HELP!! XP Pro got hosed!

[slodave]

To slipstream I download SP3 and stick it into a temp dir (such as SP3-XP) I copy the contents of a Windows CD into a temp dir (such as XP-CD), then from a command prompt issue "WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU /integrate:C:\XP-CD, from the dir where the SP is stored. I have not tried over a previously slipstreamed CD. All of my XP CD's are SP2 from MS.

I would guess that it will work. The only custom file I have on the install cd, is setupp.ini. From here, you can change a OEM XP version into an upgrade or retail version, by changing a couple of numbers.

Dave

[lm6y]

Cool, I'll try it over a slipstreamed SP2 disc and let you know.

Is there anywhere on the web to get a tutorial on modifying the setupp.ini ? I am getting ready to upgrade a few machines for a friend, and would love to have a XP cd, and re- use the Serial #s from the same machine after the upgrades. These are mainly HP machines without an install cd, they have a partition on the hard drive with the OS setup files. If I could make a CD from those files, I could slipstream that cd, and save a ton of time, rather than cloning the drives, and then going from there.

Anyone evr tell you that you should work on computers for a living?

[slodave]

Here is the setupp.ini file:

[Pid]
ExtraData=786F687170637175716954806365EF
Pid=76487OEM

That's it. Look at the Pid line. It does not matter what the first 5 numbers are, but if you change the OEM to 335 (these need to be exact), you can make a retail version, for which only retail keys will work. Retail is what you would have purchased if you walked into Fry's or Best Buy. The OEM version came when you purchased a "custom" built computer. If you change the last three digits to "270", you'd have a corporate, volume licensed version of XP. You could also make an upgrade version as well.

I don't think you will have much luck slipstreaming an HP version. Versions of Widows licensed to Dell, HP, Compaq, etc., are a little different and at least with a Dell version, you will get an error when you try to SS a new SP.

It's not difficult to create an HP XP CD, format and install on one computer, then you can issue a command to "shrink wrap" the install, then ghost it to as many drives as you want. Doing this, it'll be like when you purchase a new computer and you get the "Lets spend a few minutes together". You'd still have to install the latest SP, but if they are all connected to a server, get the standalone version of the SP, put it on the server and point all the wkstations to the file.

Using this program, you can read the keys off of any Win2000/XP machine. It'll even tell you the key for Office...
http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
It is a great utility if the sticker is no longer (or never was) on the computer. There are even tools for changing the key..

Thanks for the compliment. I've been around computers a long time. I've even tried to get out of the industry, but kept coming back.

[lm6y]

Wow Dave, Thanks!

I just know enough to be really dangerous.

All of the machines I need to rework are about 4 years old, with 1.2ghz procs, and 30 gig hard drives. They are just tired. They had 256m of memory, I maxed them out early last year, but they just need to be upgraded.

I'm not even going to touch the server, it's 6 years old and has ALL of the inventory, and finacial data for the Salvage yard on it. I know enough to bow out when I don't know what I'm doing.

Thanks for the info. I'll quit asking the mechanic how to fix my car now, before I get a bill!

I wish I knew half of what you have forgotten.

You are right though, I just need to ghost each hard dive for each machine and go from there.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by lm6y

Pazuzu, you get second place (but you are still a winner in my heart)

I feel so loved

I mean...I told you what to do, unlike that hateful greedy slodave who wanted to take your firstborn child in return for the info...


yeah...that's the ticket...

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I feel so loved

I mean...I told you what to do, unlike that hateful greedy slodave who wanted to take your firstborn child in return for the info...


yeah...that's the ticket...

I avoid taking first firstborn children. There seems to be more of an attachment between child and parent. It brings a tear to my eye. Now, second and third are fair game, but I prefer them to be potty trained.

Gotta give Mike some credit though. Since he had ZA installed, he found out the answer the hard way. I don't want to give up my guru title. It's soo cool, in a geeky sort of way.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by slodave

Since he had ZA installed

You make that sound like a bad thing.



Oh...wait...nevermind

[slodave]

I wouldn't say bad, but not always necessary. You guys saw what can happen with third party apps. If you have a DSL/cable modem that is attached to a broadband router with a built in firewall, I'd recommend uninstalling any apps like ZA and just use the Windows built in FW along with the router. In the above, you would have 2 FW's in use and not using more OS resources than needed. Never install two (including using MS FW along with another FW app). FW's on a single computer. This is a sure way to keep you safe, but will almost always guaranty that you will never connect to the Internet.

Dave

[Pazuzu]

I'm not running the Windoze FW, and reminds me that every time I restart the computer I do have some security measures in place in my DSL gateway.

I'm not a fan of ZA, but I have found it to be the best free FW around...it's just unfortunate that no one has made something cleaner for free, but you can never expect freeware.

[slodave]

Addendum:

I had a computer (Dell w/XP Home) that was hosed and needed to reinstall the OS last night. The client did not have the Dell OS disk handy, although I knew where it was. I had a copy that I had recently burned, but never marked the CD as being a Dell branded XP. Since I had to wait until the A.M. to pick up the clients copy of XP, I decided to use mine and see if the key would work. I decided to SS SP3 into the home version. No problems. On the install, I was never asked to enter the validation key. A little later, I noticed that I had successfully SS SP3 into a Dell branded XP disk. From what I had read, this was not possible. Live and learn.

If you could make a similar CD from the HP partition - you may be able to SS SP3 to it and make the reinstall a little easier.

Also, you can't just setup XP on one computer and ghost it to 3 others and expect things to fly. If you go this route, you need to run a small app that allows you to change the SSID number of each of the three ghosted workstation.

What I suggested you do, is install the OS and all necessary apps on one computer and then before ghosting, you run a command (there's a little more to it than just running) called sysprep and it will take care of the SSID and a few other things. Then you ghost to the other three workstations and when you first boot to Windows, it will ask a few basic setup questions, but at least by the time you are in Windows, all apps will have been installed and will run. You just nee to customize for each workstation.

Dave

[slodave]

I ran into this problem again, but ZoneAlarm was not installed. I did the normal things, but decided to see what updates had been recently installed. I guess the computer had been off for a few weeks and missed Microsoft Update KB951748, as it was the latest update installed. I uninstalled the update and tried IE and FF and both worked again. Reinstalled the update and they stopped working. I ghosted the drive to have a backup and decided to install SP3. It failed as well with "Access denied". I found one reference and gave it a try. After installing a program from the Windows resource kit and running a little script, SP3 installed. I rebooted and gave FF a try. It works and so does IE.

Download SubInACL file from Microsoft, run into to install.

Copy and paste this into a notepad file and save as reset.cmd
cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %windir%*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f

Run reset.cmd and after it is finished (be patient), try to reinstall SP3.

I decided to add this, mostly in case someone runs into the SP3 "Access denied" issue.

[Buckterrier]

I am having the same problem as well. Received an update then couldn't connect to the internet. I also have Zone Alarm. I keep having to go to restore and go to a previous date. I'll read the whole post but will probably have more questions as I'm about puter literate as my dog. Then of course the telephone pole at the end of my driveway was struck by lightening the other day and fried my router. Glad I have surge protectors all everything.

[slodave]

Here's the link to the ZoneAlarm "fix".
http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html

Dave

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by slodave

Here's the link to the ZoneAlarm "fix".
http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html

Dave

Thanks Dave, so going there and doing what ever Zone Alarm says will allow the update not to interfer with the internet connection?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Thanks Dave, so going there and doing what ever Zone Alarm says will allow the update not to interfer with the internet connection?

It seems that way. It's worked for a lot of people. What SP are you running? I am surprised that ZA still has not come up with a patch.

Dave

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by slodave

It seems that way. It's worked for a lot of people. What SP are you running? I am surprised that ZA still has not come up with a patch.

Dave

Dave, sorry for my ignorance but what is "SP"?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Dave, sorry for my ignorance but what is "SP"?

Service Pack. Right click "my Computer" -> select properties. It'll be under "system".

[Buckterrier]

Hi Dave, I have SP 2