Cannot Select XP_Source Dir

[JedClampett]

I'm running nLite 1.4.9.1 on Windows Vista Home Premium i386 32 bit.

I think I have installed nLite OK, as it did not complain about .NET 2 framework. However looking under Programs and Features I do not see .NET installed. Should it show up there as an installed program?

When I try to browse to the XP CD source directory,

I get the following error messages:

I have done something wrong?

The XP recovery disk is for an Advent 6415 Combo DVD, circa 2001, with no SP1 or SP2 on it.

I'm trying to use nLite on a Windows Vista 32 bit machine, to build an XP recovery disk.

Edited September 22, 2011 by JedClampett

[bphlpt]

I believe that some versions of .NET are part of the Vista OS, I think 2.0 and 3.0, so if that's all the nLite needs then you're good to go. I'm not sure about the viability of building an XP disk on Vista, I've never tried it.

Cheers and Regards

[Ponch]

You need a real Microsoft XP installation disc, not any "recovery" disc will do. Clearly here, nLite doesn't find what it's looking for. Also if you intend to slipstream SP3, you'll need to run nLite under XP.

[JedClampett]

Thanks for the replies thus far.

I think I can slipstream it manually.

When the recovery disk does an installation, can I add some extra programs I want to install later manually from the hard drive? Will the installation copy another directory I add to the image - ie does it copy everything found on the DVD, or do I need to place the files I want to copy in a certain directory?

TIA

Jed

[submix8c]

Still a problem...

OEM CD is only good for Clean Install. You will still need a bootable CD to do it and the Boot files on your CD are (may not be) "standard".

BTW, have you checked the ROOT of the CD (copied folder) for the appropriate files?

- WIN51

- WIN51IP (if Pro)

- WIN51IC (if Home)

From what I can gather this is an old "PC Angel" Recover Disk. Your I386 folder may or may not be complete. Check for the files listed above, other wise you may be wasting your time trying it manually.

BTW, you haven't mentioned which version (Home/Pro).

Also, it might help to know the folder names in the I386 (not the file names, just folders), the file names in the PRELOAD (this could be PC-Angel ".INP images for restore or maybe addition software), and the I386DIST (which could be the drivers).

edit -

If this project is for the original Advent PC, look on it. It will have the appropriate I386 folder (usually in the ROOT of the C-drive) but maybe not several required files (which can be gathered from the Advent HDD from other folders).

This laptop?

edit (more info) -

http://www.adventsupport.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1037

Ummm, that CD may not have what you need. (read the link).

Lastly, the User's Guider/Service manual (340S8) here.

Edited September 22, 2011 by submix8c

[Ponch]

I think I can slipstream it manually.

It's not an nLite specific problem, it's an MS problem, so here also you risk a big waste of time.

As for copying files from the install cd to the hard drive, check this link.

[JedClampett]

Thanks submix8c and ponch. I've saved the link to the gericom manuals.

It's XP Home Edition. I have other Advent laptops that have XP licences on them, but without the recovery media, so I'd like to eventually build recovery disks for those, using the 6415 Combo DVD as a base and add the missing drivers using DriverPacks!

Yes - spot on: http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/advent/laptop/6415xp.htm

Here's a listing of the copied Advent 6415 Combo DVD recovery disk:

-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     14 Apr 30  2001 Graph
dr-xr-xr-x 8 root root   2048 Aug 25 20:34 I386
dr-xr-xr-x 7 root root 665600 Aug 25 20:34 I386DIST
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root    142 Sep 27  2001 MASTER.LOG
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     14 Apr 30  2001 MOVE
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root      0 Aug 17  2001 NTFS
dr-xr-xr-x 2 root root   4096 Aug 25 20:34 PRELOAD
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     14 Apr 30  2001 SVGA
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     10 Aug 23  2001 WIN51
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Jan 22  2001 WIN51.B2
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     10 Aug 23  2001 WIN51IC
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Mar 20  2001 WIN51IC.B2
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Jul 25  2001 WIN51IC.RC1
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Jul 25  2001 WIN51IC.RC2
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     10 Aug 17  2001 WIN51IP
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Jan 22  2001 WIN51IP.B2
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Jul 25  2001 WIN51IP.RC2
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Jul 25  2001 WIN51.RC1
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root     11 Jul 25  2001 WIN51.RC2
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root    185 Sep 13  2001 WINBOM.INI

The WIN* files contain either 'Windows' or 'Whistler'.

The WINBOM.INI file contains:

[Factory]
WinBOMType=WinPE
Reseal=No
[WinPE]
Restart=No
PageFileSize=128
[PnPDriverUpdate]
[PnPDrivers]
[NetCards]
[UpdateInis]
[FactoryRunOnce]
[Branding]
[AppPreInstall]

Also, it might help to know the folder names in the I386 (not the file names, just folders), the file names in the PRELOAD (this could be PC-Angel ".INP images for restore or maybe addition software), and the I386DIST (which could be the drivers).

[I386]# tree -dAL 1
.
├── Fonts
├── WinSxS
├── help
├── inf
├── msagent
└── system32

6 directories

[dvdrecorder]# tree -A PRELOAD
PRELOAD
├── ALL.CRC
├── ALL.I32
├── ALL.ITR
├── ALL.MDF
├── ALL.W32
├── BASE.DAT
├── BASE.INP
├── CD0
├── DATA1.INP
├── DATA2.INP
├── DATA3.INP
├── DATA4.INP
├── DATA5.INP
├── DATA6.INP
├── DATA7.INP
├── DATA8.INP
├── DATA9.INP
├── DESC.TXT
├── WINDOWS.CRC
├── WINDOWS.DAT
├── WINDOWS.I32
├── WINDOWS.ITR
├── WINDOWS.MDF
└── WINDOWS.W32

0 directories, 24 files

[Advent6415-XP]# tree -A iso/dvdrecorder/I386DIST
iso/dvdrecorder/I386DIST
├── 12520437.CP_
├── 12520850.CP_
├── 1394.IN_
├── 1394BUS.SY_
├── 1394VDBG.IN_
├── 1394VDBG.SY_
├── 3DFXVS2K.IN_
├── 3DGARRO.CU_
├── 3DGMOVE.CU_
├── 3DGNESW.CU_
├── 3DGNO.CU_
├── 3DGNS.CU_
├── 3DGNWSE.CU_
├── 3DGWE.CU_
├── 3DSMOVE.CU_
├── 3DSNS.CU_
├── 3DSNWSE.CU_
├── 3DWARRO.CU_
├── 3DWMOVE.CU_
├── 3DWNESW.CU_
├── 3DWNO.CU_
├── 3DWNS.CU_
├── 3DWNWSE.CU_
├── 3DWWE.CU_
├── 61883.IN_
├── 6TO4SVC.DL_
├── 8514FIX.FO_
├── 8514FIXE.FO_
├── 8514FIXG.FO_
├── 8514FIXR.FO_
├── 8514FIXT.FO_
├── 8514OEM.FO_
├── 8514OEME.FO_
├── 8514OEMG.FO_
├── 8514OEMR.FO_
├── 8514OEMT.FO_
├── 8514SYS.FO_
├── 8514SYSE.FO_
├── 8514SYSG.FO_
├── 8514SYSR.FO_
├── 8514SYST.FO_
├── 85775.FO_
├── 85855.FO_
├── 85F1255.FO_
├── 85F1256.FO_
├── 85F1257.FO_
├── 85F874.FO_
├── 85S1255.FO_
├── 85S1256.FO_
├── 85S1257.FO_
├── 85S874.FO_
├── AAAAMON.DL_
├── ABP480N5.SY_
├── ACCESS.CH_
├── ACCESS.CP_
├── ACCESS.HL_
├── ACCESSIB.CH_
├── ACCESSOR.IN_
├── ACCSERV.MI_
├── ACCTRES.DL_
├── ACCWIZ.EX_
├── ACC_DIS.CH_
├── ACELPDEC.AX_
├── ACERSCAN.IN_
├── ACGENRAL.DL_
├── ACLAYERS.DL_
├── ACLEDIT.DL_
├── ACLUA.DL_
├── ACLUI.DL_
├── ACLUIP.HL_
├── ACPI.IN_
├── ACPI.SY_
├── ACPIEC.SY_
├── ACSPECFC.DL_
├── ACTC094.IN_
├── ACTCONN.HT_
├── ACTDONE.HT_
├── ACTERROR.HT_
├── ACTIV.HT_
├── ACTIVATE.HT_
├── ACTIVEDS.DL_
├── ACTIVEDS.TL_
├── ACTIVERR.HT_
├── ACTIVSVC.HT_
├── ACTLAN.HT_
├── ACTMOVIE.EX_
├── ACTSHELL.HT_
├── ACTXPRXY.DL_
├── ACT_PLCY.HT_
├── ACT_RS.PN_
├── ACVERFYR.DL_
├── ACXTRNAL.DL_
├── ADCJAVAS.IN_
├── ADCVBS.IN_
├── ADDREMOV.CH_
├── ADE.HL_
├── ADESKERR.HT_
├── ADMPARSE.DL_
├── ADMTOOLP.CH_
├── ADM_MULT.IN_
├── ADM_PORT.IN_
├── ADOD6522.IC_
├── ADOJAVAS.IN_
├── ADOVBS.IN_
├── ADPROP.HL_
├── ADPTIF.DL_
├── ADPU160M.SY_
├── ADRDYREG.HT_
├── ADSLDP.DL_
├── ADSLDPC.DL_
├── ADSMSEXT.DL_
├── ADSNT.DL_
├── ADVAPI32.DL_
├── ADVPACK.DL_
├── AFD.SY_
├── AGENTANM.DL_
├── AGENTCTL.DL_
├── AGENTDP2.DL_
├── AGENTDPV.DL_
├── AGENTMPX.DL_
├── AGENTPSH.DL_
├── AGENTSR.DL_
├── AGENTSVR.EX_
├── AGT0401.DL_
├── AGT0401.HL_
├── AGT0404.DL_
├── AGT0404.HL_
├── AGT0405.DL_
├── AGT0405.HL_
...
25 directories, 5969 files

If this project is for the original Advent PC, look on it. It will have the appropriate I386 folder (usually in the ROOT of the C-drive) but maybe not several required files (which can be gathered from the Advent HDD from other folders).

The HDD has been wiped loads of times, so there's nothing on it now

[submix8c]

OK... This appears to be the actual Recover DVD (?) / CD (?). (Which is it, BTW?)

The I386 folder is strictly a Win-PE folder, unusable for your purposes and does NOT contain the files you need. (Research Windows Preinstall). This is the BOOT folder to restore with (allows booting to the Recover options).

You will have to boot from it, restore the Advent PC (it SHOULD restore to Factory). The RESTORE files are the ".INP" files (PC-Angel). These files are "special" image files. and can only be accessed with PC-Angel software (forget finding it... it's EXTREMELY proprietary).

After "Recovery", you will reboot to the newly-restored Windows (removing the CD/DVD, of course). The I386 folder you want will be on the HDD.

Note that you might not have all of the drivers installed (unsure). Also note that the I386 folder may not have a set of OEMBIOS.* files in it (required to install to an Advent PC). Lastly, the WIN51 and WIN51IC files will also be needed.

Hopefully, this gets a good starting point.

Bear in mind that the CD/DVD is good only for the Laptop in question, but will work on the exact same model Laptop (not other models - will fail).

Good luck and let us know what the Restore results are (based on this post's info) and get back to us.

P.S. - to find that I386 folder (after Recovery), you will have to set the Windows "Folders Options" to allow viewing "Hidden and Systems Files/Folders" (they are "hidden" after all).

EDIT -

FWIW, here are the DRIVERS

If you go "up" a level, you'll find that all of the Advent drivers are available by pull-down selection on Models (etc).

I noted that in another topic, you mentioned the DVD Drive didn't work. You may have to transfer a DVD drive from another model into this one (read the Service Manuals on how-to) to get to this point.

EDIT2 - From the Specs, it should have a Floppy, so putting the LAN drivers onto a Floppy (after unzipping, of course), you should be able to install them, connect it to your LAN network, enable sharing, and copy the remainder of the drivers that way to get it up-and-running.

P.S. TURN OFF ANY/ALL HIBERNATION for the duration so it won't mess you up. Also, after Recovery, if any devices are not working, go into the System properties and tell us...

EDIT3 - More drivers etc here

EDIT4 - More info (note - also indicates webarchive links to get any official Gericom drivers/utilities).

More interesting items (mirror) maybe from original Gericom CD-Rom

Edited September 22, 2011 by submix8c

[JedClampett]

Thanks again submix8c for your very detailed replies. It is an Advent recovery DVD.

Here's a picture of it: http://oi51.tinypic.com/290v9td.jpg

I'm trying to install it on another Advent that takes Windows XP Media Center. I'm quite happy to install XP Home Edition on it, as I'm not bothered about the MCE stuff.

http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/advent/laptop/7096.htm

Bear in mind that the CD/DVD is good only for the Laptop in question, but will work on the exact same model Laptop (not other models - will fail).

This DVD did a recovery OK, apart from those missing drivers. So the idea is to build a recovery DVD with the drivers added to the DVD so they get copied over to the HDD, and then install them from there?

The 7096 is the laptop with the DVD drive that does not work.

So basically I need to eventually build a simple recovery DVD for the 7096, so all the drivers are installed onto it.

I also have an 7008 IIRC that I want to build a new recovery disk for, from the 6415 XP recovery DVD.

As I've never done any slipstreaming before, I thought I'd try to create a CD/DVD for a machine that I know works, and does not need any drivers added to it. So that's why I'm using the 6415 to test things out on first.

Once I know I can create and burn ISO DVD images that will actually boot up and work, then I was going to move on to more exotic things, like adding missing drivers. I'll reply more fully later to the other things you have mentioned. Thanks again.

Edit: Just done a fresh recovery to the hard disk. The Recovery software is © SoftThinks 2001. Will take a look at this tomorrow

Jed

Edited September 23, 2011 by JedClampett

[jaclaz]

You may want to read (to get some ideas/suggestions) these (AND given links in them):

The described approach has always worked (though it is a PITA ).

Here is a relatively recent thread with a lot of the gory details:

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=24161&hl=

jaclaz

[JedClampett]

Thanks for that jaclaz. I will check out those suggestions and included links, and get back when I have made progress with this.

Jed

[JedClampett]

Thanks for all the help I've had with this so far. I'm taking another approach with this now.

What I'd like to do is to add a hardware detection application to the XP source tree, and burn the new iso to a DVD, then install from the DVD to the advent 7096 laptop. So this is not slipstreaming - just adding something like Device Doctor to the pristine XP Recovery DVD so Device Doctor gets copied to the 7096 HDD.

Where in the XP DVD image would I need to place the Device Doctor zip file for it to be copied to the HDD please?

Once I can run Device Doctor from the Hard Drive, I can then get the HW ID's for the devices with the missing drivers. Then rebuild the XP DVD again with the missing drivers so they are copied across to the HDD at Recovery Disk runtime. Then the plan is to install those missing drivers from the HDD, and hopefully have a working laptop.

Does that sound OK?

TIA Jed