How to make an XP Bootdisk

[Philgo]

Hi All,
There was a thread a little while ago about a bootdisk that installed all operating systems unattended http://discussions.virtualdr.com/For...ML/002114.html I tried that disk and I found that it worked great, apart from the fact that all the default settings were American. I know that suits most of you but I thought I’d have a go at making my own version (not so snazzy) with the tools supplied on the XP CD Rom.
If you follow these instructions you will have a Dos bootdisk with CD rom support (Cd drive will be X: ), with the option to boot and do an unattended install of XP on a formatted HDD. This means you can start the install, go and watch TV, and return to a fully installed XP; of course you will still need to update your drivers if required.
All comments most welcome, as this is my first attempt at an unattended install.
If anyone wants to have a go, this is how I done it.

Insert a blank floppy disk in the drive.

In Windows Explorer right click the A: drive and choose “Format” then in “Format Options” tick “Create an MS-DOS Startup Disk”, then press Start.

After completion you will need to copy these additional files to your bootdisk.

Smartdrv.exe
Fdisk.exe
Format.com
Mscdex.exe
Oakcdrom.sys

You will need to search for these files from a 98/ME startup disk or from within a 98/ME computer.

The next step is to make two files Autoexec.bat and Config.sys, then copy them to your bootdisk and overwrite the two already there.

Open notepad and copy and paste the text between the lines:

---------------------------------------------------
[menu]
menuitem=1, Command Prompt with CD-Rom Support.
menuitem=2, Copy Winnt.sif and install XP (Format HDD First)
menudefault=1,10


[1]
device=oakcdrom.sys /d:cdrom001
files=10
buffers=10
dos=high,umb
stacks=9,256
lastdrive=z
REM device=display.sys con=(ega,,1)


[2]
device=oakcdrom.sys /d:cdrom001
files=10
buffers=10
dos=high,umb
stacks=9,256
lastdrive=z
REM device=display.sys con=(ega,,1)

------------------------------------------------
Then save in A: as Config.sys (ensure that all files are selected in the “save as type” box, otherwise it will be saved as a text file).

Once again open notepad and copy and paste the text between the next two lines:
------------------------------------------------

@ECHO OFF

IF "%config%"=="1" GOTO 1
IF "%config%"=="2" GOTO 2


:1
@ECHO OFF
REM mode con codepage prepare=((850) ega.cpi)
REM mode con codepage select=850
REM keyb uk,,keybrd2.sys
LH MSCDEX.EXE /D:CDROM001 /L:X
SMARTDRV
Goto End

:2
@ECHO OFF
REM mode con codepage prepare=((850) ega.cpi)
REM mode con codepage select=850
REM keyb uk,,keybrd2.sys
LH MSCDEX.EXE /D:CDROM001 /L:X
SMARTDRV
Copy A:\WINNT.SIF C:
X:\I386\WINNT.EXE /S:X:\I386 /U:C:\WINNT.SIF
Goto End


:End


-------------------------------------------------
Then save in A: as Autoexec.bat (ensure that all files are selected in the “save as type” box, otherwise it will be saved as a text file).

****NOTE if you are from the UK, remove the REM statements and your Keyboard will work correctly in dos ****

Now we need to create a Winnt.sif file, this holds all your information for your setup, to do this you need to copy Setupmgr.exe from your XP Cdrom to a folder on your Hard drive, its found here ‘Support\Tools\Deploy.cab\Setupmgr.exe’ once done double click it to start the Windows Manager Setup Wizard and fill in as required. When you get to the “Distribution Window” select “No, this answer file will be used to install from a CD” then carry on until the end.
Once finished you will have created a file called Unattend.txt, you need to change its name to Winnt.sif and copy it to your Bootdisk.

Now to use this disk boot up your machine with it in and choose option one and fdisk and format as required, remember to re boot in between.
Once you have formatted re boot and choose option two, then your machine should install XP automatically. Once install starts remove your Bootdisk.
Hope you can understand my ranting, and it works OK for you, if you have any questions just ask, it may also be a good idea to have a look at a similar thread I started it the 98 forum http://discussions.virtualdr.com/For...ML/055214.html



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Backup Boogaloo, you know it makes sense to do.

[Philgo]

Just thought I'd bump this up, someone might be interested in having a go.

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Backup Boogaloo, you know it makes sense to do.

[Limerick]

Hi Philgo,

Just a quick word of appreciation to you for crafting and testing this approach there on your machine. It is this kind of personal interest by various enthusiasts here on VDr that makes this place such a joy to be a part of! Thank you, mate!

Happy computing!

Limerick

[nlday]

hello, philgo. could you explain briefly what the REM statements' function is? i counted 8. just want to try to get this, and i just may try it. thanks.

and how can i look at the bootdisk when done to check it... without launching the process ?

[This message has been edited by nlday (edited 01-26-2002).]

[Philgo]

Hi nlday, the UK keyboard is slightly different than the American, a few keys are in different places. So in the UK we have to put a few extra commands in the dos startup files to make the keyboard function correctly. I put the UK files in my post, and the REM statements just stop that line from working, if you want to you could even delete those lines.

You can safely test both the boot options on your Bootdisk, as long as you don't have the XP Cdrom in your drive.
I would suggest that you boot your machine with the Bootdisk in and choose the first option, then place any CD in your drive and type the following.

X: press enter
Dir Press enter

this should then display the contents of your CD.

Hope it works OK for you.

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Backup Boogaloo, you know it makes sense to do.

[nlday]

thanks.i'll be printing this out and give it a [phil]'go'. 'go'[phil ?

[This message has been edited by nlday (edited 01-26-2002).]

[Philgo]

Anyday, nlday

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Backup Boogaloo, you know it makes sense to do.