Create answer file for XP unattended installation ~ Hardware and Networking Notes

During a standard installation of XP setup requires several information's to be filled from user such as the time zone, network settings, and so on. One way to automate an installation is to create an answer file that supplies the required information. Answer files are really just text files that contain responses to some, or all, of the questions that Setup asks during the installation process. After creating an answer file, you can apply it to as many computers as necessary.

In this article we would create answer file for unattended installation and in next article we would use this answer file for unattended installation. We need to execute Setupmgr.exe to create answer file.

What is Setupmgr.exe ?

Setupmgr.exe stands for Windows Setup Manager.

Its provides a wizard-based interface that allows you to quickly create an answer file for an unattended installation of Windows XP Professional. Windows Setup Manager enables you to create scripts to perform customized installations on workstations and servers that meet the specific hardware and network requirements of your organization.

Creating Answer File

Create a new folder and rename it with deploys tools
Insert the Windows XP Professional CD in the CD-ROM drive.
If the Welcome To Microsoft Windows XP screen is displayed automatically, click Exit to close that screen.
Now go on my computers select CD drive and choose open options from right clicks

locate the \Support\Tools\ Deploy.cab files on the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM

Copy this file and paste it in deploy tools folder created in first step

Now right click on it and select Extract here option

Delete all other files expect Setupmgr.exe

Double click on Setupmgr.exe

Click Next on Windows Setup Manager Wizard.

Select Create A New Answer File and click Next

Select Windows Unattended Installation and click Next

Select Windows XP Professional and click Next

Select Fully Automated, and click Next

Select No, This Answer File Will Be Used To Install From A CD, and click Next

Select I Accept The Terms Of The License Agreement, and click Next

Type your name in the Name box and your organization in the Organization box, and click Next

Leave the default settings on the Display Settings page, and click Next

Select the appropriate time zone, and click Next

Type the product key which you received with XP cd and Click Next

In the Computer Name text box, type a name for the computer, and click Add. Repeat this step to add additional computers to the installation and Click Next.

Gives Administrator Password In Answer File, and then click Next

Select Typical Settings and Click Next

Select Workgroup and Click Next

Leave default setting and click next

Leave Blank and click next

Give the location of desktop and click next

Window Setup Manager would create a unattended.txt file on desktop. We would use this file for unattended installation in next article.

Hardware and Networking Notes