User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

Kari · 21 Jan 2012

No, the recovery disk set is not a normal Windows install media. You need Windows 7 install disk or ISO. Sorry.

Kari

Britton30 · 21 Jan 2012

Code:

<cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:E:/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 ULTIMATE" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />

In the same light Kari, I will need to use the Windows DVD to run the answer file to move ProgramData back to C: then?

Amicus · 21 Jan 2012

Hi Kari,

Ok thanks, understood.................however, some questions spring to mind.

1) In exactly what way is the OEM recovery disk set not a normal Windows install media?

2) Surely the OEM recovery disks contain everything needed for a W7 install? Otherwise in the event of a HD replacement and subsequent install of the OS, the installation would fail, which of course it doesn't. Can the answer file text not be amended to suit?

I have downloaded and burned a W7 ISO from the relevant SevenForum link, and I will attempt to use that instead. Whilst writing, have these ISO's been checked and verified as not containing any viruses and / or hidden rootkits etc., which may have been laid deep inside by Digital River or even any other who knows what organisation or individual? Please understand that I'm in no way casting any dispertions whatsoever against "Digital River" of course, but these days we all need to consider our privacy and freedom.

3) Will the use of the ISO W7 media now completely overwrite my existing System installation, or will the Sysrep / Audit text be the only thing used, and merely locate the "Users" and if I wish, the "ProgramData" to the partition / drive of my choice, leaving all other parts of my original installation untouched and intact?

Amicus

Britton30 · 21 Jan 2012

I can answer a bit. OEM disks install media have been modified to suit the individual manufacturer and some files may be different and/or moved from a retail Win 7 DVD. They are meant to restore an appliance PC to out of box, OEM state.

The iso files from MDL and Digital River referenced here are safe, I've used them too. They are the same ones you would get if you purchased a license from Microsoft online and directed to download the OS.

Amicus · 21 Jan 2012

Hi Britton30,

Yep, understood, but my puzzlement still remains. Whilst it is recognised that most if not all OEM's will ensure that the "one-off" recovery media (including the W7 OS) created by the user will only be able to be used by the particular equipment upon which the recovery media was created, I am unclear as to how all that is accomplished apparently without the inclusion of an "install.wim"................and moreover, if it is indeed included, why I can't access it!

I assume therefore, that the "install.wim" is either hidden within the recovery media and not readily(or shall I say normally) accessible to the user, or it is re-named to another "wim", which may or may not also be hidden?

Perhaps the answer resides in editing the OEM's System Locked Pre-installation (SPL 2.1 for W7) procedure?

What do you think?

Your thoughts Kari?

Amicus

derekimo · 21 Jan 2012

Amicus said:

Hi Britton30,

Yep, understood, but my puzzlement still remains. Whilst it is recognised that most if not all OEM's will ensure that the "one-off" recovery media (including the W7 OS) created by the user will only be able to be used by the particular equipment upon which the recovery media was created, I am unclear as to how all that is accomplished apparently without the inclusion of an "install.wim"................and moreover, if it is indeed included, why I can't access it!

I assume therefore, that the "install.wim" is either hidden within the recovery media and not readily(or shall I say normally) accessible to the user, or it is re-named to another "wim", which may or may not also be hidden?

Perhaps the answer resides in editing the OEM's System Locked Pre-installation (SPL 2.1 for W7) procedure?

What do you think?

Your thoughts Kari?

Amicus

Hi Amicus,

This comment here,

I have made the usual 'one-off' set of recovery disks (4 disks in total) for future reinstallation if necessary, and I have therefore had to use those in lieu of an original OS disk.

Sounds like the reason you cannot find an install.wim, just a guess though since you can fit a complete install iso on one DVD.

Is this comment still your original intent?

Chose to move only the location of "Users" to Data (G), leaving ProgramData on (C)

Maybe this tutorial would be a better option for you,

User Profile - Change Default Location

Amicus · 21 Jan 2012

Hi Derekimo,

Yep, thought of that, and I've already tried inserting each of the recovery disks in turn (as per a normal recovery install) but also individually on four separate attemps.................none worked.

I can't see or locate "install.wim" on any of the 4 recovery disks (if indeed it exists there at all................though frankly I am puzzled as to how it would not be present) via Windows Explorer.

Yep, I do still choose to move only the location of "Users" to Data (G) leaving "ProgramData on (C), and yep, thanks, I am aware of and have read the Tutorial to which you refer. However, that is not quite the same as a re-install.

derekimo · 21 Jan 2012

Amicus said:

Hi Derekimo,

Yep, thought of that, and I've already tried inserting each of the recovery disks in turn (as per a normal recovery install) but also individually on four separate attemps.................none worked.

I can't see or locate "install.wim" on any of the 4 recovery disks (if indeed it exists there at all................though frankly I am puzzled as to how it would not be present) via Windows Explorer.

Yep, I do still chose to move only the location of "Users" to Data (G) leaving "ProgramData on (C), and yep, thanks, I am aware of and have read the Tutorial to which you refer. However, that is not quite the same as a re-install.

OK, since you want a reinstall why not just use the iso from Digital River, the install.wim is in the sources folder.

(FYI, you need to check that box "Disable smilies in text" for each post.)

Amicus · 21 Jan 2012

Trying the ISO method now as we type............give me 5 mins., and I'll let you know the result.

(I know, I could have sworn I'd done so, oh well..)

Amicus · 21 Jan 2012

Oh dear, not good! Why oh why is this not working!!! What is going wrong!!!

Following every instruction to the letter, and still no joy!! I'll try again.