DOCUMENT:Q156876 09-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :INFO: Using UDF Files with Windows NT 4.0 Unattended Setup PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbsetup kbOPK kbSBKkbfaq ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= Unattended Setup with Windows NT 4.0 supports the use of the Uniqueness Database File (UDF), which provides the ability to specify per-computer parameters. The functionality of the UDF is to merge or replace specific sections of the answer file for the GUI portion of setup. The use of the UDF provides a structured and convenient method for the deployment of Windows NT 4.0 on a large scale. The information in this article assumes that a working answer file has been developed for unattended installation of Windows NT 4.0. MORE INFORMATION ================ The UDF is an ASCII text file created using a simple text editor. The file is stored with the other Windows NT files on the distribution server. The UDF is broken down into two sections, the UniqueIDs and the UniqueID parameters. The UniqueIDs section identifies the Unique ID and the sections of the answer file that are going to be merged or replaced. The UniqueIDs parameter is the actual data that will be merged or replaced in the answer file. Example 1 --------- In this example, two Unique IDs have been created: UserID1 and UserID2. UserID1 and UserID2 will have Userdata, GuiUnattended, and Network sections that will merge or replace the corresponding sections in the answer file. [UniqueIDs] UserID1 = Userdata,GuiUnattended,Network UserID2 = Userdata,GuiUnattended,Network In the next section of the UDF, Unique ID sections are identified by using the Unique ID and the section name, separated by a colon. Example 2 --------- In this example, the Userdata, GuiUnattended, and Network sections will be merged into the answer file. See the sample Unattend.txt file at the end of this article as a reference. [UniqueIDs] UserID1 = Userdata,GuiUnattended,Network UserID2 = Userdata,GuiUnattended,Network [UserID1:UserData] FullName = "User ID-1" ComputerName = "MACHINE-1" [UserID1:GuiUnattended] TimeZone = " (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)" [UserID1:Network] JoinDomain = "DomainEast" [UserID2:UserData] FullName = "User ID-2" ComputerName = "MACHINE-2" [UserID2:GuiUnattended] TimeZone = "(GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)" [UserID2:Network] JoinDomain = "DomainCentral" Merging of this unique information occurs during the execution of Winnt.exe or Winnt32.exe. To invoke the UDF file, use the following command-line options: /u:answer_file /s:NT_Source /t:temp_drive /UDF:UniqueID,local_name_of_udf Example: winnt /u:answ.txt /s:z:\ /t:c: /udf:userid1,z:\udf.txt ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ---------------------- Sample answer file used for reference: [Unattended] NoWaitAfterTextMode = 1 NoWaitAfterGUIMode = 1 FileSystem = LeaveAlone ExtendOemPartition = 0 ConfirmHardware = No NtUpgrade = no Win31Upgade = no OverwriteOemFilesOnUpgrade = yes TargetPath = winnt [GuiUnattended] OemBlankAdminPassword = 1 DetachedProgram = "C:\REGINI.EXE" Arguments = "C:\CHANGEIT.INI" [UserData] OrgName = "The Computer Company" ProductID = "123-1234567" [NetWork] InstallAdapters = AdaptersList InstallProtocols = ProtocolsList [AdaptersList] DECETHERWORKSTURBO = DECParams [DECParams] InterruptNumber = 5 IOBaseAddress = 768 MemoryMappedBaseAddress = 851968 InterfaceType = 1 BusNumber = 0 [ProtocolsList] NBF = NetBeuiParams [NetBeuiParams] For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q155197 Unattended Setup Parameters for Unattend.txt File Additional information on Windows NT 4.0 deployment is available on the Microsoft web site at http://www.microsoft.com/ under the Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Home Page Migration Tools section. Additional query words: prodnt Unattended Setup ====================================================================== Keywords : kbsetup kbOPK kbSBK kbfaq Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0 Issue type : kbinfo ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.