Preparing a Network Installation Disk --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract: This document describes manual procedures for preparing a floppy disk known as a network installation disk. This disk is a system disk that includes just enough software to start a computer, connect the computer to the network, and start the procedure for installing Windows NT from a shared network drive. A network installation disk is required to install beta versions of Windows NT 5.0 on computers that do not have a CD-ROM drive and cannot connect to a shared Windows NT directory on the network. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The most efficient way to install Windows NT(r) on multiple computers that do not have CD-ROM drives is to place a copy of the Windows NT setup files on a shared directory on a server and install the operating system from this directory on computers connected to the network. In order to use this method, all computers must be able to connect to the network, to gain access to the shared directory, and start the installation program. On new computers and on computers with no operating system installed, you must provide the files required for these tasks on a floppy disk. This floppy disk, known as a network installation disk, provides just enough software to begin installing Windows NT from the network. Windows NT 4.0 and earlier versions include the Network Client Administrator program (Ncadmin.exe), which prepares a network installation disk for you. However, because Network Client Administrator is not available on beta release versions of Windows NT 5.0, you must prepare the floppy disk manually. This document explains how to create a network installation disk and how to use it to install Windows NT. You might need to create several network installation disks. Each network installation disk includes hardware-specific files for one model of network adapter. If the computers on which you plan to install Windows NT by this method have different network adapters, you will need a different network installation disk for each model of adapter. Note If a computer has more than one network adapter installed, you only need to include on the network installation disk the hardware-specific files for the network adapter that you will use to connect to the network. After Windows NT is installed, you can configure the other network adapters. The procedure for preparing a network installation disk consists of the following steps. Install MS-DOS on a floppy disk. Copy the files required by the MS-DOS network client to the floppy disk. Copy the files required by TCP/IP to the floppy disk. Copy the hardware-specific files for a network adapter to the floppy disk. Edit the configuration files. Use the network installation disk to install Windows NT 5.0. The following sections describe these procedures in detail. Before You Begin You must complete the following tasks before you prepare a network installation disk. Compile a list of the network adapters installed in computers on which you are using a network installation disk. Each model of network adapter requires a different network installation disk with different hardware-specific files. Locate a computer running MS-DOS 6.2.2, if possible. The MS-DOS 6.2.2 operating system is the most reliable source for creating network installation disks. Because Windows NT does not require an MS-DOS partition, most computers running Windows NT are not suitable for this task. Note Computers running Windows 95 have an MS-DOS 7.0 partition. You can use a computer running MS-DOS 7.0 to create a network installation disk for Windows NT. However, the lock command in MS-DOS 7.0 can lock a computer's hard disk drive and prevent the Windows NT Setup program from copying required files to the drive. If you must use MS-DOS 7.0 to create a network installation disk, at the top of the Autoexec.bat file included on the network installation disk, issue the unlock command. For more information, see "Troubleshooting Tips," later in this document.. Installing MS-DOS A network installation disk is configured as an MS-DOS bootable disk. The first step in the process of creating a network installation disk is to install a minimal MS-DOS system on the floppy disk, that is, to configure a DOS boot sector on the floppy disk and to transfer MS-DOS system boot files to the disk. You install MS-DOS on the floppy disk by formatting the floppy disk as a system disk. You can use any computer with MS-DOS and a floppy disk drive for this task. You do not have to use the computer on which you are installing Windows NT. Note The instructions in this document assume that the floppy disk drive is designated as drive A. If it is not, substitute the drive letter of your floppy disk drive for all instances of a: in these instructions. To install MS-DOS on the floppy disk 1. Locate a computer with MS-DOS, preferably MS-DOS 6.2.2. Start the computer and select MS-DOS during system startup. 2. Insert a high-density floppy disk in the floppy disk drive. 3. At the command prompt, type: format a: /s This command creates an MS-DOS boot sector on the floppy disk and transfers the following files to the disk. Io.sys Msdos.sys Drvspace.bin Command.com When the transfer is complete, the system displays the following at the command prompt: Format complete. System transferred Tip Io.sys, Msdos.sys, and Drvspace.sys are hidden, system files. To see these files in MS-DOS, at the command prompt, type: dir a: /a To see these files in File Manager, from the View menu, click By File Type, and then click Show Hidden/System Files. To see these files in Windows 95 Explorer or Windows NT Explorer, from the View menu, click Options, click the View tab, and click Show all files. Copying Files for the MS-DOS Network Client The MS-DOS network client requires that certain files be present on the network installation disk in order to connect a computer to the network. With the exception of System.ini, you can copy these files from the Clients subdirectory of Windows NT Server CD, version 4.0 or earlier and modify them to suit your installation. Copy the following files to your floppy disk or use a text editor to create them. The text required in these files is provided in "Editing the Text Files," later in this document. Autoexec.bat Config.sys Then, create a subdirectory on the floppy disk called Net, and copy the following files from the Clients subdirectory of a Windows NT Server CD version 4.0 or earlier into the Net subdirectory: Emm386.exe Himem.sys Ifshlp.sys Ndishlp.sys Net.exe Net.msg Protman.dos Protman.exe Protocol.ini Setup.inf Shares.pwl Wcnet.inf Wcsetup.inf Wfwsys.cfg Lastly, add a System.ini file to the Net subdirectory. This file is not provided on the Windows NT Server CD, but you can use a text editor to create this file. The text for the System.ini file is provided in "Editing the Text Files," later in this document. Copying Files for TCP/IP Most network-based installations of Windows NT use the TCP/IP network protocol. TCP/IP requires the following files on the network installation disk. You can copy these files from the Clients subdirectory of Windows NT Server CD version 4.0 or earlier. Emsbfr.exe Lmhosts Nemm.dos Netbind.com Networks Nmtsr.exe Protocol Tcpdrv.dos Tcptsr.exe Tcputils.ini Tinyrfc.exe Umb.com These TCP/IP files are common to all network adapters. Do not modify these files. Copying Files for a Network Adapter At this point, the network installation disk you have created contains only common files. The remaining files for the network installation disk are specific to the network adapter on the computer on which you are installing Windows NT. Most network adapters require only one file, a real-mode MS-DOS driver for the network adapter. These hardware-specific files are usually included with the network adapter. If you do not have these files, you can obtain them from the manufacturer of the network adapter. Often, you can download them from the manufacturer's Web site. You must prepare a network installation disk for each model of network adapter that you will use to connect a computer to the network. For each network installation disk you create, copy the files required for one network adapter to the Net directory on the network installation disk. Note Prepare a separate network installation disk for each network adapter represented in your enterprise. You cannot install the files for more than one type of network adapter on a network installation disk. The following table shows the real-mode driver files required for some commonly used network adapters. Caution This table is provided for your convenience. It might not contain the most current information for network adapters supported by Windows NT 5.0. Consult the manufacturer to determine the required real-mode driver for your network adapter. Network adapter Real-mode driver files 3Com( EtherLink( Elnk.dos 3Com EtherLink 16 Elnk16.dos 3Com EtherLink II or IITP (8 or 16-bit) Elnkii.dos 3Com EtherLink III Elnk3.dos 3Com EtherLink Plus Elnkpl.dos 3Com EtherLink/MC Elnkmc.dos 3Com TokenLink( Tlnk.dos ARCNET Compatible Smc_arc.dos Artisoft( AE-1 Ne1000.dos Artisoft AE-2 (MCA) or AE-3 (MCA) Ne2000.dos Artisoft AE-2 or AE-3 Ne2000.dos DEC( (DE100) EtherWorks LC Depca.dos DEC (DE101) EtherWorks LC/TP Depca.dos DEC (DE102) EtherWorks LC/TP_BNC Depca.dos DEC (DE200) EtherWorks Turbo Depca.dos DEC (DE201) EtherWorks Turbo/TP Depca.dos DEC (DE202) EtherWorks Turbo/TP_BNC Depca.dos DEC (DE210) EtherWorks MC Depca.dos DEC (DE211) EtherWorks MC/TP Depca.dos DEC (DE212) EtherWorks MC/TP_BNC Depca.dos DEC DEPCA Depca.dos DEC EE101 (Built-In) Depca.dos s DEC Ethernet (All Types) Depca.dos DECpc 433 WS (Built-In) Depca.dos HP( PC LAN Adapter/16 TL Plus (HP27252) Hplanp.dos HP PC LAN Adapter/16 TP (HP27247A) Hplanb.dos HP PC LAN Adapter/16 TP Plus (HP27247B) Hplanp.dos HP PC LAN Adapter/8 TL (HP27250) Hplanb.dos HP PC LAN Adapter/8 TP (HP27245) Hplanb.dos IBM( Token Ring Ibmtok.dos IBM Token Ring (All Types) Ibmtok.dos IBM Token Ring (MCA) Ibmtok.dos IBM Token Ring 4/16Mbs Ibmtok.dos IBM Token Ring 4/16Mbs (MCA) Ibmtok.dos IBM Token Ring II Ibmtok.dos IBM Token Ring II/Short Ibmtok.dos Intel( EtherExpress( 16 (MCA) Exp16.dos Intel EtherExpress 16 or 16TP Exp16.dos Intel TokenExpress 16/4 Olitok.dos Intel TokenExpress EISA 16/4 Olitok.dos Intel TokenExpress MCA 16/4 Olitok.dos National Semiconductor AT/LANTIC EtherNODE 16-AT3 Ne2000.dos National Semiconductor Ethernode *16AT Ne2000.dos NCR( Token-Ring 16/4 Mbs ISA Strn.dos NCR Token-Ring 16/4 Mbs MCA Strn.dos NCR Token-Ring 4 Mbs ISA Strn.dos NE1000 Compatible Ne1000.dos NE2000 Compatible Ne2000.dos Novell/Anthem NE/2 Ne2000.dos Novell/Anthem NE1000 Ne1000.dos Novell/Anthem NE1500T Am2100.dos Novell/Anthem NE2000 Ne2000.dos Novell/Anthem NE2100 Am2100.dos Olicom 16/4 Token-Ring Adapter Olitok.dos Proteon ISA Token Ring (1340) Pro4.dos Proteon ISA Token Ring (1342) Pro4.dos Proteon ISA Token Ring (1346) Pro4at.dos Proteon ISA Token Ring (1347) Pro4at.dos Proteon MCA Token Ring (1840) Pro4.dos Proteon Token Ring (P1390) Ndis39xr.dos Proteon Token Ring (P1392) Ndis39xr.dos Racal NI6510 Ni6510.dos SMC( ARCNET PC100,PC200 Smc_arc.dos SMC ARCNET PC110,PC210,PC250 Smc_arc.dos SMC ARCNET PC120,PC220,PC260 Smc_arc.dos SMC ARCNET PC130/E Smc_arc.dos SMC ARCNET PC270/E Smc_arc.dos SMC ARCNET PC600W,PC650W Smc_arc.dos SMC ARCNET PS110,PS210 Smc_arc.dos SMC ARCNETPC Smc_arc.dos SMC EtherCard (All Types except 8013/A) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS (WD/8003E) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS 10T (WD/8003W) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS 10T/A (MCA) (WD 8003W/A) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS 16 With Boot ROM Socket (WD/8013EBT) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS Elite (WD/8003EP) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS Elite 16 (WD/8013EP) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS Elite 16 Combo (WD/8013EW or 8013EWC) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS Elite 16T (WD/8013W) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS TP (WD/8003WT) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS With Boot ROM Socket (WD/8003EB)" Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS With Boot ROM Socket (WD/8003EBT) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS/A (MCA) (WD 8003E/A or 8003ET/A) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS/A (MCA,BNC/AUX) (WD 8013EP/A) Smcmac.dos SMC EtherCard PLUS/A (MCA,TP/AUX) (WD 8013EW/A) Smcmac.dos SMC StarCard PLUS (WD/8003S) Smcmac.dos SMC StarCard PLUS With On Board Hub (WD/8003SH) Smcmac.dos SMC StarCard PLUS/A (MCA) (WD 8003ST/A) Smcmac.dos Xircom Pocket Ethernet I Pendis.dos Xircom Pocket Ethernet II Pe2ndis.dos Zenith( Data Systems NE2000 Compatible Ne2000.dos Zenith Data Systems Z-Note I82593.dos Editing the Configuration Files After copying the required files to your floppy disk, you must edit the configuration files to add the commands that will connect the computer to the network and begin the installation process. This section includes text for the following files. Autoexec.bat Config.sys System.ini You can use a text editor, such as Notepad, to copy the required text directly from this document and paste it into your configuration files. Note If the floppy disk drive in the computer on which you are installing Windows NT is not designated as drive A, substitute the drive letter of your floppy disk drive for all instances of a: in the following sections. Autoexec.bat You can create a new Autoexec.bat file, or you can edit the Autoexec.bat file you copied, and replace the text it contains with the following text. path=a:\net a:\net\net initialize a:\net\netbind.com a:\net\umb.com a:\net\tcptsr.exe a:\net\tinyrfc.exe a:\net\nmtsr.exe a:\net\emsbfr.exe a:\net\net start net use z:\\\ echo Running setup... z:\setup.exe /$ Replace and with the name of the server and shared directory containing the Windows NT setup files, and replace with the complete path to the Windows NT setup files. Config.sys You can create a new Config.sys file, or you can edit the Config.sys file you copied, and replace the text it contains with the following text. files=30 device=a:\net\ifshlp.sys lastdrive=z DEVICE=A:\NET\HIMEM.SYS DEVICE=A:\NET\EMM386.EXE NOEMS DOS=HIGH,UMB System.ini The System.ini file identifies the computer and user to the network. This file is not included on the Windows NT Server CD, but you can use a text editor, such as Notepad, to copy the text below to a file you create, and save it as System.ini. Be sure to place the file in the Net subdirectory on the network installation disk. The following text must appear in the System.ini file on the network installation disk. [network] filesharing=no printsharing=no autologon=yes computername= lanroot=A:\NET username= workgroup= reconnect=no dospophotkey=N lmlogon=0 logondomain= preferredredir=full autostart=full maxconnections=8 [network drivers] netcard= transport=tcpdrv.dos,nemm.dos devdir=A:\NET LoadRMDrivers=yes [Password Lists] Replace with the name of the real-mode driver file you copied to the network installation disk. You can replace the , , and entries in System.ini with appropriate names for the computer on which you are installing Windows NT, or you can enter generic names. If you enter generic names, you can use the network installation disk on many different computers without editing the System.ini file before each use. Later, after Windows NT is installed, you can use Network in Control Panel to insert the correct names for each computer. If you use generic names, make certain that the computer name in System.ini is unique while the network installation disk is in use, and that the user name is the name of a user that has permission to connect to the network and read files from the shared directory. Using the Network Installation Disk To use the network installation disk, turn off power to the computer on which you want to install Windows NT, insert the disk in the floppy disk drive of the computer, and then turn on power to the computer. The computer starts by using the MS-DOS instructions on the network installation disk. The instructions on the disk direct the MS-DOS system to connect to the network and to the shared directory (specified in the System.ini file) on which the Windows NT setup files reside. After the setup files are located (in the path specified in the System.ini file), the Windows NT Setup program starts. Follow the instructions in Setup to install Windows NT on the computer. From this point forward, the installation procedure is the same as if you were installing Windows NT from a Windows NT Server CD or Windows NT Workstation CD. When Setup is complete, use Network in Control Panel to enter a unique computer name, as well as a user name and domain name for the computer. Troubleshooting Tips If the network installation disk does not work correctly, try the following troubleshooting tips. Make sure that BIOS boot sequence on the computer in which you are inserting the network installation disk includes FDD (floppy disk drive). If the computer has an operating system on its hard disk, make sure that FDD appears before HDD in the boot sequence. Make sure that the user listed in System.ini has permission to read files from the shared network directory. Make sure that the computer name in System.ini is unique on the network. The real-mode driver files might include default settings. Examine the files to be certain that they include variations for your network. For specific information, consult the documentation for the network adapter. If you used a computer running MS-DOS 7.0 to create the network installation disk, and the system displays messages indicating that Setup cannot write to the computer's hard disk, MS-DOS 7.0 might have locked your computer's hard disk. To resolve this problem, add the following text to the top of the Autoexec.bat file on the network installation disk. unlock c: If you are installing Windows NT on a drive other than the C drive, you must unlock both drives. Add a second command to unlock the affected drive, as follows: unlock : Then, repeat the procedure described earlier in this document.