Discussion on:

Create a bootable WinXP CD slipstreamed with SP2 and hotfixes

Does this solution sound like the answer to your patch update nightmares? Or do you take a different approach to make sure your new WinXP installs include all the current updates?

The idea of having an XP (Pro, Home or MCE) CD with SP2 and all then-current updates on it seems to be a good idea. The problem is, balancing one's time used making these things vs. the lesser(?) hassle of making it once, then updating via broadband.

This certainly makes sense to continue to update if one's Internet is via dial-up, although the time consumed by some of the larger updates (and SP2 itself) would be rather excessive. (I know; I've downloaded SP2's NetAdmin pack via dial-up before)

In either case, it would save time and lower risks, especially for computer consultants and the like, who may have to reinstall XP on customer machines. The only snag I see is the fact, and an inescapable one it is, that not knowing the customer's XP CD-Key beforehand could be disastrous. (although there are utils to dig the info out of the Registry.)

Pity Microsoft did what they did, and made Windows utterly dependent on the Registry staying whole and (largely) undamaged. I think Linux has a better plan, using .conf and .ini files and the like, especially in the cases here most are stored in a centralized location.

Hi
Please bear with me as I have been following very closely to your posts and answers and they sound interesting. I have a computer running win xp pro with service pack 2, the SP2 was already on the cd when I had installed the Ops then later I had updated and now the updates are complete.
So now what I need to know is can I burn the image of the operatig system with the updates onto another cd ?
Please let me know because I really need this incase of any problems which might occur in the future because I have a very slow internet connection and it took me ages to get get the updates completed, I would be very grateful to you. Will you please guide me step by step in simple english as how to do this,because I am afraid I might do something wrong in the process
Thanks
courtjester

How easy is it to change the Product ID? There are several freeware items out there to change the Product ID...

Keep in mind that Microsoft has a number of different versions. (And I've heard that using different OEM will only work on their machines but I've not confirmed that).

The KEY is you can't use one version with another license Number. The licenses are tied to the type of install disk. Can't hand an OL version slipstreamed disk to your buddy with a
retail DELL, or a store bought. His license won't work on the install disk.
I've created slipstreamed disks with all relevant drivers before, by the time I was done, cloning made infinitely more sense though.

Perhaps, there is another solution, I guess, with less pain...
http://www.serverninjas.com/

This is a great idea, but won't work with An OEM program. I personally have to start with the Orginal Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 from Sony, and then install the MCE 2005 Upgrade from Sony.

I got that info from TechRepublic. However my OEM from HP works. go figure.
bob

Hi,

Thanks for the sharing but when I bought the customised Laptop, it doesn't come with a WinXP CD.

So, may I know how can I create a bootable CD?

Images are easier to maintain and it looks like we are getting closer to driver agnositc images. but for those not using imaging technologies a network admin scripted install is best and you will get better control using WSUS for the patches.

install from a share and then use WSUS. images are nice but how many do you really want to maintain...none

http://autopatcher.com

Executable download. Installs ALL available updates according to system requirements.

Recently used to update reinstall of XP on my notebook.

Used December 2006 download "FULL" version, the November "UPDATES" downlaod.

Resultant system 100% according to Windows Update.

I found this easier to use rather than constantly updating my XP_SP2 install media.

I would be interested in comments from anyone else who has used this utility.

I have also reviewed the information on Autostreamer, but haven't tied it yet.

For more info on autostreamer look here:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

Disclaimer!
I am not affiliated with either of these utilities or websites.

I routinely use Autopatcher for both XP and W2K installs. It is especially useful for W2K which requires considerably more updating than does XP. Also like the add-on tweaks.

Only caveat for those not familar with program is that you need to install SP2 for XP and SP4 for W2K prior to installing Autopatcher.

For slipstreaming SPs, highly recommend nLite.

The slipstream XP_SP2 with hot patches is a real time saver...BUT, to do a clean install of XP to an SCSI drive for a dual boot system requires the SCSI drivers and INF files from the OEM, which is now lost in space. Win install, "To install SCSI drivers..push F6" then instructs to load floppy with txtinstall.oem.
Anyone know how to construct this file, and where to locate the INF file for this IBM IC35L073UWDY10-0 disk device? The drivers listed for this device areMicrosoft's disk.sys; DontGo.sys; PartMgr.sys.
Microsoft's instructions for txtinstall.oem are so complex, I can't figure it out.
Thanks for helping....anyone?

You SHOULD ask at a forum designed for this...but...

Briefly...get the driver disk for your RAID controller...look up via controller card and google. Once you get it...copy to floppy.

Insert after pressing f6.

If you have the drivers you can use a program like Nlite to add The drivers to your install

Having to do clean installs on new system, especially laptops has become very laborious and a pain. Especially if it involves a SATA/SCSI raid controller(non oem supported) and no floppy drive present!!
Nlite has given me the ability to have all the drivers that are needed for pre-install to be loaded without the need of a floppy drive(since usb support is practically non-existent). It isn't completely painless, since you have to create the image and then burn!! But now I have a single CD, with all their driver's i need for my clients systems

Stuart
SCL ELECTRONICS

Ran bcd wxppro.
A dialog box popped up saying:
The Procedure entry point atoi could not be located in the dynamic link library cygwin1.dll.
In the command window, second last entry is:
No CD-Rom type devices found! Burning not possible!

I have a CD writer and DVD writer installled in my system and both work fine.

Any help please ... thanks.

Rocky Lane

I bought a Gateway. I could not go straight to XP Pro, I had to buy it with the OEM version Windows XP Home edition and buy the Windows XP Professional Upgrade from Gateway. Can the home edition and upgrade be slipstreamed? Kind of rushed at work so please forgive me if it has been discussed in any of the other posts. Thanks.
Ken

slipstream updates to the XP Professional Upgrade. I expect the install routine will still ask you to insert the original disk, check for the Windows Seal of Approval bytes, then install all the files from the Upgrade/slipstream disk.

I run WinXP MCE 2005....when I tried to re-install with this backup I made from the suggested forum, the operating system didn't re-install MCE, but it re-insatlled Win XP Pro. Now I know that MCE is otherwise Pro but there was no MCE progam available, and all of my sony programs were gone. NO I have an OEM computer, and must use their(sony's) recovery partition/discs.

Note

When you try slipstreaming using OEM disks from some big companies, you might run into the following error:

"This Service Pack cannot be integrated into a destination that also has integrated Software Updates."

Not to worry, there are ways and means. A program called nLite will do the trick (although it needs the .NET framework).

Get an error message "no entries *.ini found, exiting. Any ideas

Cured the problem, I was trying to do it over the network.

I had the same problem and error message when I attempted to integrate after several attempts. Everything worked fine the following day with changes. Integration completed after around 42 minutes.

Initially I had the Update & Addon Packs in a directory that had spaces & non-alpha numeric characters in the directory name on D drive. It was the same for the destination file. I changed everything to the C drive with only alpha characters and no spaces in the file and directory names. I also cleaned out the Temp directory.

I don't know which change made it work, but you have some things to consider with your integration.

Make sure that the directories you are using do not have any non alphanumeric characters in it. I got the same error and changing XP_SP2 to XPSP2 and putting the update pack and add-ons plus integrator 1.4.3 in that direcory and running it solved the problem.

Ernie

I saw this tip but don't know what slipstreamings is.

When I go to copy the XP cd, I get an error regarding USMTDEF.INF. Is this file required? I see that I have this file on my system. Can I just copy the one from my system and use that???

Ran bcd wxppro.
A dialog box popped up saying:
The Procedure entry point atoi could not be located in the dynamic link library cygwin1.dll.
In the command window, second last entry is:
No CD-Rom type devices found! Burning not possible!

I have a CD writer and DVD writer installled in my system and both work fine.

Any help please ... thanks.

Rocky Lane

I use Autostreamer to slip stream Windows XP (OEM, Home, Pro, Open, upgrade), Windows Server 2003, or Windows 2000. It is a small program that uses your CD files (copy them to the hard drive first) and installs the service pack 2 into them. It then makes a boot-able ISO image. Then I found out about RVM and you know, it also makes a boot-able ISO you burn. Why fight it when the hard stuff is done for you? The only ones I can't get to work is the Dell restore cd's, but I hear there is a work-around for them too.

Ok call me lazy but why go through all that? Like i said i didnt finish the article but I guess this is a decent way to do this for free, but there are so many other options out there that will give you the same results plus alot more. My personal choice; Acronis. This lets you make a full system image of youre whole hard drive, partitions and all. You use the wizard and make a boot disk, copy your system backup file to another disk. and your done. No command line, copy and pasting, downloading this and that. Plus you can add and schedule inc/diff backups**, even a hidden partition to recover from.
Its not just Acronis theres lots of other choices. Acronis does have the ability to restore your system to a completely different system, even intel to amd.
But like I said if youre down for a free adventure its a good article.

To take this further you could install xp with all service packs and updates, create your "slipstreamed xp install", then add all your favorite programs and make an incremental as an optional add on to the xp install. These would probably fit seperately or together on one DVD possibly 2 CDs w/ compression. Just a thought..

I used this post and did all the things necessary, and when I started the CD, it was like trying to install XP for the first time. Thinking about it, DUH... What I was looking for was a way to boot XP from a flash drive and use that for diagnostics/AV on a computer that is NOT the machine I created the disk from. I tried the other one on the techrepublic that gives really good directions for that. It works to a point. I have an 8GB flash drive, and could not get it to boot the BartPE. Is my problem a single 8GB partition marked active, or something particular to the computer I was using. What I need is a generic boot for any computer so that I can help to recover user's files/disks.

Obviously, you will need to have the actual CD Key and Serial Number after the installation. After these are corrected, you'll need to validate the license. If you don't know exactly how to do this, there are several free tools that will allow you to change the key and serial to the correct ones. Two that I've used are RockXP or Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder. Both are fast and easy.

Thanks for the easy steps to slipstream.

I created one of these CD's and can't wait
to try it out; just for the shear fact of
saving 45 minutes to download and install
60+ updates. Wish MS would release SP3 !
Estimating it took roughly 30 minutes
to complete the entire process, including
burning the new CD. The XP CD already
had SP2 incorporated.

It is better and faster to install your system with all the patches and so on and then take an image of your PC. This can then be restored in a short time, anytime you have a problem.

But an image might carry a existing installation problem, a clean re-install is a good option sometimes...

Is always a nice idea to keep an updated installer.

We use Acronis True Image to do the same thing. We set up the computer with all updates and even programs like Office or Acrobat Reader then we create the image. Installing the image back to another computer (new or used) takes about 35-40 minutes across broadband. We save time all the way around. We update the images every 45 to 60 days. Works for us...

How many users do you do this for? We are a law firm with approx 400 computers here and 800-900 WAN-wide. Taking them offline for 30-45 mins every 1.5 months would be a killer. By the time we finished updating, it would be time to start again. No good solution, only more creative problems!

We generally only load an image on new machines (bringing them to our standard application load), or when it is quicker than fixing a machine that has been corrupted. Existing desktops can continue working, using your preferred method (WSUS SMS WindowsUpdate ...) to stay current with patches.

Acronis has a feature that restores the core system file portion of the image first so you can boot into xp while the image is still restoring. Also performs sheduled incr or diff backups in the background(not even a tray icon on the users comp)** of host computers using minimal/optimal system resources. Their Universal System Restore is nice too.
We mostly use it for the same purposes as you though. Still presents nice possibilities.

**Thats on the server version anyway..

You don't image every machine and keep a copy of it; you create reference images of hardware and software installed. I haven't had to do this in ages, because I don't work for a large corporate entity anymore, but I always used it. At the bare minimum, I created reference images for each hardware type I had (example: Dell Optiplex model XXX, model YYY, IBM model XXX, etc) with even a base install of software. Specialized software would be added on a case by case basis, or if you have standard software for departments, then you create department image, all based on hardware. To avoid the SID issue, you either use a tool to change the SID of the machine you re-image, you either use a tool to change the SID, or your image is not joined to the AD Domain, assuming software can be installed but not configured or doesn't require AD. This takes far less time than taking them each offline.

Universal Imaging Utility works with sysprep, but first copies a set of drivers (adds 300mb to your image) to your pc, then strips out the HAL, then runs sysprep. You turn off the pc, image it, and you now have an image that will restore on any HW configuration. Think its like $20 a seat. not too bad really as it works with all imaging software.
Acronis has a simpler solution. An add-in you can buy for all versions of there imaging utility. It adds a feature to the boot disk it creates that essentially does the same thing. Obviously it only works with acronis images but still, all you need is that boot disk and you can restore any acronis image to any HW configuration. Doesnt include plug n play drivers though. Not sure if UIU does or not...
Either way its nice to be able to keep ONE base system image that can be applied company wide.

At the shop where I work, and probably at the other guy's shop, the images are re-installed
(1) for new hires
(2) when somebody makes a mistake
(3) if an end user requests it; some will want a fresh install every couple months to keep their computers running as fast as possible, some don't care that much about milliseconds

Just don't forget to store your admin passwords when you create that image of the fresh, patched install!

And, for those that didn't do so, this article is most excellent!

Is anybody else getting "The page cannot be displayed" for the download link for the RyanVM Integrator?

C:\bcd>bcdwxppro
'bcdwxppro' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

Any ideas?