nLited XP Pro - crash during installation

[bgMiKe]

First, what I have is:

- a "fresh" copy of XP Pro (32 bit with no SP included);

- SP3 with the post SP3 patches (downloaded using WUD);

What I want to do is, obviously, to build an installation CD/DVD with all things included(SP, windows updates, drivers) and tuned (component removed, tweaks, etc). Please find attached the nlite session file for more details.

Everything goes fine except for the installation: after the transfer of files step, followed by computer restart, the machine keeps restarting.

I mention that I had this problem some time ago. At that time, after dozen of hours, I managed to bypass this behavior (after trying several combination of included winupdates).

Now too, I suppose the problem is caused by an update/patch, eventually in combination with a component I select for removal and/or one of the tweaks I'm doing.

Did one of you encounter this problem?

Thank a lot for your replies.

PS Unfortunately I lost the config file from that time and have to do a new one.

LAST SESSION.INI

[johnhc]

First, what I have is:

- a "fresh" copy of XP Pro (32 bit with no SP included);

- SP3 with the post SP3 patches (downloaded using WUD);

What I want to do is, obviously, to build an installation CD/DVD with all things included(SP, windows updates, drivers) and tuned (component removed, tweaks, etc). Please find attached the nlite session file for more details.

Everything goes fine except for the installation: after the transfer of files step, followed by computer restart, the machine keeps restarting.

I mention that I had this problem some time ago. At that time, after dozen of hours, I managed to bypass this behavior (after trying several combination of included winupdates).

Now too, I suppose the problem is caused by an update/patch, eventually in combination with a component I select for removal and/or one of the tweaks I'm doing.

Did one of you encounter this problem?

Thank a lot for your replies.

PS Unfortunately I lost the config file from that time and have to do a new one.

bgMiKe, since there are so many potential problems and we do not know what the BSOD code is, I can only suggest some things. I see you have included updates for IE8 and WMP11 but you have integrated neither. WMP11 Slipstreamer can be used to include WMP11 and its updates. There are several IE8 AddOns available for IE8. I also suggest you look into an Update Pack (see RyanVM Forum). I think the most serious problem is your included drivers. I suggest you determine what drivers are needed my your HW and include only those. Including so many drivers is only begging for problems. Have you tested your ISO on a virtual system? VMware Player, VirtualPC and VIrtualBox are free. A VM will not test your drivers but is very useful. A minor problem is Tweak "Explorer-Launch folder windows in a separate process". This exposes a Windows problem and should be removed but has nothing to do with your problem. Enjoy, John.

[bgMiKe]

Fist of all thank you for your fast reply .

I see you have included updates for IE8 and WMP11 but you have integrated neither. WMP11 Slipstreamer can be used to include WMP11 and its updates.

In fact this is what I'm using. So I can say WM11 gets integrated. Am I wrong?

For IE8 ... no problem. I can install this after.

I think the most serious problem is your included drivers. I suggest you determine what drivers are needed my your HW and include only those. Including so many drivers is only begging for problems.

You might have right (meaning including so many drivers can cause troubles) but I tried also without drivers with the same result (failure).

Have you tested your ISO on a virtual system? VMware Player, VirtualPC and VIrtualBox are free.

Yeap, VMWare.

This time I tried only in VMWare.

In the past I tried with a CD/DVD on several, different, computers (3 at most), on Microsoft VirtualPC as well as on VMVare.

As previously mentioned, about 1-2 years ago I encoutered the same problem. At that time I made tonnes of tests (spent about 4-5 days ). Finally, what I did was to proceed step by step: integrated SP3 then, worked on the new kit (remove components, tweaks, patches integration) and finally used the new version to add the drivers. Nevertheless, even like this I isolated one or several patches that caused problems (and dam'it if I remember what ).

Also if I recall it well, I had a problem with the ACPI type - not the same problem as now but it was a problem (had to set it to Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC instead of automatic).

Back to the current issue, there is no BSOD (at least not on the VM); the computer is just restarting (I will attach also a video of it).

Edited July 8, 2010 by bgMiKe

[johnhc]

bgMiKe, IE8 and WMP11 are not part of Windows or SP3 and must be installed either via an AddOn or after install. Please look into WMP11 Slipstreamer for integrating WMP11 or remove all the updates to it. The fact that your restarts (probably a very quick BSOD) are happening on VM, then it is not a driver problem. There are some updates that do not integrate in nLite. I am running XP x64, so do not know the ones in 32 bit XP. I use Automatic for ComputerType and most use that just fine. Since you are testing on VM, try removing all your drivers (not needed on VM and not this problem) also remove all the updates to IE8 and WMP11. If that works, go to the Windows Update site and check for updates. You will probably see several you have integrated. Please let us know the results. Enjoy, John.

[bgMiKe]

... and the video

XP-SP3(drv)-2.zip

[bgMiKe]

So,

- WM11:

I'm using WMP11 Slipstreamer which is called from nLite (as far as I can tell). I tried without WMP11 Slipstreamer installed and had nLite message asking for it.

- IE8:

No problem. I will remove it.

The same for the drivers. I will remove all of them until I'll manage to obtain a stable installation kit.

Again to integration order, will it be OK if I'll first integrate the SP3 and then, do the job on the obtained kit? (instead executing all operations in one shot?)

Thanks.

[bgMiKe]

One last question, before proceeding with the customisation.

I understood is not ... correct to work on an already customized installation (especially if components, services, etc have been removed).

Is it OK if I just add drivers on such customized installation?

In other words, I do all the modifications I want and I obtain am installation kit. Then using nlite can I just add the drivers to this release?

Thanks for answering

[johnhc]

bgMiKe, I am not able to say exactly what can be done on an already nLited source except that adding SP3 in one run then doing other actions later in a second run is OK. I do all mine in one (and only) one run and is what I recommend. So, if you like, integrate SP3 into a fresh copy of your CD files/folders and save it. Then always start with this. The problem nLite gets into is the file nLite.inf which uses a utility called nhelper.exe. The last step is to use nhelper to delete nhelper. When certain things are done on an already nLited source, additional code is added to the end of nLite.inf using nhelper and bad things occur. I would suggest you not add drivers to an nLited source but cannot say for sure it will fail. Enjoy, John.