nLite

[AdamsAPlus]

We sell a lot of use Dell and HP computer. So we end up building 15-20 computers per week. Because of this I'm trying to make an unattended dell disk and on for HP as well. Because we build more Dells than anything else I started with the Dell disk.

I tried to use nLite to create the unattended Dell disk. This is my first time using nLite.

I created an ISO from a Dell Restore disk and from nLite. nLite said that it was created successfully. Since I used a Dell Restore Disk it already had the key code in it. I entered the time zone, user name, computer name and all that jazz.

I burned the ISO to a disk and tried it out. I am unable to tell the difference between the Dell Restore Disk and the Unattended Install disk I created. The installs were the exact same. In other words during the install it still asked me for the time zone, username and so on.

Has anyone done this? Should I just try to start all over again and see if it works then (maybe I missed something)

In the long run I want to be able to create a Dell disk that does an unattended install of WinXP. Then it will install various programs that I want to have installed. For example Open Office, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Avast! etc. But I'll be happy with it just being unattended. Then if need be use ninite.com to install the other.

 

[Xander]

My workbench is clear so, while the wife is still a work, I'm going to spend a little time finally 1) slipstreaming my Dell/HP disks up to SP3 and then 2) trying nLite to get them closer to my 'basic install' preferences. Tried this ages ago but there's been a bit of learnin' since then so we'll see if I have the same experience.

(Hmmm. Only Dell I've got in the house is the workbench PC itself. Don't know if I want to do an experimental install on that....)

 

[TopLevelComp]

Have you tried a different restore disc? It could be the Dell disc itself.

 

[keeperofthecode]

When using the unattended you have to set every option. If you miss just one then it don't work

 

[fixitdaz]

You might be better off Sysprep-ing a new build/install with up dates AV ect and imaging the drive this is how we do it, it works well and saves some time.

 

[ATTech]

You might be better off Sysprep-ing a new build/install with up dates AV ect and imaging the drive this is how we do it, it works well and saves some time.

+1.

Couple this with WDS and you won't even need any CDs!

 

[TmouR]

In other words during the install it still asked me for the time zone, username and so on.

Has anyone done this? Should I just try to start all over again and see if it works then (maybe I missed something)

In the Nlite program , at the unattended section , you must select unattended mode = Fully automated

 

[AdamsAPlus]

My workbench is clear so, while the wife is still a work, I'm going to spend a little time finally 1) slipstreaming my Dell/HP disks up to SP3 and then 2) trying nLite to get them closer to my 'basic install' preferences. Tried this ages ago but there's been a bit of learnin' since then so we'll see if I have the same experience.

(Hmmm. Only Dell I've got in the house is the workbench PC itself. Don't know if I want to do an experimental install on that....)

When you try again, let me know how it goes.

Have you tried a different restore disc? It could be the Dell disc itself.

I only tried it once. I figured I would go on here and see if anyone has successfully done this before I tried again.

When using the unattended you have to set every option. If you miss just one then it don't work

I will double check this when I try again this weekend. Thanks.

You might be better off Sysprep-ing a new build/install with up dates AV ect and imaging the drive this is how we do it, it works well and saves some time.

The problem with this idea is that we have so many different models of Dells HP and so on, I don't think Imaging would work. We would have to create an image for each model. (if I understand it correctly) We have 3 different warehouses that we get used computers from and there is too much of a verity.

In the Nlite program , at the unattended section , you must select unattended mode = Fully automated

I think I had that selected but I could have missed it. I will double check that when I try again. Thanks.

 

[DCGPX]

The problem with this idea is that we have so many different models of Dells HP and so on, I don't think Imaging would work. We would have to create an image for each model. (if I understand it correctly) We have 3 different warehouses that we get used computers from and there is too much of a verity.

Couldnt you create a standard install, get it exactly how you want and then 'Universal' restore

Seems this is the way alot of places are going.

 

[Xander]

Okay, I opted for installing into a VM 'cause it just made a lot more sense. The install just finished.

I started by simply wanting to slipstream my OEM disks up to SP3, just for the sake of it. If nothing else, I need to be able to install to the latest SP. That went without a hitch.

I did a little googlin' and found links for adding critical updates (so, even if the install isn't 100% up-to-date, it should be reasonably close). I also pointed nLite to my DriverPacks folder. The ISOs won't fit on a CD but I'm using an i-odd device so installing right from an ISO.

More googlin' brought me add-ons for OpenOffice, Ccleaner, Defraggler, Flash, Java(23) and Foxit but I still want to find Firefox, MSSE. I downloaded a Ninite installer for the whole set and added it to the RunOnce of the Unattended setup but that didn't seem to work.

So, I screwed up a little bit by overwriting the winnt.sif on the hard drive files so the serial key was wrong so I'll be more careful in the next build. In a rush, I found a pirated code online that got me past that screen and then had to 'next' my way past the computer name...everything else was successfully unattended.

So, with that one hiccough, I've got the VM to the desktop with CCleaner, OpenOffice, and Defraggler shortcuts. I'll trash that VM and rebuild with the proper key later but first I'm going to see if I can't get the other programs added. There are forums telling how to make your own add-ons; maybe I need to go that route :/

 

[Bobbing]

Post your "last session.ini" from nLite

If you want to bring your ISO up to date with hotfixes. Download Onepiece XP Post-SP3 AIO Update Pack and integrate it with nLite.

Onepiece's EN-US Windows XP Post-SP3 All-in-One Update Pack/

 

[Bobbing]

Then it will install various programs that I want to have installed. For example Open Office, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Avast! etc. But I'll be happy with it just being unattended. Then if need be use ninite.com to install the other.

You can download those programs already cabbed to be used with nLite.

Open Office:
http://www.winaddons.com/openoffice-330/

Adobe Reader:
http://www.winaddons.com/adobe-reader-1001/

 

[AdamsAPlus]

Thanks for all your help. You guys are great. Hopefully I will have time to try again this weekend. If so I'll let you know the results.

 

[fixitdaz]

Method 1: Use the /integrate switch
Create two new folders on the computer. For example, create the C:\XPCD\i386 and C:\XPSP2 folders.
Copy the files and folders in the i386 folder from the original Windows XP CD to C:\XPCD\i386.
Download the Windows XP SP2 network installation package to C:\XPSP2. To download the installation package, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&DisplayLang=en

Note If the operating system uses a language other than English, change the language to English before you download. The Change Language option is listed in the middle of the download page.
Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
At the command prompt, type cd C:\XPSP2, and then press ENTER.
Type WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe /integrate:C:\XPCD, and then press ENTER.
The Windows Service Pack 2 Setup Wizard starts and notifies you that Windows XP SP2 files are being integrated into the Windows XP installation folder. Follow the instructions in the Windows Service Pack 2 Setup Wizard.
Click OK when you see the dialog box that indicates that the integrated installation has completed successfully.
After you complete the integration process, run an in-place upgrade to Windows XP SP2. To do this, click Start, click Run, type C:\XPCD\i386\winnt32, and then click OK.
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Method 2: Use the Update.exe utility
Follow steps 1 through 5 of Method 1.
At the command prompt, type WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe –x, and then press ENTER.
When you are prompted, make sure that C:\XPSP2 is listed as the destination folder for the extracted files, and then click OK to extract the files.
At the command prompt, type C:\XPSP2\i386\update\update /s:C:\XPCD. The Windows Service Pack 2 Setup Wizard starts and notifies you that Windows XP SP2 files are being integrated into the Windows XP installation folder.
Click OK when you see the dialog box that indicates the integrated installation has completed successfully.
After you complete the integration process, run an in-place upgrade to Windows XP SP2. To do this, click Start, click Run, type C:\XPCD\i386\winnt32, and then click OK.

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