Setting ComputerName Error

[OtherworldBob]

I'm getting an error during my unattended install regarding the 'computername'

No matter what name I give it, if it is "quotes" or not, or even if I set it to a random name using *, set-up rejects it.

The error message I get tells me there is an error or missing information in the answers file.

Click OK.

I get the familiar GUI set-up window, the name I entered is displayed in the box, and is unchangeable. All I can do is hit 'Next', the name is accepted, and the rest of the unattended install happens normally.

Am I missing something painfully obvious?

Here is my entire WINNT.sif file, incase I'm somehow causing a conflict.

; Generated by nLite 1.0 RC5

[Data]
Autopartition = 0
MsDosInitiated = 0
UnattendedInstall = Yes

[Unattended]
UnattendMode = FullUnattended
UnattendSwitch = Yes
OemPreinstall = Yes
OemSkipEula = Yes
FileSystem = *
WaitForReboot = No
NoWaitAfterTextMode = 1
NoWaitAfterGUIMode = 1
DriverSigningPolicy = Ignore
NonDriverSigningPolicy = Ignore
TargetPath=\WINDOWS

[UserData]
ProductKey = 12345-ABCDE-12345-QWERT-98765
FullName = "My Name"
OrgName = "Personal Use"
ComputerName = TESTPC

[Display]
BitsPerPel = 32
Xresolution = 1024
Yresolution = 768
Vrefresh = 60

[SystemRestore]
MaximumDataStorePercentOfDisk = 5

[GuiUnattended]
EncryptedAdminPassword = No
TimeZone = 085
OEMSkipRegional = 1
OemSkipWelcome = 1

[Components]
msmsgs=off
msnexplr=off 
freecell=off
hearts=off
minesweeper=on
pinball=on
solitaire=on
spider=off
zonegames=off

[RegionalSettings]
LanguageGroup = 1
SystemLocale = 00000809
UserLocale = 00000809
InputLocale = 0809:00000809

[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents = Yes

[WindowsFirewall]
Profiles = WindowsFirewall.TurnOffFirewall

[WindowsFirewall.TurnOffFirewall]
Mode = 0

[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup = DEEPTHOUGHT

[GuiRunOnce]
"%systemdrive%\install\batchfile.cmd"

[Branding]
BrandIEUsingUnattended = Yes

[URL]
Home_Page = http://www.google.co.uk

[IEPopupBlocker] 
BlockPopups = Yes
FilterLevel = Medium
ShowInformationBar = Yes

[Shell]
CustomDefaultThemeFile = "%WinDir%\Resources\Themes\TigerIV Graphite.theme"

I am using Microsoft Virtual Machine 2004 to test my created iso, on a Windows Home XPsp2 install.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Edited January 24, 2006 by OtherworldBob

[BoardBabe]

Did you try?

ComputerName=TESTPC

[OtherworldBob]

Not that specifically, though I have tried

ComputerName=String

Can't hurt to try again though.

I haven't tried it on a real machine yet, only a virtual machine, if that makes any difference.

[BoardBabe]

It really shouldnt make any difference. I have no idea why it does not work, it seems correct. I wouldnt think winnt.sif is the problem.

Maybe you install some drivers for your NICs during setup or similar that resets computername?

[RogueSpear]

I can't say for sure, but I don't believe * is a valid entry for the File System entry. That could be throwing it off. Just a suggestion.

[BoardBabe]

RogueSpear: Actually it is

[RogueSpear]

Ok.. being stuck in my old ways I've always had it set to NTFS.

[OtherworldBob]

I've tried your suggestion, but its a no-go.

Error Message

Hit the OK button, this appears.

I click Next, it carries on

I'm not aware of installing anything that resets the computer name, but I would have thought the error would occur later.

Could this be a result of me pruning the languages folder over-zealously?

[RogueSpear]

I don't have any experience with trying to unattend XP Home. Perhaps there's some difference?

[OtherworldBob]

It's more of an annoyance than anything else.

Once I've got past the error screen, and a perfectly acceptable name (that is retained once installation is finished) it works a charm.

And a 2 click install, is far more preferable than sitting there for an hour filling in every single box.

[BoardBabe]

Well I really don't think its your winnt.sif. I would try remake a clean CD with ONLY your source hologram XP cd with winnt.sif and testrun before you add ANYTHING and see what happens.

[OtherworldBob]

I've tried your suggestion.

Same error.

My source is a WindowsXP (home) sp1a holo disk.

Copied using the nLite wizard. nLite version 1.0 RC5.

Existing winnt.sif copied to i386 folder.

Iso created using nLite.

Tested in MS Virtual Machine 2004 (trial)

I must be missing the big flashing warning light that says 'This will ONLY work on XP-Pro'

[BoardBabe]

You didnt do as I said though

Don't use nLite, follow the unattended.msfn.org guide do a manual source copy and try again.

[twig123]

I've noticed that both your ComputerName & Workgroup both dont have "". I know that you stated that you tried adding them to username, but what about workgroup? and maybe test with a shorter workgroup if that doesn't solve it. let me know how it works.

... and not to hijack the thread, but is it possible to use the random computer name like usually if the owner name is "BOB" then xp usually gives somthing like "BOB-09AGH8" as the computer name... can you use a * to have it auto use the random computer name?

[BoardBabe]

can you use a * to have it auto use the random computer name?

Yes.

Edited January 28, 2006 by BoardBabe