Slipstreamed SP2 cd wont boot properly

[nipester]

I slipstreamed Service pack 2 into XP pro successfully and can actually boot from the CD that I burned, using the bootsector of the original XP CD. The problem is after a few seconds I get and error message that asks me to insert the Windows XP CDROM into disk drive A.

I assume its looking for a certain volume label on the CDR which I currently have as XPVOL_EN. Or perhaps I need an extra file in the root of the CDR?

Here are the files I have in the root of the CDR:

Setup.exe
spnotes.htm
win51ip.SP2

All were put there by the update.exe utility in the service pack.

I think the answer lies in either the bootsector, or the files in the root folder of the CDR or the CDR volume label.

 

[bcastner]

It sounds as if you used floppy emulation rather than ISO 9660 with long filename support.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp1_cd.htm

The Service Pack 2 forums on the MSFT site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/sp2preview.mspx

has several user submitted guides to the slipstream.

But let me caution you:

Caution #1: If you slipstream you lose the ability in Add/Remove Programs, and System Restore, to remove the Service Pack RC2. It is not unambiguous at this time that an uninstall/install sequence will not be required when SP2 is final;

Caution #2: Microsoft recommends against the slipstream of beta or RC software; they specificly recommend against a slipstream of SP2 RC2. For what it is worth, I recommend against it as well.

 

[nipester]

I fixed it. Just had to copy a couple of files from the original CD root directory to the CDR and it didnt complain any more. Next I need to figure out how to slipstream MS Office and ADOBE acrobat reader into the CDR. Would be a real timesaver.

 

[bcastner]

nipester,

I am glad you got the issue sorted. I hope you will respond as to why slipstreaming a release candidate is a good idea.

Is it just to practice for the final? I can understand that. I suspect there are some modest surprises, however, in store when SP2 becomes final.

. There will be free SP2 CDs stuck on or inside just about every computer magazine on earth;

. Deploying through Group Policy, MSI wrappers, and other Network installations has been fairly well thought about as an issue. For dial-up users your computer magazine subscription likely will be sufficient, or you will be able to order a CD from Microsoft similar to the Security Update CD of late last year.

. I repeat again my issue with slipstreaming a Release Candidate: it is still up in the air whether RC2 will require an uninstall (my guess, not); and it is up in the air whether SP2 1.0 will work without issue on your machine. A slipstream prevents an uninstall. A very bad idea in my book.

Best wishes,
Bill Castner

 

[nipester]

Well I have installed SP2 RC2 on a dozen or so desktops with no issues whatsoever. Never had to uninstall for any reason, so believing RC2 to be relatively stable I thought it would be a great timersaver for me to slipstream it in and keep the CDR handy for new desktops or fresh formats on trashed desktops.

My main motivation is to save time by automating service packs and hotfixes into the base OS as well as Office. The time saved there will be much more than any potential time lost in case of complications. I havent had any complications so far.

 

[bcastner]

I have had workaroundable issues. But I see no reason for a slipstream, losing the uninstall, until it is final.

Best,
Bill

 

[gpalmer711]

As for your Office and Adobe Reader question take a look at

http://unattended.msfn.org/

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[nipester]

The only problem I foresee with an integrated SP2 install is that when the final SP2 release comes out, I wont be able to uninstall the service pack as is required by MS before you can install the Final Release SP2. I could probably get around it by reinstalling Windows(with SP2 integrated) over itself. Upgrading it.

 

[bcastner]

My read on the Service Pack 2 final is that an uninstall is not going to be require for those with RC2, but I have yet to see this stated unambiguously.