Unattended Install from Windows PE

[cjoyce1980]

I'm using WDS (Windows Deployment Services) to install Vista. I've created a custom image using my unattended install xml file and installed various apps.

I've got a copy of this image and it come down fine in Windows PE and installs as it should, but i need to know how to attach/use my unattended xml file.

Using WDS crashes out during the exaction stage, not sure why, so this is way i'm trying to use the PE.

i've tried the following command to try and make the PE use the unattended file, (found this on another forum, not sure if i have the syntax wrong but the log file it creates has no error message in, but it still does not work)

wpeinit /unattend:\\bw-wds-01\reminst\temp\autounattend.xml

[Spooky]

Did you try the .xml on a floppy drive or a plugged in USB drive? Vista looks in those places for the .xml. And, if it will work for you, you can put it in the root of the install DVD...thats how I do mine and it works OK for me but others have said they couldn't get it to work. Also, it helps to burn your DVD in the original file format the Vista DVD comes in too which is UDF.

Also, you might try the MSFN Vista Un-Attended Install forum also where you will find a thread that might get you started entitled Bootable Vista DVD and in that thread you will find some info on where the .xml can be located at .xml can be in several places

Also, are you using winPE 2.0? PE is a good choice to do this with.

I'm using WDS (Windows Deployment Services) to install Vista. I've created a custom image using my unattended install xml file and installed various apps.

I've got a copy of this image and it come down fine in Windows PE and installs as it should, but i need to know how to attach/use my unattended xml file.

Using WDS crashes out during the exaction stage, not sure why, so this is way i'm trying to use the PE.

i've tried the following command to try and make the PE use the unattended file, (found this on another forum, not sure if i have the syntax wrong but the log file it creates has no error message in, but it still does not work)

wpeinit /unattend:\\bw-wds-01\reminst\temp\autounattend.xml

Edited January 5, 2007 by Spooky

[cjoyce1980]

Did you try the .xml on a floppy drive or a plugged in USB drive? Vista looks in those places for the .xml. And, if it will work for you, you can put it in the root of the install DVD...thats how I do mine and it works OK for me but others have said they couldn't get it to work. Also, it helps to burn your DVD in the original file format the Vista DVD comes in too which is UDF.

Also, you might try the MSFN Vista Un-Attended Install forum also where you will find a thread that might get you started entitled Bootable Vista DVD and in that thread you will find some info on where the .xml can be located at .xml can be in several places

Also, are you using winPE 2.0? PE is a good choice to do this with.

I'm using WDS (Windows Deployment Services) to install Vista. I've created a custom image using my unattended install xml file and installed various apps.

I've got a copy of this image and it come down fine in Windows PE and installs as it should, but i need to know how to attach/use my unattended xml file.

Using WDS crashes out during the exaction stage, not sure why, so this is way i'm trying to use the PE.

i've tried the following command to try and make the PE use the unattended file, (found this on another forum, not sure if i have the syntax wrong but the log file it creates has no error message in, but it still does not work)

wpeinit /unattend:\\bw-wds-01\reminst\temp\autounattend.xml

Please read. I'll trying to do it through WDS. I know that a custom DVD and uploading from the WinPE works. I'm trying to use WDS to deploy Vista. This is just a headache.

[Spooky]

Well...DuH! your right...I was thinking about a regular unattend install from DVD...sorry 'bout that.

Did you try the .xml on a floppy drive or a plugged in USB drive? Vista looks in those places for the .xml. And, if it will work for you, you can put it in the root of the install DVD...thats how I do mine and it works OK for me but others have said they couldn't get it to work. Also, it helps to burn your DVD in the original file format the Vista DVD comes in too which is UDF.

Also, you might try the MSFN Vista Un-Attended Install forum also where you will find a thread that might get you started entitled Bootable Vista DVD and in that thread you will find some info on where the .xml can be located at .xml can be in several places

Also, are you using winPE 2.0? PE is a good choice to do this with.

I'm using WDS (Windows Deployment Services) to install Vista. I've created a custom image using my unattended install xml file and installed various apps.

I've got a copy of this image and it come down fine in Windows PE and installs as it should, but i need to know how to attach/use my unattended xml file.

Using WDS crashes out during the exaction stage, not sure why, so this is way i'm trying to use the PE.

i've tried the following command to try and make the PE use the unattended file, (found this on another forum, not sure if i have the syntax wrong but the log file it creates has no error message in, but it still does not work)

wpeinit /unattend:\\bw-wds-01\reminst\temp\autounattend.xml

Please read. I'll trying to do it through WDS. I know that a custom DVD and uploading from the WinPE works. I'm trying to use WDS to deploy Vista. This is just a headache.