Need Diskpart Script.

[gugutz]

Hi all.

I know there are plenty of topics about this, but i use the search function untill it practilly exploded, and didn´t find anything related specificly to what i want.

On the store i work they sell computer with Linux distributions. So the customers ask me to install Windows XP.

I´m using unattended CDs for quite a long time now, but i want not to automate some parts that i still do manually.

The hard disc driver of the computers my store sells almost always comes with about 5 partitions, so i delete all of them, create a C: primary, and a D: to put personal files, then i format C: using NTFS Quick, and D: keeps unformated untill windows completes the setup so i can format it trhough Windows Explorer.

But i want to change the Docs and Settings folder to D: now, so the customers can store their data on a second partition, and will not take the risk on loosing their personal files.

So how to automate the whole process?

Do i really have to use BartPE or WinPE, or a Diskpart Script will take care of it?

If so, what is the script that i should use and when and how do i call it?

What i mean to do it:

* Automaticly create a 10 gb C: partition to install windows.

* Automaticly create a D: partition with all the rest of the disc size to store personal files.

* Format both partitions in NTFS.

* Start installing windows.

Any way i can achieve this?

[mmarable]

Well, you can use PE to partition and format up the disk prior to installing XP, but you can do it without PE. It may get a bit complecated though.

Use a batch file (run from GUIRunOnce for example) to format your second partition. You may need to use Diskpart to re-assign the drive letters, just in case the CDROM picked up D. Then have the batch file redirect the user's files to D.

Here is a "DiskPart" script that I use at work to re-assign the CDROM to E and the second partition on the drive to D.

SEL DISK 0
SEL PART 2
REMOVE
SEL VOL 0
ASSIGN LETTER E
SEL DISK 0
SEL PART 2
ASSIGN LETTER D
EXIT

Run Diskpart /S diskpart.txt

Then you'll want to alter the keys found here:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\currentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

There is a key for each profile folder (Cookies, Desktop, Favorites, Fonts, My Music, My Pictures, etc.) Just plug in where each one should go and reboot. It's a current user key, so it has to be run when the user is logged in.

It's a bit messy, but it should be enough to get you started and thinking about your options. I suppose if you set these Registry values for the Default User profile then all new accounts will be redirected there automatically. Never tried it so I can't say for sure.

[gugutz]

mmarable, the User´s files i change directly from winnt.sif using ProfilesDir=D:\Users

So after windows installs, the Docs and Settings will already be configured to D:\Documents and Settings (i changed the name of the folder to "Users")

So all i really need is a way to automate the partitioning the formatting part. I´ll do some tests using "DetachedProgram" to call a batch file that will format the D:\ at T-39.

Edited December 14, 2006 by gugutz