SP3 Slipstream "not valid win32 app" problem

[Sarcophagus]

Hello. I'm new to the forum, forgive me if this has been covered, but I did not see it anywhere. I have a problem with nLite. When I choose to slipstream XP SP3, it comes back and says that the SP3 file is not a valid Win32 App, and won't continue. What could I be doing wrong? I've downloaded the SP3 unattended network deployment file about 4 times now incase it was corrupted. But I keep getting the same error message when I try to slipstream it into the XP PRO files.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[GMan_PCTT]

Hello. I'm new to the forum, forgive me if this has been covered, but I did not see it anywhere. I have a problem with nLite. When I choose to slipstream XP SP3, it comes back and says that the SP3 file is not a valid Win32 App, and won't continue. What could I be doing wrong? I've downloaded the SP3 unattended network deployment file about 4 times now incase it was corrupted. But I keep getting the same error message when I try to slipstream it into the XP PRO files.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Your issue may not be with nLite or SP3 at all.

Windows has limits on how long a path statement can be and, if exceeded, will issue this exact error message when you try to execute a file. To put it in simpler terms (and assuming my guess is correct), something you're using is buried too deeply within folder\subfolder\subfolder\etc.. Each additional folder adds to the chance that you'll exceed the limit.

So, if you've been working with any deeply nestled folders, try moving everything to just under your drive letter. In other words, copy the contents of the Windows install disk to something like C:\XPDisk and put the downloaded SP3 file into one called C:\SP3 and then run the app using those two locations.

If the above does not apply here, then this may also be the result of a corrupted TEMP file getting in the way. Run Disk Cleanup (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System > Disk Cleanup) and make sure there's a check next to Temporary Files in the options. It wouldn't hurt to reboot after cleaning them out.

On the other hand, SP3 requires that either SP1 or SP2 be already present within the files. If you're using an original XP (no service packs) install disk, it wont work until you first slip in one of the earlier SP's.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[Sarcophagus]

Thanks for the reply. I've tried short named folders. No luck. I'm using xp pro disk with SP2 on it. I've downloaded the file about 4 times from microsoft's site, and I get the same problem. I even transferred the file over my home network to another computer, and I get the same error message. The file must be corrupted some how. Is there another site I can download the SP3 file from other than Microsoft? I could give that a try.

I'm doing disk cleanup now, but I doubt if that's going to help it. I think for whatever reason(s), the file I'm downloading from the MS site is either corrupt, or is getting corrupted during the download procedure.

Thank you.

[GMan_PCTT]

Thanks for the reply. I've tried short named folders. No luck. I'm using xp pro disk with SP2 on it. I've downloaded the file about 4 times from microsoft's site, and I get the same problem. I even transferred the file over my home network to another computer, and I get the same error message. The file must be corrupted some how. Is there another site I can download the SP3 file from other than Microsoft? I could give that a try.

I'm doing disk cleanup now, but I doubt if that's going to help it. I think for whatever reason(s), the file I'm downloading from the MS site is either corrupt, or is getting corrupted during the download procedure.

Thank you.

There are plenty of non-MS places where you can download a file that's labeled as SP3, but I wouldn't trust most of them. There are a ton of pre-release SP3's floating around and they're causing a lot more problems than they solve.

Since everything else checks out, the most likely source of corruption is still Temp files. If you're using any version of IE for downloading the file, you should clear out your Temporary Internet Files folder, as well. Keep us updated on your progress.

[RJARRRPCGP]

In my experience, it means that the file is so corrupted that it isn't even 1 MB!

*The expected file size is 316 MB*

Edited August 14, 2008 by RJARRRPCGP

[Sarcophagus]

Well, I deleted temp files, same problem. I was using IE7 to download the SP3 file. So, I used the computer in my daughter's room, using IE6, downloaded it, then copied it over on the network. BINGO...works fine with nLite, slipstreamed no problem. So there has to be something corrupt in my IE7. Sorry for bothering you on what I thought was an nLite problem. But one way or another, I had success

Thanks !!

[GMan_PCTT]

Well, I deleted temp files, same problem. I was using IE7 to download the SP3 file. So, I used the computer in my daughter's room, using IE6, downloaded it, then copied it over on the network. BINGO...works fine with nLite, slipstreamed no problem. So there has to be something corrupt in my IE7. Sorry for bothering you on what I thought was an nLite problem. But one way or another, I had success

Thanks !!

No bother at all. Plus, you're system is now a little cleaner.

Success means everything, so I'm very glad to hear that it worked.