How to Extract the Plug and Play IDs from an .inf File (263235)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
This article was previously published under Q263235

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the Pnpids.exe program to extract the Plug and Play ID for a device from the device's .inf file.

MORE INFORMATION

The Pnpids.exe program is included with the Microsoft Windows System preparation tool Sysprep 1.1. This program can be run on a single .inf file or a group of .inf files, to extract the Plug and Play ID of a device. This information can be used with Sysprep installations or for automating Microsoft Windows 2000 Setup through an Unattend.txt file.

The following example extracts Plug and Play IDs for IDE controllers from the Mshdc.inf file, and then redirects the output to a text file called Mshdc.txt:

pnpids.exe %systemroot%\inf\mshdc.inf > mshdc.txt

This text file can then be used to obtain the proper Plug and Play IDs to be used in a Sysprep.inf file.

NOTE: Pnpids.exe can also be used to extract the Plug and Play ID of a network adapter. On the network adapter's .inf file, run Pnpids.exe. This information may be needed for the INFID value in an Unattend.txt file.

For additional information see the following documents in the Sysprep_update\docs folder on your hard disk drive (this folder is created when you download and run Sysprep 1.1):

Microsoft Windows 2000 Guide to Unattended Setup (Unattend.doc)

Microsoft Windows 2000 Sysprep Update (NewSysprep.doc)

To view a Microsoft Support WebCast about Windows 2000 Setup issues, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/webcasts/wc071800/wc071800.asp?fr=1

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/20/2006
Keywords:kbhowto KB263235
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