Winnt32.msi Package Prompts for a Product ID When Using Non-Select Media (246617)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q246617

SUMMARY

When you use the Winnt32.msi package to upgrade a computer and you are using non-Select media that requires a product ID (PID), you need to provide a PID by using an Unattend.txt file. This involves creating an Unattend.txt file and modifying the Winnt32.msi package to include this file.

MORE INFORMATION

Note that this article includes steps that must carried out by using tools that are included in the Microsoft Windows Installer Software Developer Kit (SDK). These steps are provided for informational purposes only. If you need assistance with the Windows Installer SDK or any of its tools, please contact Developer support. For more information about the SDK, please visit http://msdn.microsoft.com.
  1. Create an Unattend.txt file that has the following values:

    Windows 2000

    [Unattended]
    NTupgrade = yes

    [UserData]
    ProductID = string

    Windows XP

    [Unattended]
    NTupgrade = yes

    [UserData]
    ProductKey = string

  2. Copy this file to your distribution share.

    Note There is already a file named Unattend.txt in the distribution share with Read-Only attributes. This file is a sample unattended file. Microsoft recommends that you remove the Read-Only attribute and then rename this file so that it is not overwritten.
  3. Edit the Winnt32.msi package by using one of the tools included with the SDK so that CustomAction has the following target for both RunSetup and RunsetupImmediate:

    For Windows 2000

    "[SourceDir]winnt32" /s:"[SourceDir]." /unattend:"[SourceDir]unattend.txt" /batch

    For Windows XP:

    /s:"[SourceDir]." /unattend:"[SourceDir]unattend.txt" /batch

    This example assumes that the Unattend.txt file will be located in the same folder as the source files.

  4. Save the .msi file with a new name, and then republish your program by using Group Policy Editor in Active Directory Users and Computers.
When you use this method, the Product ID screen is bypassed. If you do not want to edit the Winnt32.msi package, you can create a Transform package (a .mst file) that implements these changes without directly changing the .msi package. For more information about Transforms, please consult the Windows Installer SDK.

For versioning and editing reasons, using a Transform is the preferred method for including the PID.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/22/2003
Keywords:kbinfo kbsetup KB246617
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.