WinME install configuration help!

Shippy

Golden Member
Oct 15, 1999
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I have one of the infamous Walmart Laptops (HP n5125). It has a 5g HD but only about 2.9g are available out of the box. Well, 99% of the stuff that was installed, I won't be using. So i figured if I reformat the hd and do a fresh install of WinME I could reclaim some HD space. I found the setup files in the directory \windows\options\cabs and I burned them to a cdrom. Next I reformated my HD and went to install WinME. Everything was going fine until right after I entered my serial #. Instead of letting me choose what options I wanted to install, it skipped all of that and just started installing. When it was all said and done, it loaded into Windows just fine (w/o modem & video drivers, but I installed them later).

Anyways, my question is, how can I choose what options I want to install? and also, can I have my serial # automatically entered (like on the Corporate editions)? Is there some .ini file or something that I can adjust? Everything seems to be working fine, but I'd rather be able to configure it the way I want before install, not after. Thanks for any help!

Shippy
 

SloppyB

Senior member
Dec 6, 2000
268
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After it installs everything...can't you add/remove the components you want/don't want?
 

WarCon

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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Any particular reason for switch to ME? I haven't seen any benefits on the various systems I work on that have it. Seen a whole bunch of negatives. It starts a whole new level of incompatibilities for software and hardware. I don't think you can have it auto enter the serial codes.
Sorry, not very UP about ME, if I was you and had my Windows 98 SE I would put it back on until ME Second Edition comes out.
 

AC

Senior member
Nov 2, 1999
616
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I prefer WinME over Win98SE.

Anyways, yes Shippy, you can have setup read from an "oemsetup.ini" file to automatically configure the installation just as you could with previous versions of Windows.

During the initial installation, it should've prompted you to select an installation method (e.g. typical, portable, minimum, custom, etc.)...if not, then the "oemsetup.ini" that you copied needs to be modified (or deleted/renamed)...remember, you could easily remove the options after the installation with the "add/remove programs" tool...
 

Shippy

Golden Member
Oct 15, 1999
1,830
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AC - There are only 2 *.ini files on the disc, OOBEINFO.INI & SCANDISK.INI. the OOBEINFO.INI Looks like it may be the file I need to modify. Your right, I could always go back and add/remove parts later but It would save time to do it initally. Thanks for the help.

WarCon - I seen a bootleg copy of WinME (called WinME Corporate Edition) that already has a serial # so I don't have to type anything in the box.