nLite generates 4.18GB image

[HighFreak1c]

Hi all

I have the latest version of nLite installed, attempting to integrate Intel ICH10R AHCI/RAID drivers in to an image of Windows XP SP3 Corp.

When I create the image, it seems to be adding literally thousands of drivers to the i386 folder, and the end image comes out around 4.18GB with 55,500 odd files.

Any ideas why this would be happening, and how to stop it?

Cheers.

[johnhc]

HighFreak1c, we need to see your Last Session, as requested in big bold RED above - please attach it. How did you copy your original CD? Did you copy it into an empty folder and not just into the root directory? Enjoy, John.

[HighFreak1c]

Thanks for your post John. At the moment I haven't retained the LastSession.ini (it wasn't really applicable considering I hadn't removed any Windows Components, which the aforementioned red banner above suggests).

Currently trying on another computer to see if I can replicate the result, however on my main desktop I simply put the cd (originally burnt from an ISO) in the drive, copied to an empty directory and let nLite read it from there. This same directory is the one that comes out to be oversized.

If that still doesn't shed any light and is still failing I'll will post the Last Session file as requested once I have a chance to generate it again.

Edit: to clarify, I have done nothing with nLite other than integrate one driver and attempted to rebuild the ISO.

Edited April 3, 2010 by HighFreak1c

[HighFreak1c]

Alright, no worries.. It's sorted. For future reference and anyone else with similar issues, make sure everything is in separate folders (drivers, Windows XP Source & XP Destination).

[Sp0iLedBrAt]

Try not to use Desktop as a working folder. The problem is given in your posted image. I'd also ask you to report on the end result of the XP setup, as it seems you aren't building it in an XP environment, which is also not recommended.

[johnhc]

HighFreak1c, I disagree with the wording of the RED note above. I think the Last Session should be attached anytime it is available. Lots on information is there, such as what host you are running nLite under. Sp0iLedBrAt is correct, running nLite under Vista (or W7) to create an ISO for XP is problematical, especially if you integrate an SP. Thanks for your resolution report.

Sp0iLedBrAt, I have seen the mention of not placing the source folder on the DeskTop. I do not understand why this would be. Have there been specific threads where problems were eliminated by just moving the folder off the DT?

Enjoy, John.

[Sp0iLedBrAt]

hey there again, johnhc.

I can confirm that I've actually read more than one post where this issue was handled. I'm only sorry the search function on the forums isn't at the present as good as the old one, so I could look them up. For some reason unclear to me (and yet, it is the conclusion), nLite seems to include everything present in the Desktop folder, thus generating ridiculously large images (in some cases, over 16GB).

So, this is making me think: although nLite is still a tool of great interest for plenty of people over the web and attracts many new members (this was my case as well), would it be too big of a project to create a sticky with a few things put down concerning the things we repeat most often, like attaching Last Session.ini, using fresh XP source every time, testing with a VM... you know, our experiences. It's like g-force put it: "...still fighting the same old battle..."

All the best,

[afbyorb]

Alright, no worries.. It's sorted. For future reference and anyone else with similar issues, make sure everything is in separate folders (drivers, Windows XP Source & XP Destination).

How do you select "XP Destination"?

I have C:\W\i386\; C:\W\ServicePackSP3.exe

When nlite does the slipstreaming where does it put the resulting integration?

My i386 is about 440MB but the resulting "installation package" is over 770MB. This is unacceptable because I want to burn a CD. I don't have an original XP intallation CD. My computer is a Sony VGC-RB30 with the XP pre-installed. I copied C:\WINDOWS\I386 to C:\W\i386 and added the WIN51C file (created by Notepad). C:\WINDOWS\I386 has both the DOS and Windows setup exe's: winnt.exe and winnt32.exe. I think that the computer came without any service packs. Windows Update has done all the updating to SP3 level on this machine.

Last Session.ini

[Sp0iLedBrAt]

I don't have an original XP intallation CD

I copied C:\WINDOWS\I386

Here's a thought: you might look around for posts about using nLite with recovery partitions (I'm assuming your system has one, since it came pre-installed). It doesn't always work, but it's either that, or buying a CD.

http://www.msfn.org/board/do-make-bootable-xp-cd-out-i386-folder-t120423.html

http://www.msfn.org/board/need-recovery-disk-sony-vaio-vgc-rc210g-please-help-beca-t130307.html

Edited May 27, 2010 by Sp0iLedBrAt

[Ponch]

I copied C:\WINDOWS\I386 to C:\W\i386 and added the WIN51C file (created by Notepad).

That C:\W\ will be your "XP destination" if that's what you're asking. In fact that "destination" only has a meaning if you have nLite copying the files from a CD to your hard drive. If instead you point nLite directly to a folder on your HDD, the source and the destination are the same.

You better test your iso with a virtual machine before going further as it is not sure your C:\Windows\I386 contains all files needed for an XP installation.