Overview of an Answer File

1
Overview of an Answer File

• A customized script that allows you to run an
  unattended installation of Microsoft Windows 2000
  Server
• Answers questions that Setup prompts you for
  during installation
• Sample on the Windows 2000 Server installation
  CD-ROM
• Different names for different programs
  ltfilenamegt.txt, Winnt.sif, and Sysprep.inf
• Same format used for each type of answer file
• Contains multiple optional sections that you can
  modify
• Tells Setup how to interact with the distribution
  folders and files

2
Answer File Format

• This section provides information about the user
  and the computer.
• UserData
• FullName Student01
• OrgName "Contoso Corporation"
• ComputerName Srvdc01

3
Using Setup Manager

• Available on the Windows 2000 Server installation
  CD-ROM in the Support\Tools\Deploy.cab file
• Used to perform a number of tasks
• Adds consistency to the process of creating or
  updating the answer file
• Cannot be used to specify all answer file
  settings or optional components, create
  Txtsetup.oem files, or create subfolders in the
  distribution folder
• Commonly used Setup Manager specifications

4
Creating the Answer File Manually

• Use a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad.
• Define additional section headers.
• Customize the default answer file or write a new
  one.

5
Structuring the Distribution Folders
6
Performing an Unattended Installation

• Bootable CD-ROM
• Winnt.exe
• Winnt32.exe

7
Bootable CD-ROM

• The computer must support the El Torito Bootable
  CD-ROM (no emulation mode) format to boot from
  the CD-ROM drive.
• The answer file must be named Winnt.sif and be
  placed on a floppy disk to be inserted into the
  floppy drive as soon as the computer boots from
  the CD-ROM.
• The answer file must contain a Data section
  with the required keys specified.

8
Initiating an Unattended Installation
9
Comparing Installation/Upgrading Methods

• Syspart
• Sysprep
• SMS
• Bootable CD-ROM
• RIS

10
Syspart

• Included as a parameter of Winnt32.exe
• Used on a reference computer to complete the
  first phase of installation
• Can be used if the reference computer and the
  computers on which you will complete the
  installation do not have similar hardware
• Requires two physical disks
• Can be used if you require a similar installation
  on hardware types in which the HALs or mass
  storage controllers differ

11
Running Syspart

• winnt32 /unattendunattend.txt /sltinstall_sourcegt
  
• /syspartltinstall_targetgt
• /tempdriveltinstall_targetgt /noreboot

12
Results of Running Syspart
13
Overview of Sysprep

• Facilitates creating a disk image of your Windows
  2000 Server installation
• Prepares the hard disk on the master computer
• Identical HALs, Advanced Configuration and Power
  Interface (ACPI) support, and mass storage
  devices
• Allows you to configure a master image containing
  the necessary components for a member server
• Can be used in conjunction with Sysprep to create
  a master for each type

14
The Sysprep Process

• Sysprep duplication
• Sysprep files
• Mini-Setup wizard

15
Sysprep Duplication

• Installing Windows 2000
• Configuring your computer
• Validating the image
• Preparing the image for duplication
• Duplicating the installation

16
Sysprep Files

• Sysprep.exe
• Sysprep.inf
• Setupcl.exe

17
Mini-Setup Wizard

• The wizard starts the first time a computer boots
  from a disk that has been duplicated by using the
  Sysprep tool.
• The wizard gathers information needed to
  customize the target computer.
• You can bypass the screens in the wizard by
  specifying certain parameters within the
  Sysprep.inf file.

18
Running Sysprep Manually

• Preparing the Sysprep folder
• Running the Sysprep utility
• Running Sysprep without the -reboot switch
• Running Sysprep with the -reboot switch

19
Running Sysprep Automatically

• You can use the GuiRunOnce section of the
  answer file to create an installation that
  completes Setup, automatically logs on to the
  computer, runs Sysprep in quiet mode, and then
  shuts down the computer.

20
Using Sysprep to Extend Disk Partitions

• Configure the partition on the master computer
  hard disk to the minimum size required.
• Modify the answer file used to create the master
  image by including the FileSystemConvertNTFS
  option in the Unattended section.
• Install Windows 2000 Server to the master
  computer and create an image of the drive.
• Place the image on a target computer that has the
  same-size partition as the master computer.
• After you reboot the target computer, the
  Mini-Setup wizard will begin and the partition
  will be extended.

21
Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS)

• SMS allows you to maintain control over the
  upgrade process.
• Before you use SMS to perform an upgrade, assess
  your existing network infrastructure, including
  bandwidth, hardware, and geographical
  constraints.
• Use SMS to perform managed upgrades of Windows
  2000 Server to multiple systems.
• Use SMS only for installation to computers that
  contain a previously installed operating system
  and that are running the SMS client agent.

22
Bootable CD-ROM

• Setting the BIOS order
• Using a bootable CD-ROM
• Installing from a bootable CD-ROM

23
Using the Cmdlines.txt File

• Contains commands that are executed from the
  OEM subfolder of the distribution share
• Used in certain circumstances
• Uses specific syntax

24
Syntax for the Cmdlines.txt File

• Commands
• "ltcommand_1gt"
• "ltcommand_2gt"
• .
• .
• "ltcommand_xgt"

25
Using the Answer File

• The GuiRunOnce section of the answer file
  contains a list of commands that are executed the
  first time a user logs on to the computer after
  Setup runs.
• If an application forces a reboot, the reboot
  needs to be suppressed.
• Use alternatives if you cannot suppress a reboot.
• If an application requires a Windows Explorer
  shell in order to be installed, you cannot use
  the GuiRunOnce section.
• Applications that use the same type of
  installation mechanism might not run properly if
  a /wait command is not used.

26
Using Application Installation Programs

• The preferred method for preinstalling an
  application is to use the installation routine
  supplied with the application.
• The application must be able to be installed in
  quiet mode.
• Setup parameters vary among applications.

27
Using a Batch File

• Allows you to control how individual applications
  are installed
• Can be run from the GuiRunOnce section of the
  answer file
• Ensures that your applications install
  sequentially and that each application is fully
  installed before the next application begins its
  installation routine

28
Batch File Syntax

• start /wait ltpathgt\setup_filegt ltparametersgt
• start /wait ltpathgt\setup_filegt ltparametersgt
• exit