Capture a Vista Windows image using Reverse Integration
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Install WAIK
Install WAIK
Having a Windows Vista install DVD with the latest service packs can be very helpful – especially if you reinstall Windows more than a couple of times a year or if you have to deploy Windows Vista to multiple computers. Alan Norton shows how he creates one – just follow these steps.n
nYou can get an in-depth description of these steps in the TechRepublic Microsoft Windows Blog or in the corresponding free TechRepublic Download.n
nInstall the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK)n
nDownload and install a disk burning utility capable of burning ISO files if needed.n
nDownload the WAIK ISO file and burn the WAIK ISO to a DVD. Run the startcd.exe program on the DVD and select Windows AIK Setup from the Welcome to Windows Automated Installation Kit window. The installation is large. Install to a non-system logical drive if possible.n n
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Format target partition
Format target partition
Reinstall Vista to a Non-boot Partitionn
nFormat a non-boot partition. I chose the Vista Ultimate Apps partition, disk 0 partition 3 to reinstall Vista. That is the perfect partition to choose because the apps would have to be reinstalled anyway and the partition is large enough. The format is destructive so you need to choose a partition that you have already backed up and can temporarily use. Reinstall Vista.n
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OOBE
OOBE
The Windows Vista Out Of Box Experience Screenn
nJust before the Vista installation completes, this screen appears called the Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) screen. Press [CTRL][SHIFT][F3]. The computer will reboot and you should end up at the Vista desktop.n
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System Preparation Tool 3.14
System Preparation Tool 3.14
The System Preparation Tool 3.14 Windown
nYou should see the System Preparation Tool 3.14 window open on the desktop. Do not close this window.n
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SP1 successfully installed
SP1 successfully installed
SP1 Successfully Installedn
nInstall SP1. When complete, you should see this screen.n
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SP2 successfully installed
SP2 successfully installed
SP2 Successfully Installedn
nInstall SP2. When complete, you should see this screen.n
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Insufficient disk space to install service pack
Insufficient disk space to install service pack
Insufficient Disk Space to Install Service Packn
nWhen installing SP1 or SP2 you might see a Setup Requirements window if you do not have enough disk space. Select the Open Disk Cleanup option.n
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Choose drive to clean up
Choose drive to clean up
Choose Drive to Clean Upn
nSelect the drive to clean up. This should always be the default value, C: drive.n
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Select only hibernation file cleaner
Select only hibernation file cleaner
Select Only Hibernation File Cleaner Optionn
nCheck the Hibernation File Cleaner option and uncheck all other options. Click the OK button when done. This will free up 3.99GB and it should be enough to allow the service pack install to continue.n
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Select retry
Select retry
Select Retryn
nClick retry. The service pack install will continue if you have freed up enough disk space to continue.n
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Run CompCln
Run CompCln
Perform CompCln (optional)n
nRun the compcln utility as an administrator. This will remove the RTM and SP1 files needed to rollback SP1 and SP2 making them both permanent. This step is optional for the x86 version but recommended. It is required for the x64 version if you want the install files to fit on one DVD. CompCln will free up over one GB of disk space for the x86 version of Vista and two GBs for the x64 version of Vista.n
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System Preparation Tool 3.14 shutdown
System Preparation Tool 3.14 shutdown
Sysprep and Shutdownn
nIf you use the recommended method, select OOBE/Generalize/Shutdown in the System Preparation Tool 3.14 window. Click the OK button to perform the Sysprep and shut down the system. Do NOT boot back into the new Vista install.n
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Create temporary folders
Create temporary folders
Create Temp Foldersn
nCreate the following temp folders:n
n\Temp VICn\Temp VIC\Vista x86 SP2 or \Temp VIC\Vista x64 SP2n\Temp VIC\ISOn
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Copy Vista install files
Copy Vista install files
Copy Vista Install Filesn
nHighlight the folders and files of the Vista RTM DVD and copy them to the clipboard.n
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Paste Vista install files
Paste Vista install files
Paste Vista Install Filesn
nNavigate to the \Temp VIC\Vista x86 SP2 or \Temp VIC\Vista x64 SP2 folder and paste the Vista install files.n
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Select and run PE Tools at command prompt as admin
Select and run PE Tools at command prompt as admin
Open the Windows PE Tools Command Prompt window as administrator.
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PE Tools command prompt
PE Tools command prompt
Windows PE Tools Command Promptn
nThe Windows PE Tools Command Prompt window sets paths to the utilities included in WAIK including ImageX that is needed to capture the Windows image.n
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Imagex enter command time remaining
Imagex enter command time remaining
Enter ImageX Commandn
nEnter the command for imagex including the switches as detailed in the original article and press [Return].
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Run OSCDImg
Run OSCDImg
Run OSCDImg to Make a Bootable ISO Filen
nRun the oscdimg utility to make a bootable ISO file.n
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Burn bootable ISO
Burn bootable ISO
Burn ISO to DVDn
nUse your favorite disc burning software to burn the ISO file to a DVD.n
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Reinstall Vista SP1 and SP2 to boot partition
Reinstall Vista SP1 and SP2 to boot partition
Reinstall Vista SP1 SP2n
nReinstall Vista onto the original partition u2013 the boot partition in this example.n
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Verify installed updates
Verify installed updates
Verify that SP1 and SP2 Have Been Installedn
nOpen the Installed Updates window. Verify that the KB updates in this screen shot appear in your list of installed updates.n
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Post testing and cleanup
Post testing and cleanup
Post Testing and Cleanupn
nSelect and delete the \Temp VIC folder when finished and you are sure that Vista will install properly.n
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