CHAPTER 2
PREPARING FOR INSTALLATION
Lesson 1:
Preparing for Installation
Hardware Requirements
Before you install Windows NT you must check the current system for the Hardware Requirements,
this can be done by reviewing the HCL or the hardware Compatibility List. If
you need a current one, view the website http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/showcase/hwcompatibility.asp
If this website is unavailable, try the home page http://www.microsoft.com.
Also, if the computer is joining a domain, you need to determine its role, will it be a server or
a member?
Windows NT provides a Hardware Qualifier (NTHQ). You can run this program to get a sort
of inventory of your hardware. This is from 1996, obsolete, do not worry too much about.
NT
Workstation NT Server RISC
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RAM 12MG 16MG 16MG
Hard Drive 120MG 125MG 160MG
Extra FAT 2MG
Partition (active)
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Disk Partitioning Set-up
A partition is a portion of a physical disk that functions as though it were physically a separate unit.
You can assign letters, but a limit of 26 from the alphabet. You can store the operating system of say
the standard C and the Data on D or E. If there is only one drive, then NT stores all of the files on
one partition.
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System and Boot
Partitions
If there is more than one partition, Windows NT copies the
hardware-specific files to the active
partition (usually C), or the system partition.
Set-up then prompts you to select a folder in which to install the Windows NT operating system or
files. This folder can be on a system partition or another partition. The system that contains the
operating system files and its supporting files is called the boot partition.
NOTE: On a RISC-based computer, you use a firmware configuration program to designate the
system partition.
Unknown Partition Types:
If you are installing Windows NT on a hard disk that already contains strip sets, volume sets, or
any areas allocated for fault tolerance (disk mirroring and disk striping with parity), they appear
on the Setup screen as partitions of an unknown type.
Selecting a File System During Setup:
Before you install NT you need to determine the locations of FAT (File allocation table), or
NTFS Windows NT File system.
C:\NTFS supports Windows NT
C:\FAT supports Windows NT, Windows 95, MS-DOS OS/2
NTFS
NTFS can only be accessed by Windows NT and for this reason it provides greater security
than FAT file system. This is because you cannot start the computer with another operating
system, such as Win95, and access data on an NTFS partition. NTFS will not install on
FAT32 at all, need FAT16.
Choose NTFS when:
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The only problem you may have, is if something goes wrong with NTFS, and you want to get
rid of it. You need delpart or Partition Magic or Linux Fdisk to remove it from the computer.
FAT
The FAT system can be accessed by Windows NT, Windows 95, MS-DOS and OS/2
operating systems. FAT has limitations it wastes space. The cluster size is 32K minimum,
leaves lots of slack.
Chose FAT when:
such as Win95 or MS-DOS. For this configuration, drive C must be formatted with the
FAT file system.
computer must be formatted with FAT for the firmware to detect the partition as a bootable
partition. This partition must be at least 2 MG in size and have enough free hard disk space
to store two
required Windows NT files: Hal.dll and Osloader.exe
Why Choose FAT?:
Common Support Issues
When creating a partition during installation, the partition is always formatted as FAT. Even if
you choose to format the partition as NTFS, the initial
format is FAT. At the end of the
installation, the
system restarts and the partition is converted to NTFS.
A problem occurs if you want to create an NTFS partition larger than 4gigabytes, (GB) during
installation. Because FAT has a maximum partition size of 4GB, a partition larger than 4GB
cannot be created during installation.
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Solutions
done the install, you can use the Disk Administrator to extend the NTFS partition.
Extending the NTFS partition allows you to add unused disk space to the partition.
4GB. Remove the drive from the computer and then install it in the computer on which you
want to install Windows NT. This computer now has a 4GB partition where you can install
Windows NT.
Choosing a Server role During Setup
Before installing Window NT, you must determine what role your server will have:
PDC
There must be only one PDC on each domain, and it contains the directory database for the
domain, and it also authenticates logon requests. The PDC must also be online before any
of the other computers can join the domain.
NOTE: Any domain controller can authenticate logon requests from the following clients:
MS-DOS with enhanced redirector installed, Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows for
Workgroups and Microsoft LAN Managers.
Creating a Domain
If you configure the computer as a PDC, Windows NT will prompt you for a domain name
during setup. This is when the Domain Security Identifier or SID is created. A SID is a
unique numeric value that identifies a domain and is included in all user, group, and computer
accounts that are created on the domain.
Steps: PDC - Configure as a PDC
Domain A – Enter a unique domain name to create a new domain
SID – A domain security identifier (SID) is created to
Identify the domain.
*** Good Book about
computer age Brave New World ****
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Changing the Domain after Installation
You can change the domain name after Windows NT is installed because the domain SID
identifies the domain. The new domain is associated with the existing SID. But it has a trickle
down effect, you have to change the domain name for all workstations and servers in the
domain. You must also re-establish the trust relationships again.
Computer and domain names are changed using the Network program in Control Panel.
Clicking the Change button on the Identification tab allows you to change the computer name,
the domain name or both.
BDC
The BDC can also authenticate logon requests, for this reason there are often several BDCs
on a domain. If you are configuring your computer as the BDC, you must add the name of the
domain the BDC is joining, or the PDC name. The BDC and the PDC are always com-
municating when the database is changing, so that the information of each remains current.
Also, if the PDC is down or fails, you can promote the BDC to the PDC. The only user
account data that would be lost are recent changes that have not yet been replicated to the
BDCs.
Moving a backup domain Controller to Another Domain
You cannot move the BDC to another domain unless you reinstall Windows NT Server on the
BDC. This is because the SID cannot be changed without reinstalling Windows NT Server.
Stand-alone or Member Servers:
Stand-alone servers do not validate logons. They work well as a file, print and application server.
They cannot be configured as a BDC or a PDC without reinstalling Windows NT Server. Also,
there are major headaches with changing the name of a domain. It is like changing the name of
a company. You need to change everything from the letterhead to the sign outside. It is not
worth it. So put lots of thought into the names before you change them, and emphasize this to
your users.
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Moving Member Server to Another Domain:
A member server can be moved to another domain without reinstalling Windows NT, (unlike a
BDC which cannot be moved without closing doing a reinstall).
This is because member servers and computers running Windows NT maintain their own
directory services database.
Network/Identification Change Box/Identification Change screen.
Joining a Domain or Workgroup During Installation:
For the BDC member server, or computer running Windows NT to participate in a domain,
the computer account for that computer must be created and then that computer can join the
domain. Ensure that the NIC cards are the same.
For a BDC to join a domain, you must create a computer account on the PDC before or
during installation of the BDC.
All standalone servers or computes with workstation can join a domain during installation,
using the same process as for the BDC.
NOTE: Standalone servers or computers running Windows NT Workstation can also join
a domain after installation.
Joining a Workgroup:
For a stand-alone server or computer running Windows NT Workstation is joining a
workgroup you supply the name of the workgroup, instead of the name of the domain, during
installation.
Choosing Licensing Mode
Windows NT Installation, choose one of the following licensing modes:
Per person license
mode. Each
connection to only that server.
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Per Seat licensing
mode. A separate
number of computers can have access to a single server.
NOTE: You only pay on the PDC, not the BDC.
Lesson 2:
Installing Windows NT
There are two types: Intel X86 based and RISC bases computers:
Intel uses three set-up disk and the Windows NT Computer Disk.
RISC uses computer disk and the Setup must be initiated from the CD-ROM. RISC
uses the setupldr program.
Boot diskettes to make 3 as
RISC
The primary partitions must have 2GB of FAT. It looks for this extra. You must have a VGA
monitor with 16 colors and 480X640. You must have a type of input device keyboard or
mouse. A mouse is not a necessity, according to the MCSE test. You need a 31/2” floppy
or the eltorito standard. You need a CD-ROM to start up the install at least.
You can fool the computer with a type of loop-back adapter. The RISC looks for a NIC card,
and if you do not have one there is a way around it. Just select Microsoft supplier in the adapter
selections.
Windows NT Setup Types:
Typical Install. Designed for most installations, has these features.
· Accessibility feature
· All Windows NT Accessories, except for desktop wallpaper and mouse pointers.
· All communications programs
· All multimedia components except sound schemes. Windows messaging and
games are not installed.
Portable. Designed for notebook and other portable computers and automatically installs the
following:
· Accessibility features
· All Windows NT accessories except for Desktop Wallpaper and Mouse Pointers.
· All communications programs.
· All multimedia components supported by the Hardware.
· Dial-up Networking also installed by default.
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Compact. Designed to conserve hard disk space, and automatically installs components required
by Windows NT.
Custom. Designed to let you choose which component to install. This is useful for special
configurations.
Components
· Accessibility options
· Accessories, calendars, note pad etc.
· Communications programs. Helps you connect to online services.
· Games. FreeCell, Pinball and solitaire.
· Multimedia. CD Player, Media Player, etc.
· Windows Messaging. E-mail and messaging utilities.
NOTE: Server 4.0 Install only Custom for this type of installation. And the System Files
must be on C: and have a separate boot partition. The directory where the Windows NT
files are stored is the Winnt Directory. Also always create an emergency Kit.
***** REVIEW the installation process in the classroom *****
Lesson 3:
Adding a Computer Account to a Domain
Only users who have the user right add workstations to a domain can create a computer
account. Members of the Administrators, Domain Admins, or Account Operators have this
user right by default.
tab. Here you can change the computer name, join a workgroup or domain and create a
computer account in the domain are displayed.
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Classroom Exercise:
How to Change a BDC to a Member Server:
Network Neighborhood/ Properties/ Identification Tab, notice pointing to Domain2. Login as
Administrator and supply password.
Reboot the system and login as new password. Now you have a drop down box with
Domain2, forcing your way onto the Domain.
OR
Login as Administrator, and add the BDC to the Domain. In Server Manger/Computer/Add
to Domain,
NOTE: xcopy^/e copies all hierarchy of files when copying setup files. Check you have all
the hidden files. To see if this is set or not go into My Computer/Folder Options/ View, and
deselect.
Lesson 4:
Logging on to a Computer or Domain
You must logon to validate your user information on the database before you can access
information on the workstation or Server. For example, if you logon to a domain, you are
validated by the domain directory database and given permissions to access resources on the
domain. By contrast, when you log on locally to a computer running Windows NT, you are
validated by the directory database on that computer and are given access to resources on
hat computer. The mandatory logon process is a security feature of Windows NT, and cannot
be disabled.
local computer or to the domain. This is done by clicking either the computer
name or the domain name from the Domain box in the Logon Information dialog box.
Map a Network Drive:
format domain_name\domain_user_account_name.
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Lesson 5:
Installing Windows NT Server from a Network Share
If you want to install Windows NT on multiple computers, you can streamline the installation
by copying the Windows NT files to a network server. Then you would go to each
Workstation and install from the Server.
First you need to create a distribution Server. Copy the Windows NT source files from the
Compact Disc to the shared folder you created on the distribution server. Copy the I386,
Mips, Ppc, or Alpha folders containing the source files.
Note: Winnt.exe is used to install Windows NT on computers running Windows 95 or
MS-DOS. Winnt32.exe is used to upgrade Windows NT on a computer already running
Windows NT.
Customizing a Server-based Installation (covered in class)
Winnt.exe is used to install Windows NT Workstation and Server. Winnt32.exe is used to
install Server or an existing NT operating system. Winnt32 uses all the switches below, but
has two unique switches which are /f and /l.
Below is a list or the switches that can be used with Winnt.exe to control how Setup runs:
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Switch Description
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/x Prevents Setup from creating Setup boot disks.
/ox Specifies that Setup only create boot disks for
installing from the compact disc. (winnt^/ox)
/b Causes the boot files to be loaded on the computer’s hard
disk rather than on floppy disks, so that floppy disk do not
need to be loaded or removed by the user. The /b switch
requires an extra 4-5MB of hard disk space on the computer
where Windows NT is being installed. This setup option
creates a $Ldr$ file and a $Win_nt$.~bt temporary folder
on the hard disk of the client computer.
/u:answer_file Specifies the location of an answer file that provides
answers for an unattended installation that the user would
otherwise be prompted for during the setup process.
/udf:id [,UDF_file] Specifies the identifier that is to be used by the Setup
program to apply sections of the Uniqueness Database
file (UDF) file in place of the same section in the
answer file. If no UDF is specified, the Setup program
prompts the user to insert a disk that contains a file
named $UNIQUE$.UDF. If a UDF is specified, Setup looks
for the identifier in that file. Setup a different computer
name and also custom settings.
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/s:c:\winnt.adm Location of source files. Do not put source files at the root
of C, you must always put into a folder. Also, you can hide
the files from the users.
/f Prevents Winnt.exe from verifying files as they are copied.
Winnt32 only!
/i:inffil Specifies the file name (no path) of the setup information
file. The default is Dosnet.inf. Give installation how to
start instructions.
/t:tempdrive Forces setup to place temporary files on the specified drive.
/l Creates a log file named $Winnt.log on the computer where
Windows NT is being installed. This file lists any errors
Encountered when Winnt.exe copies files to the temporary
Folder. Very important [winnt32.exe only install]
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Lesson 6:
Viewing the Windows NT Documentation:
The Windows NT Workstation compact disk included support documentation that covers
the installation and new features of Windows NT Workstation.
Summary:
Before installing Windows NT on a computer you should determine:
stand-alone server.
be created or added to the domain directory Database.
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to a shared network location. Then connect to the network share from the client
computer and run Setup.
removed by removing the partition it was installed on, or Windows NT can be removed
from A FAT partition.
disc contain supporting documentation.
CLASSROOM EXERCISES:
Set-up Manager:
The unattended.txt gives you the option to enter computer name etc. Each is separated
by [] brackets.
Only use an unattended install on Workstations, always be there for and install on the
Server.
[u:/^unattend.txt}
sysdif, gives you a snapshot of before the install and after. Very useful, and does not
require to be prompted during install.
.