Many times our users are in a situation
where SysPrep has been in use and change is difficult,
or was put in use by thier superiors and are stuck,
or is something they have a lot of experience with personaly and is in their comfort zone.
i have every intention of supporting the SysPrep platform for these hard working and dedicated guys...
but given a choice - don't take the path to the dark side young Luke Skywalker.
on the other hand it has legit uses and you should at least be aware of it as an option.
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UWXPCD is Unattended Windows XP Compact Disk ...
UWXPCD is a commonly used abbreviation and is Google food. 
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More details on a good methodology. In this case mine. There are certainly other valid ones!
Rule ONE and Rule TWO
NEVER work on your original files and folders. A Simple rule that is always overlooked - even if it is listed twice
IE copy your OEM CD to C:\51HomOEM\
Assumtion one
You are useing the apps in the approved order
STEP ONE - Slipstream Service pack to Windows 5.1 (XP)
this may mean SP2 or more likely SP3.
(please refer to rule one here)
if you are useing RVM it will automaticaly copy the files to a new folder for you
if you are useing nLite then you must first copy your 51HomOEM\ to C:\51HomSP3\ manually
Your new C:\51HomSP3\ will not be modified anymore it is a backup... (see rule two)
Step TWO - post service pack updates
(please refer to rule one here) and note that RVM will make a source to detination copy for you.
If you do not use RVM to do the copy then you can manually copy C:\51HomSP3\ to C:\51HomRVM\
Use RVM to install post SP2 updates and any addons you require (DotNet for example)
Your new C:\51HomRVM\ will not be modified anymore it is a backup... (see rule two)
Step THREE
Nlite with impunity on Your new C:\51HomNlt\ folder you just copied from C:\51HomRVM\
(reference rule one) now if i make a bad choice with nLite I can just copy my RVM folder backup & try again.
Step four DriverPacks
(ideal)
I am of course now working from the folder C:\51HomDP\ created by copying C:\51HomNlt\
Run DriverPacks as the last step in your process.
(my actual method)
I run DriverPacks on the C:\51HomNlt\ folder while nLite is paused at the create ISO screen
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Reducing the size of the ISO to less than 700 Mb has become quite difficult and M2 is the best way to get there.
This has become a nonissue as the price of DVD burners is less than $20
(think about this a tech who charges / costs $60 an hour could spend more time than money in 20 minutes.)
(if it doesnt have one it gets one - or if they really can't afford $10 for a reader i hang my usb2 external dvdRW.
and i get paid for them makeing a clearly stupid decision.
