Is this the right approach for a truly clean install?

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  1. Posts : 7,349
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #21

    Was the Win 7 installation disk on the ODD drive X: when you launched Sysprep.cmd?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
    Thread Starter
       #22

    Yes it was.
    I found an error in the Sysprep.cmd file, totally my fault.

    I changed the line:
    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot /unattend:\Relocate.xml
    ...to...
    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep>Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot /unattend:\Relocate.xml

    It created an Application file named Sysprep in the root of D: but had a 0 KB size.

    I restarted the computer and it is now saying:
    C:\Windows\System32\Preparing to configure Windows.
    Do not turn off your computer.

    It has been running quite a while though.
    Is that expected?

    Thanks in advance.

    EDIT:
    It seems to be frozen now, the circle has stopped revolving. I might power off and on again to see if that makes a difference. I will give it another 10 minutes first though.

    Well the install finished and it didn't work. The Users are still on drive C:.
    I didn't even get a chance to enter the Product Key which I expected on a clean install from the DVD provided.

    The system is so very slow as well. I have a 2.13 GHz laptop with 4 GB of RAM on a 64-bit system.

    I took out the DVD and Restarted.
    It asked me if I wanted to Start Windows Normally.
    When I pressed Enter it rebooted and asked me if I wanted to Repair or Start Windows Normally.
    I selected Repair.
    No luck there.
    I have had half a dozen or so attempts at this now, all without any success.

    I might retry the installation from scratch again tomorrow .
    Last edited by Paul Black; 04 Jul 2017 at 17:57.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #23

    - If you do not relocate ProgramData, cut the wholoe line out. It's not required when no relocation is done.
    - Cut out the whole CPI OfflineImage line (second to last commnad lline), it is no longer required, Sysprepping does not require Windows install media being present.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,349
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #24

    Paul, the files I gave you have been used a dozen times without problems.
    Don't know why you haven't used them just changing the Drive letters.

    You didn't answer What is on Disk 0 Partition 1: WINRE?
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
    Thread Starter
       #25

    Thanks for the replies again.

    I am currently not at home for an hour or so but I will be starting from scratch when I get home.

    I will setup three partitions:
    C: System
    D: Users
    E: Image
    After the partitions are setup the DVD drive changes from D: to F:.

    I saved the Sysprep.cmd file with the extension .cmd.
    I saved the Relocate.xml file with the extension .xml.
    Do I need the .cmd & .xml at the end of the file names?
    Both to be copied to the root of D:
    The Sysprep.cmd will be launched from the root of D: with a double click of the file.

    I will be using the file Sysprep.cmd that you gave me Megahertz07:

    net stop wmpnetworksvc
    pause
    cd c:\Windows\System32\Sysprep
    c:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /oobe /reboot /unattend: D:\relocate.xml

    I will be using the file Relocate.xml that you gave me Megahertz07, adapted as per Kari's post above because it is only the Users I want on drive D:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
    <FolderLocations>
    <ProfilesDirectory>D:\Users</ProfilesDirectory>
    </FolderLocations>
    </component>
    </settings>
    </unattend>

    Are these correct?

    Megahertz07, I will have a look and let you know what is on Disk 0 Partition 1: WINRE.

    Thanks to both of you.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,349
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #26

    Sysprep.cmd file and Relocate.xml must have their extensions.
    Explorer by default doesn't show the extensions for Known files, so photo.jpg.exe (an executable file) will be shown as photo.jpg. You think it is a photo and it is a virus.
    Open Explorer - Tools tab - Folder Options - View tab - un mark Hide Extensions for Known file types.
    Last edited by Megahertz07; 05 Jul 2017 at 10:54.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #27

    Paul Black said:
    I found an error in the Sysprep.cmd file, totally my fault.

    I changed the line:
    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot /unattend:\Relocate.xml
    ...to...
    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep>Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot /unattend:\Relocate.xml
    That is most definitely wrong, not a wise move.

    I simply cannot understand why you are willingly trying to make this simple and easy procedure as difficult as possibhle? Why on earth are you even using a batch file to run two simple commands, to stop WMP Sharing Service and then run Sysprep?

    (Above two questions are rhetorical, I do not expect an answer!)

    The > sign is never used in path to a command. The one and only correct syntax to run Sysprep with answer file Relocate.xml stored on root of drive D: is as follows:

    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /oobe /reboot /unattend:D:\Relocate.xml


    Paul Black said:
    I will be using the file Relocate.xml that you gave me Megahertz07, adapted as per Kari's post above because it is only the Users I want on drive D:

    Code:
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
        <settings pass="oobeSystem">
            <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
                <FolderLocations>
                    <ProfilesDirectory>D:\Users</ProfilesDirectory>
                </FolderLocations>
            </component>
        </settings>
    </unattend>
    That answer file is correct, no syntax errors.


    OK, further: I got a PM asking why I told that the CPI Offline Image line in answer file is not required. I never answer this kind of personal messages because stuff like that when only asked and answered between two members in private messages does not benefit any other members. Therefore, if you have a question you should always post it instead of asking it privately; when (if) the question gets a valid answer, it will then benefit everyone.

    OK, the answer: Sysprep does not require nor need access to Windows install media. That line was accidentally left there by me when writing the tutorial, remains from Vista era. It is automatically generated when creating an answer file with Windows SIM (System Image Manager).

    The line is completely unnecessary, not required, although it does no harm when left there.

    Finally, something I really can't understand: This whole issue of the OP is directly related to my tutorial at User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation - Windows 7 Help Forums

    If the OP had done as should be clear to anyone, the logical thing and asked about this in the tutorial thread, I had got a notification about it straight away, two weeks ago. Starting a new thread instead of posting the question where it clearly belongs, I or any other tutorial writer have no means to know about it, if we do not browse through all new threads. Even if I had browsed through new threads, title of this one was uninteresting to me and I had not click to read it.

    I only got to know about this thread when a senior member sent me a message asking if I could take a look.

    Short, for future readers of this thread: in case your issue is directly related to a tutorial here at Seven Forums or our sister sites EightForums.com and TenForums.com, do not start a new thread about it but instead explain your issue in a post in that tutorial thread.

    Kari
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
    Thread Starter
       #28

    Firstly, I would like to thank Megahertz07 & Kari for their time, assistance and patience with regard to my problem. It is very much appreciated.
    Secondly, I would like to appologise to Kari for not posting my request in the relevant tutorial, sorry.

    I reinstalled and everything seemed to go OK.
    I got the Sysprep is working... screen and then it rebooted.
    I didn't however get the System preperation Tool 3.14 screen after the reboot (as per page 6 0f Kari's instructions) that I was supposed to get so I could click OK.
    When the system rebooted after the Sysprep is working... screen dissapeared it dropped me back into:

    Country or region: United Kingdom.
    Time and currency: English (United Kingdom).
    Keyboard layout: United Kingdom.

    I carried on and unfortunately I didn't get to enter the Product Key and the Users were still on drive C:.

    The only things on drie D: are:
    $Recycle.bin
    System Volume Information
    Relocate

    Thanks in advance.

    EDIT: Megahertz07

    With regard to the Disk 0 Partition 1: WINRE

    The partition says:
    Volume is blank.
    Layout is simple.
    Type is basic.
    File system is blank.
    Staus is Healthy (Active, Recovery Partition).

    I have unhidden the files etc but I cannot find that partition to look on it to find out what it contains, even in computer management.
    I only saw it during the install when I was setting up my new partitions and thought I had better keep it.
    Do you think this is causing a problem?
    Last edited by Paul Black; 05 Jul 2017 at 14:31.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,349
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #29

    I really don't understand why you're having so many problems. All my attempts to move C:\users to another disk were successful.
    Believe, I did it many times under Win 7 and Win 10.

    If the Disk 0 Partition 1: WINRE is empty, you should delete ALL partitions when doing a clean install.
    Read again my post #4.

    Once you reboot after ctrl+shift+F3, go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Folder Options and View tab - un mark Hide Extensions for Known file types.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
    Thread Starter
       #30

    Thanks again.

    I don't know if it is empty (and I don't want to delete it without knowing what is in there really), I can't find it to get into it. I only saw it when I was setting up my partitions. I have done what you have suggested to unhide extensions for known file types and it just appears as I have stated in the computer management.
    It appears to be some sort of recovery from what I posted in my previous post.
    It has NO drive letter!
    It is 2 GB in total with 1.4 GB free from what I saw when I was setting up the partitions.
    The disk I am using says it is a operating system - recovery DVD.
      My Computer


 
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