Could not Parse or Process the unattend Answer File for pass [specialize]

**Ruan** · 23rd February 2011, 11:10 AM

It would appear that only on certain machines whilst installing Windows 7 Pro (some HP DC5850s only) the install all goes fine and under Applying System Settings it will error out with:

Code:

Windows could not parse or process the unattend answer file for pass [specialize]. The settings specified in the answer file cannot be applied. The error was detected while processing settings for component [Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup]

I've ran it on some older Dell GX520s and they seem to image absolutely fine, it only seems to be certain DC5850s, we spent a good few hours playing about with the answer file originally assuming it had generically "broken", but then found some other machines would image fine...?

Any ideas? I can post the unattend file if needed.

Cheers,

Ruan

**sukh** · 26th February 2011, 12:10 AM

Hi

Post your unattend if you can please.

Regards
Sukh

**Ruan** · 28th February 2011, 12:51 PM

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
  <settings pass="windowsPE">
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State">
      <ImageInstall>
        <OSImage>
          <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI>
          <InstallTo>
            <DiskID>0</DiskID>
            <PartitionID>1</PartitionID>
          </InstallTo>
          <InstallFrom>
            <Path>.\Images\PBEC\win7image-(2).wim</Path>
            <MetaData>
              <Key>/image/index</Key>
              <Value>1</Value>
            </MetaData>
          </InstallFrom>
        </OSImage>
      </ImageInstall>
      <UpgradeData>
        <Upgrade>false</Upgrade>
      </UpgradeData>
      <Display>
        <ColorDepth>16</ColorDepth>
        <HorizontalResolution>1024</HorizontalResolution>
        <RefreshRate>60</RefreshRate>
        <VerticalResolution>768</VerticalResolution>
      </Display>
      <ComplianceCheck>
        <DisplayReport>OnError</DisplayReport>
      </ComplianceCheck>
      <UserData>
        <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
        <ProductKey>
          <Key></Key>
        </ProductKey>
      </UserData>
    </component>
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <SetupUILanguage>
        <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
      </SetupUILanguage>
      <InputLocale>0409:00000409</InputLocale>
      <SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
      <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
      <UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
    </component>
  </settings>
  <settings pass="generalize">
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <DoNotCleanTaskBar>true</DoNotCleanTaskBar>
    </component>
  </settings>
  <settings pass="specialize">
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-UnattendedJoin" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State">
      <Identification>
        <Credentials>
          <Username></Username>
          <Domain></Domain>
          <Password></Password>
        </Credentials>
        <JoinDomain></JoinDomain>
        <JoinWorkgroup></JoinWorkgroup>
        <MachineObjectOU></MachineObjectOU>
      </Identification>
    </component>
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-IE-InternetExplorer" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <Home_Page>http://lalala.lalla.cornwall.sch.uk</Home_Page>
      <IEWelcomeMsg>false</IEWelcomeMsg>
    </component>
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Deployment" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <RunSynchronous>
        <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
          <Description>EnableAdmin</Description>
          <Order>1</Order>
          <Path>cmd /c net user Administrator /active:yes</Path>
        </RunSynchronousCommand>
        <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
          <Description>UnfilterAdministratorToken</Description>
          <Order>2</Order>
          <Path>cmd /c reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v FilterAdministratorToken /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f</Path>
        </RunSynchronousCommand>
      </RunSynchronous>
    </component>
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <InputLocale>0409:00000409</InputLocale>
      <SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
      <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
      <UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
    </component>
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-TapiSetup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <TapiConfigured>0</TapiConfigured>
      <TapiUnattendLocation>
        <AreaCode>""</AreaCode>
        <CountryOrRegion>1</CountryOrRegion>
        <LongDistanceAccess>9</LongDistanceAccess>
        <OutsideAccess>9</OutsideAccess>
        <PulseOrToneDialing>1</PulseOrToneDialing>
        <DisableCallWaiting>""</DisableCallWaiting>
        <InternationalCarrierCode>""</InternationalCarrierCode>
        <LongDistanceCarrierCode>""</LongDistanceCarrierCode>
        <Name>Default</Name>
      </TapiUnattendLocation>
    </component>
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-SystemRestore-Main" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <DisableSR>1</DisableSR>
    </component>
  </settings>
  <settings pass="oobeSystem">
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State">
      <UserAccounts>
        <AdministratorPassword>
          <Value>lalalalal</Value>
          <PlainText>true</PlainText>
        </AdministratorPassword>
        <LocalAccounts>
          <LocalAccount wcm:action="add">
            <Description>Temp account</Description>
            <DisplayName>Temp account</DisplayName>
            <Group>Users</Group>
            <Name>TempAccount</Name>
          </LocalAccount>
        </LocalAccounts>
      </UserAccounts>
      <AutoLogon>
        <Enabled>true</Enabled>
        <Username>Administrator</Username>
        <Domain>.</Domain>
        <Password>
          <Value>lalalalala</Value>
          <PlainText>true</PlainText>
        </Password>
        <LogonCount>999</LogonCount>
      </AutoLogon>
      <Display>
        <ColorDepth>32</ColorDepth>
        <HorizontalResolution>1024</HorizontalResolution>
        <RefreshRate>60</RefreshRate>
        <VerticalResolution>768</VerticalResolution>
      </Display>
      <FirstLogonCommands>
        <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
          <CommandLine>cscript.exe C:\MININT\Scripts\LiteTouch.wsf /start</CommandLine>
          <Description>Lite Touch new OS</Description>
          <Order>1</Order>
        </SynchronousCommand>
        <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
          <CommandLine>cscript.exe D:\MININT\Scripts\LiteTouch.wsf /start</CommandLine>
          <Description>Lite Touch new OS</Description>
          <Order>2</Order>
        </SynchronousCommand>
        <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
          <CommandLine>cscript.exe E:\MININT\Scripts\LiteTouch.wsf /start</CommandLine>
          <Description>Lite Touch new OS</Description>
          <Order>3</Order>
        </SynchronousCommand>
        <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
          <CommandLine>cscript.exe F:\MININT\Scripts\LiteTouch.wsf /start</CommandLine>
          <Description>Lite Touch new OS</Description>
          <Order>4</Order>
        </SynchronousCommand>
      </FirstLogonCommands>
      <OOBE>
        <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
        <NetworkLocation>Work</NetworkLocation>
        <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
        <SkipUserOOBE>true</SkipUserOOBE>
      </OOBE>
      <RegisteredOrganization>Pool Business and Enterprise College</RegisteredOrganization>
      <RegisteredOwner>ICT Dept</RegisteredOwner>
      <TimeZone></TimeZone>
    </component>
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <InputLocale>0409:00000409</InputLocale>
      <SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
      <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
      <UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
    </component>
  </settings>
  <settings pass="offlineServicing">
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-PnpCustomizationsNonWinPE" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <DriverPaths>
        <PathAndCredentials wcm:keyValue="1" wcm:action="add">
          <Path>\Drivers</Path>
        </PathAndCredentials>
      </DriverPaths>
    </component>
  </settings>
</unattend>

Hope this helps!

**sukh** · 28th February 2011, 01:08 PM

Hi

The Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup does not exist on your specialize pass.

Create this and test again. At least have the section there even if you don't intend to use it.

Regards
Sukh

**sparker** · 15th August 2011, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by sukh

Hi

The Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup does not exist on your specialize pass.

Create this and test again. At least have the section there even if you don't intend to use it.

Regards
Sukh

I have this problem as well. I have installed 2-- machines but have 4 difficult ones that are compaining about the specialize pass. Can any one help?
Here is the unnattend file:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="specialize">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-UnattendedJoin" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <Identification>
                <UnsecureJoin>True</UnsecureJoin>
                <JoinDomain>coombes</JoinDomain>
                <MachineObjectOU>OU=Coombes Computers,DC=coombes,DC=local</MachineObjectOU>
            </Identification>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <BluetoothTaskbarIconEnabled>false</BluetoothTaskbarIconEnabled>
            <DisableAutoDaylightTimeSet>true</DisableAutoDaylightTimeSet>
            <RegisteredOrganization>Coombes Primary School</RegisteredOrganization>
            <RegisteredOwner>Coombes Primary School</RegisteredOwner>
            <ShowWindowsLive>false</ShowWindowsLive>
            <ComputerName>*</ComputerName>
            <ProductKey>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</ProductKey>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <UserAccounts>
                <DomainAccounts>
                    <DomainAccountList wcm:action="add">
                        <DomainAccount wcm:action="add">
                            <Group>Administrators</Group>
                            <Name>Domain Admins</Name>
                        </DomainAccount>
                        <Domain>coombes</Domain>
                    </DomainAccountList>
                </DomainAccounts>
                <AdministratorPassword>
                    <Value>dABjAGMAMwBwADUAYQB3AGIAQQBkAG0AaQBuAGkAcwB0AHIAYQB0AG8AcgBQAGEAcwBzAHcAbwByAGQA</Value>
                    <PlainText>false</PlainText>
                </AdministratorPassword>
                <LocalAccounts>
                    <LocalAccount wcm:action="add">
                        <Password>
                            <Value>dABjAGMAMwBwADUAYQB3AGIAUABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkAA==</Value>
                            <PlainText>false</PlainText>
                        </Password>
                        <DisplayName>HelpDesk</DisplayName>
                        <Group>Administrators</Group>
                        <Name>HelpDesk</Name>
                        <Description />
                    </LocalAccount>
                </LocalAccounts>
            </UserAccounts>
            <TimeZone>GMT Standard Time</TimeZone>
            <OOBE>
                <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
                <NetworkLocation>Work</NetworkLocation>
                <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
            </OOBE>
            <RegisteredOrganization></RegisteredOrganization>
            <RegisteredOwner></RegisteredOwner>
            <Themes>
                <DefaultThemesOff>false</DefaultThemesOff>
            </Themes>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <InputLocale>en-GB</InputLocale>
            <SystemLocale>en-GB</SystemLocale>
            <UILanguage>en-GB</UILanguage>
            <UserLocale>en-GB</UserLocale>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <cpiofflineImage cpi:source="wim:c:/users/jon/desktop/disshare/install.wim#Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>

**Jambo_C** · 18th August 2011, 08:31 AM

Hi,

I'm also getting this error on 5 PC's The thing is I haven't even used an unattend file for the machine name etc (I filled this in manually). I did it over 2 rooms and every PC worked fine apart from 5 which all give the error.

**JKling** · 18th August 2011, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Jambo_C

Hi,

I'm also getting this error on 5 PC's The thing is I haven't even used an unattend file for the machine name etc (I filled this in manually). I did it over 2 rooms and every PC worked fine apart from 5 which all give the error.

I am also having this issue, I am loading 40 HP Laptops with a pretty basic Windows 7 load. I am multicasting them 4 at a time (limited lab space).

It worked perfectly on the first 10, then I started getting the error on one of the four. I would leave it in the group and retransmit the image. It would fail again and I may get another that fails. I left 4 on unicast over night and when I came in, all 4 had failed.

It is the progression that has me a little stumped. Should not be an image issue, because it has worked.

Anyone have any thoughts? I am at a loss...

JKling

**Jambo_C** · 18th August 2011, 12:59 PM

Yeah, it doesn't make sense. I've done the same image on another 30 PC's now and all worked perfectly. It's just these 5 machines will not work. As I've said the weird thing is, is that is does it even when I'm not using an answer file.

**JKling** · 18th August 2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by JKling

I am also having this issue, I am loading 40 HP Laptops with a pretty basic Windows 7 load. I am multicasting them 4 at a time (limited lab space).

It worked perfectly on the first 10, then I started getting the error on one of the four. I would leave it in the group and retransmit the image. It would fail again and I may get another that fails. I left 4 on unicast over night and when I came in, all 4 had failed.

It is the progression that has me a little stumped. Should not be an image issue, because it has worked.

Anyone have any thoughts? I am at a loss...

JKling

OK, just spitballing here...

I went into AD and deleted the computers that were automatically created (looks like it is an incremented version of the username that imaged the PC) and seems to have fixed th problem on 1 computer. I am testing further.

My guess is that the computer is trying to join the domain with a computer name that already exists. That is causing the unattend.xml to bomb.

I will let you know what I get...

**Jambo_C** · 18th August 2011, 01:50 PM

This sounds promising. I checked AD and had exactly 5 weird automatically created names. Can't be coincidence, surely. The strange thing was it had named them the same as the others but then added what appears to be an IPV6 address onto the end of the name.
Anyway, I've set one of them imaging now and will see shortly.

**Jambo_C** · 18th August 2011, 02:43 PM

Deleting the objects in AD appears to have fixed my problem. Hope it's fixed yours!

Cheers.

**JKling** · 18th August 2011, 03:50 PM

Looks like that is the answer if you are doing small batches...

Not sure what it looks like when doing a full lab. I will check that in the next day or two.

@Jambo_C thanks for the confirmation

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