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mhmallory

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Posts posted by mhmallory

  1. @-x-

    I would highly suggest at a minimum at least 2Gb of memory with VMware Workstation 6.5.3 build 185404, which I use. I have a 2.8 Ghz CPU, and to make it responsive in a XP Host environment I allocate 512mb memory to the XP VM, and allow the running VM option set to "Allow some virtual machine memory to be swapped" option turned on.

    I monitor the Host memory usage which before starting the VM is around 600mb. With the VM running, the Host memory usage goes up to about an average of 1800mb. This is before I log into the VM itself. The CPU usage on the host settles around %25 with Workstation running.

    mhmallory

  2. @g-force

    I have it pretty much working. I think there were some changes in SP3 rundll32 which produces some errors in the registry. I have commented out the offending strings, and changed the ../<string> to ./<string>.


    [Version]
    Signature=$CHICAGO$

    [newhive]
    [b];HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx",,0x00000012
    ;HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx",Title,0x00000000,"Applying custom settings"
    ;HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx",Flags,0x00010001,0x00000020
    ;HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\Infs",,,"Applying Inf's"[/b]
    HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\Infs",1,,"rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection XP 128 [b].[/b]\Windows\Inf\runonceex.inf"

    I have attached the error I get in the registry. I was using autoruns to monitor the registry. This works as advertised, but documentation needs some updating. Good learning experience though.

    If I could get some help from someone to resolve the syntax of the offending strings, it would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks Again,

    mhmallory

    Windows_XP_SP3_reg_error.zip

  3. @Hell Racer

    The plugin is a little hard to find. You have to use IE to see it and download it. If you want, I can upload it to Skydrive and provide a link. Let me know.

    mhmallory

  4. @Hellraiser

    Try Windows Live Skydrive. You get 25gb free disk space. You make any portion of the space available to public by a hyperlink, supports drag n' drop with XP Windows Explorer, and the account does not expire.

    Also Adrive, my favorite provides 50gb of free disk space, but no drag n' drop with free service.

    Lastly, Dropbox which only provides 2gb of space but upgradeable by paid subscription, buts support real disk syncing form your desktop. Basically, you use the space as a Windows Share, and if you want to sync you copy your file to your Dropbox share. Great for documentation or small .exe files.

    mhmallory

  5. @g-force

    This is where I'm at so far.

    Found another post http://www.msfn.org/board/lofiversion/index.php/t12964.html. And as I thought in txtxsetup.sif

    [sourceDisksFiles]

    runonceex.inf = 1,,,,,,,20,0,0

    unattended.inf = 1,,,,,,_x,,3,3

    Does NOT work in SP3. However the following in SP3 works:

    [sourceDisksFiles]

    unattended.inf = 1,,,,,,0,,3,3

    runonceex.inf = 1,,,,,,,20,0,0

    I can test in VMWare runceex.inf by right clicking on the file, and choose "Install" After installing, I executed rundll32.exe iernonce.dll,RunOnceExProcess and logged of and back on to see the .inf run. This did help me find a syntax error.

    The next file I'm debugging is unattended.inf. I'm having a problem with this line, which does not load into the registry. When using <shift> F10 regedit at T10, and search for runonceeex key, it is empty.


    HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\Infs",1,,"rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection XP 128 ..\Windows\Inf\runonceex.inf"

    I do not know what ..\<dir> means when used like this. I know ..\ means to move up one in directory tree. I going by trial and error to see if something like %windir% will expand in the string.

    TIA

    mhmallory

  6. Okay, made some progress.

    I created on source $OEM$\$1\Install\Packages\7Zip\7z907b.exe, which was copied to destination.

    I made the following changes in txtxsetup.sif -

    [sourceDisksFiles]

    unattended.inf = 1,,,,,,0,,3,3

    runonceex.inf = 1,,,,,,,20,0,0

    This executes unattended.inf, and copies runonceex.inf to %windir%\inf. I just now have to figure out why runonceex.inf did not get executed. I will debug runonceex.inf, but I'm sure it finds the source file. It just did not run because the application did not get installed.

    mhmallory

  7. So far what I have been able to gleam out of the following matrix -

    filename = status, subdir, size, 3, 4, 5, diskid,subdir, upgradecode, newinstallcode1, newfilename, newinstallcode2, 6

    unattended.inf = 1,,,,,,_x,,3,3

    So far I think '_x' references a compressed file. I don't what 'x' is yet, but I know the source file is not compressed.

    TIA,

    mhmallory

  8. @g-force

    Thanks for the reply. The process looks tough at first, but once you dissect the bottom of the page and break it down into basic steps it's hot is bad as it looks. I think I'm getting the error from txtxsetup.sif. I think the entries

    runonceex.inf = 1,,,,,,,20,0,0

    unattended.inf = 1,,,,,,_x,,3,3

    are in the wrong place. I tried moving it to -

    [sourceDisksFiles]

    runonceex.inf = 1,,,,,,,20,0,0

    unattended.inf = 1,,,,,,_x,,3,3

    but no go. Also, I think the runonceex.inf = 1,,,,,,,20,0,0 might be wrong. I'm google'ing to find a simple method to decode the string. So far I'm looking at http://www.msfn.org/board/txtsetup-sif-lay...ce-t127677.html

    as a guide to attempt to decode it.

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

  9. I use the following to build a Nlite/Xpize ISO.

    1). Start with a fresh XP source.

    2). I use Nlite to install service packs, hotfixes, and addons.

    a. Configure Nlite NOT to build ISO.

    b. As an addon I include .NET combo pack.

    3). Start Xpize with xpize5R6.exe /ignoreCondition

    4). From Xpize menu choose, "Install xpize 5 Release 6"

    5). From Xpize Menu I choose the desired theme. Important, If you switch to advanced mode, be very careful. Selecting additional themes can cause you unexpected results because during integrate process the same resource files and DLL's will be modified numerous times. Xpize does allow change this behavior.

    6) From Xpize Menu, I choose "Install to a Windows Setup CD (I386).

    7) It is important after Xpize completes, DO NOT USE NLITE again to build the ISO. I use MagicISO with a extracted CD image from the source CD to build the ISO.

    8) Once ISO build is completed and installed on a target, I use Autopatcher to install missing hotfixes or desired additional tweaks.

    I have followed this procedure at least 75 times during ISO builds and debugging. It works %100 with reliable results. I HAVE never had a problem integrating Xpize using the outlined procedure. I have to thank Xpize Dev for pointing me in the right direction. The movie clip they refereed me to helped a great deal.

    Once I get Unattended install using runonce inf method working for me %100 percent, the next step is integrating Bâshrat the Sneaky DriverPacks 8.12.5 into my ISO.

    mhmallory

  10. I was attempting to use Gosh' method of installing packages with XP Pro SP3 using RunOnceEx guide at http://gosh.msfn.org/using_runonceex.htm. I modified the files according to the directions, but I get the following setup error.

    post-15886-1253731764_thumb.jpg

    Here are the steps I followed.

    1) Edited xp source file txtxsetup.sif and added the following -



    [HiveInfs.Fresh]
    AddReg = hivedef.inf,AddReg
    AddReg = hivesys.inf,AddReg
    AddReg = hivesft.inf,AddReg
    AddReg = hivecls.inf,AddReg
    AddReg = hiveusd.inf,AddReg
    AddReg = hivesxs.inf,AddReg
    AddReg = dmreg.inf,DM.AddReg
    AddReg = unattended.inf,newhive
    runonceex.inf = 1,,,,,,,20,0,0
    unattended.inf = 1,,,,,,_x,,3,3

    2) Edited xp source file dosnet.inf and added the following -



    [Files]
    d1,runonceex.inf
    d1,unattended.inf

    3) Created file unattended.inf in source i386 folder and added the following -



    [Version]
    Signature=$CHICAGO$

    [newhive]
    HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx",,0x00000012
    HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx",Title,0x00000000,"Applying custom settings"
    HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx",Flags,0x00010001,0x00000020
    HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\Infs",,,"Applying Inf's"
    HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\Infs",1,,"rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall XP 128 ..\Windows\Inf\runonceex.inf"

    4) Created file runonceex.inf in i386 folder and added the following:



    [Version]
    Signature=$CHICAGO$

    [DefaultInstall]
    AddReg = RunXP

    [XP]
    AddReg = RunXP

    [RunXP]
    ;http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=232509
    HKLM,"%RunOnceEx%\",Title,0,"Installing Applications and Extras"
    HKLM,"%RunOnceEx%\",Flags,0x00010001,20
    HKLM,"%RunOnceEx%\install001",,,"7 Zip"
    HKLM,"%RunOnceEx%\install001",1,,"%10%\Install\Packages\7z465.exe /S"

    [Strings]
    RunOnceEx = "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx"

    5) Created the folder <my source drive>\$OEM$\$$\Install\Packages

    6) Placed 7 Zip program in <my source drive>\$OEM$\$$\Install\Packages\7z907b.exe

    I have google'd the forum, but I'm at a lost. Any help would be appreciated.

    mhmallory

  11. One thing I need to point out. If you intend to integrate Xpize into a Nlite'd CD, ALL of the files in the 'root' of the CD directory share file attributes must be set to +A. If you attempt to Xpize the XP share, and Xpize immediately gives you an error message of 'Invalid Root of CD', I have consistently found the file attributes (permissions) are wrong by Xpize standards.

    If you need to change many files or directories in mass, I found the tool Attribute Changer shell extension (freeware) from http://www.petges.lu/ does the job really well.

    mhmallory

  12. Ok, I fixed it. Following are the steps I followed -

    1) I noticed TaskSwitchXP was not running. It was in the registry start, but was not installed in /Program Files/.

    2) Started Xpize5R6 installer with /ignoreCondition

    3. After reboot, went to /WINDOWS/Resources and removed duplicate directories.

    4) Went to /WINDOWS/Web/Wallpaper and removed duplicate .jpg and .bmp files.

    5) Went to Control Panel, System, Advanced, Settings, Performance Settings, and toggled 'Adjust for Best Appearance:.

    6) Went to Desktop Properties, Desktop, Background (any except none), Apply.

    7. Went to Desktop Properties, Settings, Advanced, "After I Change Display:" and toggled " Apply the new display settings without restarting" to "Ask me before applying the new display settings" and then back to " Apply the new display settings without restarting".

    Note, I did not change any registry keys. I also attached the install log and a shot of my Desktop.

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

    Anolis.Installer.log.7z

    final_desktop.7z

  13. @W3bbo

    Tried the MS Paint trick, but the version is the one distributed with XP. It will let me set the background after saving it as a a low density .jpeg. I attempted it with one of the wallpapers distributed with windows in /windows/web/wallpaper. The result is crappy wallpaper. I think I know where you are going with this, but I get the same result with the .jpg I want to use. Also, on a VM image, if I rename the jpeg that I want to use, and copy it to the VMWare VM /windows/web/wallpaper/test_image.jpg it allows me to use the image or any other image I desire.

    The VM also has xpize 5R6 installed.

    I have attached a screen shot of my DT.

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

    control_panel.7z

  14. @W3bbo

    I did registry edits as requested. Closer, wallpaper is set to "None", can't change to any other listed in "Scroll Menu". Could this be a permission problem in registry? I have attached before and after .reg edits.

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

    Reg.zip

  15. @Happy-Dude

    Thanks for the reply. Let me take you through the install steps I followed.

    1. Attempted to install Xpize 5.R6, received the error message that the installer detected a previous install, and to uninstall previous install of Xprize.

    2. Started the Xpize 5.R5 installer and performed an “Undo Changes made by xpize 5 Release 5.

    3. Rebooted

    4. Started Xpize 5R6 installer, which not start because of pending action.

    5. Started IE at updates.microsoft.com. Microsoft showed no pending updates.

    6. Started Xpize 5R6 installer from command line with switch /ignoreCondition

    7. Rebooted

    8. Copied desired wallpaper Vista Blue to C:\WINDOWS\Web\Wallpaper\Vista Blue.jpg.

    9. Opened Properties, and attempted to switch wallpaper to Vista Blue. This did not work. Attempted to change to any existing wallpaper, which does not work as well.

    10. Checked C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes for duplicate folders. Attempted to remove duplicate directories, but denied because some of DLL’s in use.

    11. Booted to Safe Mode and removed duplicate directories, and rebooted.

    12. System now was in what appeared to be “XP Sliver Theme”. Could not change. Went to Control Panel->System->Advanced->Performance->Settings->Visual Effects->Adjust for Best Appearance. This put me back to “Embedded Theme” and toggled Off the On. This put me back into embedded theme.

    13. At this time, cannot change Theme or Wallpaper.

    I cannot upload screen shots, but you can see them at Windows Live at http://cid-892f6f008e5062eb.skydrive.live....=WuRgm4N5s00%24 . I will wait for further suggestions.

    Also, applied Xpize 5R6 to a VMWare image. This works fine, since I did not have a previous theme Xpize distribution installed.

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

  16. I just installed XPize 5R6 and noticed one thing. I selected the "Embedded" wallpaper style during install. I now want to change wallpaper. I open "Properties", "Desk Top Properties", "Desktop", "Background", and selected a different wallpaper from the drop down list, and click "Apply", "Ok". No matter which wallpaper I select, it never saves the change. I "Logged Off", and "Logged On", but the wallpaper I selected from the previous session does not change. I also tried changing wallpaper, then rebooting but the wallpaper does not change.

    Is this by design?

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

  17. @W3bbo -

    Thanks for the help. Following your Video cast instructions pointed me in the right direction. To be honest installing it with this method makes for a cleaner, lighter install (disk space wise). I wish I saw the video earlier, because I have been at this for the entire month before I threw my hands up and posted for help. Thanks for the forces that be for VMWare. To recap for other users, after integrating Xpize do not use the ISO builder function in Nlite.

    Let me also point out that after integrating Xpize using this method, XP boots faster than doing a standalone install of the package.

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

  18. Thanks for the quick response, and sorry if my post was unclear. What I was attempting to do was build an XP3 ISO using a silent method. If you take a look at this post from msdemich http://www.msfn.org/board/should-use-nlite...streaming+xpize it might clarify things.

    What you posted about the installer makes sense. I realize that uniextractor will not work because I started looking at the Anolis site and saw that they use a custom compression library. The reason I tried uniextractor is because when it fails, it leaves a log file that sometimes will point you to what compression method ‘Installer Packager’ is using.

    Also, I know that Xpize is being installed on my Windows ISO share, because I see Xpize creates the $OEM$ directory.

    I took a look at the videocast, and I see that one of the most important steps is not to use Nlite to ‘make the ISO’. I noted when I used Nlite to make the ISO, it attempts to repair the files Xplite modified. I will give the method of using an external program like PowerISO or MagicISO to create a bootable ISO image,

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

  19. Has anyone attempt to successfully sllpstreamed XPize 5.5 with SP3 with .NET installed with Nlite. I have unsuccessfully attempted this Nlite directly into an ISO, but receive errors about uxtheme.dll. I have SFC disabled and Unsigned Themes Supported enabled in Nlite v1.4.9.1.

    I have also attempted to use a addon with /S /norestore /noboot /notask in the INF file. This results in an install screen from Xpize which means the installer is ignoring the switches. If I proceed with the Install, it installs Xpize, but the install screen dialog results with the only option to reboot ("Cancel: greyed out). If I choose the reboot option, this puts the Xpize installer into a loop. If I forcibly reboot, the XP install restarts, and the Xpize install screen during the install process begins again.

    I also went to the Anolis WEB site to see if there was any clue on using silent package install. No luck though. I also attempted use Universal Extractor-v 1.6 from http://legroom.net/software/uniextract because sometimes this will give you a clue on how to open a installer package. This did not work either.

    The above secenario leaves out the option of using 'runoncex" method, because of the reboot issue.

    I really like Xpize, and would like to integrate it into a XP silent install package. Any clue would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,

    mhmallory

  20. Yes, it only happens in the root of D:\. It is okay on C:\ and CDROM. I have never this either.

    What is really strange is that I can reproduce it. It's almost like a resource in a DLL is wrong? What is stranger no matter how I sort it in Windows Explorer, it is always there. Even stranger is that I see it in Ultra Browser, which leads me to think it not a Windows Explorer problem.

    Since this is a fresh build, and the only thing I have done differently is to download recent hot fixes from Microsoft. This I find hard to believe because I would think someone else would have caught before me.

    TIA

    mhmallory

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