Error code 18 when you try to perform an unattended installation of Windows Server 2003 (919558)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (32-Bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1

SYMPTOMS

When you try to perform an unattended installation of any one of the versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 that are listed in the "Applies to" section, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:

File file_name could not be loaded.
        The error code is 18

        Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

Note In this error message, file_name is the file name of the mass storage device driver.

You receive this error message when Setup tries to load a driver for a mass storage device. Then, Setup stops responding (hangs).

CAUSE

This issue occurs when the following conditions are true:

You perform the unattended installation by using the Unattend.txt file.
The Unattend.txt file indicates that a mass storage device driver is required.
Setup finds a device driver for a mass storage device on the floppy disk.
Setup cannot load the driver from the floppy disk.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, make sure that the floppy disk drive is empty before you perform the unattended installation. If you receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section, remove the floppy disk from the drive and press any key to restart the computer. Then, you can start the text mode Setup again.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	6/7/2006
Keywords:	kbtshoot kbprb KB919558 kbAudITPRO