Using a Bootable Compact Disc

You use the bootable CD method to install Windows 2000 Server on a computer whose basic input/output system (BIOS) allows it to start from a CD. This method is quite useful for computers at remote sites with slow links and no local IT department. The bootable CD method runs Winnt32.exe, which allows for a fast installation.

Note

You can only use the bootable CD method for clean installations. To perform upgrades, you must run Winnt32.exe from within the existing operating system.

To ensure maximum flexibility, set the boot order in BIOS as follows:

• Network adapter
• CD
• Hard disk
• Floppy disk

To use a bootable CD, the following criteria must be met:

• Your computer must have El Torito No Emulation support for bootable CDs.
• The answer file must contain a [Data] section with the required keys.
• The answer file must be called Winnt.sif and be located on a floppy disk.

For more information about answer file parameters and syntax, see the "Microsoft Windows 2000 Guide to Unattended Setup" (Unattend.doc) on the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system CD. The Unattend.doc file is part of the Deploy.cab file in the \Support\Tools folder. On Windows 98 or Windows 2000, use Windows Explorer to extract this document. In Windows 95 and earlier, or in MS-DOS, use the Extract command to access the file.

To install Windows 2000 Server by using a bootable compact disc

1. Start the system from the Windows 2000 Server CD.
2. When the blue text-mode screen with "Windows 2000 Setup" appears, place the floppy disk containing the Winnt.sif file into the floppy disk drive.
3. Once the computer reads from the floppy disk drive, remove the floppy disk. Setup will now run from the CD, as specified by the Winnt.sif file.

Note

The bootable CD method requires that all necessary files be on the CD. Uniqueness Database Files (UDBs) cannot be used with this method.

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