User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

tjg79 said:

My XML script won't run. I keep getting an error message that indicates: Windows could not parse or process unattend answer file [c:\relocate.xml]. The answer file is invalid. The error was detected at line 9 column 3 of the answer file.

I've checked my transcription of the text for this file many times and I'm moved the line 9 indent forward and backward. If I move the indent to 0, the error message indicates that the error was detected at column 0. If I move the indent one space bar in, I get error at column 2. As I've indicated, I've retyped, and checked syntax many times and I always get the error.

The error message is clear and is only shown when there really is something wrong with the answer file.

Please post the answer file exactly as it is. Use the CODE tags when posting it ([CODE]The Answer file here[/CODE]).

Kari

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>
<ProgramData>d:\ProgramData</ProgramData>
<FolderLocations>
</component>
</settings>
<cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:E:/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 
PROFESSIONAL" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>

The code above is my file.

I've attempted runs from both C:\ & D:\.

I've disabled all third party services except some NVIDIA and Intel RST.

I couldn't enter audit mode from the command prompt window, I had to do it from SAFE Mode command prompt.

Now, I can't get out of audit mode. When I change the Sysprep pop-up to OOBE boot, I get a fatal error. When I reboot, I'm back in audit mode.

These two issues may be related.

Another general observation about the Audit Mode install was that I couldn't download updates in Audit Mode. Is that typical? For my install, once I entered the OOBE and installed the software key, the downloads were activated.

tjg79 said:

I couldn't enter audit mode from the command prompt window, I had to do it from SAFE Mode command prompt.

The answer file seems to be OK.

From the beginning, you have done this wrong. If you can't enter Audit Mode as told in instructions, something is wrong in your system and you should post or search for advice instead if thinking "OK I'll try it in another way". Safe Mode and Sysprep are no friends.

Anyway, let's now try to get you out of the Audit Mode. While still in Audit Mode, please copy the file SETUPACT.LOG from the folder C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther to desktop. When copied, right click the file and select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.

This creates a ZIP archive of your log file. Attach that ZIP file here in your next post, I will check the log to see what's causing your fatal error.

Tutorial about how to attach files in your post: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Kari

No clear reason for the error shown in the log. Next you could try this command (elevated command prompt):

Code:

%windir%\system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe /oobe /quit

When done, reboot normally and see if Windows boots to normal mode. I am afraid that if this does not work, the options are limited: a system restore, restoring a system image or reinstall.

tjg79 said:

Is it normal for updates not to install in Audit Mode?

Yes, Windows Update does not work in Audit Mode.

tjg79 said:

I'll attempt a clean install in Audit Mode and once I get to Audit Mode desktop, I'll attemp to run the script per the tutorial. If I run into any issues, I'll post first to get a recommendation.

Thanks for the compliments :)

If updating Windows before you even start customizing is important, this works but includes a bit extra work:

• Install Windows normally, creating the initial admin user
• Update Windows
• Boot to Audit Mode
• Remove the user you created if no longer needed
• Customize and sysprep

Keep us posted :)

This is a different new clean install with the same xml script problem. Below are some screen shots, the code, the xml file in compressed folder, and the log files.

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>
    <ProgramData>d:\ProgramData</ProgramData>
   <FolderLocations>
  </component>
 </settings>
 <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:E:/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>

Sysprep Log Files.zip

Relocate.zip

This was a clean install per your tutorial. I didn't load any drivers or software once I booted into Audit Mode. The only thing different from most on this install is that I'm running an Intel RST Raid 1 (mirror) with two partitions, one is C:\ (200 GB) and the other is D:\ (735 GB). In the motherboard BIOS, I set the SATA drives to RAID and I configure the RAID type and partition size in the Intel utility during POST. During the Win 7 install, I F6 the RST driver. This is an Intel DX58SO motherboard and the Intel Desktop RAID is a feature of this board. As far as I've experienced using Intel RST for about six years, the feature is completely invisible to Win 7. I've had no issues with Intel RST.

Also, I'm installing an OEM version of Win 7 Pro x64

When I first booted into Audit Mode, I setup and quick formatted Drive D:\ so that it would be available for the relocation. I then shutdown to add a disk to an available SATA port on the mb. The added disk has my Intel hardware drivers in folders. I then restarted and the system booted into Audit Mode without issue.

Also, I can change between Audit Mode and OOBE Mode with this install.

Do the attached log files give any indication as to the problem with the xml script? Are there any other log files in Audit Mode that would give an indication as to why the xml script failed to run?

There are no Windows Updates downloaded and installed. Does the xml script require any Windows Updates to run properly?

Regards