will give the computer a random name, based on the "Organisation" name.

Regards,

N.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How do I obtain a random name from a list of choices: a, b, c, d?

Here is my current non-working approach:

[UserData]
    ProductID=xxxxx
    FullName="none"
    OrgName="none"
    ComputerName=*

[SetupMgr]
    ComputerName0=a
    ComputerName1=b
    ComputerName2=c
    ComputerName3=d

edit: I am doing this to obtain one of the 4 choices for 4 computers on network, so there is not a conflicting computername on workgroup.

Edited June 19, 200521 yr by matthewk

I think that all the solutions have been presented.

The best way in my opinion is to use the .exe file compname.

It will do the installation UA and only after everything is done it will ask u to enter the name.

I want to have this on my UA installation. Can someone help on the syntax?

I tried /c name and nothing happend! I want to enter the name for the computer.

Edited June 19, 200521 yr by Gouki

Any help for the syntax? I just dont get it.

i usually use (I think...don't have access to my UA dvd right now...)

if %processor_revision% equ [B]0d08[/B] ( compname.exe /c Anzu )
if %processor_revision% equ [B]09q5[/B] ( compname.exe /c Beta )
etc...

you get the idea....

now to find the bolded vriable:

go to start --> run and type in cmd

then type echo %processor_revision% to get the variable

this works so long as the processors on each machine are different...you can also try using different variables such as mac address (unlikely to find two that are alike) etc if the machines you install to are all the same....