Automating Network Setup Files via SETUP.INF

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a

SUMMARY

When Windows 3.0 is set up on a network workstation via the SETUP /N command, there are 13 files copied to or created in the user's directory on either the server or the user's local hard disk.

It is possible to copy other important files on the individual workstations by editing the SETUP.INF before running the SETUP /N command.

MORE INFORMATION

Use the following outline to copy additional files to individual workstations via the SETUP.INF file.

1. Copy the file(s) to be placed in everyone's user directory into the shared Windows directory on the server.

2. Edit SETUP.INF with a standard ASCII text editor and locate the line:

         [win.copy]
   

   This is where the different files are copied to different directories such as the Windows users' directories. For example:

         2:myfile.txt,     0:
   
      (This copies myfile.txt from disk 2 into the Windows directory.)
   
         #net,     0:
   
      (This copies all files under the [NET] section into the user's
      Windows directory).
   
   

3. Locate the [NET] section. It shows the files copied into the individual users' directories are CONTROL.INI, SMARTDRV.SYS, RAMDRIVE.SYS, EMM386.SYS, and WINVER. Other files are built there such as WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI.

4. Add the following line to the end of this section:

         2:allfile.exe
   

The SETUP.INF file is a comma delineated text file formatted for 160 columns that supplies customized directions to the SETUP.EXE.

Preferred Workstation Setup Method

Install Windows 3.0 on a network (see pages 543-556 of the "Microsoft Windows User's Guide"), and then run the SETUP /N command on each workstation. In some instances (for example, large workstation groups) it may not be efficient to do this and then customize each workstation individually. By editing the SETUP.INF file with a text editor, it is possible to enhance the SETUP /N command so that it customizes each workstation to a company standard.

For more information on the list of files copied to the Windows user's directory on the server, query on:

   files and windows and directory and workstation

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Windows User's Guide." version 3.0, "Networks and Windows," pages 543-556.