176 Reply by Helmi

(57 replies, posted in Feedback and Support - DriverPacks Base)

1. You do not have to use M1, so why bother?
There may be someone else who finds it useful so why remove something that has been working since?
Plus, SysPrep may rely on that, dunno (never used that myself so I wouldn't know)

2. The size increase by using the less memory-dependent lower compression seems to be negligible, unless you were down to single digit MBs already...
If you also include Windows updates, then you will hit the limit eventually, as these grow a bit each month.

Also, WPI could easily been "exiled" on a second DVD or a network drive, if needed.
True, breaks the completely unattended installation but you could use a second drive if you had etc.

3. Better by what?
Faster?
Yes.
Fragmenting the drive less?
No.

Also, that is exactly what the Finisher does, cleaning up the archives afterwards...

4. The new auto-updater for the DriverPacks included in BASE kinda makes this a no-brainer.
There is virtually no difference for the user if they have got all packs at least once.
If it auto-DLs one pack or a handful, doesn't matter.

Go to forum: Feedback and Support - DriverPacks Base

177 Reply by Helmi

(2 replies, posted in Other)

alex999 wrote:

Is it a problem for XP (performance or sth else) with a lot of installed drivers installed but not used?

Additionally to what Erik said, this would not be a problem (assuming you had KTD enabled to retain the drivers).
Only it would take up some extra space on your HDD, but those come by quite cheap these days so it's a none-issue.

You may want to check out SAD if you intended to achieve the functionality of KTD minus the space issue.
Plus, that way you can make sure to always be up-to-date with drivers!

Go to forum: Other

178 Reply by Helmi

(5 replies, posted in DriverPack Mass Storage)

Did you make sure to enable Text Mode for DPMS?

Other than that, HWIDs please and some log files smile

Go to forum: DriverPack Mass Storage

179 Reply by Helmi

(3 replies, posted in Software)

Far as I'm concerned, LastXP is considered warez (which a quick search on the net seems to testify).
I can only hope for you that you just found the screenshot somewhere and became curious as to what that DP menu really is and are not actually using LastXP yourself.

Moreso, if you want to "give users which using unattanded cd's to choose".
That would actually mean proliferating warez in that case...


Anyway, as Jeff already said, that would make the whole thing attended as opposed to unattended, which, as seen by the quote, you want to achieve.
It's an either/or decision here.

Go to forum: Software

180 Reply by Helmi

(5 replies, posted in 3rd Party DriverPacks)

Stax wrote:

(Sorry but I don't know what 'code tags' are)

http://forum.driverpacks.net/help.php#bbcode

Go to forum: 3rd Party DriverPacks

181 Reply by Helmi

(10 replies, posted in 3rd Party DriverPacks)

I might get to it during the weekend, but no promises.

Do you own any of the hardware you listed (thanks for the links, btw, this is just how we like it!) so you could test the pack?

Go to forum: 3rd Party DriverPacks

182 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

Oh, well.

I mean, the tag line font size is a bit small making it hard to read (moreso because it's an all-caps font).
I am using a 15"TFT with 1024*768 resolution (hence noticably below 100 DPI).
If one was to use a higher-res display with an even higher DPI, the font would appear even smaller, making it even harder to read.

My personal suggestion is to keep the all-caps font for the "driverpacks.net" and use a similar-looking but non-caps font for the tag line to ease readability.

The common text size on this forum is not higher than that tagline, yet it can be read much easier.

Go to forum: Feature Requests

183 Reply by Helmi

(7 replies, posted in DriverPack Mass Storage)

No you can't DO ANYTHING after BASE.
JUST create the ISO with nLite, NOTHING else.

DriverPacks are the very last step before ISO! (hope it's clear enough now wink)

You can keep nLite open before the ISO step, use BASE on the source and then continue with image creation, though, if you please (saves you from restarting nLite).

Also, all unattended settings can be set in nLite prior to BASE - that's no problem.

Why would you want to do it afterwards anyhow?


Also, yes, DO NOT remove any drivers or driver-related components with nLite.
Why use the DriverPacks that provide universal HW support but remove stuff with nLite?
That is a contradiction.
And no, DriverPacks do not contain drivers already supplied with XP on the disc.

Why should we, normally, our users do not remove drivers wink


PS: Oh ,and be sure to read the tut before you try anything else, may save you from unpleasant surprises big_smile

Go to forum: DriverPack Mass Storage

184 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

King Cobra wrote:

BTW: I figured out what the problem was, for some reason I had to edit the link for the image that the quote tag used to get the image to show up.

Forum function to prevent images that have already been posted from cluttering the forum if they get quoted over and over again.
As you noticed, a manual edit "takes care" of that wink

Oh, and it didn't try to lecture you on forum tags, just looked like you weren't aware.
(plus, I had a somewhat hard time myself finding out which was the quote and which your answer smile)

The tag line on these last two is a tad small, IMO.
This is on a <100 dpi display, going higher may mean it's even worse.

Go to forum: Feature Requests

185 Reply by Helmi

(21 replies, posted in DriverPack Sound)

LU7HQW wrote:

I've been downgrade a laptop Compaq Presario C778LA from Vista to XP, and one big trouble was the driver for the sound card, Conexant 221@Intel 82801 ICH8.

Have you been using the DriverPacks already and to no success?
Please verify this device does indeed not get installed with the latest DriverPacks.

Also, please post the HWIDs of the device.

Third, we usually are not very keen on including drivers from "dubious" sources (that includes OCHs).
Is there any official link for the driver (either manufacturer or OEM)?

Go to forum: DriverPack Sound

186 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

King Cobra wrote:

Ok that would be fine for the style you use, but what about all the other forum styles like Radium, Sulfur, Mercury or any of the others that a member can choose from in their profile? There is 6 to choose from. I can make the banner to match each one in color, but then you will end up with like 7 banners 1 for each forum style & one for the driverpacks base web site.

There are other Forum styles???
Wow, honestly, I never knew!

I've been around here since when but it never even occured to me...
Guess that's because I'm fully pleased with the default one cool

Anyway, then it should match the main site's colour and style.
It's some blue/grey, too, albeit somewhat different (darker blue, if my eyes aren't playing tricks on me, not going to compare HTML colour codes right now wink).

Oh, btw, since you told me something new, here's my turn doing you a favour:
http://forum.driverpacks.net/help.php
This shows you (among other stuff) how to use BBCode, for instance for quotes.
Really makes them much easier to read that the "Question:/Answer:" method you've been using smile



EDIT:

BTW, this one http://teeswebdesign.com/dp_images/b8012e.png is very hard to read against the default medium grey background!
We should really try to find one colour that can easily been read on any of the Forum styles (since you can never know which one a user has set).

Go to forum: Feature Requests

187 Reply by Helmi

(3 replies, posted in Other)

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?s=2 … pic=120444

Go to forum: Other

188 Reply by Helmi

(7 replies, posted in DriverPack Sound)

Try setting the Hardware Sound Acceleration Level one notch down and try again.
If the game (what is it, btw? Never heard of PES09) still crashes, try another one and so forth.

If you got the slider all to the left and it's still not working, we have to figure out something else.

BTW: I assume the game has been patched to the latest version already.

Go to forum: DriverPack Sound

189 Reply by Helmi

(11 replies, posted in DriverPack Mass Storage)

markstrelecki wrote:

I spoke with Dell "Gold" support yesterday, to discuss what I needed to do to backrev/"downgrade" a Vista Business OEM Dell laptop (Latitude D630 - nice little box!) to XP Pro, and I was told something VERY interesting: you can use ANY recent Dell WinXP Pro setup CD to install on ANY Dell system and you will not be asked for a Product Key, and it will (supposedly) pass activation without incident.

Heh, just two days ago, I used a Dell OEm XPSP2 CD to install on a machine that I suspected to not like my DVD+RWs (My XPSP3 non-OEM is MSDNAA, hence it only come in ISO form...).
Anyway, it's NOT a DELL machine, yet it installed regardless (w/o asking for a key, mind you).
I did not try activation as this was just to test whether the problem lay with the DVD reader (it did, a quick firmware update persudated it into accepting my DVD+RWs wink).
Hence, I would say, any DELL XPCD can be used to install on any system, not restricted to being of DELL origin.

Imagine my surprise when I took a peek at the Dell CD with WinLite and saw (gasp!) the Product Key field was ALREADY FILLED IN!

Just open the winnt.SIF with a text editor of your choice and you will find the same wink
That is common for OEM discs.
What surprised me was that you could use the pre-entered key to install on a different machine than it was supplied with.
Ususally, if you want to do so, you must manually enter the key on the sticker on the case of that machine (which naturally differs from the pre-entered one).

Seems that those pesky Dell setup CDs already have their Product Key act together, so be aware of that while building your customized media, pilgrims. I wrote that key down and can re-enter it on the Unattended page in nLite if and when I need to do so.

That will not be needed.
nLite, if started freshly (i.e. not loading a preset) will read out the winnt.SIF and fill in all set fields, including the key.

Go to forum: DriverPack Mass Storage

190 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

dnoiz wrote:

Red text is not what we want right? smile

Correct, as far as I'm concerned.

Looking at the logo and the context of computers I would opt for blue/gray?

Personally, I'd really dig the blue of the forum post separator bars.
Maybe even incorporate the same grey, too.
That would look like an identical cast.

Maybe like this (just a quick edit, was just refilling the fonts, hence the transparency will will likely be messed up):
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/6774/driverpacksspaceage3nz9.png

Also the font used for the 'Slogan goes here' part is pretty nice (better then the all caps font).

#
Absultely!


King Cobra wrote:

For now I just added the slogan to this.

http://teeswebdesign.com/dp_images/b8012d.png

Here is another way too

http://teeswebdesign.com/dp_images/driv … ceage4.png

The top one is very fine, could you adjust the colour, please?
Just want to see what it looiks like, then.

Re bottom one:
You should decide for one logo, really.
Using both looks a bit crowded for my tastes.

Also, the new font you chose (I really like the previous one!) has some little "wavey" effect on it (letters seem to go up and down, esp. noticable on the slogan)

Maybe we could use both banner styles (who said there only has to be one?).
Top one with the disc/cogwheel and bottom with the file cabinet.
Fans, who want to proagate the DriverPacks in fora etc could then decide on the one they like most.

Go to forum: Feature Requests

191 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

OverFlow wrote:

I LIKE space age!

Ditto!

Go to forum: Feature Requests

192 Reply by Helmi

(17 replies, posted in DriverPack Mass Storage)

I never said you WILL have problems, but, as has been pointed out already, it contradicts the idea of the DriverPacks and we do not recommend it, regardless of whether it actually will cause issues or not.
Of course, you are free to do as you please but you cannot expect us to provide support for an action we advise you not to do and the DriverPacks were never laid out for.

So, the official verdict is, do not remove any drivers, the inofficial version says, you can do what you want as long as you know what you do wink

Go to forum: DriverPack Mass Storage

193 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

I actually had something more tech-themed in mind.

Your sig font, for instance, is a good example.

I don't dislike the fonts per se but I feel they should underline what the whole thing is about, really.
Also, would fit better to the icon, IMO.


Anyway, that's just my opinion.
Please let the ideas come!
Perfections needs a stream of creativity to reach its goal. smile

Go to forum: Feature Requests

194 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

The font, from what I can tell, is in fact anti-aliased.
It's just the suboptimal use of transparency (no alpha transparency) that lets it appear jagged in the last two samples.

If you confer with the non-transparent banners, you will notice the font is as smooth as it gets (hence anti-aliased).

smile

Go to forum: Feature Requests

195 Reply by Helmi

(54 replies, posted in Feature Requests)

King Cobra wrote:

Here is a banner that will work with any style a used will pick here in the forum.
This took a bit to get it transparent to work on the forum & driver packs base web site

The transparency is neat, however, as you are already using PNG format, maybe you could get them to feature alpha transparency instead of this (somewhat) dithered one, i. e. a smooth transition from 100% opacity to 0%.

As they are now, they look like plain old GIFs and I'm sure we want to feature the latest in technology anyhow big_smile


Otherwise, great work, thanks for you effords!

Could you give some font alternatives, please?
I'd like to be able to choose a bit wink

Go to forum: Feature Requests

196 Reply by Helmi

(17 replies, posted in DriverPack Mass Storage)

Also, I would not recommend on using both drivers in nLite AND with BASE (afterward,s of course).
Decide for one method.

And do NOT remove any drivers (or HW support) with nLite if you plan to use the BASE!

Go to forum: DriverPack Mass Storage

197 Reply by Helmi

(210 replies, posted in Software)

Why is the stable called a beta, still? wink

Go to forum: Software

198 Reply by Helmi

(9 replies, posted in DriverPack CPU)

The only thing the Dual Core Optimizer does, is editing an entry in either the Registry or the Boot.INI (or both, can't remember, as I never was affected).
This has, AFAIK, been fixed in SP3 anyhow, so it's not only not a driver but really no longer necessary (and its use could even cause issues).

Go to forum: DriverPack CPU

199 Reply by Helmi

(17 replies, posted in DriverPack Mass Storage)

^
||
That and besdies, we usually do not keep old versions of the DriverPacks.

Therefore, it's better to report any issues you have with current ones so it can get fixed in the next version rather than asking for a previous one.

You are, of course, free to archive any releases by yourself and we do not have any problem with users sharing them among themselves.
Just please use emails for such activities (i. e. we do not like to have OCH links spread all over the forum).

Go to forum: DriverPack Mass Storage

200 Reply by Helmi

(5 replies, posted in Software)

Generally, yes, but not necessarily.

Some burners may literally "lose track" if they are somewhat incompatible with the used medium and you are burning at too low speeds.
Faster speed apparently stabilizes the lense or w/e.

In any case, it definitely is worth experimenting with the burning speed as well as different media (brands, manufacturers, types).
Also, I can only recommend doing a read test (verify) on each and every disc burned!
Some burning apps, such as Nero, support this automatically.

Go to forum: Software