nLite then DP?

I, personally, slipstream SP2 via nLite first.

Then I use Boooggy's WMP 11 Slipstreamer to add in Windows Media Player 11 and a few hotfixes for it.

Next I use nLite to patch windows with the available/compatible hotfixes.  Alternatively, I have used RVM Integrator for the patches in the RVM Update Pack.  I find that RyanVM isn't always as up-to-date as I need, so I built up the library of hotfixes on my own.

Next step is the RVM Addon packs.  Again, I use nLite to add them in but it's probably smarter to use the RVM Integrator.

Then I use DriverPacks.  Method 2, Quick Stream Cache enabled.

Finally I use nLite one last time to create a bootable ISO (which I burn after testing).  Although I have used Nero once...

One thing that I always have to do before burning is that I have to extract the contents of the bin and the finisher archive manually to $OEM$\$1.  I don't know if the DriverPacks base is supposed to do that at all, but it never has for me.  I then have to add in a record for RunOnceGUI/RunOnceEx for a cleanup command file that goes in after DriverPacks runs and deletes all of the files I had to add to $OEM$.  This cleanup command file is just a personal preference - not necessary.  However you may experience some missing file errors if you don't handle the larger issue at hand.

So to answer question 1, the short answer is "no".  You can't assume that all of the files are there.  You probably need to extract the finisher archive to the system in some way.  Some people extract it at windows install runtime, others extract it into the preinstall folders (like I do).  Which leads you to question 2, "no" again.  You can make a bootable CD but it won't work without those finisher files.

I'm going to qualify my answers for your first two questions by saying that I haven't kept up with the DriverPacks base version.  If a new one was released they might have made an answer to that "problem".

As for your third question, I do like to test out my disk on a virtual machine first, but in some cases it ends up taking WAY too long (I usually add in the Windows Post Install just before DriverPacks).  So while it's nice, in some cases it can be impractical.

Last edited by TigerC10 (2007-12-04 03:56:22)

Thanks for the information. I will study the tutorial. Another question: since I haven't done this before, is the bootable ISO image what I would use to re-install the OS? Will it function just as a normal Win XP install disk? Sorry if this seems obvious but as stated before I'm new to this process.