New to all this - need clarification on presets

[ljmartz]

I have a Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 running SP3 on a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop. Unfortunately, I've had some system problems that are going to require a Repair Install to fix. I have downloaded nLite v1.4.9.1 and I'm ready to begin slipstreaming my CD. My only question has to do with the Presets. I understand what Presets are, I'm just not sure how to find them and when I do which ones to include. Also, since this is my first venture into this realm of computing any additional advice or steps on how to successfully complete this process are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[johnhc]

ljmartz, I am no expert on doing Repair installs (have done a couple), but I would suggest you need to do so with the exact same CD as the original install. If you do want to try an nLited Repair, be sure to see the Unattended Mode restriction in the Unattended Task. I suggest the best idea here is to do a fresh format and install. This will result in a cleaner faster system. It will require some more work for you.

Now, your Preset question. You don't find them somewhere although there is a blank one for you to start with. Presets are created when you run nLite to save your selected options, hot fixes, drivers, etc. In some Tasks there are pull down list at the bottom that have pre-defined options for that Task. There are many posted in threads here you can look at to see what others are doing. Here is a standard inculcation of mine: 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.

[ljmartz]

ljmartz, I am no expert on doing Repair installs (have done a couple), but I would suggest you need to do so with the exact same CD as the original install.

It's my understanding (understanding that this is all information gleaned from countless hours spent googling solutions to my problems) that since my system has been updated to include SP3 that trying to do a repair install without slipstreaming SP3 into my original installation cd is dooming the repair installation to failure. I wanted to try to do a repair install first since there have been quite a few software packages added to my system and I really don't want to have to reinstall all of them in addition to XP.

Now, your Preset question. You don't find them somewhere although there is a blank one for you to start with. Presets are created when you run nLite to save your selected options, hot fixes, drivers, etc. In some Tasks there are pull down list at the bottom that have pre-defined options for that Task.

Maybe I don't understand what Presets are. I'd assumed that they were presets from my existing system that could be included in the new slipstreamed CD. If I'm understanding your response correctly, the presets are from previous runs in nLite and speed up the build process, so there won't be any presets the first time I run nLite, correct?

Edited October 26, 2009 by ljmartz

[Ponch]

If I'm understanding your response correctly, the presets are from previous runs in nLite and speed up the build process, so there won't be any presets the first time I run nLite, correct?

Correct. Taking advantage of all available options takes a fair time. If you ever wanted to just change one of them for a next build, loading the "last session.ini" would show you all the choices you'd made the last time and you'd just have to click next to all, just changing the ones you wish, instead of ticking multiple boxes on multiple pages again. Note that this is only working when starting from the same original source. Also it is not like you need to use all nLite's options, keeping default settings doesn't hurt.