Windows could not parse or process the unattend answer file

Trying to dual boot and install W8 on D drive. Have W7 on C drive. Installation stops at approx. 80% and I get this message:

"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 can't figure out what unattend answer file the message refers to. I searched for it on the install disc but there isn't an unattend answer file on the disc.

Any ideas?

 

Is this one HD partitioned into 2 drives or 2 separate HD's?

 

It's one HD partitioned into 2 drives.

 

Have a look at the below link.
Mini-setup fails with error: Windows could not parse or process the unattend answer file for pass [specialize]

 

I've read the article and I must admit I don't understand it. It suggests checking the unattend.xml in C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml but it seems to imply checking the xml file in my Windows 7. Sorry to be dense but I don't understand how that can help me with Windows 8. The error message tells me there's a problem with the unattend answer file which I assume is in the Windows 8 install disc but I can't find it on the disc. Where else would it be or is it created during the installation process? If that's the case wouldn't it be wiped out when the Windows 8 rollback does its' job?

 

I did a google search for this problem and what I found was essentially the same solution mentioned in the link you posted. Problem is none of them make any reference to why it may happen when trying to install W8 on a D partition with W7 on the C partition.

Some of the solutions mention possible problem with the product key. I'm using a disk and product key purchased directly from MS.

 

Did you format the D partition before you tried to do the install? If not, I would try it again and format it then see if it installs. How big is the partition?

 

had That's it. Didn't know the partition to be formatted. W8 is now installed. Thank you

 

Glad you got it fixed. Best thing to do is always format the partition or HD before installing a NEW OS. Usually that is one of the options when you do an install.

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