Slipstreaming

[BigT]

I am thinkning of using n-lite to slipstream an original XP disk with SP3 but wondering if I should either create a disk with SP2 first then a second with SP3 or if I can do the two together. I have read that SP3 will not work properly on an original XP without at least sP1 on it, thus my question.

A second problem is I have read that trying to slipstram on a vista computer will not work so it has to be done on a machine running XP. As I use my Vista laptop most of the time is there a way round this?

Ta muckle,

BigT

[BigT]

Hi All,

Thought I would update you.
I have successfully managed to slipstream SP3 onto my original XP professional program. I have found that it doesn't work using Vista to slipstream XP, apparently there is a DLL in XP that isn't in Vista, so Vista can only slipstream Vista and SP1 foe Vista.

Perhaps I had better explain what the heck I am on about for those who don't do much computing.

Every so often, the compute will start to slow down with use as Windows builds up a heap of redundant files. There are programs out there that do a good job of cleaning up your computer, e.g. Ccleaner, download from http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ but over time, these files will still build up. The best way of getting the computer back to being like new is to reboot. The problem is that there have been so many "fixes" to windows that it takes for ever to download them from Microsoft Update. So, if you have an original XP cd, you can download it to your hard drive and using nLite (http://www.nliteos.com/) you can download XP SP3 and "slipstream" it and other updates, drivers for your computer etc. into your windows. The program will then allow you to burn a new bootable CD with all the updates on it, so you don't have to waste time looking for them each time you need to reboot Windows!

The only thing to remember is to back up all your files, pictures, music etc so you dont loose them if there is a crash. But we all do that regularly don't we? (Ahem!)

If not, then there are ways of recoving files from crashed computers, providing the hard drive itself has not totally failed. B ut that is another story for another time perhaps, if anybody might be interested.

C U all soon,

BigT

[Oliver]

Hi Tony

Will you post a short resume on what slip-streaming is ?

TIA Oliver

[BigT]

Hi Oliver,
No problem. When you buy a copy of Windows, for example XP or Vista, your purchase is a straight windows disk with no updates, or with Service Pack 1 for either operating system or service pack 2 or 3 for Windows XP. I have an original copy of XP and an original copy of Vista. This means that when I want to reboot my computers, I have to reload Windows then for XP either SP1 or SP2 followed by XP3, which is a very time consuming process. Slipstreaming is when you copy your original XP disk to your hard drive, then download and copy, for example, service packs 2 and 3 from Microsoft and then using a program like nLite, "slipstream" the service packs into windows then burn to a CD or DVD. Using this method also allow you to download the drivers for your computer (or from your original drivers disk if you still have it) and to change some of the things in the windows boot. For example, to make the boot lighter and faster, I exclude all the foreign language packages. You can also set up the boot to be completely automatic, i.e. you can "slipstream" the windows key and set everything so you can just walk away and let windows boot.

If you are wondering why I like to do this it is because I like to try out lots of little programs I come across to see if they are any good, but when they are uninstalled, they tend to leave little bits behind and eventually the computer becomes bloated and starts to slow down. This gradually happens to all computers and I have no doubt that you will have noticed a slowing down on your own computer over a period of time. The best way of solving this is to reboot with the basic programs that you consider essential, and your computer will be working at full tilt again. (By the way, if you really want, you can include the programs you like to use in your "slipstream" so you don't even have to load them up separately)

If you have a restore disk with your computer instead of a genuine copy of Windows, then you will find that you have the problem again of loading all the service packs and programs after resetting your computer (and getting rid of all the junk that manufacturers are determined to put out as well). I would therefore suggest that you consider rebooting from scratch, loading up the service packs and programs you want then use a program like Norton Ghost or Paragon true Image to make an exact copy of your hard drive and burn it to DVD so next time you want to reboot, you don't have to go through the whole process again but can set it back to the condition when you cut your DVD.

So in short, slipstreaming gives me much more control over what windows loads onto my computer by allowing me to dump some of the bloat I don't want, and at the same time allowing me to load in the necessary service packs and some other programs at the same time as windows.

As a final word, if you go to the Microsoft site there is a lot of information about slipstreaming and there are many comments in the forums which I found to be very helpful.

Hope this makes it a bit clearer.

All the best.

[Oliver]

Got it this time!

It was the problems of updates, the need for constant reboots and inevitable slowing of the system which prompted me to move to Mac OS X 10.5 last year. Mac installs applications in two places only - the application itself and a configuration file. Delete both of these and all traces of the application are gone for ever. I still keep a Windows XP machine on hand for some tasks but, generally, all my work is done on the Mac these days. I'm not banging the Steve Jobs drum here just mentioning my experience. Frankly, I don't care what the label on the OS is so long as it gets the job done!

Ever looked at Linux?

Oliver

[BigT]

Aye, I have looked at it a couple of times and occasionally experement a little. There are several "flavours" but the best for beginners is probably either Ubuntu or Kubuntu (the main difference is in the interface). When I have a windows computer to fix and I need to reboot from scratch, I use Puppy Linux, which can be run from the CD, to let me access the hard drive and download the persons files and folders for them. Most versions of linux will run from a CD so you don't have to load them onto your computer until you are satisfied that you will be comfortable with it. They will also let you partition your hard drive so that the installation is on a different part from windows.

The only problem with Linux is that there is still a little "command line" work on occasion, and for people used to Windows, where everything is made extremely simple for them, this can make them wary. The other side of the coin though is that Linux is very powerful, lets you experement a little with command line (no real problem for people who used to work with DOS, they soon get used to the idea again) and seldom seems to crash. It also seems to be a lot more secure than Windows. Many who work with it swear by it, particulary IT guys.

I have been toying with the idea of keeping an old computer aside to use as a backup for all my information and using a linux kernal on this, as linux does need as much power as Windows, expecially Vista. If others are interested, perhaps we can start a linux group and help each other, and experement with all the different versions to see which we all like the best? Just an idea because as I said, it will happily work on an older computer.