XP slipstreaming - refresh my memory please

[boomerang]

I have to wipe an older system I built for my sister-in-law. The XP disk is 2002, prior to any service packs.

If I remember correctly, Service Pack 2 incorporates Service Pack 1. So, I'll have to slipstream Service Pack 2 before I can slipstream Service Pack 3 because Service Pack 3 does not contain the prior Service Packs.

Is this correct?

Just to be clear, I don't need directions on how to do the slipstreaming process, just the order in which I need to do it.

 

[hclarkjr]

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/Slipstreaming_Windows_XP_Service_Pack_3.html relevant info you are looking for - From some sources I hear you will need a Windows XP Home or Professional with SP2 Setup CD. You cannot slipstream SP3 into an original Windows XP CD or an XP with SP1 CD. Slipstreaming SP3 will only work with an XP + SP2 CD. Others have suggested that slipstreaming with an SP1 integrated CD does work. Here is what I found:

Windows XP (Gold): Slipstreaming SP3 seemed to work fine... untill it came to the point I had to activate Windows XP. It would not activate XP over the Internet & could also not update via the phone using the automated system. I didn't speak to a live person about it though. Without activating I couldn't use Windows Update without activating.

Windows XP + SP2: Slipstreaming SP3 worked fine. I also was able to skip putting in the product key during installation (which was not an option with the XP gold 'slipstreamed' version). I had to activate to use Windows Update - which worked without a problem using the Internet activation - but I didn't get any errors on Windows Update, and updates where provided.

 

[boomerang]

Thanks. That more or less confirms what I'd remembered if I comprehend it correctly.

I actually had found that site but did not read the area in gray on the right that you quoted. All I saw was instructions and moved on. In too big of a hurry I guess.

 

[MadScientist]

Easiest way is to use nlite. http://www.nliteos.com/

 

[bruceb]

I agree. You must start with a XP SP2 cd in order to slipstream SP3 into it.
Personally, I like Autostreamer ... it does a nice job, easy to use with XP

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/Autostreamer.shtml

 

[mvbighead]

Never once had a problem slipstreaming SP3 into a non-SP'd disk.

And, as MadScientist said, nlite is the easiest way to do it.

 

[mvbighead]

FYI -

http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstream-service-pack-3-into-your-windows-xp-installation-cd

From the article - Now nLite will ask for slipstream files, or packages you want to integrate into the installer. You'll always want to have the latest service pack available, since, for instance, Service Pack 3 incorporates the fixes made in SP1 and SP2, so it makes them unnecessary.

 

[Mide]

+1 for nlite
Add SP3, put in the key and make it unattended.

 

[RebateMonger]

After reading these comments and the linked articles, I still remain confused about exactly what will and what will not work if slipstreamed to SP3. All of my original XP Install CDS are either RTM or SP1. It's a PITA, but I continue to slipstream XP only to SP2 and then run Windows Updates from there. Hopefully I won't be doing too many more XP installs....

 

[hclarkjr]

i would slipstream SP2 first then SP3 after that

 

[RebateMonger]

i would slipstream SP2 first then SP3 after that

My concern about that is that right after SP3 was released, I had a couple of brand-new-out-of-the-box Dells with SP2 that I tried to update to SP3 with the full MS installer. After SP3 was installed, Windows Updates didn't work anymore. It was a known problem and the solution was to re-register about ten DLL files. At the time, it made me nervous about what else wasn't going to work.

It appears, though, that the only necessary action is in this MS KB:

You cannot install updates from Windows Update, Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Update after a repair install of Windows XP or after you install Windows XP SP3 immediately after a clean install of Windows XP SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

 

[hclarkjr]

maybe slipstreaming would change that??

 

[hclarkjr]

try it out on virtual machine first

 

[mvbighead]

i would slipstream SP2 first then SP3 after that

What's the point? SP3 contains all of the updates in SP2 as well as SP1 and SP1a.

I dunno why this is such a complicated task, but with even before I started using NLite, I always kept a copy of Windows XP with no SPs so I could slipstream the latest SP and make a minimalist image. There is no wonderment about it. Slipstream SP3, install to PC, run updates from that point.

As for not being able to install updates, the only issue I have ever encountered is the installation of a Windows Genuine Advantage update that must be installed prior to installing other updates. Once that is installed, the remaining 30-50+ whatever updates are downloaded and installed normally. It is not anywhere near as complicated as you are making it seem.

 

[hclarkjr]

SP3 doesn't have all the updates, that is why you need SP2 first. look at my reply in post # 2

 

[mvbighead]

SP3 doesn't have all the updates, that is why you need SP2 first. look at my reply in post # 2

Straight from MS:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e1555d4f3d4&displaylang=en#SystemRequirements


Overview
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system.
If you're updating just one computer, please visit Windows Update at http://update.microsoft.com.

Note: Customers running Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) are advised to install a hotfix for a Microsoft Dynamics RMS issue prior to installing Windows XP SP3.


System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems:Windows XP Home Edition;Windows XP Professional Edition;Windows XP Service Pack 1;Windows XP Service Pack 2

There is no reason to go through all the hoopla, as SP3 encompasses SP1 and SP2. Just patch your OS after install (as you would have to get all updates past SP3 timeframe), and you're done. I don't see the point in Slipstreaming each one, when the last one includes everything from the first 2. You can easily see this based on the size of the downloads. It gets increasingly larger, as they add more too their service packs.

 

[hclarkjr]

appears there is no set way then, from the site i linked too they say otherwise. so which is correct?

 

[mvbighead]

Well, the site you mentioned refers to "some sources." It also doesn't mention anything about missing updates, just that activation is not possible for some reason or another, which, to me, sounds like a disk building problem where someone swapped a volume license disk for an OEM one, or a retail one. Having used volume license disks over the past several years, I have never encountered a problem slipstreaming straight to SP3... so if I qualify as "some source", I'd say it works just dandy.

Personally, the site you referred to is way too involved in the slipstreaming process. There is no reason to not just use NLite, as it's free, and automagically does everything for you, provided you give it the files needed. Not to mention, you can have it include all the necessary drivers so you have internet connectivity with non-natively supported NICs, and you're all ready to update at first boot... no need to find driver disks, etc.

I guess I am being argumentative, but I have never seen a need for what you are implying. I have dozens of copies of Windows XP SP3 with drivers for various new Dell Models (Latitude E6410, D630, D620. Optiplex 780, 760, 755, etc.). Never an issue of any kind really.

And when Microsoft's site clearly states that SP3 includes all prior updates, I'd think that would end the debate... no?

 

[RebateMonger]

appears there is no set way then, from the site i linked too they say otherwise. so which is correct?

That's why I've been sticking with SP2-slipstreamed media. But that sucks because of all the required updates and I'd love to be able to build a working XP Install CD with SP3 included. I don't even think MS ever sold a Retail version of XP with SP3 included. I know they made OEM versions with SP3.

 

[bruceb]

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems:Windows XP Home Edition;Windows XP Professional Edition;Windows XP Service Pack 1;Windows XP Service Pack 2

MS itself says you need SP2 in order to install SP3 .. so all the updates are probably not in SP3 as it dependent on some other updates that SP2 installs. Best bet is to use a cd with SP2 already in it to add SP3 to it.

 

[MadScientist]

I dunno why this is such a complicated task, but with even before I started using NLite, I always kept a copy of Windows XP with no SPs so I could slipstream the latest SP and make a minimalist image. There is no wonderment about it. Slipstream SP3, install to PC, run updates from that point.

Exactly, I have virgin copies of Win XP Pro and Home that I use to slipstream SP3 and the keycodes with nlite. Install, run updates, done. You can also slipstream in RyanVM's post SP3 update pack. It has not been updated since 1/09 but would reduce the number of updates.
http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack-sp3.html

or use this one: http://xable.net/xp-sp3-update-pack-download.html

 

[mvbighead]

MS itself says you need SP2 in order to install SP3 .. so all the updates are probably not in SP3 as it dependent on some other updates that SP2 installs. Best bet is to use a cd with SP2 already in it to add SP3 to it.

You can read, can't you?

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system.

The above line is straight from MS's site, more specifically, the Network Installation package of SP3 (read - the complete SP3 package for re-distribution).

And, in your own text above, you are 100% incorrect. Here you go:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/learn-how-to-install-windows-xp-service-pack-3-sp3

SP1a is said to be required before installing SP3, not SP2 as you suggest. This only applies to updating a running system that does not have SP3... not slipstreaming a disk. You would do yourself a favor by downloading NLite. They do mention a quirk of slipstreaming while using Vista as your OS for slipstreaming in an older version of their product. This has been fixed in their final release. The whole SP2 thing was related to a quirk in the OS performing the slipstreaming. Given that I have very lightly used Vista, I have never encountered an issue because I never slipstreamed from Vista.

http://www.nliteos.com/

I have also done this all the manual way, but Nlite makes the process much, much easier.

 

[Auric]

Even the term slipstreaming is rather grandiose for what amounts to a simple extract and replace file operation.

Just copy the disc contents to a folder, extract SP3 over it and then optionally write it to a new bootable disc. Fin.

 

[RebateMonger]

Hmmmm..
Last year, Paul Thorrott published a "Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 3" article. He says it will work with ANY version (RTM, SP1, or SP2) of the XP Install CD, including previously slipstreamed disks. He says it's intended only for Retail or Retail-like CDs. He says that it may or may not work with OEM CDs from PC makers.

http://www.winsupersite.com/xp/sp3_slipstream.asp

However, he also includes a disclaimer that "These instructions are provided as-is, and I'm no longer interested in troubleshooting this procedure."

I don't see anything in there that couldn't be done more easily with nLite.