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Take any file and compute the MD5 hashes of the two files (must be the same file) http://www.slavasoft.com/hashcalc/index.htm If they are equal then it is probably the result of waste due to the block size of the file system. Edit: FYI On my current XP disc (SP2 /w all critical updates integrated) File: SYSDM.CP_ MD5 HASH: 0747984cf7eb6ad3572fb31d01e831db The Windows Calculator Program is the same version for every version of xp that I know of (retail/oem/corp of home/media center/professional) *grin* File: CALC.EX_ MD5 HASH: e73cfccd7ddaff487f913f030f89f1d7 (should be the same for very version of xp's calc) Expanded hash: 829e4805b0e12b383ee09abdc9e2dc3c

I can't see any reason why you would want to do this unless your doing something that your users would not like. As far as I know exescript and reg2exe are just intended for packaging purposes and do not 'encrypt' your script/registry entires. Why does it matter? Just about every batch file I've seen used on an unattended disc is fairly simple. Your registry settings can easily be discovered by using a registry snapshot program. Why do you need to protect your content? It's on a CDR and most people would have no idea that it's different from a regular XP disc (besides not being shiney) and even less would know how to modify it. Why?

Well... it chokes both ways.... I'm out of Ideas. Only other thing I can think of making from single disc versions.

It seems that there are also files that need to be replaced within the 3ENE, 3ENS, 3ENW directorys... I could write a program to copy over the files from the SP's I386 directory, but I'm wondering if there is a beter/proper way?

This is what I did: Extracted CD contents to D:\W2K3\W2K3 Extracted SP1 to: D:\W2K3\SP1 Extracted Boot files to: D:\W2K3\boot Then Executed: D:\W2K3\SP1\Update\Update.exe -s:D:\W2K3\W2K3\ENGLISH\WIN2003\ENT D:\W2K3\SP1\Update\Update.exe -s:D:\W2K3\W2K3\ENGLISH\WIN2003\STD D:\W2K3\SP1\Update\Update.exe -s:D:\W2K3\W2K3\ENGLISH\WIN2003\WEB Do I need to do anything else before cdimage to create the compacted image?

1) You mean having the source files on a computer with only 1 hard drive with one partition? This isnt possible, unless you dont want to reformat your drive (could possibly leave alot of junk). Using a boot disc (no other way with out using alternate windows/documents and settings/Program files directorys.) Delete everything but your I386 directory (preferibly on the root) Launch Setup. You can then install windows without formatting the drive. -- 2) Read This post: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?act=ST&f=70&t=9453 -- 4) Most companies relativly similar hardware and install the software once on base machine then mirror the drive onto the other machines using software like Norton Ghost.

1) You mean having the source files on a computer with only 1 hard drive with one partition? This isnt possible, unless you dont want to reformat your drive (could possibly leave alot of junk). Using a boot disc (no other way with out using alternate windows/documents and settings/Program files directorys.) Delete everything but your I386 directory (preferibly on the root) Launch Setup. You can then install windows without formatting the drive. -- 2) Read This post: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?act=ST&f=70&t=9453 -- 4) Most companies relativly similar hardware and install the software once on base machine then mirror the drive onto the other machines using software like Norton Ghost.

I want to completlely integrate the Office 2003 SP1 package into my XP SP2 disc not just activate the msi intstall like i have seen done on some discs. I know the first thing i got to do is make a list of the files and registry entries that are required (by dissassembling the msi) What i am not sure on how to do is how i should go about packaging the files and registry settings for on the cd?