[Mayro]

If you were to build a slip streamed version of windows XP and it would be for installation to a gaming machine, what would you do as far as tweaks and changes to the install?

So far, im looking into ways of automaticaly changeing the services that load and how they load as the default in the registry.- Anyone know some good links to learn on editing the reg? Any better programs than the regular included one?

The thing that I would love to do, is have it auto install applications that I have in msi and other formats. Only thing is, the only 3 ways I know of doing it arent automated and require to much time to set up. Anyone know a good way to auto install apps?

[No_Style]

www.msfn.org and www.appdeploy.com are a great places to start. I have an XP-DVD with everything from SP2 + Latest fixes, Office 2003, Photoshop CS2 to QuickTime alternative installed. Not to mention countless drivers and stuff. Took awhile to get it working, but now it's great! I have a near 100% running machine without the hassle of installing all my apps manually.

BTW, if you don't want to do this manually, try nLite. I personally never used nLite and did it all manually for educational purposes and more flexible control.

[Mayro]

When you incorperate HOTFIXES especialy like the SP3 pack that is basicaly what SP3 is going to be, how do you do it in such a way that it works 100%?

When I did it with nlite, it said that it will take longer than it normaly does to install windows.... 4 hours later on the install I couldnt tell weather or not the computer had locked up or not and I gave up with that build.

[No_Style]

I don't use the SP3 pack. I use RyanVM's pack. ryanvm.msfn.org That pack does not impede my installation at all. I also don't use nLite as I previously stated.

[PangingJr]

RyanVM's pack is another Windows update solution that is really come in handy,
even though i haven't yet tried it, but i can see the potential the update pack has offered. i have been getting an update version which is sent to me from a friend many times since the update pack's project has been came out. i heard from friend who have tried it that the Windows update's file version info and/or update type will not be showed instead, it will show RyanVM's pack, and his CD would probably require an update again once the newer version of the update pack came out. anyway, you're right about the nLite. IMO, in all cases you won't need to use it.

[pr0digal jenius]

i use Bashrat The Sneaky's universal driver packages as well

[No_Style]

I used those, but there was a point where he was updating them left, right and center I just purged it all from my XP-DVD due to bugs and junk. Now I manually put in the ones I encounter.

[PangingJr]

for drivers, i do think the same that i won't use any drivers pack if i don't have to but only apply the ones i needed them.
as for hotfixes, i prefer to get the update files through the MS sites for IT/Advanced users, i think this would probably be same way as the business/corporate people do (little more or less different. i guess), and then adapt it, make it less complicate for doing it myself at home and for using on home networks PCs.