Windows XP Script to format drive
 

Ive just done a build for xp that calls a batch file which installs extra packages once xp is built (office 2003, adobe etc). This runs fine but i was wondering wheather its possible to get a script to format the d: drive into NTFS silently. The initial setup of xp is ran manualy so we select to install xp on c drive and make 2 partitions (c and d). the answer file calls a script on a server which pulls the packages down like below.

\\server\install\office.exe transform etc
\\server\install\adobe.exe /silent switch

ive searched on google and the like and know the syntax but i could only get it to format into a raw drive or prompt for input, this may be the only way as the potential nasty uses this could have but i thought id see if anyone knows different. :)

Main Reason for this is that a package that i install must have 2 partitions or it wont install. The D drive partition exists but isnt formatted or converted.

Would'nt you just use format D: /FS:NTFS /V:LABEL

This would only prompt you when its finished.

or

convert d: /fs:ntfs

by doing that it still says "all data will be lost continue y/n"

i need it to be totally silent just before the package installs, i think it may not be possible. The partition is made but not formatted or converted. Answer file can auto partition but only to one drive:(

think ive got it think its

format D: /FS:NTFS /V:LABEL /Q /Y

if that doesnt work.. use autoit.. its a bodge but would work, and do it via keypresses rather than the mouse..

David

Have found another way.. use diskpart.exe already in xp's sys32 directory
( unless its there coz ive installed all the admin tools )

go to here and scroll down
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...c12621675.mspx

here's a bit of it :

Creating DiskPart Scripts
You can create DiskPart scripts in text files by using any extension. To run a DiskPart script from the command line, type:

diskpart /s testscript.txt
To create a log file of the DiskPart session, type:

diskpart /s testscript.txt > logfile.txt
DiskPart does not have a format command. You must run the format command from the command prompt either manually or by using a batch file. The following example shows a batch file called Formatpart.bat and a DiskPart script called Createpart.txt. The batch file executes the DiskPart script and then runs the format command.

In Formatpart.bat:

diskpart /s createpart.txt
format g: /fs:ntfs
In Createpart.txt:

select disk 1
create volume simple size 4096
assign letter g

ta very much, off for a fag (smoke)

Interesting :)

cheers guys i was looking into diskpart but the scripts would have been an arse as i aint a demon scripter, im a muppet scripter:D

the one i mentioned works ( format D: /FS:NTFS /V:LABEL /Q /Y) and ive put the command half way down the program list as then if people click the batch file it doesnt format your drive straight away (if you have admin rights).

im looking now to add domin security group sids into local admin without being on the domain. Or doing it a much better way using RIS and riprep:)