Advanced Nlite Questions

[fffrrr]

Hi, here is some stuff I need to know, not all stuff are extra advanced or related directly to nlite, but plz reply if u know about it !

1. corrupt icons on removable devices after using Nlite

No matter what I try , or what WindowsXP version (x86-x64-2003server-home-pro) I use, after working with nlite on it, when I finally install that os it gets icon error. Every time I insert a CD or DVD in my drive, all icons are STOLEN by internet explorer icon, so there are no more normal icons on my burned disks, all txt, folder, pdf, html, autorun.... icons are stolen by IE7 icon. This happens always if I slipstream IE7 into XP, but it sometimes hapens with standard IE6 too. Cleaning icon cache helps till next time I restart my PC, and this doesnt happen before using nlite.

2. PAE over 3.25 limit with nlite ?

Is there any way to get PAE in WindowsXP (32bit) to work using nlite ? Ive tried a lot of things without nlite and I just cant get my XP to recognize more that 3.25GB of RAM. I have 8GB in my system. Vista does this with no problem, even with 32bit edition. So is there any hotfix for nlite to make this work? I haven't managed to find it myself. Custom tricks after XP has already been installed don't work for me, thats why im trying to do it over nlite if possible.

3. firewire under XP

Firewire works perfect in Vista, but in XP it doesn't (for me). Microsoft says XP fully supports Firewire, but on my brand new PC (running XP), Firewire is recognized as just another LAN port and sets IP adress for it - YUP ! It takes custom setting it up every time to work, not just plug the cable in like in Vista, is it possible to solve this using nlite hotfix or drivers integration, to update firewire drivers in XP from version 2001 to newer, so that they work like in Vista ? I have found only FW drivers that work with my motherboard (on my MB disc) and they work fine, but no universal ones (like XP has but old 2001 version).

4. components removal safety?

Is it safe to remove the following components from XP using nlite, im planning on using more powerful commercial alternatives instead, so will I have later on trouble in my normal work if i remove this standard microsoft components : disk cleanup, fat to ntfs converter, file and settings wizard, internet connection wizard, netmeeting, peer to peer, tour, beep driver, alerter, error reporting, remote registry, zip folders, dr watson, telnet, and movie maker ?

5. SATA HDD under XP (integration)

Integrating SATA support in windows XP was never well explained, I have integrated only Intel sata drivers, and they work fine on my Intel PC. So what with the rest like : VIA, nvidia, amd, and sis sata drivers ? I have all of these, so do I need to integrate them all ? Will they conflict ? Do they all install at same time during XP setup or only the ones for chipset I use? Does XP recognizes hardware like vista does? Will I need other chipset drivers or only one is good for all chipsets ? For all PCs ?

6. xpize stuff

Xpize gives me the option to change my : boot screen, logon screen, theme, wallpaper, icons, to add new task manager and patch my xp for third party themes etc... While slipstreaming it with nlite I dont get any advanced options for Xpize, and why do I need to disable SFC, this option is useful. Can I unistall xpize later on if i slipstream it into xp ? What happens when i slipstream Xpize into XP SP3 installation , and we know SP3 doesnt support Xpize? Nlite is silent here.

7. nlite has burned it all up, but the disc is not bootable ?

Why Nlite randomly fails to create Bootable ISO ? I always use the same options on that section, but CD is not always bootable.

8. XP KBs have to be placed in specific order?

When insterting XP updates with nlite (those KB stuff) do I really need to install new windows installer first ? Some say u need to set it first in order, so that it gets installed before other KBs. Is 3.1 installer neccesary at all ? I never cared in what order where my KBs set, I thougt nlite does this automatic, so will I get in trouble if I install 93,94,95 KBs before I install 89,90 and 91 KBs ? Some are later replaced by the same newer version, so I hear they are not compatible.

9. trick the crackers

We all know that even if you dont use internet explorer or critical software like IE, only having it installed on your PC may pose equal threat. So for example if I "remove components" with nlite, for example internet explorer, windows messenger, and outlook express, will I be gone with all those exploits and critical security issues that come with this softare ? I mean, do I need to install all that security fixes for this soft if it is gone ? I belive AutoUpdate even wont show me updates for this removed stuff, but will nlite react to this and reject not needed hotfixes like Vista does, anyone tried this ?

P.S. oooh just one more thing, does anyone know where can I get more software like xpize, that CAN be slipstreamed with nlite, so far I havent found anythng good. Can software be recompiled to slipstream, for example are those XP installations where software like nero, alcohol, nod, powerdvd... comes preinstalled done by nlite?

thats all for now

Edited February 3, 2009 by fffrrr

[johnhc]

fffrrr, WOW, what a list! I will try to comment:

1. I have never had this problem, or heard of others having it. I suspect you have run nLite more than once on the same source, or see 8.
   
2. Since I run XP x64, I am not familiar with this option. Have you used the /PAE in your boot.ini file? Have you seen this article?
   
3. I have not tried this (I'm running on VM at this time), but have heard not one else complaining. See 1 above.
   
4. The only one I would worry about is Internet connection wizard and maybe error reporting.
   
5. Text mode drivers, I am told, are only the ones for the install device. If you put in several, then only the last is used, so be sure the last one is the one you are installing on. For drivers that are used after installation, there are manufacturing and device IDs that allow use of the proper drivers, so install all the non-text mode drivers for all your hardware.
   
6. I know nothing about Xprise and suggest you consult that forum. In general, code that is slipstreamed does not show up in Add/Remove. Most programs have an uninstall file which you can use if you can identify and find it.
   
7. I have never had problems with nLite making an ISO or burning a CD/DVD. I suggest you set your burn speed down till you get consistent quality results.
   
8. Hot fixes are not sorted by nLite and must be placed in the correct order.
   
9. I strong recommend against removing IE. This leads to grief since it is so deeply buried into Windows. I would think that after removing windows components that they should not be updated and WUD should see this and send such.
   

Please be sure to always start with a fresh copy of your CD files/folders and do all you work in one nLite session. If you have specific questions, please Attach (not paste) your Last Session.ini. Enjoy, John.

PS. NLite is for private use only, so any SW pre-installed on new computers is not done by nLite. Recompiling will not make a program slipstreamable. Creating an AddOn with the program will - see forum on the subject here.

[mara-]

I'll answer what I know:

2. 32-bit version of Windows will never recognize 4GB of ram or more, not even Vista 32-bit. Vista just shows you that you have 8 GB, but windows just use 3.25GB as Win XP shows. I strongly suggest that you use 64-bit of Windows so your RAM is fully used.

4. All those components are safe to removed. I can only remember that there was some issue with removing beep driver, but I can't remember what was the issue. Something with sound in windows I think.

5. You can integrate as many SATA drivers as you want. The best thing is that you download all SATA drivers from here and integrate it. You will have to use the tool from that page to integrate it. Just remember to use is after you finished with nLite, or you'll break something.

7. I don0t know which burn engine nLite use, I think that it uses Windows built-in engine so which is not good. I always create ISO file and burn it with Nero. This always worked for me.

8. Yes, you should put it in order. Just sort in by date in nLite and that's it.

You might be interested in this.

Cheers

Edited February 3, 2009 by mara-

[fffrrr]

Thank you all !! Great replies, I'm gonna have fun with that driver packs for the next whole day ! And I never knew its best to work with nlite all in one, I'd always finish 1 chapter then exit, but now I'm doing it AIO.

Edited February 3, 2009 by fffrrr