Reinstalling NT Workstation Unattended

Background

If a workstation gets hosed, simply re-install it. To do this, you must convert the hard disk back to FAT, remove and re-add the computer to the domain, and then boot with the appropriate network boot disk. Then simply install.

Steps

  1. On NT Server, execute the following commands (assuming workstation name of s-a230-16 as an example):
    1. NET COMPUTER \\S-A230-16 /DEL
    2. NET COMPUTER \\S-A230-16 /ADD
  2. Boot corrupted workstation from a DOS floppy. DOS floppy should have FDISK and FORMAT on it
  3. Run FDISK, delete the non-dos partition (NTFS) so no partitions are left. Then create one primary DOS partition, using all available disk space. Exit FDISK.
  4. Reboot computer with DOS floppy.
  5. FORMAT C:
  6. Insert network boot disk and boot.
  7. Log into the network, switch to N: drive (should be auto-mapped, if not then NET USE N: \\FORTRESS\SETUPNT (or citadel as appropriate))
  8. Run INSTALL program, dropping s- or w- off of name. For example:
    INSTALL A230-16
  9. Remove floppy
  10. Come back much later, verify install, and change BIOS to boot from hard disk only.

Last page update: 03 January 2000
Official URL for this page: http://www.dtcc.edu/cs/admin/nt/reinstall/
Page Maintained by: Ken Weaverling