Unattended Windows 7 Pro with patch and IE installer for multiple PCs

[elmo37]

Hi, i'm tasked to make an unattended installation of Windows 7 Pro 32 bit for multiple computers with drivers and already patched with windows updates and IE 11 installed. Before, I'm using RT 7 Lite and does the job of unattended installations for most of the Old PC's, complete with drivers. But my dilemma started when they want to integrate security patches and IE 11 to the installer. On top of it some of the newer models needs usb 3.0 and sata drivers installed first hand or the mouse/kb wont work or the installation will not continue.

PC models that i need to install windows 7 Pro 32 BIT are:

HP DC 7800
HP DC 7900
HP 6300
HP PRODESK 600 G1
HP PRODESK 600 G3
ACER M4620G
ACER M6620G
ACER M6630G
ACER M6640G
LENOVO M58P 7487
LENOVO M81 5030

hope you can point me in the right direction and give me a step by step guide. thank you!

 

[Megahertz07]

My suggestion:
- In a basic computer, install win 7 pro 32 (skip the license).
- When the installation stops, waiting for you to give the computer a username and a computer name, DON'T! Press Ctrl+Shift+F3, and the computer will restart in . . . (wait for it!) "Audit Mode"!. Basically, Windows will create a throwaway Administrator account and sign you in, as this throwaway Administrator. Nothing you do, with regard to this temporary user will survive finalizing the installation, but the computer operates normally, and you can install drivers and software. Whenever the computer starts in Audit mode (you are allowed to restart), a GUI version of Sysprep.exe will pop up, offering to restart the computer in OOBE (out of box experience). OOBE is where you were a moment before -- that is, where you create a username and computer name and the installation is finalized. Don't choose to restart in OOBE until you are ready to finalize the installation. Hit cancel.
- As an administrator, install IE 11 and the updates - MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums
- When you finish, restart the computer. It will bring you back to the OOBE. Now, you need to say goodbye to Audit Mode. Remember that a GUI for using Sysprep to initialize the OOBE shows up, each time you re-boot into Audit Mode. So after you reboot you will have your chance to run it. Press Ok.
- When the computer reboot, shut it down.
- Clone the HDD to the others computers.
- When you restart, it will be back to OOBE asking for the users name etc.
- Then check device manager for the missing drivers. Different hardware, different drivers.
- Insert the license for activation.

 

[elmo37]

Thanks for the suggestion, but i'm afraid cloning/ghost is not a viable option for us. i'm looking for a more simplistic way to format the pc, more on boot the dvd/usb, let the unattended.xml script and the install.wim integrated with updates and drivers do its magic and viola a fully installed windows 7 in a few minutes. I already made an installer before (via RT 7 lite) but it can only accommodate hp 7800/7900/6300, lenovo 7484/5030, acer 6620. I integrated the new drivers but its either we cant use mouse/kb or the installation crashes.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Elmo,

Mega is right, have a look at this sysprep tutorial.

System Preparation Tool - Use to Customize Windows - Windows 7 Help Forums

Roy

 

[Megahertz07]

I have just seen the specs of the HP ProDesk 600 G3 and Acer M6640G.
- You must disable Secure Boot and fast boot.
- They have UEFI BIOS. You must set CSM = enable. As you're trying to install Win 7 32 bits you must format the drive as Legacy - MBR as UEFI - GPT only boots 64 bits.
- 32 bits will allow to use only 3.2 G of memory, even if the computer has more installed.
They have 6th or 7th gen Intel CPUs that has 6th or 7th gen chipsets. Those chipsets require new SATA drives and / or M.2 PCIe NMVe drivers that you also have to add to the installation disk. Use Intel Download Windows 7* USB 3.0 Creator Utility
Read my tutorial Create a Windows 7 USB flash installation with new drives for new MB's - Windows 7 Help Forums

You have to add to the installation disk (to install on 6th or 7th gen Intel CPUs):
- USB 3,x drivers
- SATA drivers
- M.2 PCIe NMVe drivers (if they have M.2 PCIe NMVe SSD). And for some brands they may not even exist.

 

[Megahertz07]

As you probably know, M$ is installing an update that prevents WU to work on win 7 with 7th gen Intel CPUs. There is also a workaround. Unofficial Patch Unblocks Windows 7 and 8.1 Updates for Kaby Lake, Ryzen - ExtremeTech

 

[elmo37]

Mega

we already did the bios configs beforehand. but our new installer with drivers can only manage to install to hp prodesk 600 and not to acer. using the suggestions above, do i proceed to sysprep first then integrate the usb and sata drivers to the image later? do i need to have a separate image for acer and hp? im hoping to accomplish only one installer for all PC if possible.

we are constricted to 32 bits due to software compatibility (IBM percomms and other prehistoric softwares -_-).

 

[Megahertz07]

You have to separate the computers into two categories as they have different approaches to Win 7 install.
- Those that have chipsets till 5th generation.
- Those that have 6th (skylake) and 7th (Kabylake) chipsets.

For those that have chipsets till 5th generation, they are Win 7 compatible, just make sure that if you need to plug in a USB flash disk, you use a USB 2.0 and not a USB 3.x.

For those that has 6th (skylake) and 7th (Kabylake) chipsets you must add to the Win 7 installation disk:
- USB 3,x drivers
- SATA drivers
- M.2 PCIe NMVe drivers (if they have M.2 PCIe NMVe SSD). And for some brands they may not even exist.

Win 7 64 will run 32 programs the same way they run on Win 7 32. If they are Win XP programs you can run them on compatible mode.
After you install the program, right click on the shortcut created - Properties - Compatibility tab. You will find Compatibility mode since Win 95.