Vista unattended Guide

[JuMz]

I remember there being a downloadable copy of your guide? Where is this post with the link? I have an old version of the guide from April 2007.

[Dark-Fiber61]

First off i would like to thank you for the great guide. For now everything is working out well if what i wanted to do with this. But i am having one small problem. I am trying to move the Program Files folder to the D: drive. I was able to move the Users folder over with no problems with the Folder Locations component. I have tried several names for the folder locations like D:\ProgramData, D:\ProgramFiles, and D:\Programs with no luck. For the user's folder i just used what i saw in the xlm help of the AIK D:\Profiles and it worked. Has anybody had any luck with this? thanks a lot.

[Raspro]

Don't worry I&I will find ma way....

'cause I allways do...

It meent to be an open source thought.

Greatings from

Jah Rasta Far I

Peace

Edited August 6, 2008 by Raspro

[Sgt. D. Pilla]

I installed WAIK finally, and I get the following error/error code when trying to create the catagory file...

8:38 PM :

8:38 PM : User Name: Sgt. D. Pilla

Machine Name: POWDITCH

Processor Architecture: amd64

Domain Name: powditch

CLR Version: 2.0.50727.312

OS Version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.0.6000.0

Current Directory: D:\Win Vista Magic x64\SOURCES

Command Line Parameters: "D:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Image Manager\ImgMgr.EXE"

Physical Memory for this process: 62205952

Bitness for this process: Native 64-bit

File Version Information

D:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Image Manager

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Command.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Common.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformImplementation.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) amd64

Microsoft.componentstudio.componentplatforminterface.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Controls.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Serializer.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) msil

ImageCat.EXE Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) msil

ImgMgr.EXE Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) msil

D:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Image Manager\EN

imagecat.resources.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 msil

ImgMgr.resources.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Command.resources.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Common.resources.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.resources.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 msil

Microsoft.ComponentStudio.Controls.resources.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 msil

D:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\SmiEngine.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) amd64

D:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\pkgmgr.exe Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) amd64

D:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\cbscore.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) amd64

D:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\Servicing\wcp.dll Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) amd64

C:\Windows\system32\drivers\WimFltr.sys Microsoft Corporation 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) amd64

File does not exist: C:\Windows\system32\wimgapi.dll

8:38 PM :

8:38 PM :

8:38 PM : There was an error generating a catalog file for image Windows Vista ULTIMATE in Windows image file D:\Win Vista Magic x64\SOURCES\install.wim.

8:38 PM :

8:38 PM : System.InvalidOperationException: Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823 ---> System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. ---> System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800F0823): Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823

at System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHRInternal(Int32 errorCode, IntPtr errorInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CbsSessionAdaptor.OpenInstalledPackage(ComPoint

er<ICbsPackage>* , Identity id)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl.InitializePackages()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl..ctor(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

--- End of inner exception stack trace ---

at System.RuntimeMethodHandle._InvokeConstructor(Object[] args, SignatureStruct& signature, IntPtr declaringType)

at System.Reflection.RuntimeConstructorInfo.Invoke(BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)

at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceImpl(BindingFlags bindingAttr, Binder binder, Object[] args, CultureInfo culture, Object[] activationAttributes)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.PlatformImplementation.CreateOfflineImageIn

stance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

--- End of inner exception stack trace ---

Server stack trace:

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.PlatformImplementation.CreateOfflineImageIn

stance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.CreateOfflineImageInstance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageCatalog.Serialize(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageInfo.CreateCatalog()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CatalogCreatorImpl.CreateCatalog(OfflineImageIn

fo offlineImageInfo)

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Messaging.StackBuilderSink._PrivateProcessMessage(IntPtr md, Object[] args, Object server, Int32 methodPtr, Boolean fExecuteInContext, Object[]& outArgs)

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Messaging.StackBuilderSink.SyncProcessMessage(IMessage msg, Int32 methodPtr, Boolean fExecuteInContext)

Exception rethrown at [0]:

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.HandleReturnMessage(IMessage reqMsg, IMessage retMsg)

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.PrivateInvoke(MessageData& msgData, Int32 type)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.ICatalogCreator.CreateCatalog(OfflineImageInfo offlineImageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.CatalogGenerator.CreateCat(ProgressDialog pd, Object o)

8:38 PM : System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. ---> System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800F0823): Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823

at System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHRInternal(Int32 errorCode, IntPtr errorInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CbsSessionAdaptor.OpenInstalledPackage(ComPoint

er<ICbsPackage>* , Identity id)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl.InitializePackages()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl..ctor(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

--- End of inner exception stack trace ---

at System.RuntimeMethodHandle._InvokeConstructor(Object[] args, SignatureStruct& signature, IntPtr declaringType)

at System.Reflection.RuntimeConstructorInfo.Invoke(BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)

at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceImpl(BindingFlags bindingAttr, Binder binder, Object[] args, CultureInfo culture, Object[] activationAttributes)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.PlatformImplementation.CreateOfflineImageIn

stance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

8:38 PM : System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800F0823): Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823

at System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHRInternal(Int32 errorCode, IntPtr errorInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CbsSessionAdaptor.OpenInstalledPackage(ComPoint

er<ICbsPackage>* , Identity id)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl.InitializePackages()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl..ctor(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

8:41 PM :

8:41 PM : There was an error generating a catalog file for image Windows Vista ULTIMATE in Windows image file D:\Win Vista Magic x64\SOURCES\install.wim.

8:41 PM :

8:41 PM : System.InvalidOperationException: Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823 ---> System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. ---> System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800F0823): Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823

at System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHRInternal(Int32 errorCode, IntPtr errorInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CbsSessionAdaptor.OpenInstalledPackage(ComPoint

er<ICbsPackage>* , Identity id)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl.InitializePackages()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl..ctor(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

--- End of inner exception stack trace ---

at System.RuntimeMethodHandle._InvokeConstructor(Object[] args, SignatureStruct& signature, IntPtr declaringType)

at System.Reflection.RuntimeConstructorInfo.Invoke(BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)

at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceImpl(BindingFlags bindingAttr, Binder binder, Object[] args, CultureInfo culture, Object[] activationAttributes)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.PlatformImplementation.CreateOfflineImageIn

stance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

--- End of inner exception stack trace ---

Server stack trace:

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.PlatformImplementation.CreateOfflineImageIn

stance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.CreateOfflineImageInstance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageCatalog.Serialize(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageInfo.CreateCatalog()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CatalogCreatorImpl.CreateCatalog(OfflineImageIn

fo offlineImageInfo)

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Messaging.StackBuilderSink._PrivateProcessMessage(IntPtr md, Object[] args, Object server, Int32 methodPtr, Boolean fExecuteInContext, Object[]& outArgs)

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Messaging.StackBuilderSink.SyncProcessMessage(IMessage msg, Int32 methodPtr, Boolean fExecuteInContext)

Exception rethrown at [0]:

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.HandleReturnMessage(IMessage reqMsg, IMessage retMsg)

at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.PrivateInvoke(MessageData& msgData, Int32 type)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.ICatalogCreator.CreateCatalog(OfflineImageInfo offlineImageInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.CatalogGenerator.CreateCat(ProgressDialog pd, Object o)

8:41 PM : System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. ---> System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800F0823): Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823

at System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHRInternal(Int32 errorCode, IntPtr errorInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CbsSessionAdaptor.OpenInstalledPackage(ComPoint

er<ICbsPackage>* , Identity id)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl.InitializePackages()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl..ctor(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

--- End of inner exception stack trace ---

at System.RuntimeMethodHandle._InvokeConstructor(Object[] args, SignatureStruct& signature, IntPtr declaringType)

at System.Reflection.RuntimeConstructorInfo.Invoke(BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)

at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceImpl(BindingFlags bindingAttr, Binder binder, Object[] args, CultureInfo culture, Object[] activationAttributes)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.Cpi.PlatformImplementation.CreateOfflineImageIn

stance(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

8:41 PM : System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800F0823): Exception from HRESULT: 0x800F0823

at System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHRInternal(Int32 errorCode, IntPtr errorInfo)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.CbsSessionAdaptor.OpenInstalledPackage(ComPoint

er<ICbsPackage>* , Identity id)

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl.InitializePackages()

at Microsoft.ComponentStudio.ComponentPlatformInterface.OfflineImageImpl..ctor(OfflineImageInfo imageInfo)

I would use the "workaround described here" on this guide, but there is no "here" it doesn't actually provided where that workaround is

So my answer file doesn't work due to lack of documentation, my thread didn't get answered, waik doesn't work and the workaround doesn't exist, vlite isn't finished so I can't use that, and WPI people can't help me with what I want to do, even though others have done it

Am I not mean't to UA Vista?! lol

[MAVERICKS CHOICE]

The best way to attack UA is bit by bit, much testing as well. My recommendation is get your answer file down pat first before moving on to apps & cleaning up.

There are plenty of fine ans file xml's on this board that work & can be modified for your use.

Good luck with it.

[Sgt. D. Pilla]

I've only found 1 answer file so far, and that one didn't work once I added my things into it.

I've used vLite to change what I want, but I want to create my own Answer File because vLites only unattends like 2 dialogs.

I want to achive the following...

Boot from CD>Enter partitions>Change DVD 3 times>PC Boots to desktop>Script runs at first logon

PC ready to use.

I can get the changing DVDs down pat, and booting from the CD.

Other then that, unattended just doesn't want to work, comparing my answerfile to others, there is nothing wrong with it, it just doesn't answer anything.

Is there a certain order things need to go in, within the answer file.

Is there a program, other then WAIK (Maybe one that works?) that can generate a Vista SP1 answer file

Is there more to unattended then just the answer file?

I've searched for guides, but they all use WAIK, and WAIK hates me and won't load the wim file

[MAVERICKS CHOICE]

Man ya couldn't have searched very far? plenty on this board...The waik help files are great this UA is very time consuming & no one really masters this & its never finished.

[Sgt. D. Pilla]

I used search for "Answer File"

I found 1 guide, the one I used, the others were "This won't work" type threads

There is a difference between time consuming, and just straight out not working when its a copy/paste with a few numbers changed

[MAVERICKS CHOICE]

Try searching "autounattend.xml" in this section, plenty of hits.

Understand it's not for us members to do it all for you. This UA stuff can take years of study. I can assure you all the info you need to create a Vista UA install is here & can certainly be done.

[The Felon]

I recommend to any one whose goal is to successfully

automate the install of third party applications and

drivers to use the framework provided by microsoft which

is the creation of first a distribution share and then

from this a "configuration set" to simplify the process.

The $OEM$ folders you used for xp work with vista.

All of this is done with WAIK-SIM.

Hint: Not mentioned in any documentation or manual

including the one that comes with WAIK is

the "use configuration set" option value = "true".

This is pass 1 windowsPE X86

OR X64_MICROSOFT-WINDOWS-SETUP-NUETRAL\userData

This basic example installs vista and my additional programs

from one DVD after I select a partition

and then just before first logon copies a folder named

"Install" located in $oem$\$1 which I added to the root of the vista

DVD to the root of the destination partition and executes

a batch script by synchronous command pass 7 oobe which

installs several applications - very simple: Nero, Adobe etc.

and with this example we do need the sysprep tool.

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 
- <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
- <settings pass="windowsPE">
- <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
- <UserData>
- <ProductKey>
  <Key>sssss-nnnnn-aaaaa-ccccc-kkkkk</Key> 
  <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> 
  </ProductKey>
  <Organization>National Snack Food Association</Organization> 
  <FullName>ANONYMOUS</FullName> 
  <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula> 
  </UserData>
- <ImageInstall>
- <OSImage>
- <InstallFrom>
- <MetaData wcm:action="add">
  <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key> 
  <Value>Windows Vista ULTIMATE</Value> 
  </MetaData>
  </InstallFrom>
  <InstallToAvailablePartition>false</InstallToAvailablePartition> 
  <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> 
  </OSImage>
  </ImageInstall>
  <UseConfigurationSet>true</UseConfigurationSet> 
  </component>
  </settings>
- <settings pass="oobeSystem">
- <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
- <AutoLogon>
  <Enabled>true</Enabled> 
  <LogonCount>1</LogonCount> 
  <Username>Administrator</Username> 
  </AutoLogon>
- <OOBE>
  <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage> 
  <SkipMachineOOBE>true</SkipMachineOOBE> 
  <SkipUserOOBE>false</SkipUserOOBE> 
  </OOBE>
- <FirstLogonCommands>
- <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
  <CommandLine>%systemdrive%\install\install.cmd</CommandLine> 
  <Order>1</Order> 
  </SynchronousCommand>
  </FirstLogonCommands>
  </component>
  </settings>
- <settings pass="specialize">
- <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <ComputerName>COMPUTER</ComputerName> 
  <DisableAutoDaylightTimeSet>false</DisableAutoDaylightTimeSet> 
  </component>
- <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC-UX" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <SkipAutoActivation>true</SkipAutoActivation> 
  </component>
  </settings>
  <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:c:/documents%20and%20settings/david/desktop/vista%20unatt%20vlite/sources/install.wim#Windows Vista ULTIMATE" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> 
  </unattend>

Over and out.......

Edited October 12, 2008 by The Felon

[iheartsims]

I looked over it and I think its a great site! Now I don't have to use vLite

[nokia999i]

Do any of you here know how to set the AppsRoot mentioned in guide to Vista DvD itself ? Coz in guide it's set to a removable media ...

10x ...

[The Felon]

Forget appsroot.txt which don't work and better use configuration set.

See above post.

[nokia999i]

Thing is I already have an $OEM$ folder in sources dir ... won't this affect things ?

[The Felon]

Be best to move it to root of DVD.