dougiefresh

Check out RyanVM's site at http://ryanvm.msfn.org/. Close as you're going to get to slipstream for .NET framework. Visit Bashrat the Sneaky's Web Site.. He's come up with a solution for integrating WMP10 into XP.

One question first: What's a "whack of applications"? Anyway..... The best site I've found for Multi-Boot DVDs has to be FlyAKite's Web Site, particularly if you're wanting to include multiple versions of the same OS. Best site for learning how to make a unattended Windows install is MSFN's Unattended Windows Tutorial, which has a lot of information on how to do so. If you're planning on supporting a lot of computers, also look at Bashrat The Sneaky's DriverPacks, for you will need plenty of drivers. Probably also look at RyanVM's Post-SP2 Update Pack, to totally slipstream all the patches into your install source. If you want to make XP look purty too, look for XPize. Gosh's Web Site also may contain some interesting info for your project. Software Silent Install switches: MSFN Unattended Application Switches. For software installs that won't silently install, I recommend AutoIT to script the software install. That's what I've done with my Multi-Boot DVD. On the hard drive, it sits at approximately 13GB. On the DVD, it sits at 3.9GB. Hope this helps!

By this I mean that it never asked for activation no matter whether I used a mounted images ( with no SP-2 ) to install it on a virtual machine, or installed the OS directly from the CD ( again with no SP-2 ) on a real machine. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Are you sure that your "MSDN copy" isn't actually a cracked version? I've heard that there are programs that patch certain files within the XP source to circumvent activation -- don't know how, don't care how. Slipstreaming Service Pack 2 replaces A LOT OF FILES!!! So, if you do, it's possible that when you slipstreamed, you replaced the cracked file, thereby restarting the activation requirement. The second reason I suspect you had a cracked version is that all versions of XP (with exception of corporate versions) require activation. (Don't know about MSDN versions though.) Corporate versions require a VLK in order to install and don't require activation. Oh, one more thing: I don't know how to identify whether your version is cracked. You probably would have to compare it somehow to an uncracked version of the same type (XP Pro Full to XP Pro Full, not XP Pro Full to XP Home Full).

No, it's not a hack. There is a file in your Windows directory called WPA.DBL that contains your activation information FOR THAT COMPUTER! Copy it somewhere safe before you wipe your system and reinstall. Once your system is reinstalled, copy the file back and Windows will pick up the activation info ASSUMING that the hardware config is the same or very similar (in order words, you haven't changed out the mobo or other major changes).

The registration information is not in the registry. The information is found in your Windows directory. Here are the files you need to copy for each piece of software: AntiCrash --> winshell.dat Battery Doubler --> sysreg.dat Hare --> wininf.dat Zoom --> sysdata.dat Just copy the file(s) before you install the software. Unfortunately, the window representing the folder in the Start Menu holding the shortcuts to the piece of software (let me take a breath) still pops up. So does the Integrator. You can kill the Integrator and copy a few more settings files: Hare --> hare.dat AntiCrash --> anticrash.dat Zoom --> zoom.dat Hope this help! EDIT: I actually tried killing the Integrator and copying the additional files. It don't work. Probably will have to AutoIT to set any additional settings from within the Dachshund software. Sorry..........

To XPero: I want to say one thing about "shell programming"..... If you're not a programmer, don't suggest a way to do "shell programming". Anti-virus programs do not "just load a small dialog" when right-clicking their icon in the system tray. They load themselves fully into memory so that they can perform the function they were designed to do: SCAN FOR VIRUSES! Second, adding RAR support to ZIPFLDR.DLL.... Are you crazy? That's some serious hacking. I have extremely serious doubts that such can be added to ZIPFLDR.DLL without the source. Talk to Bill Gates about getting the source code and if you get it, MAYBE you will have a shot at doing so. But, since you're not programmer..... I'd say zero chance. Third, Get WinRAR (or some other program that supports RAR formats!). Use that program!

huh?