Microsoft KB Archive/933495

= An unattended installation of Windows Vista uses the Autounattend.xml file on the Windows Vista installation disc instead of the Autounattend.xml file on a USB flash drive =

Article ID: 933495

Article Last Modified on 8/29/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition

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SYMPTOMS
You have two Autounattend.xml files (answer files) that can be used in an unattended installation of Windows Vista. One Autounattend.xml file is in the root directory of the Windows Vista installation disc. The other Autounattend.xml file is in the root directory of a USB flash drive. When you perform an unattended installation of Windows Vista, the installation uses the Autounattend.xml file on the Windows Vista installation disc instead of the Autounattend.xml file on the flash drive. You expect the installation to use the file on the flash drive according to the implicit order of the search paths.



CAUSE
This issue occurs because the GetFileAttributes function does not work correctly. An unattended installation of Windows Vista calls this function.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) or Windows OEM Preinstall Kit (Windows OPK) installed.

Restart requirement
You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Hotfix installation information
To apply this hotfix, follow these steps:  Type the following command at a command prompt to expand the .msu file:

Expand.exe  -F:*

Note Replace  with the path of the .msu file. Replace  with the path of a temporary folder. Type the following command to expand the .cab file to another temporary folder:

Expand.exe  -F:*

Note Replace  with the path of the .cab file. Replace  with the path of another temporary folder. Copy the Boot.wim image file from the Source folder on the Windows Vista installation disc to a local temporary location. Mount the image for read access and for write access. To do this, type the following command at a command prompt:

imagex.exe /mountrw  2

Note Replace  with the path of the Boot.wim file. The number following this location is the boot index number. Replace  with the destination of the file that you mount. Copy the Unattend.dll file from the \x86_microsoft-windows-setup-unattend_ \ folder to the  \ source folder.

Note  is a placeholder for a string that is randomly created. Copy the Unattend.dll file from the \x86_microsoft-windows-setup-unattend_ \ folder to the  \Windows\System32\ folder. Unmount the Boot.wim file to commit all the changes. To do this, type the following command at a command prompt:

imagex.exe /commit /unmount

</li> Mount the image again for read access and for write access. To do this, type the following command at a command prompt:

imagex.exe /mountrw  1

Note the different boot index number in this command.</li> Copy the Unattend.dll file from \x86_microsoft-windows-setup-unattend_ \ folder to the  \Windows\System32\ folder.</li> Unmount the Boot.wim file to commit all the changes. (Use the same command that you used in step 7.)</li> Copy the modified Boot.wim file to the \Source folder.

Note is a placeholder for the location of the contents of the Windows Vista disc image.</li></ol>

<div class="workaround_section">

WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, copy the Autounattend.xml file from the USB flash drive to a floppy disk. Then, perform the unattended installation.

<div class="status_section">

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.

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MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the terms that are used to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Additional query words: Unattend.xml

Keywords: kbfix kbqfe kbpubtypekc kbhotfixserver KB933495

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