How to Install an OEM Modem .INF File In Unattended Setup

The current deployment tools do not allow for the detection of a modem but do allow for a user to specify a modem and communications port in the answer file. By default, only modem information files supplied with Windows NT 4.0 are available to be installed during deployment. It may be possible to include third-party modem information files into the answer file.

To start, you need the modems information file, in this case Mdmvikp.inf for a Viking Netlink 33.6 PC-Card modem, copied into the INF directory on the workstation. The easiest way to accomplish this is to place Mdmvikp.inf on the distribution server in the following directory structure.



NOTE: For installation to bring in these additional directories under the I386 directory, the OEMPreInstall=yes parameter must be set in the Unattended section of the installation script file.

After the information file is in place, you need to get the modem description from the information file. In most cases, you can search the information file for a section called [Strings], underneath is a list of the modems that the information file supports.

MDMVIKP.INF

In this example, you are installing the "NETLINK 33.6 PC-CARD Fax+Data" the [ModemParameters] section is where you type in the modem description of your modem. One information file may have support for several modems, so be sure to pick out the correct one. To determine which modem description to use, when more than one modem description is specified in the information file supplied by the manufacturer, use the Control Panel Modem tool on a computer that has Windows NT and the modem installed.

To find the modem description, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Modems.
2. Click the General tab to find the Modem Description under the column marked Modem.

Because detection is not run, we must specify a communications port. Install the modem manually through the Control Panel Modems tool if there is a problem that needs troubleshooting, and then contact the hardware vendor for any information or updates.

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For additional information on Windows NT 4.0 deployment/unattended installation consult the Microsoft Knowledge Base at:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/support (http://msdn.microsoft.com/support)

You can also download the Windows NT 4.0 Deployment Guide from:

http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation. (http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation.)

Note that the deployment guide is valid for both Windows NT workstation and Windows NT Server.