Deployment Solution

Hello,

I'm trying to set up a Scripted OS install of Windows 7 using Altiris 6.9 SP3 and I'm having some problems with the answer file.

I know in Windows 7 you have to name the answer file unattend.xml or autounattend.xml.  Autounattend.xml allows your install to run automatically, without hitting next.

I created an answer file, named it autounattend.xml, setup my scripted OS install and pointed at it, and ran it on a client.  When the client gets to setup, I'm presented with a normal Windows 7 install screen forcing me to hit next, etc.  I know the answer file is working however, as it autofills in the license key like I set and autocreates an administrator account.

Why is my install not automated?  Do I need to change a command in Altiris somewhere to make the answer file run as autounattend.xml instead of unattend.xml?

Are you sure you have everything necessary configured in the unattend file? If it comes to a section of setup where you have not provided necessary unattend information in the xml, it will prompt you for it. You should be able to tell what section you need to provide information for depending on what prompts you get during setup, with the possible exception of the license key prompt. If I remember correctly it throws that up pre-filled no matter what unless everything else needed for full unattended install is provided.

The name of the file really shouldn't matter, since the scripted OS install task explicitly calls setup with the /unattend flag specifying the full path to the file (/unattend:%ALTIRIS_SHARE%\Temp\a%ID%.xml). This is where it throws the fully variable-expanded version of the file you specify in the previous step. The file name only matters if it is embedded in the image and syspreped.

I just boot to WinPE and call setup.exe with an unattend.xml:

setup.exe /unattend:unattend.xml

Sorry I didn't have time to write back.  I got this working, I had my unattend file misconfigured. 

I am now able to install the OS without any prompts to hit next.  Now I'm having an issue getting drivers into the install...  I guess I'll make a new post for that.

Thanks for the help.

Hey there :)

The Autounattend.xml file isn't a "special" unattend file, it's simply an unattend file which gets auto-picked up by the setup routine if placed in the root directory of fx. a USB thumbdrive.

It's excactly the same as what you have accomplished now with having the unattend parameter as andy said. :)

/Morten

Read this article.

http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/windows-7-image-deployment-deployment-solution-69-sp4#Imaging tool

Should help you out.