This guide will describe the easiest way possible to slipstream (also known as ‘Integrate’) a Service Pack into Windows 2000, XP or 2003. To do this, we will only need one program – MSFN’s very own popular nLite created by one of our members nuhi. While nLite is primarily aimed to remove components to slim down a Windows CD, it has the required tools to do just an automated Service Pack slipstream as well as create a CD image.
Slipstreaming Windows XP SP2 and Bootable CD Guide
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
From the nLite page:
SP2 RTM Issues
———————————————————————- ———-
posted 08.08.2004 by nuhi
There are few confirmed issues with nLite and XP SP2 RTM, so don’t reported them any more until it’s fixed.
Working on it…
Other than it being broken for SP2, this looks like a very interesting package. Thanks for this…
AutoStreamer is a very nice tool, anyone should check it out.
http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?id=23186&category=main
Why download more junk, when you can do a slipstream with only 3 files (bootable image, service pack, os cd) and a few commandline options. SP2 changes the flags necessary to update your os cd…. but its still incredibly easy.
I have a copy of XP Pro that was bought about 4 weeks ago, that has SP1 already slipstreamed. Can I slipstream SP2 into a copy of Windows that already has SP1 built in ?
Yes
I was once doing slipstreaming myself but nLite is quite a good application IMO. It can even remove features you won’t ever use (like games) and drivers.
if they come out with an antivirus with SP2 and not allow people to choose to install it people will have to uninstall norton, macfee, or anyother antivirus software. Becuase you cant have to installed at once or else the two will fight ecother. How will mircosoft explain this, marking the end of norton and macfee?
I havent used nLite, but I am generally paranoid about installing any unnecessary software on my computer. Who knows what this thing adds/removes, or if it leaves any backdoors in the OS which could be exploited by other programs.
OTOH, slipstreaming windows service packs manually has been explained by many different sites, and if they have indeed changed something in SP2 that causes some problems, I’m confident someone will figure it out & post it soon enough.
http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2000_xp_sp_slipstreaming.htm
Doing it manually is not hard, I’ve done XP Pro SP1a and 2000 Server SP4
Most of the functionality of this product – lightweight install – can be done using Microsoft supported techniques by using an Answer File to automate setup operations and instruct the Windows CD not to install items like Messenger, MSN Explorer, Hyperterm, Games and many more.
Using an answer file, either built into the CD or on a floppy, also allows you to then use the same CD to install the optional components afterward.
Answer files are created using the setupmgr.exe in deploy.cab. For removing software in the [components] section google winnt sif components, there are many lists of removable items.
“Why download more junk, when you can do a slipstream with only 3 files (bootable image, service pack, os cd) and a few commandline options. SP2 changes the flags necessary to update your os cd…. but its still incredibly easy.”
I’ve also found the slipstreaming process easy, it’s the creating a bootable iso from it I’ve found difficult. Could explain how you’ve accomplished it?
I can do that with mkisofs. I just about have the process done with mkisofs but I think I must have one flag set incorrectly, because I get a missing NTDlR (I think that’s how its spelled) error when it tries to boot.
I tried nLite to make an iso and it worked fine for me.
LOL — This written by someone obviously using the ***most home phoning software ever created by mankind*** (TM) — Are you kidding me? What with all the other applications you are installing besides the OS?
Are you personal friends with the makers of your Anti-Virus app?
Are you personal friends with the makers of your Firewall?
Are you personal friends with the makers of your Office Suit?
Are you personal friends with the makers of the gazillion other apps you certainly have installed?
I don’t seem to remember you conjecturing that all these apps may have a dodgy origin, you investigating into this and, just in case, better not use them.
The answers to the above are: No, no, no and no. Yet, you start freaking about a simple app – which btw doesn’t even have to be installed in the first place – which basically visualized the command line switches of the sp2.exe + some of the unattended install script-features of XP, the changed of which you then will obviously find right there for your viewing pleasure. When you think you are paranoid, it’s probably because you *are*. Comments like these really annoy the hell out of me for being so unsubstantiated.
“if they come out with an antivirus with SP2 and not allow people to choose to install it people will have to uninstall norton, macfee, or anyother antivirus software. Becuase you cant have to installed at once or else the two will fight ecother. How will mircosoft explain this, marking the end of norton and macfee?”
There is no anti-virus with SP2. It does not even check for antivirus programs on your system, and has nothing to do with antivirus. It does have a better firewall though.