• From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

I wonder if a linux "live" environment would be able to be faster and support more hardware? Even something command line that has the ability to check HAL, read controller hardware and provide read/write on ntfs drives, edit windows registry/boot.ini to inject driver/HAL information.

Something like TinyLinux or DSL from a PXE boot, cd boot, usb boot or drive boot. You'd have a pre-setup like Sysprep does to prepare the system to restart using linux and other processes, ie. generalizing the hardware (might not even need to do that).

I find that a pre-imaging setup to be best, something run from windows beforehand that will run on next boot. Not needing additional media to boot from. Similar in function to Sysprep without the hardware dependency to run.

However, this would involve the ability to script in Linux, of which I have no experience. Though, I'm willing to learn. Maybe a perl scripter to help?

http://www.pixelbeat.org/cmdline.html

Command to check CPU information -
grep "model name" /proc/cpuinfo

Small *nix distro's
http://bengross.com/smallunix.html

Last edited by stamandster (2009-03-10 01:52:03)

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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 188

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

The way MySpsprep calls itself is through HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\CmdLine.  On a typical boot this entry is blank, after running MySysprep that key is changed to "mysetup.exe setup.exe -newsetup -mini"

I have not yet tried this, but I am about to clone a drive with my XP Pro image, let the setup finish, then edit this key, not sure what to have it start yet but am curious......

BTW, http://www.tsaysoft.com/mysysprep/ may have more info than I paraphrased....

Ian

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

So mysysprep.exe still is held back by the mass storage devices being installed by the sysprep pre setup. Can you call MySysprep via the registry without running the MySysprep installer and see if it works?

I think building upon Galapo's experience will help us tremendously in finding out what we need to change to the window OS install to make it universal. But to do it in a way that Sysprep does without the need of external media.

Perhaps using GRUB to run a Linux live boot or console on next reboot, running a script to find the OS, OS arch, CPU type/model/procs, Mass storage controllers, storage device that windows resides on, edit ntfs data for the HAL, edit registry for storage controller/disk and reboot.

Last edited by stamandster (2009-03-10 04:43:50)

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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 188

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

kickarse wrote:

So mysysprep.exe still is held back by the mass storage devices being installed by the sysprep pre setup. Can you call MySysprep via the registry without running the MySysprep installer and see if it works?

I think building upon Galapo's experience will help us tremendously in finding out what we need to change to the window OS install to make it universal. But to do it in a way that Sysprep does without the need of external media.

Perhaps using GRUB to run a Linux live boot or console on next reboot, running a script to find the OS, OS arch, CPU type/model/procs, Mass storage controllers, storage device that windows resides on, edit ntfs data for the HAL, edit registry for storage controller/disk and reboot.

Yukkkkkk, my feeling towards Linux in general are....not so nice.  And mixing Linux with Windows in a dual-boot situation is definitely quite icky.  There are decent NTFS capabilities in Linux, but wouldn't we have to create a separate partition for Linux to sit on?  Then it would always be there, and people would wonder what that 10MB space is that they can't access......  Might WORK great, I just feel all sticky and greasy thinking about it....  big_smile  hahaha

Yup MySysprep has the same MS issues, all it does differently is calls itself prior to Sysprep being run to determine the HAL to use, once that is done it moves over and lets Sysprep go.  I'll see what I can do about running it without "running" it, but I goofed around a little while ago with the Setup key and had bad results, so doubt it will do anything.  Then again I only had a short amount of time to work with it but will be able to get back to it shortly.

Ian
(PS - I am to Linux what Jeff is to SysPrep!!  smile  I find his hatred of SysPrep silly, so feel free to laugh at me for hating Linux)

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

Ian, the only reason why I suggest it is because of the development already done with it with UDA...

http://www.ultimatedeployment.org/forum … &t=295
http://www.ultimatedeployment.org/about.html
http://www.ultimatedeployment.org/forum … um.php?f=1

Its possible we could adapt it to work without having to PXE boot and work on a currently installed OS.

I don't think people would care if 10-50mb of space is used. They take that up easily by temp history by surfing and some drivers are easily double, triple that. And I believe you can load an img file with Grub so you wouldn't have to create a separate partition.

But then again you'd have to worry about TWO distro's of OS seeing hardware instead of just one. Ugh...

//----- Chris

Last edited by stamandster (2009-03-10 06:15:06)

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  • OverFlow
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  • Registered: 2006-12-02
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Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

Hatred is a bit strong.
I just don't have patience for things that are terribly gimped wink
I have always found easier ways to accomplish the same things with less of my time through alternate means...

it aggravates me wink i don't hate it - i just don't like it tongue

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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 188

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

I haven't tried this yet, but http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=18031 may offer a convenient way in since it would load Bart locally.  Since OfflineSysprep works under Bart, and Bart has no issues with MS loading, this might be a more simple way to go.

Dunno if I'll have time to monkey with this today, but might give it a go.

Ian

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

I really wish that 911cd.net would load... it always errors out for me.

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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 188

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

hmm, wonder if a Google cache will treat you any better...

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:5_H … &gl=us

Ian

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

Good find bud! That might actually work nicely. I wonder if we could instead load it into an SDI and boot the cd without even having to setup another partition?

Described here using RDPath - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysi … 63892.aspx
and
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library … ed.5).aspx
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=118332

So perhaps the option is to on the next boot have the system load BartsPE (as small of a load as possible) from the drive itself, have Galapo's utility run automatically (set HAL and mass storage) and reboot the machine?

OT: Or do something with WIM and RIS

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/libr … 22358.aspx

Last edited by stamandster (2009-03-11 05:37:04)

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  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 175

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

kickarse wrote:

So perhaps the option is to on the next boot have the system load BartsPE (as small of a load as possible) from the drive itself, have Galapo's utility run automatically (set HAL and mass storage) and reboot the machine?

That would be one way.

But I did a bit of work yesterday and have nearly finished adding the option to OfflineSysPrep to set HAL upon first boot. Read more here: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php? … p;p=154514

Regards,
Galapo.

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

Nice!! What type of shutdown app are you needing?

Also, did you write it using part of the source of crystal program? Are you just initially setting the HAL to the one HAL that works with most systems? or is it where it truly finds the HAL before loading NTLDR?

Last edited by stamandster (2009-03-11 10:25:01)

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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 188

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

Galapo wrote:

Drivers may be injected, and "specificity" is basically limited to how many drivers you decide to inject. If you choose to inject all the DP mass storage drivers, then so many are injected that native ntldr cannot cope

Awesome that the HAL switcher at boot time is coming along, glad to hear it!  As for the above, sorry but I don't have a live disc with OSP at the moment or I'd just find out myself smile but if all that is being injected is the MS pack, would that actually be large enough to cause an issue with the default NTLDR?  And I actually don't recall being able to use more than one, but obviously I'm wrong there....

Anyhoo, with those 2 issues out of the way then I don't see why OSP wouldn't be my preferred way.  Good stuff man!

Ian

  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 175

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

llewxam wrote:

As for the above, sorry but I don't have a live disc with OSP at the moment or I'd just find out myself smile but if all that is being injected is the MS pack, would that actually be large enough to cause an issue with the default NTLDR?

Yes, you get an ntfs.sys error. This doesn't occur with PE because limit is not yet reached as cabbed drivers are supported.

llewxam wrote:

And I actually don't recall being able to use more than one, but obviously I'm wrong there...

Sorry, I wasn't saying to use more than one. I'm saying if you need to inject all the drivers, then you'll need to replace the default ntldr with one that has a higher memory limit. But this would seem to break licensing agreement, though.

Regards,
Galapo.

  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 175

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

kickarse wrote:

Nice!! What type of shutdown app are you needing?

One that works under very tight conditions: no user logged in and explorer is not the shell. I can't find anything that works.

kickarse wrote:

Also, did you write it using part of the source of crystal program? Are you just initially setting the HAL to the one HAL that works with most systems? or is it where it truly finds the HAL before loading NTLDR?

No, I'm calling CrystalCPUID to do the CPU detection for me.

Here's what I'm doing:

1. Writing necessary registry entries and files etc. for first boot as uni processor, which will be successful even if image was orignally set to standard (something MS says is impossible to do!).
2. Set my app to run as shell upon boot.
3. At first boot, app runs, detects HAL, and makes necessary adjustments to sysprep.inf.
4. Upon reboot, sysprep completes its operations (mini-setup etc.).
5. Computer reboots.
6. Upon boot, OS detects new HAL.
7. OS needs a reboot.
8. Upon boot, correct HAL is listed in Device Manager.

If I could find a way to shut down the system, then I could do away with the sysprep dependency.

Regards,
Galapo.

Last edited by Galapo (2009-03-11 10:44:59)

  • OverFlow
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Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

will the shutdown command work? http://www.ss64.com/nt/shutdown.html

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  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 175

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

Unfortunately, no.

I've also tried PsShutdown, PowerOff, and fdapm.

Regards,
Galapo.

  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 175

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

New version of OfflineSysPrep is now released with the option of automatically setting HAL at first boot added (sysprep required).

If someone is able to find a shutdown app which works under the conditions mentioned above, then I can remove the sysprep dependency.

Regards,
Galapo.

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

What about some help wink

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q176695/
http://freenet-homepage.de/gborn/WSHBaz … itWin3.htm
http://www.astahost.com/info.php/Window … t4290.html
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/dialog/Ra … ticle.aspx
http://www.vbaccelerator.com/home/vb/ti … rticle.asp

What about WMIC (WMI Console)

WMIC OS Where Primary=TRUE Call Reboot

or with Devcon.exe (non-distributable)

devcon reboot

WSH VBS

Set OpSysSet = GetObject("winmgmts:{(Shutdown)}//./root/cimv2").ExecQuery("select * from Win32_OperatingSystem where Primary=true")
for each OpSys in OpSysSet
 OpSys.Reboot()
next

Found here http://www.robvanderwoude.com/shutdown.php with other examples

Last edited by stamandster (2009-03-11 13:35:47)

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  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 175

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

kickarse wrote:

or with Devcon.exe (non-distributable)

devcon reboot

Good news! While devcon doesn't actually cause a reboot, when the app that is running as shell closes, the type of reboot that is performed does not have the hang. So devcon makes the reboot a "better" type of reboot and so I don't have to have a sysprep dependency. I'll release a new version later today.

Regards,
Galapo.

  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 175

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

OK, new version of OfflineSysPrep has been released that no longer requires sysprep when setting the option to automatically set HAL at first boot.

Regards,
Galapo.

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

I'm happy I was able to help the infamous Galapo! big_smile

I would love to test it out, I would love to see the process behind the scenes too.

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  • OverFlow
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Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

That is what i call teamwork - Well Done!

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  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 188

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

@Galapo, dude that works AWESOME!!  Kick @ss!!!

So now my thoughts go like this:

As it stands my PRE-Sysprepped image installed on VirtualBox booted up to the desktop after OSP like a champ, and of course started looking for a billion drivers.  My driver installer already knows how to shut the New Hardware Wizards up so I can suppress those, install the new drivers, run some registry tweaks I always do on install, break the activation as posted earlier, and run the command to ask for activation so a new product key can be put in.  HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA, right on!!

I guess all I have to do to get the above started is put my app in the Start Menu/Startup folder to get the ball rolling, then remove it later, should be easy as pie.

AND NO MORE SYSPREP!!   big_smile

Thanks man, sweeeeeeeeeet

Ian

  • From: Springfield, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-09-21
  • Posts: 396

Re: DPInst with DriverPacks on network repository

So, now, basically we run OSP on a live system, turn the machine off, capture the image, then deploy the image, turn the newly deploy workstation on?

Last edited by stamandster (2009-03-12 06:54:49)

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