little help please guys!

[michaeldcoates]

Hi all, newb question here, if anyone can help with a little advice i would be most appreciative!

I have Winxp disc which has SP2 on it. I copied the files using nlite and slipstreamed sp3 so now whenever i load those files in nlite it says WinXP - SP3 5.1.2600.5512.

I'm curious how i can find out what else i need (service pack wise) to get my installation up to scratch and as up to date as possible.

I'm right in thinking that i can't add addplications to this can i? Like VLC, Winrar or IE7 or IE7Pro etc? I have downloaded WPI because i think i need to make a new disc with my programs on it that will install them all.

Sorry to be a pain, just need a little guidance!

Michael x

[johnhc]

michaeldcoates, SP3 is the last SP for XP, but there are a number of hot fixes that should be included. You can also remove unneeded components and drivers as well as change Windows options and tweak many areas. There are AddOns that allow installation of some programs. See the forum on them here. There are also Update Packs containing the hot fixes you need. I use neither, so can't really help, but there is plenty of information on both in these forums - just search. I do use WPI to install several programs and tweaks and find it easy to use and very effective. You should also consider a virtual system (VirtualBox, VirtualPC or VMware Server - all free) to test the ISOs you build. Please make sure to always start with a fresh copy of your CD files/folders, do all your work in one nLite session and integrate only one SP. Enjoy, John.

[michaeldcoates]

michaeldcoates, SP3 is the last SP for XP, but there are a number of hot fixes that should be included. You can also remove unneeded components and drivers as well as change Windows options and tweak many areas. There are AddOns that allow installation of some programs. See the forum on them here. There are also Update Packs containing the hot fixes you need. I use neither, so can't really help, but there is plenty of information on both in these forums - just search. I do use WPI to install several programs and tweaks and find it easy to use and very effective. You should also consider a virtual system (VirtualBox, VirtualPC or VMware Server - all free) to test the ISOs you build. Please make sure to always start with a fresh copy of your CD files/folders, do all your work in one nLite session and integrate only one SP. Enjoy, John.

John, many thanks for your time - i have done a lot of reading over the last few days and have completed what i think is a good install disc, i just need to try the install to see if it works ok. I used RyanVMs integrater to add his latest update patch to my SP3 install, added the OEM/WPI folders with some of my important programs (not sure on this program as the documentation online is a little vague but i think i have update the install file correctly) and finally ran it through nLite to stop the installation of some windows apps i don't use and tweak a few other things as well as making it completely automated so i don't have to be around during the install. My current install sucks right now so i'm gonna burn this disc, format my drive and try a clean install. I realise this is a bit rash but i usually learn by doing and at least i have my actual install disc in case it goes wrong. I'll update here when it's successful

[michaeldcoates]

let's just say it wasn't a complete success. back to the drawing board

[michaeldcoates]

I have a few more questions if anyone can help at all!

1) I removed cdplayer and dvdplayer last time and on install at the start it warned me about this and I had to press escape three times before installation would begin, not a huge deal but it didn’t seem very good to me! Should I keep cdplayer and dvd player?

2) Why if I remove movie maker (just one example of many) does it still give me an empty folder in my Program files that I can’t delete and have to hide to get rid of?

3) Why does ticking the ‘Show small icons in startup bar’ box not make any difference

4) Why does the welcome to windows section of the install not become automated (having to press next on skip and things? A minor issue, it doesn’t take long

Overall I think nLite is fantastic, it’s done most of what I wanted already and I’ve only made a couple of coasters so far! A little more tweaking on my side will no doubt solve these issues. Big thumbs up guys, I really love this program and can’t wait to get my new install disc finished!

[johnhc]

michaeldcoates, please attach (not paste) your Last Session.ini. Make sure to always start with a fresh copy of your CD files/folders, do all your work in one nLite session and integrate only one SP.

1. Don't know.
   
2. It is probably Read Only. Try removing that and then try to delete.
   
3. I think small is the default.
   
4. Don't know.
   

Enjoy, John.