Windows NT Install Config File

Background

In order to allow flexibility and per-station install options, a method was devised to allow all per-station software options to be specified in a file for each station. The file directory pertaining to this info is as specified:

Stanton Campus

  
   \\fortress\setupnt\unattend\station\
   \\fortress\setupnt\unattend\config\

Wilmington Campus

  
   \\citadel\setupnt\unattend\station\
   \\citadel\setupnt\unattend\config\
Each station, specified by an option in the INSTALL batch file in \\...\setupnt should be represented by a file in each directory above. The station directory is the "UDF" file that Microsoft's unattended NT install expects to find. The config directory contains our own custom configuration file.

For example, for station named "260-01" you would share to \\citadel\setupnt and run "INSTALL 260-01". For the install to work correctly, there should be a file named "260-01" in both the unattend\station and unattend\config directories.

The format of the config directory files is documented here.

File Format

The file should contain lines containing two words, a keyword and an argument to that keyword. Any line not containing a recognized keyword is ignored. However, to be safe, make comment lines begin with a # mark. Additionally, the file is currently case insenstive, but to be safe, assume its case sensitive and load it using lower case.

The order of commands may matter. When an option requires a previous option to be loaded first, it will be listed in the table below.

The currently recognized keywords are:

The n in boot-n should represet a boot instance and specifies that the option should be installed during that instance of a reboot and Administrator logon. Boot instances should be contiguous. Each boot instance except for the last should have a "reboot" option to indicate the host should be rebooted and logged back in. For the last boot option, reboot is optional (if used, an administrative login is done, no software is installed, and then the machine is logged out.

The need for multiple reboots is, unfortunately, needed for some software packages to install correctly. For example, Service Packs load a lot of junk into RunOnce keys and those actions must be processed by an administrator logon during the next logon. Internet Explorer loads a plethora of crap into RunOnceEx that needs to be run during the next reboot and logon. Piling these puppies into the same login instance often causes problems.

Example Config File

In the config directory, there is a file named template that should be consulted before installing (or re-installing) any station. Check this file and create or edit the station's config file to ensure everything is up-to-date. Only the template file is maintained as a current snapshot of what is "correct."

Example of a config file:

# Example config file
printer laser265
printer rm_b231
boot-1 acls
boot-1 sbpci64d
boot-1 sp6
boot-1 reboot
boot-2 ie
boot-2 reboot
boot-3 vb6
boot-3 reboot
boot-4 office97
boot-4 reboot
boot-5 netscape
boot-5 nursing
boot-5 ttssh
boot-5 acrobat
boot-5 winexit
boot-5 maple
boot-5 ustation
boot-5 acad14
boot-5 acrobat
boot-5 reboot
boot-6 nav
boot-6 reboot
boot-7 sp6
boot-7 reboot
boot-8 nsmapi
boot-8 acls
boot-8 reboot

Table of possible config values

For latest update, and before updating any station, be sure to look at the file in config/template for latest values.

Keyword  boot-n Argument Dependencies  HD Size Needed  Comments 
N/A  N/A  N/A  150 MB  Minimal NT install 
printer varies none ~3 MB Installs a printer. See list of prepared printer packages within the \\...\setupnt\unattend\sysdiff\printer\ directory
boot-n office97  none  Office 97 (sans outlook) 
boot-n k95  none  5 MB  Installs Kermit 95 and icons for Hopi, Zuni, Apache, and Outland.
NOTE: TTSSH is a preferable means to do connections to these hosts now. Be sure to specify option ttssh AFTER option kermit iff you also have to do calvin (ttssh will overwrite kermit icons for hopi, etc...)
boot-n calvin  k95  2 KB  Adds Calvin menu entry (staff units only) 
boot-n ttssh   2 MB Adds telnet and ssh support for hopi, zuni, apache, and outland. Preferable to option kermit. Be sure to install AFTER option kermit if you HAVE to install that for calvin support however.
boot-n winexit  none  1 MB  Installs WinExit screen saver (not currently working) 
boot-n netscape  none  35 MB  Installs latest Netscape software as well as Quicktime
boot-n nsmapi  netscape
sp6
0.5 MB  Configures Netscape Mail as system mail client. Must be installed after sp6 is installed 
boot-n acrobat  netscape  Adobe Acrobat Reader 
boot-n vb6 ie
sp6
210 MB  Visual Basic 6.0 (Includes MSDN and Learning VB)
boot-n bc5  none  250 MB  Borland C++ 5.0 
boot-n cbuilder  none  200 MB  Borland C++Builder 1.0 
boot-n sp6 none ~20 MB NT 4.0 Service Pack 6. Should be last unless conflict
boot-n real netscape 5 MB Real Player 5.0 including Netscape plugin
boot-n kbdfix none 0.5 MB Dell Pentium II Keyboard Fix
boot-n ie sp6 40 MB Latest Internet Explorer
boot-n maple (vid config must be 8-bit color if ATI card) ? Maple 5.1
boot-n pm65 none ~100 MB PageMaker 6.5
boot-n wp61 none 2.5 MB Word Perfect 6.1 for Windows (16 bit app)
Note: Runs from Server
boot-n nav none 24 MB  Norton Antivirus (installs basic protections including latest live updates, but no start menu support.)
boot-n medisoft none ~20 MB Medisoft Accounting Software (OAT users at Wilmington)
boot-n acls all n/a Sets restrictive acls on drive. Set after everything else is installed
boot-n oms none 17 MB OMS transaction module
boot-n bdis oracle
firewall
0.001 MB Install BDIS Icon (OMS) in Start Menu
boot-n dfms none ? OnNet client for DFMS access
boot-n oracle none ? Oracle Network Client
boot-n firewall none ? SecuRemote Firewall Client
boot-n sb16 none n/a Generic Sound Blaster Support
boot-n sbpci64d none n/a Audio drivers for Gateway E-4200 systems (Soundblaster PCI 64 D)
boot-n crystald none n/a Audio drivers for Dell GXa and GXl systems (Crystal audio chipset)
boot-n crystalg none n/a Audio drivers for Gateway E-1200 systems (Crystal audio chipset)


Last page update: 04-Jan-00
Official URL for this page: http://www.dtcc.edu/cs/admin/nt/config/
Page Maintained by: Ken Weaverling