Speed up loading of MassStorage Drivers during XP 's TextMode Inst

[agni]

One of the most annoying things about using driverpacks is that the MassStorage drivers take ages load(TextMode part of Setup)

The main reason for this is that all the MassStorage Drivers are compressed.Uncompressed driver files will take less time load than compressed files(This does not hold good if you are installing XP from USB).

You can expand all the boot files using expand -r.

But the problem is that many file names change after expanding due to which you will get an error during installation.So I have created a batch file which checks whether file name changes after expanding.If it changes then the compressed driver is used.If the file name does not change then the uncompressed file is used.

The first step is to Create a BOOT folder which contains the necessary boot files(MassStorage Drivers,txtsetup.sif,winnt.sif etc)

Download speedboot.zip attachment.Extract the files and place them next to I386 folder(Assuming this I386 has been nLited and DP integrated).

Run makeboot.bat.It will create a folder BOOT .This contains all the necessary boot files.

Now run expandboot.bat.You will have two folders next to I386.

BOOT(contains the expanded boot files) and oldboot(contains boot files in their original form)

You can delete the oldboot folder or move it some other location.

Next, in the BOOT folder hex edit setupldr.bin. Replace the word i386 with BOOT (all capital letters), your hex editor should make 4 changes.

Download XP boot sector from http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/15/

Hex Edit boot.img and change i386 to BOOT.

Now follow instructions http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/15/ to create XPCD.Use the Hex Edited boot.img while creating the CD.

I tested this in Virtual BOX booting from XP iso.Time taken for loading of MassStorage Drivers(From the time the blue screen appears till it prompts you to install XP or launch Recovery Console)

The boot files in their original form

Time Taken: 47 secs

The boot files in their expanded form,after using expandboot.bat

Time Taken: 23 secs

This is how my XP Source folder looks.

Contents of oldboot.Observe that many files end with sy_

Contents of BOOT.Observe that many files end with sys

Ref:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=9478&st=0

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=106964&hl=

speedboot.zip

Edited February 22, 2009 by agni