GreenMachine

Look HERE for my opinion ...

Yep, all them directories are par for the course. As for pulling out components from the resuilting ISO, you will do much better of in the Unattended Forum for information. Particularly jdeboeck's scripts, which he either has, or will be, updating for SP2. Once you go that route, you're on your own: I have had my fill of debugging for a while ...

You do not need to include the Windows Messenger 4.7 update in the SVC* directories. As for actually removing files from the distribution ... don't post your error messages here!

It might not do too much, but what it does, it does error free. Haven't had what I would call a real bug in over a month. And we got XPLode for the rest. I kinda liked the GUI (Green Ugly Interface), but seeing as "unattended" is the buzz word here, I thought I'd go the same route myself.

Odd. I XPCREATED my XP SP2 RC1 install, and it went smooth as a ... I have only used it for a total of about an hour other than that, and the only error I found was in Windows Update V5. Then again, it's not like I installed any software. Still, I have to stress the newsgroups thing. There are a few people that are doing nothing but monitoring those groups, and if you get a few people with the same symptoms, you can be sure to draw some attention. Without feeling sorry for MS, there is just no way they can test all the real scenarios, but with a large test base, lots of errors can be found. Maybe that is why I've been keeping my own test base small ...

Sorry, it's a one man show ... On the other hand, all you really needed to do was unzip the archive, add SP2 to the SPACKS directory, change XPCREATE.INI to point to your CD drive with XP in it, and to your CD Burner with a blank CD in it, and double click on XPCREATE.CMD ...

I'm telling you, for the sake of everyone, if you find real bugs, post in the public SP2 newsgroups. You're reports will be heeded, and possibly prevent bugs from getting to manufacturing. I would, but damned if I'm going to run beta software on my production system, and time to test is all too rare these days.

As the man said, XPCREATE is designed to take care of MS hotfixes and updates. You are on your own for the other programs and reg tweaks. Judging from your first question, it looks like you have not even "installed" the downloaded package yet ... The directories are there, The directory creation feature seems to have been a casualty of the revamped version.

@r37ribution: Seems kind of convoluted, but if it works, it works! And don't forget, SP2 is still beta. If MS ain't going to support it, I'm sure not! However, the clock is ticking on RTW, so if anyone is experiencing SP2 problems, they should really post in the MS Newsgroups.

Never heard that before. You are sure to be using all the correct versions? is there any reason that simply not integrating it is not a solution?

Me? Well, at least they won't pass the search filter! Perhaps I'll get inspired again, and add a STUBPATH page to my WebSite ramblings. Or now that I have my own cage and moderator rights there, I could make an XPCREATE thread ... Things have been a tad quite anyway ...

Oh, I guess I'll tell you before someone else ... For everything but the applications, it doesn't get much easier than XPCREATE. However ... documentation is almost non-existant, and on line help can be ... difficult. Spend a day with it, and see if it works for you. I'm off to bed now, and tomorrow is Sunday. I'll check up on you Monday if you are interested. Welcome, newonthis.

What, another disbeliever?

That looks fine. Virtual PC is still a good option: no one gets it all right the first time! Good luck

Did you try it ...

Oh Boy, one of my favorites! Stubpath, in the ActiveSetup regkey is the culprit. It can be considered as a RunOnce per user. Search for posts I have made long ago with the word stubpath. Other links: http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBE/tip2100/rh2196.htm http://www.crucifer.net/INF_Web/perui.htm

Now, if you believed I did not know you are from Finland, how could you possibly trust my advice? There are minimum requirements for WINNT.SIF, and I sure do not remember them. I do know that the DEPLOY.CAB file has the information and the tools to get you going. Make a minimal WINNT.SIF, and add the one line you have listed, and you will be fine. Read one of the two suggested readings I left, and you're questions will be answered. Trust me ...

One could do something like that. Not exactly creating a shortcut, rather creating a "Special Folder" type, associating an action to that type, and including a folder of this type in the Control Panel's namespace. Carefull of the syntax, as well as the GUIDs. I suspect the same could be achieved with a .reg file, or using the REG utility. The Shortcut Utility does create shortcuts to most any program or dll, however, the problem of placing the shortcut inside the Control Panel remains.

Uncomfortably slower, even with smartdrv. The "Documents and Settings" directory selection is, as I understand it, an undocumented and slightly buggy feature. Setup will never ask this question. WINNT.SIF in I386 will result in varying degrees of installation automation, depending on the answers included in this file. The procedure is not different than a normal CD based installation, with the exception that some, or possibly all, questions will not be asked. Take some time to read either the Unattended Guide (http://unattended.msfn.org), or the help files in the DEPLOY.CAB file on the Windows XP CD (CDDRIVE:\SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB), you won't regret it. (Neither will the other forum members ... )

Welcome to MSFN, Finnishguy. Where you from ... That is certainly the general idea, though I have not checked all the spelling and syntax. On the otherhand, you can simply rename the file to WINNT.SIF, and place it in the I386 directory of your CD. It will be used for all installations, without that command line, which would result in a considerably slower install. Last suggestion, use Virtual PC, or VMWare to test your installation, before going to the trouble to test "live". There is a VPC link on THIS page.

UK Trial, eh? Guess I know which OS to switch to in a little under 6 months ... I was just a little surprised that it was not working, as I posted the Hotfix List a few weeks ago on the XPCREATE site, and heard nothing negative. Then again, perhaps I was the only one to use it. Slipstreaming the hotfixes, on the other hand, is a different matter, as the hotfixes can (theoretically) contain 4 different versions of the same files, depending on Service Packs and/or Hotfixes previously installed. You have any word on 2K3 SP1?

Control Panel has not shortcuts: just .cpl applets that are in the system32 directory.

You're catching on!

Actually, it is now a public release. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...=0entry115013

Well ... I must say that the new, sparse web site seems to have scared off some of the less experienced users, resulting in a dramatically reduced work load on this end ... so, I have to weigh the options ...