Request for a good slipstreaming procedure

[JeffK]

I'm wondering if I can get some guidance from members as to a good guide to slipstreaming my original Windows XP with SP2 and susequent Windows XP updates, perhaps using nlite.

It doesn't have to be super simple but preferably reasonably thorough, especially with respect to nlite if included.

Any comments?

Thanks,

Jeff

[f0dder]

http://www.nliteos.com/ + http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/

[dk70]

Check forums at Ryanvm, he dont support nliteos and have own tool for streaming. Not the same as his package wont work with nlite, why else make this guide http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/nlite.html but http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203 Depends how and how much you mess with nlite I guess. May be some conflicts in slipstreaming 10 updates for old versions of Media Player/IE then also throwing in Media Player 11 and IE7. Order of things or whatever. I know there are 10 since I just installed XP SP2 on a computer yesterday From 69 to 59. If you slipstream those unavoidable MS programs, another could be .net packages, online update process wont be that painful. If I remember correctly you first have to make new SP2 cd - then start over fiddling with that.

[JeffK]

Let's start at the very beginning.  It's a very good place to start.

In the early part of any instructions I have read it says Go to Start... Run... type cmd.  When I do that I get a cmd is not a valid Win32 application?  I also note that my computer does not have a system32 folder under c:\windows.  Only a system folder.

Any thoughts?  I'm running Win XP SP2 Service Pack and all critical updates.

Jeff

[johnfdeluca]

I really like WinFuture's xp-iso builder at http://www.winfuture.de/xpisobuilder3_en.  It allows you to slipstream service packs and a whole lot more:

Here's what xp-Iso-Builder has to offer:

• Integrate Service Packs & Updates
• Integrate user accounts
• Change registry settings
• Unattended (automatic) installation incl. registration key and creation of user data
• Change paths of different system folders
• Change launch modes of system services
• Defining pagefiles
• Integrate user-defined desktop theme
• Integrate your own fonts
• Integrate controller drivers for SATA, RAID, etc.
• Integrate device drivers for graphics, sound, network, etc.
• Integrate service and security updates
• Integrate applications
• Remove unnecessary folders
• Integrate your own folders
• Convert Recovery-CDs
• Enable usage of unauthorized visual styles
• Speed up internet after installation of SP2 (TCP/IP patch)
• Includes profile management for easy recovery of different settings made
• Languages: German, Englisch
• Clarifications concerning every action
• Create bootable CD/DVD-ISO-Image

[Eóin]

In the early part of any instructions I have read it says Go to Start... Run... type cmd.  When I do that I get a cmd is not a valid Win32 application?

Try Start Menu >> Programs >> Accesories >> Command Prompt instead.

I also note that my computer does not have a system32 folder under c:\windows. Only a system folder.

Now that is odd, maybe someone else can help you here.

[JeffK]

Thanks for the help.  I look forward to trying out your suggestions.  I did manage to slipstream XP and SP2 using the advice on theeldergeek.com site but I will try the other methods too.

Jeff

[JeffK]

Well, johnfdeluca and all, I must have done something seriously wrong there.

I was impressed with the ease of setting up a slipstreamed disc and the amount of information built into the program.

However when I rebooted from the disc it did a lot of thinking and occasionally telling me things, only to stop at a screen with a small amount of garbled data on it.

To my surprise it doesn't appear to have damaged anything.  I must have done something wrong, perhaps in burning the disc.

I don't think I will try that again unless I can get an English language help document first.

I'll try the RyanVM solution now.

Jeff

[mouser]

keep us updated on what works jeff.

[JeffK]

I did a RyanVM combining XP, SP2 and RyanVM updates.  Appears OK so far.

I then did an nLite disk combining XP, SP2 and some unattended options.  Came up with a verification failure message at the end.  Otherwise appears OK.

I then did an nLite disk combining the first one with RyanVM updates.  I watched the burn closely and it came up with a verification failure message again but I couldn't see where it actually does this verification.

I'll now try to use this last one to reinstall XP.  I'll see you when I'm finished and have reinstalled my video drivers, printer and so on.

If I don't return it's been nice knowing you and come on down MS Vista.

Happy New Year.

Jeff

[f0dder]

What comes up with a verification failure? The disk burning? If so, don't try to install from that disc...

[JeffK]

Hello I'm back with a fresh installation of Windows.

The verification failure was right at the end of the burn process.

I reinsatted using nLite with some unattended options and RyanVM update pack.  The main problem was it installed a new copy of Windows in addition to the old one which is not what I wanted.  I thus reverted to the RyanVM XP+SP2+updates version and eventually got it sorted.

Both installs stalled at apoint where it was asking for a missing file "nhelper" but I was able to click through this and get the install started again.

The install also missed a .ocx file which I needed to run a program.  I was able to find it elsewhere on my hard drive and copied it over which worked.

The installs left two flash files in the WINDOWS.0 directory which I can't get rid of but I'll sort that later.

The other main impression I had was that the install was relatively slow compared with what I remember from previous occasions.  Might have had something to do with the larger slipstreamed install disk.

That's it.  I doubt I'll ever do this again as I suspect I will upgrade to Vista after it's had some history.

[f0dder]

Sounds like you've done something very wrong

If you're left with some files you can't remove, perhaps there's some filesystem corruption?

And slow install speed sounds wrong, the unattended setups I've done have been faster than normal windows install... but perhaps I'm just lucky? 

[JeffK]

f0dder, do you use nLite?

Jeff

[f0dder]

Yup, nLite+RyanVM. There's been a few versions (or mix of different versions of the two) that have caused me problems, but I've caught those in vmware before testing on my real machine. Haven't had a single problem.

[JeffK]

I thought I might run more tests using a "virtual machine".  Now have I got this right - I would have to pay for VMWare, I know the player is free but can it be used for this; MS Virtual PC requires XP Pro (I have Home)?  Is there another alternative?

Thanks,

Jeff