Tools for Unattended Windows Installations

Last Updated: 06 May 2004
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***


There are several approaches to automating the installation
of Windows Desktops and Servers.

SysPrep can be used in conjunction with 3rd party cloning
technologies such as Ghost or Drive Image.


UNATTENDED INSTALLATIONS

• http://unattended.msfn.org/
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/proddocs/deployguide/acicb_ui_wthn.asp
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/proddocs/deployguide/acicb_ui_overview.asp
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=216258
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=314459
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=302577
• http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/3469/


CONFIGURING RIS

• http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwdev/platform/pcdesign/install/risover.mspx
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=325862
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=300483
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=298750
• http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=7109
• http://www.cmu.edu/computing/andrew-windows/andrew-ris-server.html


AUTOMATED DEPLOYMENT SERVICES

• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/adsbenefits.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/adssysreq.mspx


SLIPSTREAM AUTOMATION TOOLS

• SlipStreamer XP ........ http://www.softnews.ro/public/cat/12/2/12-2-96.shtml
• XP Create .............. http://greenmachine.msfnhosting.com/XPCREATE/faq.htm


SID ISSUES IN WINDOWS

Prior to SysPrep, cloning a system under Windows NT was
fraught with peril, as you would most likely encounter an
issue with duplicate SIDs.  Here is an overview of those
issues.

• http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/newsid.shtml
• http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/14919/
• http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/5047/
• http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/3469/
• http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBA/tip0200/rh0219.htm
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=314828
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=162001
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/NTWrkStn/deploy/depopt/cloning.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/Windows2000Pro/deploy/depopt/w2kpadpl.mspx


WHITEPAPERS & TECH DOCUMENTS

• http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/client/deployops.asp
• http://labmice.techtarget.com/windows2000/install/unattend_install.htm
• http://labmice.techtarget.com/windows2000/install/sysprep.htm
• http://labmice.techtarget.com/windows2000/install/RIS.htm
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=820196
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=302577


PERSONAL NOTES

• Setting up an unattended installation is best when you
  are going to setup 3 or more systems, but it has some
  advantages over standard disk cloning in that hardware
  differences will be detected by the OS during setup.