Can you boot from XP CD and do an unattended install with file on FLOPPY?

[tfboy]

I don't think you can

I need to reinstall XP after my very brief x64 experience

The thing is that I always put my Docs and Settings directory on a different partition. That way, when I get to reimage, the OS is nuked, but my profile stays intact

I've traditionally done this by installing XP normally, and then spending 30 mins hacking the registry in order to move the documents and settings directory path.

Now, I know you can put the path of your docs and settings in an unattended script file. However, I think this has to be burnt on the CD in your i386 directory, which isn't much use. (I can't be arsed to slipstream another copy)

You can also launch an unattended install with the file on a floppy which is great. You can change your unattended install script as often as you like without having to burn a new CD each time. However, I think you can only launch that from a command line in the form of winnt /u unattend.txt or something like that. And that's of no use because I need to load RAID drivers for the install.

Soooo, can I combine a boot from CD where I can do the F6 load for the SCSI yet define an unattended script on a removable medium other than the CD XP is on?

I guess the answer is no, but I do find it strange that you can't do this - thought that I'm not the only one who wants to combine the flexibility of having an unattended script on a physically different medium to the CD yet have the practicality of booting from the CD for a fresh install

[Woodchuck2000]

I'm 99% sure you're right on that one.

That said, the boot-disk creator tool on the XP CD will allow you to create a set of bootdisks to load the setup process and I believe that those will allow you to run an unattended setup <and> load RAID drivers.

[Dorza]

overclockers.COM. As far as im aware you can load your raid drivers via the blue dos like windows install screens, then after you have set up your partitions the system reboots as normal. When it loads again the system should read your details from the floppy disk and then install by its self. Thats how i understand it, not sure if its what your after. But it may be worth a look.

[bobbyzero]

Now, I know you can put the path of your docs and settings in an unattended script file. However, I think this has to be burnt on the CD in your i386 directory, which isn't much use. (I can't be arsed to slipstream another copy)

You need a working box to run it, but nlite http://www.nliteos.com/ is really good for creating a slipstreamed cd without the hassle.

[tfboy]

You need a working box to run it, but nlite http://www.nliteos.com/ is really good for creating a slipstreamed cd without the hassle.

Thanks Bobby, I'll take a look at that

[bobbyzero]

You can also try http://unattended.msfn.org/ which has loads of information on unattended setups, including links to driver packs that can be slipstreamed.