Cosmin3
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Posts posted by Cosmin3
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I got it to work from RunOnce!
The biggest problem I had was to create a partition and name it D:\ in VirtualBox, which I did by splitting the VHD, formatting one partition into NTFS (Quick) and then hitting restart. The procedure began again. This time I formatted the second partition (which was already in FAT32) into NTFS (Quick) and the newly formatted partition took drive letter C:\ when I installed on it. The recommended amount was 388MB, and I got 389MB.
This is a snapshot of the end result
Glad to hear this
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Hi.
I think everybody knows that Windows x86 is limited to 3..3.5 GB RAM.
So, if I buy 8 GB I have to use x64. But, for various reasons, I can't use it (for now).
I have read . But I can't use those workarounds...
Here's a question: is it possible to create, before win loads, a 4.5..5 GB Ramdrive with pagefile (fixed size) on it in the last part of the RAM (where Windows x86 can't "reach")?
This way you can use all the RAM. Having a Virtual Memory file instead of just RAM will slow down the computer a bit, but it's better than nothing.
Probably, over the years, this issue and various solvings were discussed...
So, sorry if my idea seems "dumb" or antiquated
Or perhaps someone found another way...
Thank you in advance for any reply.
Best regards, Cosmin3
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Cosmin3, please see nLite.cmd (compressed into NLITE.CM_) for how nLite determines %Source%.
I found it only as "c:\WINDOWS\system32\nlite.cmd". I couldn't find it in installation files as nlite.cm_ (or anywhere else for that matter).
I kept only the first line:
for /f "tokens=3" %%i IN ('reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup /v "SourcePath" ^| findstr "REG_SZ"') do set SOURCE=%%iIt gives me a temporary %source% variable (set on my system as "E:"). But soon as I close cmd window, it's gone.
Anyway it doesn't work with USB stick installation because, obviously, the CD ain't there...
An even more transparent way is common around here that I copied:
for %%i in (C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) do if exist %%i:\sources\install.wim set CDROM=%%i:
Just change the file name to something unique on the drive you are interesting on getting the letter. Enjoy, John.
I will use it like this:
for %%i in (C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) do if exist %%i:\SetVM\SetVM.exe %%i:\SetVM\SetVM.exe
But the problem is that I have to use a *.cmd file for this command, which I have to place it in a $OEM$ folder so I can run it. This is what I tried to avoid in the first place...
But thank you.
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Cool!
I was thinking of putting in a batch file and doing something like
REM Setting virtual memory
start /wait %source%$OEM$\VM\setVM.exebecause I was interested whether it would work if it was run before the actual first logon.
I'll test this too and get back.
Cheers
I tried myself with "%source%" a few weeks ago (for other program) but this environment variable isn't recognized after the installation is over.
Anyway, even if it works when installing from CD, surely it won't work when installing from USB stick.
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You were right, it just can't get any simpler that this
All we need now is someone with more understanding of the XP install process to tell us if it can be run through RunOnce.
Keep up the good work
I tested it...
I made an $OEM$\$$\Temp\ folder on XP installation CD and I copied the files in it.
At Unattended >> RunOnce section in nlite I added %windir%\Temp\SetVM.exe.
During installation I didn't see any error message.
It seems it worked:
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Version 2.0
program SetVM;
uses
Windows, SysUtils, StrUtils;
{$R *.res}
type
TMemoryStatusEx = packed record
dwLength: DWORD;
dwMemoryLoad: DWORD;
ullTotalPhys: Int64;
ullAvailPhys: Int64;
ullTotalPageFile: Int64;
ullAvailPageFile: Int64;
ullTotalVirtual: Int64;
ullAvailVirtual: Int64;
ullAvailExtendedVirtual: Int64;
end;
type
TCurrVal = record
Drive: Char;
Size: Int64;
end;
function GlobalMemoryStatusEx(var lpBuffer: TMemoryStatusEx): BOOL; stdcall; external kernel32;
var
MS: TMemoryStatusEx;
CurrStr, StrToChg, IniName, s: AnsiString;
hTemp: HKEY;
WinPath: array[0..MAX_PATH + 1] of char;
Result: Boolean;
FreeAv, TotalAv, VMSize, CurrVal: Int64;
i, j, p, l, NrDefVal: Integer;
Buf: Pointer;
BufSize: Cardinal;
ValType: DWORD;
sr: TSearchRec;
CurrValA, FtValA: array of TCurrVal;
t: TextFile;
begin
Result := False;
try
try //tries to read the current configuration
if RegOpenKeyEx(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, PChar('SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management'), 0, KEY_READ, hTemp) = ERROR_SUCCESS then
begin
if RegQueryValueEx(hTemp, PChar('PagingFiles'), nil, @ValType, nil, @BufSize) = ERROR_SUCCESS then //query buffer size
begin
GetMem(Buf, BufSize);
try
if RegQueryValueEx(hTemp, PChar('PagingFiles'), nil, @ValType, Buf, @BufSize) = ERROR_SUCCESS then
if BufSize > 0 then
begin
CurrStr := AnsiLowerCase(string(Buf));
SetLength(CurrValA, 0);
i := -1;
p := Pos('pagefile.sys', CurrStr);
while p > 0 do //recursive search for each pagefile
begin
Inc(i);
SetLength(CurrValA, i + 1);
CurrValA[i].Drive := CurrStr[p - 3];
//get the actual size of the pagefiles
if FindFirst(Copy(CurrStr, p - 3, 15), faAnyFile, sr) = 0 then
CurrValA[i].Size := Int64(sr.FindData.nFileSizeHigh) shl Int64(32) + Int64(sr.FindData.nFileSizeLow);
FindClose(sr);
p := PosEx('pagefile.sys', CurrStr, p + 12);
end;
end;
finally
FreeMem(Buf);
end;
end;
RegCloseKey(hTemp);
end;
except
end;
StrToChg := '';
//get the Ram informations
MS.dwLength := SizEof(TMemoryStatusEx);
GlobalMemoryStatusEx(MS);
if MS.ullTotalPhys < 134217728 then // if RAM size is lower than 128 MB (most probably a reading bug)
VMSize := 201326592
else
VMSize := Round(1.5 * MS.ullTotalPhys);
IniName := Copy(ParamStr(0), 1, Length(ParamStr(0)) - 3) + 'ini';
if FileExists(IniName) then //if configuration file exists
begin
//reads the configuration file
AssignFile(t, IniName);
FileMode := 0;
i := -1;
NrDefVal := 0;
SetLength(FtValA, 0);
try
Reset(t);
while not Eof(t) do
begin
Readln(t, s);
if Pos('#', s) = 1 then
Continue;
l := Length(s);
if l > 2 then
if (s[1] in ['a'..'z']) or (s[1] in ['A'..'Z']) then
if s[2] = '=' then
begin
Inc(i);
SetLength(FtValA, i + 1);
if s[1] in ['a'..'z'] then
FtValA[i].Drive := s[1]
else
FtValA[i].Drive := Char(Byte(s[1]) + 32);
if s[3] = '*' then
begin
FtValA[i].Size := -1;
Inc(NrDefVal);
end
else
FtValA[i].Size := StrToInt64def(Copy(s, 3, l - 2), 0) * 1048576;
end;
end;
except
end;
CloseFile(t);
if i = -1 then
Exit;
if NrDefVal > 0 then //if the number of * is at least 1
begin
for i := 0 to High(FtValA) do
if FtValA[i].Size <> -1 then
VMSize := VMSize - FtValA[i].Size; //calculate the default size
for i := 0 to High(FtValA) do
begin
//assignes default values when * is used
if FtValA[i].Size = -1 then
FtValA[i].Size := Round(VMSize / NrDefVal);
//if assigned value is 0 or negative then it's a problem
if Round(FtValA[i].Size / 1048576) < 1 then
Exit;
end;
end;
for i := 0 to High(FtValA) do //for each drive
begin
if not GetDiskFreeSpaceEx(PChar(FtValA[i].Drive + ':\'), FreeAv, TotalAv, nil) then //can't read free disk space (drive/OS error)
Exit;
if FreeAv = 0 then //no free space on that drive; most probably a drive error or a read-only one...
Exit;
j := 0;
while j < Length(CurrValA) do //search for records about current pagefile on that drive
begin
if CurrValA[j].Drive = FtValA[i].Drive then
Break;
Inc(j);
end;
//tests if the new pagefile fits
if j < Length(CurrValA) then
begin
if (FreeAv + CurrValA[i].Size) <= FtValA[i].Size then
Exit;
end
else
if FreeAv <= FtValA[i].Size then
Exit;
//text to change in registry
StrToChg := StrToChg + FtValA[i].Drive + ':\pagefile.sys ' + IntToStr(Round(FtValA[i].Size / 1048576)) + ' ' + IntToStr(Round(FtValA[i].Size / 1048576)) + #0;
end;
Delete(StrToChg, Length(StrToChg), 1); //delete unused #0 at the end
end
else
begin //no configuration found so it sets one file on Windows drive
WinPath[0] := #0;
if GetWindowsDirectory(WinPath, MAX_PATH) = 0 then //can't read the name of Windows folder (drive/OS error)
Exit;
if not GetDiskFreeSpaceEx(PChar(WinPath[0] + ':\'), FreeAv, TotalAv, nil) then //can't read free disk space (drive/OS error)
Exit;
if FreeAv = 0 then //no free space on that drive; most probably a drive error or a read-only one...
Exit;
WinPath[0] := Char(CharLower(PChar(WinPath[0])));
i := 0;
CurrVal := 0;
while i < Length(CurrValA) do //search for records about current pagefile on Windows drive
begin
if CurrValA[i].Drive = WinPath[0] then
begin
CurrVal := CurrValA[i].Size;
Break;
end;
Inc(i);
end;
//tests if the new pagefile fits
if (FreeAv + CurrVal) <= VMSize then
Exit;
//text to change in registry
StrToChg := WinPath[0] + ':\pagefile.sys ' + IntToStr(Round(VMSize / 1048576)) + ' ' + IntToStr(Round(VMSize / 1048576));
end;
//tries to write in registry
try
if RegCreateKeyEx(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, PChar('SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management'), 0, nil, REG_OPTION_NON_VOLATILE, KEY_WRITE, nil, hTemp, nil) = ERROR_SUCCESS then
begin
Result := RegSetValueEx(hTemp, PChar('PagingFiles'), 0, REG_MULTI_SZ, PChar(StrToChg + #0#0), Length(StrToChg) + 2) = ERROR_SUCCESS;
RegCloseKey(hTemp);
end;
except
end;
finally
if not Result then //some error happened so it shows a message
MessageBox(0, 'Unable to set Virtual Memory values automatically'#13#10'Please set them manually!', 'SetVM', MB_ICONERROR or MB_OK);
end;
end.Configuration is set in SetVM.ini:
C=300
D=*The user can set the size directly (in MB) or * for the default value.
If the ini file is missing it sets like in previous version.
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In my case, I have one primary partition on one HDD (apart from the system drive), but will it be any different if there are two separate HDDs? If more explanation is needed, I mainly divide pagefile.sys because of free space; a small amount (256MB, for example) on C:\ and the rest on D:\
Cheers
For my program no, I asked only because having 2 or more pagefiles on the same physical drive is not good (slower access).
Ok, I'll let you choose a way to implement (configuration file or command line parameters) and the "syntax" to be used
It should be easy to understand and use...
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So, from what I see, you have set pagefile size to be constructed as physically available RAM x 1.5.
In numbers: I have 768MB, but 751 are usable (shared video card) So, 751x1.5=1126.5, and I got 1127.
Conclusion: Congrats! It worked for me
You're welcome.
Now, pagefile.sys is set by default to be created on the system drive (normally c:\), but I wonder if it could also be split on two drives, like I normally do it.
When you say "two drives" you mean two physical drives or 2 logical drives (on the same physical drive)..?
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@Cosmin3
That would sure help some people around here
I look forward to testing it ;-)
Ok
First version. Only for tests!
The code (compiled in Delphi 7):
program SetVM;
uses
Windows, SysUtils;
{$R *.res}
type
TMemoryStatusEx = packed record
dwLength: DWORD;
dwMemoryLoad: DWORD;
ullTotalPhys: Int64;
ullAvailPhys: Int64;
ullTotalPageFile: Int64;
ullAvailPageFile: Int64;
ullTotalVirtual: Int64;
ullAvailVirtual: Int64;
ullAvailExtendedVirtual: Int64;
end;
function GlobalMemoryStatusEx(var lpBuffer: TMemoryStatusEx): BOOL; stdcall; external kernel32;
var
MS: TMemoryStatusEx;
CurrStr, StrToChg: AnsiString;
hTemp: HKEY;
WinPath: array[0..MAX_PATH + 1] of char;
Result: Boolean;
FreeAv, TotalAv, VMSize, CurrVal: Int64;
p: Integer;
Buf: Pointer;
BufSize: Cardinal;
ValType: DWORD;
sr: TSearchRec;
begin
Result := False;
CurrVal := 0;
try
MS.dwLength := SizEof(TMemoryStatusEx);
GlobalMemoryStatusEx(MS);
if MS.ullTotalPhys < 134217728 then
VMSize := 201326592
else
VMSize := Round(1.5 * MS.ullTotalPhys);
WinPath[0] := #0;
if GetWindowsDirectory(WinPath, MAX_PATH) = 0 then
Exit;
if not GetDiskFreeSpaceEx(PChar(WinPath[0] + ':\'), FreeAv, TotalAv, nil) then
Exit;
if FreeAv = 0 then
Exit;
try
if RegOpenKeyEx(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, PChar('SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management'), 0, KEY_READ, hTemp) = ERROR_SUCCESS then
begin
if RegQueryValueEx(hTemp, PChar('PagingFiles'), nil, @ValType, nil, @BufSize) = ERROR_SUCCESS then
begin
GetMem(Buf, BufSize);
try
if RegQueryValueEx(hTemp, PChar('PagingFiles'), nil, @ValType, Buf, @BufSize) = ERROR_SUCCESS then
if BufSize > 0 then
begin
CurrStr := PChar(Buf);
p := Pos(' ', CurrStr);
Delete(CurrStr, p, Length(CurrStr) - p + 1);
if CurrStr <> '' then
if CharLower(PChar(CurrStr[1])) = CharLower(PChar(WinPath[0])) then
begin
if FindFirst(CurrStr, faAnyFile, sr) = 0 then
CurrVal := Int64(sr.FindData.nFileSizeHigh) shl Int64(32) + Int64(sr.FindData.nFileSizeLow);
FindClose(sr);
end;
end;
finally
FreeMem(Buf);
end;
end;
RegCloseKey(hTemp);
end;
except
end;
if (FreeAv + CurrVal) <= VMSize then
Exit;
StrToChg := WinPath[0] + ':\pagefile.sys ' + IntToStr(Round(VMSize / 1048576)) + ' ' + IntToStr(Round(VMSize / 1048576));
try
if RegCreateKeyEx(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, PChar('SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management'), 0, nil, REG_OPTION_NON_VOLATILE, KEY_WRITE, nil, hTemp, nil) = ERROR_SUCCESS then
begin
Result := RegSetValueEx(hTemp, PChar('PagingFiles'), 0, REG_MULTI_SZ, PChar(StrToChg + #0#0), Length(StrToChg) + 2) = ERROR_SUCCESS;
RegCloseKey(hTemp);
end;
except
end;
finally
if not Result then
MessageBox(0, 'Unable to set Virtual Memory values automatically'#13#10'Please set them manually!', 'SetVM', MB_ICONERROR or MB_OK);
end;
end.I attached the exe file. Just run it and if there is no error message restart Windows.
Remember to backup your registry first, just in case
Anyway, on my computer works fine.
Later edit: I made 2 small changes:
- The VM size is no longer limited to 4 GB;
- The exe file is a little smaller (I removed Math Unit).
Unfortunatelly, for now, this program can be used in 64 bit operating system only when the size of Ram is < 4 GB.
It is a limitation of GlobalMemoryStatus function (from kernel32.dll) who can return a 32 bit value (4 GB - 1).
I will try to find a better function.
Later later edit: I solved also the problem with GlobalMemoryStatus: I used GlobalMemoryStatusEx. Microsoft says that it should work fine.
But I can't test it, because I have only 2 GB.
Oh, and I also made the code to get the size of the current virtual memory file on the system drive.
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Cosmin3, here is what I use on W7. Please be sure to check your Registry to see if it is the same and remember that you alter your Registry at your own risk.
Reg Add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management" /V PagingFiles /T REG_MULTI_SZ /D "%SystemDrive%\PageFile.sys 2048 2048" /F
Enjoy, John.
Yes, this is better. Thank you.
I tested and it's working only with RunOnce, not as addon. But it's not a big problem.
EDIT: I tried to discover when and how this information was set during install and failed.
No problem. I just realized something: I don't need to read that value; I just have to find how much RAM the computer has and multiply with 1.5.
I will make a little program that will do this and after it will write it directly to registry.
Oh, I forgot to mention: I'm a Delphi programmer
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IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.OnePiece.7z is an nLite add-on. It can only be used with nLite. For updates see here: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/4/
but those you listed are IE8 updates and IE8 needs to be slipstreamed first.
Ok, thank you for the informations.
I understood most of what you said...
I thought that, since adding these files are the only change that I make in nlite to slipstream IE8, they could be used also directly. I was wrong
I asked about this because at http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/19-software-hangout/ nobody was able to solve the problem with installing IE8 directly. So I'm still searching for a way.
Cosmin3, I run this out of RunOnce to set the page file:Start /wait cscript //nologo //B //T:600 %systemroot%\system32\pagefileconfig.vbs /change /I 1024 /M 1024 /VO *
Enjoy, John.
Thank you.
I will try to make it addon to see if it works
I wonder where in Windows (registry and/or file) the number for "recommended value" is written (and when is written)...
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Hi.
If I want to use these files in a normal IE8 installation (not nlite) how can I do it..?
IE8-WindowsXP-KB2183461-x86-ENU.exe
IE8-WindowsXP-KB976662-x86-ENU.exe
IE8-WindowsXP-KB981332-x86-ENU.exe
IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.OnePiece.7z
Always after Windows XP installation I set the paging file size to the recommended value. Specifically the "Initial size" and "Maximum size" are both set to the recommended value (for 2 GB RAM is 3070 MB).
I know it's a long shot but is it possible to set this in installation files..?
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In VirtualBox yes, Windows is not activated.
But I also tried installing IE8 in the real computer - with the same OS but activated and it didn't work either.
Like I said, I installed it fine only when I had original/unmodified OS...
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Have you checked your drive off-line to see if that file is indeed missing?
Yes and it's missing.
But the point is that the main installer IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.exe is running fine when Windows XP has not been modified with nlite (only SP3 + latest updates included). The problem is not from those IE8 updates but from this installer.
The setup log doesn't show an error but I see a significant time difference. When it's a problem the progressbar is filling only about 10% and the time in which finishes it's a lot shorter. It's like it's deciding not to copy all the files.
I know this is not nlite section but I will attach the Last session.ini
Maybe someone knows which modification(s) "triggers" this problem.
Later edit:
Does installing IE7 give you the same problems?
I did not tried because I wanted to install a better version...
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Thank you.
But this is not working too.
The IE is still version 6 if I start it without restarting Windows.
And if I try to restart Windows it says this and the desktop isn't loaded:
In nlite section -X- gave me an addon made for this problem. But it's for nlite not for normal install.
Anyway I'm not 100% convinced that if I found a normal installer (for the files from this addon) it will solve the problem with IE8.
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This isn't an error. The log file shows that the installation finished successfully but requires a restart to complete. Since your OS is modified with nLite, we may have no idea how to troubleshoot this on your system. My installs of IE8 on XP are done like this:
IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.exe /passive /norestart /update-no
This does not open the prompt to restart. I do not know if you can specify command line parameters with nLite. Also your binary name might be different.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, starting IE8-WindowsXP-x86-ENU.exe with these parameters doesn't solve the problem. In that OS IE is still version 6.
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Ok.
I deactivated these services:
Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Remote Access Connection Manager
Remote Desktop Help Session manager
And in Components section I checked "Remote registry" to be removed.
But I can still see the tab System Properties >> Remote + if I try "Remote Desktop Connection" link from start menu is showing the window.
I'm not sure that is 100% deactivated...
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Sorry for not being more specific.
I meant what should I change in nlite in those two sections to deactivate Remote Assistance/Desktop completely - interface + services.
I ask because I'm not 100% sure...
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What are the consequences of removing "Remote Desktop/Assistance" completely? I mean for other Windows and nonWindows programs...
For example TeamViewer will still work...?
Later edit: and, if it's safe, which components should I remove in "Components" section and which services should I deactivate in "Tweaks >> Services"?
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Hi.
Sorry for my english...
For some time I use nlite to modify Windows XP installation.
One of the problems is that I can no longer install Internet Explorer 8. At some point it shows error and wants restart. After restart I see that troubleshooting link on desktop, but following those instructions doesn't help.
Because I think is got something to do with modifications that I made with nlite first I asked in nlite section:
But I was advised to ask here.
IE8 setup shows this:
I attached the ie8_main.log file.
What could be the problem..?
Thank you in advance for any reply.
Best regards, Cosmin
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I would start a new thread about the IE8 problem here: http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/19-software-hangout/ or perhaps the XP forum.
Have a few eyes look at the log file. No one will find your post buried in this long thread.
Thank you for your suggestion.
I asked in this section first because is got something to do with modifications I did with nlite.
I will try there.
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3 CDs? Are they for personal use? nLite is only for personal use.
Of course. In each one I removed things differently. In the first one I removed a lot (for example SFC, Help files, many services...), the second one is average and the third one is just with SP3 and updates (no settings modified, no links or files removed).
IE8 is installing ok only in the third one.
I made 3 because usually I use the first one but there may be one or more programs that do not work well in it. So I will install the second and, if still not working well, the third. Having these 3 versions is helping me to save time.
Regarding the log file, I'm no expert in reading them but is that from a failed install? I don't see any massive failure there.
Yes, it is from a failed install...
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4 You could use the set command from GuiRunOnce. Type set /? at a command prompt for help. Or, you could do via registry.... HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment
Ok.
I've added the setup log of IE8 to the previous post because some time ago you mentioned it. Yes, now I slipstream IE8 but I still want to know what is wrong in case that I use an installation without. You see, I made 3 installation cds. One with IE8 included and 2 without.
Could you please have a look at that log..?
Thank you.
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Thank you.
3. Ok, I'll do that until the setting from nlite will work properly.
4.
6. Yes I could. I thought there is a setting in nlite for this (or in winnt.sif), that's why I asked.
7. I found a solution: with reg2exe I make a exe, from exe I make an addon and I use the addon in nlite. I already tested and it works fine
Later edit: Oh, and I found the setup log for IE8. It was in %windir%\ie8_main.log. I attached it to this post.
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creating a ramdrive before Windows starts
in Windows XP
Posted · Edited by Cosmin3
Thank you.
Which version are you using, Ramdisk or Ramdisk Plus?
Does really creates ramdisk over 4 GB on x86 OS..?
But the most important question: can create only in memory space unaccessible to x86 OS?
And what do you mean exactly by "loose the crash debug ability"?