yogi_bear_79 Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I am trying to build a few version of my unattended install disc, for various installations. For my main job we have a voume key we use and I add that to the disc. For other jobs I need to use the CDKEY provided to me by the user or on the machine itself. I learned that my main cd doesn't work in those instances becuase apparently it is a volume version. I have tried to build one that will work in all non-vol scenerios but none of the source CDs I have seem to work..I am looking for a way to check the CDs file structure to tell what type the CD is intended for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluberti Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 A file called setupp.ini in the \i386 (or \amd64, for x64 versions of XP) will tell you about the version of the disc. You cannot use a key from one disc version on another (for example, retail keys will not work on VLK or OEM media installs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogi_bear_79 Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 OK, I checked three of my source discs. Each had the setup.ini file and this is all they contained, two of them are suprisingly the same. I say that because of the source of these two CDs is completely unique. Anyway, does this info mean something that cna be translated, or do mine simply lack the information?I'm good with the idea that retail vs oem vs vlk require seperate CDs. As I am trying to build CDs that require legitimate keys at install time. I just find it amazing that I can onky seem to produce a vlk version. I have over 100 laptops here, each has a key on the bottom, and I can't seem to build a disc that will accept it.[Pid]ExtraData=796674736977656D7A622E385892A4Pid=55274270[Pid]ExtraData=6F76736B7969776C6170C934873714Pid=55274000[Pid]ExtraData=796674736977656D7A622E385892A4Pid=55274270 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluberti Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Have you tried using the OEM install disc that came with the laptops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogi_bear_79 Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 It is a rare occurance these days for tyhem to actually come with one. I will dig around. I usually don't mess with them, because they are designed to reinstall the complete system the way the manufacturer sent it out, which is exactly what I don't want. But I will look at one and see if I can take it appart...any other thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haynes Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I’m not sure if this article is relevant to your particular case, but it may be a step in the right direction..?Preserving OEM Pre-Activation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oleg_II Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 (edited) Not sure if it works for you with different kind of distro but you may try this:1. Install from any distro you have.2. Write down all usefull information about you computer: Computer Name, network settings, etc.3. Un-join domain (if any).4. Run sysprep.exe and reboot.5. After rebooting type in the key, Computer Name, network settings, etc.6. Join domain. Edited November 28, 2006 by Oleg_II Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bezalel Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 I’m not sure if this article is relevant to your particular case, but it may be a step in the right direction..?Preserving OEM Pre-ActivationIn order to Preserve the Pre-Activation you will need Royalty OEM Media. For details on creating the Royalty Media see Building a Pre-activated CD from an existing installation. If you no longer have the origional OEMBIOS files on the laptops or want to use newer versions you can get them from my OEMBIOS Repository . You will also need an OEM version of setupp.ini[Pid]ExtraData=786F687170637175716954806365EFPid=76487OEM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcarle Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 I know you can change the PID value to match the disc you'd like to use to install (see example pids), but the ExtraData value has to match as well. I have no idea what the ExtraData value is supposed to indicate or how it is calculated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogi_bear_79 Posted November 28, 2006 Author Share Posted November 28, 2006 OK, I've got a HP OEM Disc that came with my newest towers. So I have the proper steupp.ini file. Where exactly do I place the OEMBIOS Files? I noticed on the original CD they are in a custom folder, and also compressed under i386. Would it be a proper assumption that I would need a seperate CD with that manufactures OEMBIOS files for each make I deal with HP, DELL, Gateway, & IBM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluberti Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I believe you would - unless you use WinPE or BartPE to determine what type of machine it was first. That'd probably be messy though on a single CD install (something that could be done easily over RIS or WDS though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thinkster Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I'm good with the idea that retail vs oem vs vlk require seperate CDs. As I am trying to build CDs that require legitimate keys at install time. I just find it amazing that I can onky seem to produce a vlk version. I have over 100 laptops here, each has a key on the bottom, and I can't seem to build a disc that will accept it.Are the laptops the same manufacturer? I had a similar problem with a bunch of Gateway's that I needed to create a custom unattended setup for, but all I could make was a VLK version to work properly. I wanted to use the keys on the stickers that were on each machine. Well I ended up taking the manufactuers CD and utilizing the i386 directory and then tweaking it with nLite. I did the sysprep method and thanks to some folks here was able to create a script that would query the machines MAC ID and look that up in a database to provide the appropriate Key for that paticular machine. It did work though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluberti Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 The other part of the equation is that only the royalty OEM and VLK versions of Windows are designed and supported to be installed in this manner, and only the royalty OEM is supposed to be able to configure the OEM unattend. It can be done with non-VLK media (as noted here many times), but it ain't easy . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickarse Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 The new DMCA amendments say that we can use a copy of the original cd or use the software on a hardware not originally specified. So it's not illegal to use a OEM cd that you had for that OEM machine on a home built machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluberti Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 I wasn't speaking to that specifically - you can use any CD of the proper type on any machine with that type of install (retail, OEM, royalty, VLK), and it's in that grey area of the law (at least in the US). What I was speaking to, however, is the fact that you are not specifically supposed to use a retail or "retail OEM" CD as an unattended source disc (and technically not supposed to use royalty media if you aren't the royalty OEM). but it can be done. That's all I was saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now