Unattended (Winnt.sif) being ignored on 2k3 x64 CD install but works on 2k3 x86 CD

[Alex]

Hi. I am trying to create a basic unattended install CD for Windows 2003
Standard R2 x64. I already have a working winnt.sif which is successfully
being used on a Windows 2003 Standard R2 x86 CD. I have copied the working
winnt.sif onto a Windows 2003 Std R2 x64 CD but during the install the
winnt.sif file is completely ignored. The unattended file (below) is very
basic and only populates a small handful of settings such as CD Key, Name,
Organisation, Regional settings etc. The settings are not enforced, only
set as default to allow changes if required during install. The unattended
install file works without problem on the x86 version of 2k3, but with the
x64 version I can't seem to get anywhere.

Can anyone suggest what may be causing this ?

Thanks,
Alex.


;SetupMgrTag
[Data]
AutoPartition=0
MsDosInitiated="0"
UnattendedInstall="Yes"

[Unattended]
UnattendedMode=ProvideDefault
OemSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=No
TargetPath=\WINDOWS

[GuiUnattended]
OEMSkipRegional=1
OEMSkipWelcome=1
TimeZone=85

[UserData]
ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
FullName="NAME"
OrgName"ORG"

[LicenseFilePrintData]
AutoMode=PerSeat

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

[Herb Martin]

Post by Alex
Hi. I am trying to create a basic unattended install CD for Windows 2003
Standard R2 x64. I already have a working winnt.sif which is successfully
being used on a Windows 2003 Standard R2 x86 CD. I have copied the
working winnt.sif onto a Windows 2003 Std R2 x64 CD but during the install
the winnt.sif file is completely ignored. The unattended file (below) is
very basic and only populates a small handful of settings such as CD Key,
Name, Organisation, Regional settings etc. The settings are not enforced,
only set as default to allow changes if required during install. The
unattended install file works without problem on the x86 version of 2k3,
but with the x64 version I can't seem to get anywhere.
Can anyone suggest what may be causing this ?

The WINNT.sif for CDROM installs has been required to be on the A:\
floppy drive.

Unless you have found a work-around for that or there is an update* that
makes the A:\ floppy location unnecessary that is likely the problem.

If so, I would love to hear the method -- although I seldom use the
Winnt.sif
I teach my students about it and would like to offer a solution to the "no
floppy" at boot time problem.

[Alex]

Hi Herb. I've never actually heard of placing the winnt.sif on a floppy
which may be why the x64 install is casuing me problems :). But on all
previous winnt.sif placements I have always located it in the x:\I386\
directory (with X: being the CD drive) and it has always worked. I have
just read a few MS articles which specify a floppy disk, I might give the
official method a go this time :)

Thanks for your help.
Alex.

Post by Herb Martin

Post by Alex
Hi. I am trying to create a basic unattended install CD for Windows 2003
Standard R2 x64. I already have a working winnt.sif which is
successfully being used on a Windows 2003 Standard R2 x86 CD. I have
copied the working winnt.sif onto a Windows 2003 Std R2 x64 CD but during
the install the winnt.sif file is completely ignored. The unattended
file (below) is very basic and only populates a small handful of settings
such as CD Key, Name, Organisation, Regional settings etc. The settings
are not enforced, only set as default to allow changes if required during
install. The unattended install file works without problem on the x86
version of 2k3, but with the x64 version I can't seem to get anywhere.
Can anyone suggest what may be causing this ?

The WINNT.sif for CDROM installs has been required to be on the A:\
floppy drive.
Unless you have found a work-around for that or there is an update* that
makes the A:\ floppy location unnecessary that is likely the problem.
If so, I would love to hear the method -- although I seldom use the
Winnt.sif
I teach my students about it and would like to offer a solution to the "no
floppy" at boot time problem.
--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
(phone on web site)

[Herb Martin]

Post by Alex
Hi Herb. I've never actually heard of placing the winnt.sif on a floppy
which may be why the x64 install is casuing me problems :). But on all
previous winnt.sif placements I have always located it in the x:\I386\
directory (with X: being the CD drive) and it has always worked. I have
just read a few MS articles which specify a floppy disk, I might give the
official method a go this time :)

I am not totally surprised that putting it in the I386 directory works --
delighted to hear about that in fact -- but as you say this has always
been documented (and supported) only on the A:\ Floppy.

Microsoft doesn't have a recommendation for custom building your
own CDRoms, and this makes sense as they probably don't want
to "officially support" such practices -- both due to the difficulty of
the support and to piracy concerns.

[Herb Martin]

Post by Alex
Hi Herb. I've never actually heard of placing the winnt.sif on a floppy
which may be why the x64 install is casuing me problems :). But on all
previous winnt.sif placements I have always located it in the x:\I386\
directory (with X: being the CD drive) and it has always worked. I have
just read a few MS articles which specify a floppy disk, I might give the
official method a go this time :)
Thanks for your help.
Alex.

Also, please let us know what you find if you try it or learn more.

[stikle]

I have the answer!

For years now with 2K and XP, I've been putting WINNT.SIF in the \i386
folder on the CD and it's worked perfectly fine for unattended
customized installation.

It also worked with Server 2003 R2 x86 - but NOT with the x64 version.
I fought this for weeks thinking there HAD to be a way to make it work.

There is.

The \i386 folder is basically the repository for all of the OS Source
files on the CD.

While there IS a \i386 folder on the x64 CD, it is -not- the correct
location.

Simply drop WINNT.SIF into the \AMD64 folder and reburn your image.

I've created multiple customized bootable Windows Server 2003 R2 x64
recovery CDs this way, and they all boot and install the base OS just
fine. I alwso went a step further and have it install McAfee VirusScan
and MS Virtual Server without having to do a thing other than boot and
the initial logon.

[rakesh saini]

bits
computer depatmant

Post by Alex
Hi. I am trying to create a basic unattended install CD for Windows 2003
Standard R2 x64. I already have a working winnt.sif which is successfully
being used on a Windows 2003 Standard R2 x86 CD. I have copied the working
winnt.sif onto a Windows 2003 Std R2 x64 CD but during the install the
winnt.sif file is completely ignored. The unattended file (below) is very
basic and only populates a small handful of settings such as CD Key, Name,
Organisation, Regional settings etc. The settings are not enforced, only
set as default to allow changes if required during install. The unattended
install file works without problem on the x86 version of 2k3, but with the
x64 version I can't seem to get anywhere.
Can anyone suggest what may be causing this ?
Thanks,
Alex.
;SetupMgrTag
[Data]
AutoPartition=0
MsDosInitiated="0"
UnattendedInstall="Yes"
[Unattended]
UnattendedMode=ProvideDefault
OemSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=No
TargetPath=\WINDOWS
[GuiUnattended]
OEMSkipRegional=1
OEMSkipWelcome=1
TimeZone=85
[UserData]
ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
FullName="NAME"
OrgName"ORG"
[LicenseFilePrintData]
AutoMode=PerSeat
[RegionalSettings]
LanguageGroup=1
SystemLocale=00000809
UserLocale=00000809
InputLocale=0809:00000809

Post by Herb Martin
The WINNT.sif for CDROM installs has been required to be on the A:\
floppy drive.
Unless you have found a work-around for that or there is an update* that
makes the A:\ floppy location unnecessary that is likely the problem.
If so, I would love to hear the method -- although I seldom use the
Winnt.sif
I teach my students about it and would like to offer a solution to the "no
floppy" at boot time problem.
--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
(phone on web site)

Post by Alex
Hi Herb. I've never actually heard of placing the winnt.sif on a floppy
which may be why the x64 install is casuing me problems :). But on all
previous winnt.sif placements I have always located it in the x:\I386\
directory (with X: being the CD drive) and it has always worked. I have
just read a few MS articles which specify a floppy disk, I might give the
official method a go this time :)
Thanks for your help.
Alex.

Post by Herb Martin
I am not totally surprised that putting it in the I386 directory works --
delighted to hear about that in fact -- but as you say this has always
been documented (and supported) only on the A:\ Floppy.
Microsoft doesn't have a recommendation for custom building your
own CDRoms, and this makes sense as they probably don't want
to "officially support" such practices -- both due to the difficulty of
the support and to piracy concerns.
--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
(phone on web site)

Post by Herb Martin
Also, please let us know what you find if you try it or learn more.

Post by stikle
I have the answer!
For years now with 2K and XP, I've been putting WINNT.SIF in the \i386
folder on the CD and it's worked perfectly fine for unattended
customized installation.
It also worked with Server 2003 R2 x86 - but NOT with the x64 version.
I fought this for weeks thinking there HAD to be a way to make it work.
There is.
The \i386 folder is basically the repository for all of the OS Source
files on the CD.
While there IS a \i386 folder on the x64 CD, it is -not- the correct
location.
Simply drop WINNT.SIF into the \AMD64 folder and reburn your image.
I've created multiple customized bootable Windows Server 2003 R2 x64
recovery CDs this way, and they all boot and install the base OS just
fine. I alwso went a step further and have it install McAfee VirusScan
and MS Virtual Server without having to do a thing other than boot and
the initial logon.
--
stikle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
stikle's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/member.php?userid=29796
View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=705096
http://forums.techarena.in
Submitted via EggHeadCafe
WCF Generic DataContract object Serializer
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/59ae2b9e-a3be-4cd5-a0ef-939a7abbdc3a/wcf-generic-datacontract-object-serializer.aspx

[rakesh saini]

Unattended (Winnt.sif) being ignored on 2k3 x64 CD install but works on 2k3 x86 CD
Herb Martin posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 8:26 AM

Post by Alex
Hi. I am trying to create a basic unattended install CD for Windows 2003
Standard R2 x64. I already have a working winnt.sif which is successfully
being used on a Windows 2003 Standard R2 x86 CD. I have copied the working
winnt.sif onto a Windows 2003 Std R2 x64 CD but during the install the
winnt.sif file is completely ignored. The unattended file (below) is very
basic and only populates a small handful of settings such as CD Key, Name,
Organisation, Regional settings etc. The settings are not enforced, only
set as default to allow changes if required during install. The unattended
install file works without problem on the x86 version of 2k3, but with the
x64 version I can't seem to get anywhere.
Can anyone suggest what may be causing this ?
Thanks,
Alex.
;SetupMgrTag
[Data]
AutoPartition=0
MsDosInitiated="0"
UnattendedInstall="Yes"
[Unattended]
UnattendedMode=ProvideDefault
OemSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=No
TargetPath=\WINDOWS
[GuiUnattended]
OEMSkipRegional=1
OEMSkipWelcome=1
TimeZone=85
[UserData]
ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
FullName="NAME"
OrgName"ORG"
[LicenseFilePrintData]
AutoMode=PerSeat
[RegionalSettings]
LanguageGroup=1
SystemLocale=00000809
UserLocale=00000809
InputLocale=0809:00000809

Post by Herb Martin
The WINNT.sif for CDROM installs has been required to be on the A:\
floppy drive.
Unless you have found a work-around for that or there is an update* that
makes the A:\ floppy location unnecessary that is likely the problem.
If so, I would love to hear the method -- although I seldom use the
Winnt.sif
I teach my students about it and would like to offer a solution to the "no
floppy" at boot time problem.
--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
(phone on web site)

Post by Alex
Hi Herb. I've never actually heard of placing the winnt.sif on a floppy
which may be why the x64 install is casuing me problems :). But on all
previous winnt.sif placements I have always located it in the x:\I386\
directory (with X: being the CD drive) and it has always worked. I have
just read a few MS articles which specify a floppy disk, I might give the
official method a go this time :)
Thanks for your help.
Alex.

Post by Herb Martin
I am not totally surprised that putting it in the I386 directory works --
delighted to hear about that in fact -- but as you say this has always
been documented (and supported) only on the A:\ Floppy.
Microsoft doesn't have a recommendation for custom building your
own CDRoms, and this makes sense as they probably don't want
to "officially support" such practices -- both due to the difficulty of
the support and to piracy concerns.
--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
(phone on web site)

Post by Herb Martin
Also, please let us know what you find if you try it or learn more.

Post by stikle
I have the answer!
For years now with 2K and XP, I've been putting WINNT.SIF in the \i386
folder on the CD and it's worked perfectly fine for unattended
customized installation.
It also worked with Server 2003 R2 x86 - but NOT with the x64 version.
I fought this for weeks thinking there HAD to be a way to make it work.
There is.
The \i386 folder is basically the repository for all of the OS Source
files on the CD.
While there IS a \i386 folder on the x64 CD, it is -not- the correct
location.
Simply drop WINNT.SIF into the \AMD64 folder and reburn your image.
I've created multiple customized bootable Windows Server 2003 R2 x64
recovery CDs this way, and they all boot and install the base OS just
fine. I alwso went a step further and have it install McAfee VirusScan
and MS Virtual Server without having to do a thing other than boot and
the initial logon.
--
stikle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
stikle's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/member.php?userid=29796
View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=705096
http://forums.techarena.in

Post by rakesh saini
bits
computer depatmant
Submitted via EggHeadCafe
WCF Generic DataContract object Serializer
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/59ae2b9e-a3be-4cd5-a0ef-939a7abbdc3a/wcf-generic-datacontract-object-serializer.aspx