SP3 Validation fails

[Andyba]

New to this group and only used nlite on about 5 occasions previously.

I purchased an OEM XP SP2 package from my local computer shop last week. It looks genuine etc, and was sealed. Product key sticker attached. (Yes it did come with hardware too)

I needed to slipstream some nvidia raid drivers, so also included SP3 within nlite.

Installed with one error on final re-start. C: WAP.EXE. Error only happened once. Come to Windows update, and Validation fails!

Tried the original shop supplied CD, on a different machine that did not require the nvidia drivers. No WAP.exe error. Added SP3 post install. Windows updates no problems. Validation not requested, so presumably OK?

Original slipstream was done on Vista, but found that there may be issues. Did a second slipstream using XP. Same result! WAP.exe error, and Failed Validation.

Now have I bought a pup, in which case I need to know soon so I can go back to the vendor.

Or is this an nlite issue?

Tried to find somewhere to check the validity of the key on the sticker that came with the CD package, but no joy. Can / should / how contact Microsoft to check?

Advice appreciated.

Rgds.

[submix8c]

Slipstream is not recommended on Vista. The easy solution is to install XP on a Virtual Machine of some kind and "slip" it on the VM, unless you have another box to do the same on. It's been well documented that it has a tendency to fail if done on Vista (even says so on MS website).

HTH

[johnhc]

Andyba, 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. Please report when you have a solution, so others can benefit. Enjoy, John.

EDIT: Should have said, to check out your CD, you can install it directly on the hardware. If it is OK, then the CD is probably OK. If it fails the same way, then run back to your shop and complain. I suggest you take as much information as possible. There are banned keys and MS would be glad to talk to you about that if you call them. I suspect they would like to hear about your shop. If it works, it is most likely a user problem because many, many people have used nLite with great success. Enjoy, John.

Edited April 18, 2009 by johnhc

[Andyba]

Thanks for the help.

Done some more work this pm, and it turns out it might be something to do with the nvidia Raid, or other HP / nvidia drivers, not SP3.

As noted the purchased MS CD installs and validates on other (non-raid) hardware. So the feeling is that it is genuine?

I'm trying to get it into a Proliant ML115 G5.

Burnt another nlite WITHOUT SP3, just the nvidia raid drivers, and that failed to validate. So I disabled the RAID on the ML115, and tried again with the original MS CD, installing to one of the drives from the now split raid pair. That validated OK. Windows update fine.

So I've re-enabled the RAID and am presently doing another install. Again using the original MS CD, but this time getting the drivers loaded using an F6 USB floppy.

Watch this space.

Rgds

[Andyba]

Nope

The floppy method failed. XP setup found the txtsetup.oem file, and prompted for both required drivers to be loaded.

Found the RAID array OK, but come the installation of files it could not locate the required nvidia files from the floppy. Never had that before. Weird? F3 exit......

So gave that up.

Tried another slipstream, this time using the 32bit nForce IDE drivers v10.3.0.46 WHQL package from Fernando 1's sticky. Previous drivers were from HP.

WAP.exe error on final boot again. Raid drivers only remember.

And failed to validate!!!

This MS CD / MS key does not like either being tampered with, or nvidia RAID drivers!

Time to stand back methinks?

Rgds

Andy

[johnhc]

Andyba, in my first post I asked you to attach (not paste) your Last Session. Can you tell me why so many people with problems are so reluctant to honor my request? If you will attach it, perhaps someone here can help you. It would also be nice if you would answer my question. Enjoy, John.

[Andyba]

Done

Thanks and Rgds

LAST_SESSION.INI

Edited April 18, 2009 by Andyba

[johnhc]

Andyba, OK, please correct me if I am wrong. It looks like to me you are trying to install XP Pro on a Server. It also looks like you are using Server 2003 drivers. I am not sure this is a problem, but possibly so. I could find no XP drivers for your machine. If you know the chip set type (NF4, etc), you might go to the nVidia site and find your drivers there. A free program called CPU-Z will tell you lots about your MB and other stuff. BTW, you have to be careful about using F6 on an nLited install. Please see the Help (? in circle) next to the OEM Preinstall on the General tab of Unattended. This may seem like a long way around, but trust me (why not?), it will pay off in the long run. I suggest you install a virtual system for testing. Please consider VirtualPC, VirtualBox or VMware Server - all free. You can install from an ISO file and my XP x64 installs in less than 15 minutes on VMware Server. You create zero coasters. This will not test drivers but will see if you can get past the weird error and key validation issue. After that we can go after the driver problem. I think there is value in separating the problems and then killing them. Please let us know what you learn. Enjoy, John.

[Andyba]

Success (interim)

Yes it is a server chassis, but at £200 inc VAT they are very price competitive!

Your pointer towards CPU-Z was the key. So thanks.

Identified the chipset as nvidia 570sli, so acquired Version 9.16 direct fom nvidia. I already had XP SP2 Raid running with the previously identified drivers 10.3.0.46, the configuration that failed to validate. So I loaded the 9.16 package directly over the top.

Resulted in driver version 5.10.2600.666 being applied to the SATA and RAID devices, but more importantly it validated )

Have not made an nlite with 9.16 yet, but that is next on the list. Sun is out here so some gardening has to be done!

Confirmed I was only using F6 on the original MS CD.

Just one final question (not nlite related) but is the 9.16 package the one to use for the 570sli, or are there other recommendations? If there are I’ll burn those into the final nlite along with SP3.

Thanks again

Rgds Andyba

[johnhc]

Andyba, great! Thanks for reporting. I am not familiar with your chip set but possibly some others may comment. I have not read through Fernando 1's thread but assume you have and have searched these forums and Google for your chip set drivers. I would think, however, that nVidia's site would have the best drivers, unless your MB maker has issues with them. A technical note to the MB people may help. Hope you enjoy the Sunshine there. It has made its way here and I will enjoy soon. Have fun, John.