INFO: Unattended Setup Switch Fails to Run (126985)

SUMMARY

The command for unattended setup, WINNT /U, does not run as stated on page 99 of the "Microsoft Windows NT Resource Kit Volume 1: Windows NT Resource Guide." It states that syntax for the command is:

   winnt /u[:answer_file]

-or-

   winnt32 /u[:answer_file]

The WINNT /U switch does not work without the /S:<SOURCE PATH> switch, as specified in the SETUPMGR.TXT file provided with the Microsoft Windows NT Resource Kit software.

NOTE: WINNT32 /U works as documented in the "Microsoft Windows NT Resource Kit Volume 1: Windows NT Resource Guide."

MORE INFORMATION

The following information, taken from the SETUPMGR.TXT file, correctly documents the use of the unattended setup command:

   The saved answer files can be executed at the command line
   in conjunction with the winnt or winnt32 commands. The syntax
   for the commands is shown below.

   winnt /u:<answer file> /s:<source path>

If you use the WINNT /U command without adding the /S<SOURCE PATH> switch, Windows NT command help is displayed, just as it is when you run WINNT with the /? switch; it lists all of the documented switches for the WINNT command, but does not start Windows NT Setup.

USE OF THE / B SWITCH

The SETUPMGR.TXT file also states, in the following text, that the use of the /B switch is optional when you run WINNT; it is not.

   Other winnt and winnt32 switches that make unattended
   installations go easier are:

      /B    to eliminate the need for the
            multiple setup floppy disks.

Contrary to this statement, just specifying the /U switch will include the floppy diskless setup feature. The functionality of the /B switch is included in the /U switch, and therefore does not need to be specified at the command line. The /B switch is correctly documented on page 99 of the Microsoft Windows NT Resource Kit Volume 1: Windows NT Resource Guide.