How do i run cmd before UA start ?

[predatorFTP]

Hi,

I want to build my self a CMD file that will run before the windows setup starts, i want the CMD to verify if there is a version of windows installed and rename folders like documents and settings, windows, and program files so they are not overwrited by windows installation .

anyway is it possible to insert a CMD files just after "Press and key to boot from CD" ?

Thanks

[possy_99]

I don't think this is possible as in my experience and understanding, the first point you can run a batch file is just as the GUI portion of the setup is starting.

You could use some other sort of boot disk which has NTFS support (if needed) and run a batch like that before you go for the main setup.

Going back over your post though, I'm now asking why you want to achieve this.. eg..

--> Documents and Settings

In the past I have took a hard disk from a XP based pc and put it in another XP machine to retrieve data from a users profile, I was hindered by XP's security, because I wasn't the user who's files I was trying to access, the security wouldn't let me in to them. This would probably be the same for you.

--> Windows

Well, if your Windows isn't working you don't need to keep the windows folder as that version doesn't work anyway

--> Program Files

When you install programs, they hold registry settings etc etc which will not be there on a clean install, this means you would have to sit and install those programs again, so there's no point in keeping the installed versions.

[Briar]

Do alittle research into txtsetup.sif in the i386 folder. if i remember correctly the boot.bin ( the boot sector responsible for the message "Press any key to boot from cd" ) points to the txtsetup.sif file first. So my theory is you MAY be able to link to a cmd file from there.

briar

[Synapse]

it may be possible to do this with a 3rd party boot loader such as cdshell.

i could see a possible use, and thats if you make folders off your C:\ like C:\Downloads C:\Graphics C:\Backup etc.. then have it copy those folders into a backup harddrive with a similar structure, so when you do your format it will merge the contents of the folders onto the backup folder.

[MAVERICKS CHOICE]

How large are these folders?

You could simply copy those to your Ua source, archive them & have windows copy them into their respective places.

Cheers

MC.

Edited January 14, 2006 by MAVERICKS CHOICE

[predatorFTP]

First of all thank you very much for taking the time...

My goal is - I don't want to format the HD when insatlling from my UA cd (I want to keep the data on the HD). I want to delete

or backup (by renaming the folder name) the windows, document and settings and program files - Folders . so when my UA

cd insatlls it doesnt insatll over the previous insatllation, but a fresh installation of windows.

This will prevent me from first boot with a boot cd and do all of the above and then restart the computer and run the UA CD...

This is what I am trying to do, if anyone know a better way, for doing this, please say it so I'll use the optimal way.

Thanks

Edited January 14, 2006 by predatorFTP