Question on drivers.

[wildice]

I have a lot of different computers that I regularly reinstall windows xp on I wanted to know if I had to make a separate install disk with different drivers for each computer or if I could integrate all the drivers for each computer on to one disk. The install will be unattended and using the same CD-Key isn’t an issue since it’s a 25 volume pack CD-key.

[mrquincy]

You can integrate different sets of drivers directly using nLite, or you could google "DriverPacks" and start scoping out the DriverPack BASE.

You can set up your UA windows installation folder using nlite, run the driverpack BASE to add many drivers at once, and then run nlite again to create the final ISO.

Between this forum, the DriverPack forum, and our friend Google you should be able to accomplish your tasks without a problem

[johnhc]

wildice, the only caution I would add is with respect to text mode drivers. Only the last text mode driver installed via nLite for a particular device type will be used. So, if your various computers have different controllers for your SATA/RAID/SAS attached install drives you will have a problem. Good luck, John.

[g-force]

since it’s a 25 volume pack CD-key

I really don`t know if this is supported at MSFN-Forums (due to nLite licence):

Maybe "johnhc" can give a statement?

[johnhc]

g-force, it is OK if it is for personal and not business use. I suggest wildice look at the license agreement in the nLite folder in the Program Files folder or on the nLite web site. Enjoy, John.

[wildice]

Well yes they are all my computers I just wanted to let you guys know that I wasn't using some cracked copy because normally you would use a different cd-key for each computer unless you were illegally installing windows. Which I’m not I suppose looking back that statement was pointless. Between the computers my mom, brother, and dad use, plus the computers I use for school; reinstalls happen a lot. I’m going to ITT-Tech for Computer Network Systems as such I’m constantly installing stuff sometimes things break or I simply need a fresh install to test something. I end up reinstalling Windows A lot when something goes wrong I could fix the problem most the time but it just easier and faster for me to reinstall the operating system. Based on what I was just told though I think the only computer that is going to need it own install disk is my laptop since it runs with a raid 0 it HAS to have the text mode drive slipstreamed to even begin the install since I don’t have a floppy drive. So it a big help I already made one was looking for a solution after the alienware respawn disk I was using to reinstall all the time was lost. Quite a problem when you can’t even install the OS anyway thanks for the answers guys it’s a big help I appreciate it A LOT.

[johnhc]

wildice, if you are doing a lot of testing and possibly crashing your system, I suggest you look into a virtual system, such as VirtualPC, VirtualBox, VMware Server - all free. It is the BEST way to test nLite ISOs, except for drivers. It takes me less than 15 minutes to install XP x64 on my VMware Server. Have fun, John.