PRB: Intermittent Failures If You Use Cmdlines.txt to Install Third-Party Drivers (318187)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
This article was previously published under Q318187

SYMPTOMS

You may encounter various intermittent installation failures if you use the Cmdlines.txt file to install third-party drivers. These failures may include errors in the SetupAPI.log file, broken digital signatures, and corruption of other files.

CAUSE

Cmdlines.txt is intended to install applications, to run registry updates, to install patches, and so on. Although you can use Cmdlines.txt to install OEM accessory software packages that do not contain hardware drivers, Cmdlines.txt was never intended to be used to install third-party drivers.

RESOLUTION

Use an INF-based driver set to enumerate and to install all hardware drivers into the operating system. Make sure that the driver files, INF, and the catalog file are included in a unique subdirectory such as C:\Drivers\Vendor. In addition, make sure that you add this path to the OEMPnPDriversPath entry in the Unattend.txt file.

MORE INFORMATION

If the hardware is not a Plug and Play device, or if the operating system cannot detect the hardware, install driver installation software through GuiRunOnce or during factory/audit mode.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/15/2004
Keywords:kbnofix kbprb KB318187
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