Copyright: Batch Setup Help by Christopher Vaughan, 1995


Batch Setup Help
Help for Batch Setup

Batch Setup 1.0a  creates a setup script that can be used to automate Windows 95 Setup by running in batch mode, making Windows 95 installation easier and faster, especially where several networks computers are involved.

See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for specific information regarding all batch setup options.

Click a topic for more information:

 Batch Setup Features

 Batch Setup Basics

 Help on Specific Options

You can load a setup script (in MSBATCH.INF format) with Batch Setup by including the filename on the command line. For example:  batch c:\myfile.inf


Batch Setup Basics

 Go to Procedures for Custom Settings

Batch Setup provides these capabilities:

You can use the setup script created by Batch Setup to automate the Windows 95 Setup process, installing the operating system and other components without having to provide additional information during Setup such as the installation type, target folder, and so on. This is the most basic use for Batch Setup, and is especially helpful for installing Windows 95 on several computers. Windows 95 Setup will prompt for any settings left blank unless you choose otherwise.

You can use Batch Setup to customize many Windows 95 settings that are usually made after installation. These settings include network settings (protocols, services, and so on) and the optional components (games, disk tools, and so on) to be installed. This is helpful in standardizing the Windows 95 installation on several computers, especially for network settings. You can also use Batch Setup settings to restrict user choices during Windows 95 Setup.

Running Batch Setup creates a customized setup information (.INF) file in MSBATCH.INF format, which serves as a script during installation. Windows 95 Setup consults this file instead of prompting for each piece of information. Setup does not have to stop and wait for input, so you can install Windows 95 virtually unattended and at full speed.

To run Windows 95 Setup with the script, use the setup command followed by the path and filename for the INF file created by Batch Setup. (This file is named BSETUP.INF by default.) For example, type the following at the command line:

   setup c:\bsetup.inf

The Windows 95 Setup program will begin installation, consulting the INF file as required.

Important:

When Batch Setup writes to an existing INF file, it attempts to save all possible settings. Any unknown options will be left untouched by Batch Setup.

Batch Setup cannot automate some Windows 95 Setup dialog boxes. For example, messages that cannot be skipped include "Looking for a Previous Version of Windows," and warnings about disk space and conflicting network components. Error messages will cause Setup to stop and wait for user input.

If you run Windows 95 Setup with an INF file created by Batch Setup, you will not be warned to remove any disk in the floppy drive before Setup restarts the computer. Be sure all floppy disks are removed from drives before starting Setup.

Batch Setup is based on information from Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit.


To automate Windows 95 settings
Procedures for Custom Settings for Windows 95

 Go to Batch Setup Basics

1	Run Batch Setup.

2	In the Setup Information dialog box, type information in the appropriate list boxes.

3	If these settings are sufficient for your batch setup installation, click the Done button to create the INF file and quit Batch Setup. To define more settings instead of using the default settings, continue to the next step.

4	Click the Installation Options button to define custom installation settings.

5	In the Installation Options dialog box, type or select settings as required.

Note: If you select "Custom" as the installation type, you must define more settings in the Optional Components dialog box. Click OK to record settings and return to the Setup Information dialog box. If no other settings are required, click Done button to create the INF file and end the session. To define more settings, continue to the next step.

6	If you selected "Custom" as the Installation-type in the Installation Options dialog, click the Optional Components button to make your custom selections of which components to include in the completed Windows 95 installation. The default settings reflect those of a "Typical" installation. To include a component, make sure its check box contains a check mark. To exclude a component, clear its check box. Click OK to record settings and return to the Setup Information dialog box.

7	Click the Network Options button to define network settings. In the Network Options dialog box, type the values as required. Click OK to record the settings and return to the Setup Information dialog box. If no other settings are required, click the Done button to create the INF file and end the session. To define more settings, continue to the next step.

8	When you are satisfied that all settings are correct, click the Done button. Batch Setup creates an INF file in MSBATCH.INF format with the default name of BSETUP.INF and then ends the Batch Setup session.

9	Run Windows 95 Setup using setup c:\bsetup.inf at the command line.

You must specify a complete path for the INF file. Otherwise, Setup will stop with an error.


Help on Batch Setup Options

 Go to Batch Setup Basics

 Setup Information

 Network Options

      TCP/IP Options

      Other Options

 Installation Options

      Set (Administrative Options)

      Printers

      Uninstall

 Optional Components

 Batch-Mode Save


Setup Information Dialog Box

 Go to Help on Batch Setup Options

Batch Setup provides the following options:

Your Name  (text box)	Type the name of the person to whom Windows 95 will be registered. The name appears in many Help About dialog boxes.
Company Name  (text box)	Type the name of the company to which Windows 95 will be registered. The name appears in many Help About dialog boxes.
Computer Name  (text box)	Type a unique name for the computer on which Windows 95 will be installed. Many networks require a separate name for each computer. Choose a name that will not conflict with names already on the network. If a name conflict occurs during Setup, Setup prompts for a name change. You can use no more than 15 alphanumeric characters and the following: !  @  $  %  ^  (  )  {  }  _  ~  .  Do not use all periods.
Workgroup  (text box)	Type the name of the computer's primary workgroup. Ask your system administrator or MIS department for the name of the workgroup to which you belong (for example, "Marketing" or "3rdFloorNorth"). The workgroup name has the same limits as the computer name.
Description  (text box)	Type a short description of your computer. Many networks allow you to search for specific computers over the network using text from this description string. Typically, the description names the operator, the location of the computer, or the purpose of the computer ("Print Server"). The description can be no longer than 48 characters.
If you leave one or more text boxes blank, these are the possible results:

If Windows 95 Setup is run over Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, or Windows 95, Setup will take the information from the existing version of Windows and continue without stopping.

If Windows 95 Setup is run from MS-DOS (with or without an existing version of Windows) or from Windows 3.0, Setup prompts you for the information.

For information about controlling whether Windows 95 Setup stops for certain dialog boxes, see Set (Administrative Options) dialog box.


Network Options
Network Options Dialog Box

 Go to Help on Batch Setup Options

To access the Network Options dialog box, click the Network Options button in the main Setup Information dialog box.

The Network Options dialog box has the following groups:

 Available Protocols

 Available Clients

 Available Services

 User-Level Security

 Netcard Options

 Enable Server-Based Setup

 Other Network Options


Available Protocols Group

 Go to Network Options

This group is part of the Network Options dialog box. You can select up to three protocols.

Net/BEUI  (check box)	Check this to specify the NetBEUI protocol.
IPX/SPX compatible protocol (check box)	Check this to specify the IPX/SPX protocol.
Enable NetBIOS over IPX (check box)	For applications that require NetBIOS support with the IPX/SPX protocol. Ask your system administrator if you should enable this option.
Frame type  (list box)	Windows 95 automatically detects the appropriate frame type for IPX/SPX, but you can force a specific frame type by choosing it from the Frame Type list box. However, if you choose a frame type that is not available on your network, you will not be able to communicate with the rest of the network.
TCP/IP  (check box)	Check this to specify the TCP/IP protocol.
TCP/IP Settings  (button)	Click this to specify TCP/IP Settings.


Available Clients Group

 Go to Network Options

This group is part of the Network Options dialog box. A computer can have multiple protected-mode network clients.

Client for Microsoft Networks (check box)	This is the default client for Microsoft Networks. It allows access to computers running File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, Windows NT, and LAN Manager-compatible clients and servers on the network.
Validate Logon to NT Domain  (check box)	If you check the Validate Logon box, you will be asked to log on to a Windows NT domain when you start Windows 95. This option should be enabled for Microsoft networks.
Logon Domain  (text box)	Type the name of the Windows NT domain to be used for logon validation.
Client for NetWare Networks  (check box)	This client allows access to NetWare servers and Windows 95 computers running File and Printer Sharing for NetWare Networks.
Preferred Server  (text box)	Type the name of the preferred NetWare server (if any) to validate your logon.
First Net Drive  (combo box)	Select the lowest letter allowed for a network drive to map to (the default is F).
Enable logon script processing (check box)	Check this box to enable the Windows 95 logon script processor for NetWare networks.
Default logon (combo box)	This box allows you to select which client you prefer to set as the default.  This box will only be enabled if you have chosen to install both the client for Windows networks and the client for NetWare networks.


Available Services Group

 Go to Network Options

This group is part of the Network Options dialog box

A Windows 95 computer can run File and Printer Sharing services for either Microsoft networks or NetWare networks, but not both.

No Services  (radio button)	Check this option to disable file and print sharing on a given computer. This option is especially appropriate for computers with low memory or limited processing power.
File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks  (radio button)	This is the default peer sharing service for Microsoft networking, allowing the computer to share files, folders, printers, and CD-ROM drives with other computers on the network. To run this service, the computer must also have Client for Microsoft Networks loaded.
File and Print Sharing for NetWare Networks (radio button)	Enables the Windows 95 computer to look like a NetWare server to other computers running NetWare-compatible clients. To run this service, the computer must also have Client for NetWare Networks loaded.


User-Level Security Group

 Go to Network Options

This group is part of the Networks Options dialog box.

Check this option to specify user-level or share-level security.

Computers running File and Print Sharing for NetWare Networks can only use user-level security.

Computers running File and Print Sharing services for Microsoft networking can use either share-level or user-level security. However, to use user-level security, a Windows NT domain or workstation must be available to validate user accounts.

A computer can use user-level security for assigning rights to services such as Dial-Up Networking without running a File and Print Sharing service.

Security Provider  (text box)	For computers with File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks with user-level security enabled, you must type a valid Windows NT domain name or the computer name of a Windows NT Workstation computer. For File and Print Sharing for NetWare Networks, you must type the name of a NetWare server that can validate user accounts.
Windows NT domain  (radio button)	Check if user accounts for user-level security are stored on a Windows NT domain.
Windows NT server  (radio button)	Check if user accounts for user-level security are stored on a computer running Windows NT Workstation.
NetWare server (radio button)	Check if user accounts for user-level security are stored on a NetWare server.


Netcard Options Group

 Go to Network Options

This group is part of the Network Options dialog box.

Ignore Detected Net Cards  (check box)	This option is off by default and should only be changed by a system administrator. Check this option to override hardware detection of network adapters. See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for information on how to supply net card information in the setup script. The Batch Setup program does not support Net Card Information settings.


Enable Server-Based Setup Group

 Go to Network Options

This group is part of the Network Options dialog box.

Check this option to create a shared installation of Windows 95 that runs from a server. Windows 95 Setup will copy only a small portion of the operating system files to the workstation or to a machine directory on the network. Most system files will reside on a central server from which all shared installations will run.

You must choose the correct option for how the workstation will start: Hard Disk boot, Floppy boot, or Remote boot. For Floppy Boot and Remote Boot, you will be prompted to enter the name of a machine directory on the network where specific system files are to be copied. For more information, see Chapter 4, "Server-Based Setup for Windows 95," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit.

Hard disk boot  (radio button)	Select this when the workstation has a hard disk to which the system startup files can be copied.
Floppy boot  (radio button)	Select this for computers that have a floppy disk but no hard disk for starting the computer.
Remote boot (radio button)	Select this for computers with no hard drive and no floppy drive and which use the RPL Boot PROMs on the net card.


Third-Party Network Options
Other Network Options

 Go to Network Options

You can check any of the listed options to install Windows 95 support for the related network. You must have the supporting software from the network provider already installed on the computer.

To access the Other Network Options dialog box, click the Others button in the Network Options dialog box. See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for the appropriate strings required to install options for networks from other vendors.

Protocols Clients Services	Enter a comma-separated list of network options in each area for additional network components or third-party network clients. Use these boxes to enable options like XNS support, Microsoft Network Monitor agents, and so on.  No error-checking is enabled for these options. Windows 95 Setup will use those options if it can, but might stop if it finds unknown settings in these areas.


TCP/IP Network Options

 Go to Available Protocols

To access this dialog box from the Network Options dialog box, check the TCP/IP check box and click the TCP/IP Settings button.

See Chapter 12, "Network Technical Discussion," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for complete information on TCP/IP. Incorrect settings will limit your ability to use TCP/IP. Contact your system administrator if you are uncertain of any setting.

This dialog box has the following groups:

 DNS Options

 IP Address

 IP Gateways

 WINS Options


DNS Options Group

 Go to TCP/IP Options

DNS Options is a group on the TCP/IP Options dialog box.

Enable DNS  (check box)	Check this to configure TCP/IP for DNS (Domain Name System) support. DNS is used on the Internet to locate host names. You must also enable this option to use the LMHOSTS file for NetBIOS computer name resolution.
Host  (text box)	Type your Host name for DNS as provided by your system administrator. The default Host name is your computer name.
Domain (text box)	Type the Domain name for DNS.
DNS Server  (text boxes)	Type the IP address of each DNS server. Click the Add button to add the IP address to the text box. To delete an IP address, select the address and click Remove. The order servers appear in the text box is the order they will be searched for when running over TCP/IP.
Domain Suffix  (text box)	Type a domain suffix of each DNS server. Click the Add button to add a domain suffix to the text box. To delete a domain suffix, select the suffix and click Remove. The order domain suffixes appear in the text box is the order they will be used when running over TCP/IP.


IP Address Group

 Go to TCP/IP Options

IP Address is a group on the TCP/IP Options dialog box.

Enable DHCP  (check box)	Check this to enable DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) for automatic TCP/IP configuration. A Windows NT server that acts as a DHCP server must be present on the network in order to use DHCP. If you do not intend to use DHCP, then you must provide an IP address.
IP Address  (text boxes)	If DHCP is disabled, type the appropriate IP address.
Subnet mask  (text boxes)	As a rule, leave this blank. This subnet mask will be assigned based on your IP address during Windows 95 Setup. If you know you require a different subnet mask, enter it in the text boxes.


IP Gateways Group

 Go to TCP/IP Options

IP Gateways is a group on the TCP/IP Options dialog box.

Gateway  (text boxes)	Type the IP address of a gateway. Click the Add button to add the address to the list box. To delete a gateway IP address from the list box, select the address and click Remove. The order of the addresses in the list box indicates the order in which they will be search.


WINS Options Group

 Go to TCP/IP Options

WINS Options is a group on the TCP/IP Options dialog box.

WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) requires a Windows NT WINS server to provide NetBIOS name resolution over TCP/IP. This in turn allows computers running only TCP/IP to learn the NetBIOS name of any computer on the network. You can either specify a pair of WINS servers or, if DHCP has been enabled, you can specify that DHCP is to assign the WINS servers.

Disable WINS resolution  (radio button)	Select this to disable WINS.
Enable WINS  (radio button)	Select this to enable WINS.
Enable WINS through DHCP (radio button)	Select this to enable WINS and instruct DHCP to assign the WINS server.
Primary WINS  (text boxes)	When the Enable WINS radio button is selected, type the IP address of the primary WINS server.
Secondary WINS  (text boxes)	When the Enable WINS radio button is selected, type the IP address of the secondary WINS server.
Scope ID  (text box)	Type the scope ID for a particular group of computers. Leave this option blank unless you know a value is required.
LMHosts file  (text box)	Type the name and path of the LMHOSTS file, which provides the same information as a WINS server, except the information it contains is static. The LMHOSTS file is in the WINDOWS folder by default. To use LMHOSTS, you must also enable DNS.


Installation Options Dialog Box

 Go to Help on Batch Setup Options

To access the Installation Options dialog box, click the Installation Options button in the main Setup Information dialog box. See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for information.

This dialog box contains the following groups:

 Setup Options

 Time Zone

 Monitor Settings

 Set (Administrative Options)

 Printers

 Uninstall


Setup Options Group

 Go to Installation Options

This group is part of the Installation Options dialog box. See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for information on the following options.

Search Source Folders for Devices  (check box)	Check this to force Windows 95 to continually scan the Installation Location (typically a Network folder) for new INF files and new supported devices. This option allows a system administrator to distribute new drivers from a central location; all computers installed from that point will pick up the changes. This option is of little use for compact disc or floppy disk installations.
Prompt for Startup Disk (check box)	Check this to force Windows 95 Setup to create a "Emergency Startup" disk during Setup
Enable PenWindows Warning  (check box)	Check this to force Setup to notify you if an unknown or incompatible version of PenWindows is detected on the computer's disk. This option has no effect on computers that do not have PenWindows installed.
Auto-answer No to All Version Conflict Dialogs  (check box)	Check this option to specify that Windows 95 Setup will overwrite existing files automatically, even if the date of the local copy is later than the date for the file in the distribution source.
Type of Installation  (combo box)	Select the type of installation. The choices are "Typical," "Compact," "Portable," and "Custom." Changing this option changes the default options that are installed during Setup. If you want to allow a complete range of choices during Setup, select "Custom."
Installation directory  (text box)	Type the name of the directory in which Windows 95 will be installed. It defaults to the directory where Windows is currently installed. If you are creating a template for another computer, you might have to change this default. If you leave this entry blank and perform a Windows upgrade, Windows 95 will be installed over the old version. If this entry is blank and this is a new install, you will be prompted for the installation directory.


Time Zone Group

 Go to Installation Options

This group is part of the Installation Options dialog box. See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for information.

Time Zone  (combo box)	Select your time zone. If you leave this entry blank, you will be prompted during Setup to supply your time zone.


Monitor Settings Group

 Go to Installation Options

This group is part of the Installation Options dialog box.

These options allow you to select the color depth and screen resolution for Windows 95. By default, Windows 95 starts in 16-color mode (4 bits per pixel) at 640x480 screen resolution. An upgrade over an existing version of Windows should maintain the current monitor settings. If you supply a setting that your monitor or video card cannot support, Setup will default to 640x480, 16-color mode.

See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for information on the following options.

Color depth  (combo box)	Select the color depth here. The options are: 1 (monochrome), 4 (16 colors), 8 (256 colors), 15 (32,000 colors), 16 (64,000 colors), and 24/32 (16.7 million colors).
Resolution  (combo box)	Select resolution here. The options are: 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, and 1280 x 1024.


Optional Components Dialog Box

 Go to Help on Batch Setup Options

To access this dialog box, select "Custom" as the Installation type in the Installation Options dialog box and click the Optional Components button in the Setup Information dialog box.

If you select the "Custom" installation type but do not make changes in the Optional Components dialog box, Windows 95 Setup will use default settings, and the effect will be the same as if "Typical" had been chosen as the Installation-type.

When making changes to the Optional Components dialog box, keep the following in mind:

A check in a check box specifies a component to include.

A cleared check box specifies a component to exclude.

Batch Setup selects and unselects Optional Components in groups, but writes all individual keys to the INF file when saved. In this manner, you can manually edit a setup script to include certain components. For example, you can keep "Desktop Bitmaps" enabled while disabling "Robotz Sound Scheme."

For more information about a specific component, click once on its text. A dotted rectangle will appear around the text, and a description of the component will appear at the bottom of the dialog box.

Batch Setup reads the list of optional components from the file OPTIONAL.INI, which should be in the same directory as BATCH.EXE. You can edit this file to change the list of components and restrict what is available to users. For information, see OPTIONAL.INI Specifications.


Administrative Options

 Go to Installation Options

To access this option, click the Set button in the Installation Options dialog box. See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for information.

The settings in this dialog box control whether Setup stops while installing Windows 95 to ask for or allow user input.

Don't stop during setup (radio button)	Specifies that Setup will run without user input. Setup will use defaults and will stop only in the case of an error condition.
Stop during setup (radio button)	Setup will stop and allow user input for any of the custom setting options selected in this list.


Printer Setup

 Go to Installation Options

To access this dialog box, click Printers in the Installation Options dialog box. See Appendix D, "MSBATCH.INF Parameters," in the Windows 95 Resource Kit for information.

This dialog box allows you to specify whether printers are installed during setup. You can specify that Setup will prompt you to install printers, or you can define settings to automatically install one or more printers. Click the Add button to add each printer description to the setup script.

Printer Name (text box)	A name that you define for the printer that can be any string that does not contain these characters:   \   ,   ;   =
Type of Printer (text box)	The exact driver name for any printer model supported under Windows 95, as defined in a printer INF file.
Printer Port (text box)	The port that this printer is attached to (such as LPT1) or a UNC path name to a network print queue.

For example:

"My Printer"="panasonic KX-P4420",FILE:
"Rachel's printer"="HP LaserJet IIISi",\\rachel1\printshare


Uninstall options

 Go to Installation Options

This page allows you to select what Uninstall method Windows 95 setup should use.

Don't perform Uninstall  (option button)	Choose this option if you do not want Windows 95 setup to create uninstallation information.
Show Uninstall wizard during  setup (option button)	Choose this option to have Windows 95 setup prompt you for uninstallation information during the setup process.  You will be able to customize this information at setup time.
Automatically perform Uninstall during setup (option button)	This option requires you to provide a backup directory for the uninstall information.  Windows 95 setup will write all necessary information out to this directory.  If you do not supply a backup directory, you will be prompted for one during setup.
Backup directory (text box)	Type the name of the directory to which you want uninstall information written.  You can only type in this box if youve chosen to have setup automatically perform Uninstall.


OPTIONAL.INI Specifications

 Go to Installation Options

This help section describes the specifications for creating or modifying the OPTIONAL.INI file that Batch Setup uses to determine the available optional components.

The file is uses standard INI conventions:

SECTION NAMES must be unique within the entire file. They must be enclosed in brackets -- for example, [Networks].

KEYS must be unique within each SECTION. They cannot contain semicolons (;) or leading spaces (which are ignored).

The primary SECTION within OPTIONAL.INI is the [AREAS] section. This section defined the available subareas for all Optional Components. Within this section, create a KEY in this format:

ENTRY#=Area Name

where each area's number (#) is one greater than the preceding entry. Do not enclose the Area Name in quotes unless you want it to be displayed in quotes.

An OPTIONAL.INI file can contain up to 20 unique Areas. This example shows an AREAS section:

[Areas]
Entry1=Accessories
Entry2=Communications
Entry3=Screen Savers
Entry4=The Microsoft Network

For each Area listed in the AREAS section, there should be a corresponding SECTION. Components for each section should be listed according to the same convention as the AREAS section. After the Component name, include a comma and then either a 0 (do not install component by default) or a 1 (install this component by default).

An OPTIONAL.INI file can contain up to 50 unique keys within each Area. Batch Setup processes the section until it finds an entry number that does not exist. If Batch Setup reads an entry that does not contain a default value, no further entries are processed. For example:

[Accessories]
Entry1=Cardfile,1
Entry2=Clipboard Viewer,0
Entry3=Object Packager,1
Entry4=Sound Recorder,0
Entry6=This won't get read in
   ; The Entry6 option won't be read
   ; because Setup will stop reading the file
   ; when it reaches 'Entry5' (which does not exist)

Three special categories can also be listed in the OPTIONAL.INI file:

Dependencies

Defunct

No Choice

For optional components that have dependencies (one component must be installed in order to install another), create a SECTION named [Dependencies].

To create a dependency, create a KEY using a KEYNAME that is the name of the component that requires the second component. The value of that KEY is the required component. Any single component can have only one dependency; however, there is no limit to how deeply nested dependent components can be. (Component A can require Component B, which requires Component C, and so on.) Make sure you don't create a circular dependency loop (A -> B -> C -> A), to avoid creating an endless loop!

There is no limit to the number of different DEPENDENCIES, other than a 1000-character limit for the entire SECTION. For example:

[Dependencies]
Direct Cable Connection=Dial-Up Networking
   ; DCC requires Dial-Up Networking
The Microsoft Network=Microsoft Exchange
   ; MSN requires Microsoft Exchange

A DEFUNCT section can be used to list optional components whose names might have changed. Currently, if a user opens an existing INF file that contains Optional Components that are not listed in the OPTIONAL.INI file, the entries are discarded. However, before discarding it, Setup checks the DEFUNCT section to see if the component has been given a new name.

The SECTION NAME should be [Defunct]. Within this SECTION, create a KEY whose name is the name of the OLD component name. The value of this KEY should be its new name. There is no limit to the number of DEFUNCT entries other than a 1000-character limit for the entire SECTION. For example:

[Defunct]
Extra Cursors=Mouse Pointers
   ; Extra Cursors' new name is Mouse Pointers
Nature Sound Scheme=Jungle Sound Scheme
   ; 'Nature' has been changed to 'Jungle'

To include a NOCHOICE section, include an entry similar to the normal optional components, as described above, plus a value for the choice -- 0 (for don't install) or 1 (for install). Options listed here cannot be changed by the user through the Setup dialog boxes, even if that option appears in the UI.

An option listed in this SECTION does not need to be listed anywhere else in the INI file. For example:

[NoChoice]
Entry1=The Microsoft Network,1
   ; MSN will always be installed
Entry2=Calculator,0
   ; Calculator will never be installed
Entry3=Custom Component,1
   ; Some third-party component that Windows Setup is aware of

 Go to OPTIONAL.INI Example


An Example OPTIONAL.INI File

 Go to Help on Batch Setup Options

You can copy and paste the following example into the directory where BATCH.EXE is located in case the existing OPTIONAL.INI file gets lost, destroyed, or corrupted. You can also add a [NoChoice] section anywhere in the file.

[Areas]

Area1=Accessibility Options

Area2=Accessories

Area3=Communications

Area4=Disk Tools

Area5=Microsoft Exchange

Area6=Microsoft Fax

Area7=Multi-Language Support

Area8=Multimedia

Area9=Screen Savers

Area10=The Microsoft Network

[Accessibility Options]

Entry1=Accessibility Options,0

[Accessories]

Entry1=Briefcase,0

Entry2=Calculator,1

Entry3=Character Map,0

Entry4=Desktop Wallpaper,0

Entry5=Document Templates,1

Entry6=Games,0

Entry7=Mouse Pointers,0

Entry8=Net Watcher,0

Entry9=Object Packager,1

Entry10=Online User's Guide,0

Entry11=Paint,1

Entry12=Quick View,0

Entry13=System Monitor,0

Entry14=System Resource Meter,0

Entry15=Windows 95 Tour,0

Entry16=WordPad,1

[Communications]

Entry1=Dial-Up Networking,0

Entry2=Direct Cable Connection,0

Entry3=HyperTerminal,1

Entry4=Phone Dialer,1

[Disk Tools]

Entry1=Backup,0

Entry2=Defrag,1

Entry3=Disk compression tools,1

[Microsoft Exchange]

Entry1=Microsoft Exchange,0

Entry2=Microsoft Mail Services,0

[Microsoft Fax]

Entry1=Microsoft Fax Services,0

Entry2=Microsoft Fax Viewer,0

[Multi-Language Support]

Entry1=Central European language support,0

Entry2=Cyrillic language support,0

Entry3=Greek Language support,0

[Multimedia]

Entry1=Audio Compression,1

Entry2=CD Player,1

Entry3=Jungle Sound Scheme,0

Entry4=Media Player,1

Entry5=Musica Sound Scheme,0

Entry6=Robotz Sound Scheme,0

Entry7=Sample Sounds,0

Entry8=Sound Recorder,1

Entry9=Utopia Sound Scheme,0

Entry10=Video Compression,1

Entry11=Volume Control,1

[Screen Savers]

Entry1=Additional Screen Savers,1

Entry2=Flying Windows,1

[The Microsoft Network]

Entry1=The Microsoft Network,0

[Dependencies]

Direct Cable Connection=Dial-Up Networking

Microsoft Fax Services=Microsoft Exchange

Microsoft Fax Viewer=Microsoft Fax Services

Microsoft Mail Services=Microsoft Exchange

The Microsoft Network=Microsoft Exchange

[Defunct]

Extra Cursors=Mouse Pointers

Windows Accessories=Accessories

Briefcase: File Synchronization=Briefcase

Hyper Terminal=HyperTerminal

Nature Sound Scheme=Jungle Sound Scheme

Microsoft Fax=Microsoft Fax Services


Batch Setup Features

 Go to Batch Setup Basics

Batch Setup can set and automate almost every setting available in Windows 95 Setup.

Computer and user information: You can specify the user's name, company name, computer name, workgroup, and computer description from Batch Setup.  You cannot specify a network user name during setup (you will be prompted to supply the network user name after setup restarts the computer). These options are available in the Setup Information dialog box.

Network clients: You can choose to install the Client for Microsoft Networks and the Client for NetWare Networks automatically. Options for each client can also be set from within Batch Setup, including validated logon,; preferred server, and the first network drive. You can also enable support for many third-party networks. You can specify these options in the Network Options dialog box.

Network protocols: Batch Setup includes support for automatically installing protected-mode stacks for NetBEUI, IPX/SPX, and TCP/IP. You can also define settings for IPX/SPX and TCP/IP.

Network services: You can choose to install the File and Printed sharing service for either Microsoft networks or NetWare networks in Batch Setup. Using information from the Windows 95 Resource Kit, you can choose to enable support for additional network services, clients, and protocols.

Custom Setup controls: Batch Setup makes it easy for administrators to control how much input a user has while running Windows 95 Setup. Administrators can choose which (if any) options Windows 95 Setup will stop for user input and which defaults to provide. This allows administrators to control as much of Setup for users as they choose. These options are available in the Set (Administrative Options) dialog box.

Printer support: You can use Batch Setup to set up printers. Choose to install specific printers (even network printers!), prompt the user to install printers, or skip the Printer Setup wizard altogether. See the Printers topic for more information.

Optional components: You can use Batch Setup to choose which Optional Components to include and exclude during Windows 95 Setup. Furthermore, the powerful customization ability of the Optional Components section allows administrators to limit certain choices and include new components that might not usually be provided with Windows 95. See the Optional Components topic for more information.

Uninstallation support:  Batch setup can be keyed to automatically create Uninstallation information, to automatically skip the Uninstall Wizard, or to prompt the user with the choice to do so.

Batch save capability: Batch Setup can save up to 9,999 separate INF files at once. By supplying a text file listing each machine's computer name (and optional IP address), you can save multiple INF files at once, all created from the same template. These options are provided in the Batch Save dialog box.


Batch Save
Batch Save Dialog Box

 Go to Help on Batch Setup Options

To access this dialog box, choose Batch-Mode Save from the File menu on the main Batch Setup page. This dialog box allows you to save multiple INF files using common settings except for those settings that must be unique.

Only two settings must be unique for a computer to work on a network: the Computer Name and IP Address. The batch-mode save process requires that you provide a list of Computer Names and, when appropriate, IP Addresses in a text file that Batch Setup can process.

The machine name file must be in plain text format (TXT) with no formatting. In this file, enter a single computer name on each line, with the line terminated with a carriage return/line feed (press ENTER after typing each name). On Microsoft networks, computer names can contain only alphanumeric characters and these characters:

!  @  $  %  ^  (  )  {  }  _  ~.

Do not use all periods. Other networks may have different requirements.

If you want to include an IP address for a given computer, put a single comma after the computer name and then type the IP address.

A single blank line signifies the end of the machine name file.
No error checking of these values is performed by the batch-mode save process.

If incorrect information is entered using batch-mode save, then Windows 95 Setup might stop and prompt the user to enter correct the information.

The following shows an example of a text file for batch-mode save:

Zarg!
P90_Mega_Machine, 128.2.3.4
Prt_Server_1
Duke, 128.3.4.5
Scarlett
Rhett

Notice that you can include an IP address for any particular computer without having to include addresses for all computers. (In the example, 'P90_Mega_Machine' and 'Duke' will be set up with previously defined IP addresses).

After you select the machine name file, Batch Setup reads and saves all names and addresses will be saved. A message announces how many names were read in.

You must then select a directory where all the INF files are to be saved. In the Select A Target Directory dialog box, find the directory you want to use. The directory must already exist. The name of the file in the File Name box is not important.

After the target directory has been selected, click the Save button. Batch Setup will create one INF file per name containing all the settings currently defined, using a series of files named BSTP0001.INF through BSTP9999.INF, written in the order that the names are listed in the machine name file. The only unique information in each file will be the Computer Name and any IP address provided. Using the previous example, the file BSTP0001.INF will contain the setup information for the computer named 'Zarg!,' and file BSTP0006.INF will contain the setup information for the computer named 'Rhett.'

Click the Close button to dismiss the Batch Save dialog box.