How to Set the Optional Network Parameters During an Unattended Setup (288229)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

This article was previously published under Q288229
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article describes the steps to set the optional network parameters, such as, Duplex Mode and MediaSelect, during an unattended installation of Windows 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The information in this article is similar to the following article for Windows NT 4.0:

163554 Determing NIC Parameters for Setup Using Unattend.txt

You must determine the parameters that can be used for your particular network adapter. You can determine the parameters by installing the adapter into an existing Windows 2000 installation. Then, run Regedt32 and locate the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

This key has multiple subkeys. Each subkey represents a network adapter. The primary network adapter should be subkey 0000. You can observe to which network adapter the key corresponds, by clicking the subkey, for example, click 0000. To the right of the key in the data area is a value named DriverDesc. This name is the name of the adapter that is displayed in Device Manager.

When you have located the appropriate network adapter, double-click the number that corresponds to that adapter, for example, double-click 0000. To the right, a value in the data section named "ComponentId" is displayed. This value is the Plug and Play identification (ID) of the network adapter. You must record this number for future reference.

You must double-click the NDI subkey, and then double-click the Params subkey. Under the Params subkey, you can observe the subkeys that represent each of the individual parameters for the network adapter. Most of these parameters have a subkey named Enum. The Enum subkey contains all of the valid values for the associated parameter. For example, the 3COM 3C918 Integrated network adapter has a MediaSelect parameter. Under the MediaSelect parameter, is an Enum subkey. The Enum subkey has data values of 100Basetx, 10Basetx, Autoselect, and HardwareDefault. These values are the only valid settings for the MediaSelect parameter.

When you have determined the parameters, you can write the unattended Text file. The following example uses an unattended Setup file that can set the MediaSelect parameter to 100Basetx and can enable the Flow Control feature. The InfID parameter is equal to the Plug and Play ID of the particular network adapter. If only one adapter is available in the computer, you can use an asterisk for the InfID parameter (for the computer to assume that this adapter is the first network adapter).

For additional information about the InfID parameter, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

229762 Specifying Multiple Network Adapters in Unattended Setup

[Networking] 
[NetAdapters] 
Adapter01=Params.Adapter01  
[Params.Adapter01] 
InfID="pci\ven_10b7&dev_9055"
AdditionalParams=params.Adapter01.Additional  
[params.Adapter01.Additional] 
flowcontrol="Enable"  
MediaSelect="100BASETX"
[NetProtocols] 
MS_TCPIP=Params.MS_TCPIP  
[Params.MS_TCPIP] 
AdapterSections=params.TCPIP.Adapter01 
DNS=yes  
[params.TCPIP.Adapter01] 
SpecificTo=adapter01 
DHCP=yes  
[NetServices] 
MS_Server=params.MS_Server  
[NetClients] 
MS_MSClient=Params.MS_MSClient  
[Params.MS_MSClient]
				
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/27/2006
Keywords:kbenv kbhowto kbnetwork kbsetup KB288229