How to prevent virtual OEM device drivers from loading during the installation of a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003 or a 64-bit version of Windows XP

This article describes how to prevent virtual OEM device drivers from loading during the installation of a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows XP either by using an unattended installation or by using the F4 key to bypass the loading of the virtual OEM device drivers.

Note This article is not 64-bit specific except for 64-bit Windows XP. All Windows Server 2003 versions have this functionality in addition to 64-bit editions.

Some OEM device drivers are installed during the text mode part of the Windows Setup program. When the BIOS on a computer's motherboard mounts a read-only memory (ROM) image, the OEM device drivers are loaded onto a virtual floppy device that is parsed during Windows Setup.

Windows Setup uses the OEM device drivers that are on the virtual floppy device. The result is similar to when you press F6 during Windows Setup to install additional mass storage device drivers.

The virtual floppy device typically uses drive B and contains mass storage device drivers. Mass storage device drivers are required to enable writing to the physical hard disk. Therefore, mass storage device drivers must be loaded very early during the text mode of Windows Setup. The virtual floppy device automates the setup process and lets OEMs ship additional mass storage drivers that load during Windows Setup.

By default, Windows Setup automatically loads virtual OEM device drivers. However, you can prevent virtual OEM device drivers from loading during an unattended installation by specifying parameters in the Unattend.txt file. You specify these parameters in the "VirtualOEMDisks" section of the Unattend.txt file.

For example, to prevent virtual OEM device drivers from loading during an unattended installation, add the following lines to the Unattend.txt file: If you want OEM device drivers to load during an unattended installation, add the following lines to the Unattend.txt file:Note To prevent OEM device drivers from loading during an attended installation, press F4 when you are prompted to press F6 to install additional mass storage devices.

For more information about performing an unattended installation of Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Technical support for Windows x64 editions

Your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for Microsoft Windows x64 editions. Your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation with unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with your Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For product information about Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 editions, visit the following Microsoft Web site: