I'm having problems installing an nLite of XP Home

JaseUK · 22 Feb 2010 at 20:06

I have managed to streamline my OEM copy of XP Pro with SP3 using nLite and install it to a hdd with no problems. It does ask for the product key during the install stage but it allows me to not enter it and continue with the installation.

However I am trying to do the same with a Medion recovery CD I own which is XP Home Edition. The problem is, when I come to install it onto a hdd it keeps asking for the product key but I want to continue without putting the key in. When I created the disc using nLite I chose for it not to ask for the product key during the installation.

Is this because I have used a recovery CD and not a OEM/Retail copy of XP Home?

bledd · 22 Feb 2010 at 20:14

SP3 added the ability to to that (continue without a key)

JaseUK · 22 Feb 2010 at 20:16

bledd. said:
SP3 added the ability to to that (continue without a key)

It wont let me continue without putting the key in, it even says 'do you want to enter the product key now?' and when I click 'no' it just goes back to the key input screen again.

Even when I enter the key it says 'The product id you enterd is not valid' :confused:

FatRakoon · 22 Feb 2010 at 23:47

Somethign are often best done by hand.

Ok, do yourself a favour, and simply grab an ISO of the Disk that you have created.

Now, openm up the ISO is some ISO opening up program... I use ULTRAISO myself.

Now, go into the I386 folder and have a look for a file called WINNT.SIF

Now, open that up in NOTEPAD ( Or make a new one, but if you have used NLITE then it will have made one )

You will be able to get at some setup goodness right here....

Here you are... Here is one I made up a while back... Save this as WINNT.SIF inside the I386 folder and then re-burn that and you should be good to go!

Put in your cack mind you.

-----

[Data]
AutomaticUpdates = "Yes"
Autopartition = 0
MsDosInitiated = 0
UnattendedInstall = "Yes"

[Unattended]
UnattendMode = DefaultHide
UnattendSwitch = "Yes"
OemPreinstall = "Yes"
OemSkipEula = "Yes"
FileSystem = NTFS
WaitForReboot = "No"
NoWaitAfterTextMode = 1
NoWaitAfterGUIMode = 1
DriverSigningPolicy = Ignore
NonDriverSigningPolicy = Ignore
Hibernation = "No"

[Display]
Xresolution = 800
Yresolution = 600
BitsPerPel = 16
Vrefresh = 60

[SystemRestore]

[SetupParams]
SkipMissingFiles = "Yes"

[GuiUnattended]
AutoLogon = "Yes"
EncryptedAdminPassword = "No"
AdminPassword = ""
TimeZone = 085
OEMSkipRegional = 1
OemSkipWelcome = 1

[Shell]
DefaultThemesOff = "Yes"
DefaultStartPanelOff = "Yes"

[Components]

[UserData]
ProductKey = "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"
ComputerName = "Opteron"
FullName = "Billy No Mates"
OrgName = "Home"

[RegionalSettings]
SystemLocale = "0809"
UserLocale = "0809"
UserLocale_DefaultUser = "0809"
InputLocale = "0809:00000452"
InputLocale_DefaultUser = "0809:00000452"

[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents = "Yes"

[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup = "LAN-NAME"

-------

OK?

JaseUK · 24 Feb 2010 at 19:25

Thanks for that.
I am assuming I can leave the product key part blank (or does it need the crosses leaving there) which is what I was ultimately after.

FatRakoon · 24 Feb 2010 at 20:40

Erm, no, the crosses are where I have just removed my own Serial from it...

You need to replace the serial number with your own.
And you also need to use the Dashes too!

I have left everything else apart from the NETWORK and USER info... I just changed them for you. Obviously, the ADMINPASSORD I have removed too, and you can put something in there also.

JaseUK · 24 Feb 2010 at 21:05

FatRakoon said:
Erm, no, the crosses are where I have just removed my own Serial from it...

You need to replace the serial number with your own.
And you also need to use the Dashes too!

I have left everything else apart from the NETWORK and USER info... I just changed them for you. Obviously, the ADMINPASSORD I have removed too, and you can put something in there also.

Its not what I was after I'm afraid, I am trying to create a disc that does not ask for the product key during installation.
This is so I can use it as a generic installation disc when I repair peoples computers. I want to install the product key when windows is actually installed.

I know this is doable because I have done it with a Win XP Pro OEM disc.

I have a funny feeling I cant do it because I am using the files from a Medion Recovery CD of XP Home.

FatRakoon · 25 Feb 2010 at 11:47

Well, my way does not ask you for a key at all. It does indeed go through the entire process and then after that, once you get the desktiop, all you need to do it activate it.

You can use one of the many programs out there to then enter a new number if you need to?

And as you said, yo uare using a Medion CD so no, I would say that they would be crippled in some way.

However, annoyingly, I have a Fujitsu CD that never asks for a serial number and when I get to the desktop after a fresh install, its already activated and I tried to use this on another PC and it wanted a serial and activation, but not on the original Mobo... I have found that many of these Maker specific installation CDs often check what Mobo they are installing on.