The ultimate Windows installation disc

[TW]Fox · 29 Jan 2008 at 01:24

Hi guys,

Going to reinstall Windows XP Pro onto a new HDD on Wednesday and figured it'd be a good idea to make a new slipstreamed install with Nlite.

But I want to try and cram as many new features and cool stuff into it as possible.

So, what do you guys recommend I slipstream into the disc? Any useful utilities etc?

yantorsen · 29 Jan 2008 at 01:57

one of those rar extractors, paint.net, audacity, coretemp

badbob · 29 Jan 2008 at 01:58

SP3 will be cool, once it's out.

Tute · 29 Jan 2008 at 08:58

Get the XP Powertoys onto there as they're pretty good also.

Don't forget a virus scanner (AVG or NOD32 gets my vote).

Indy500 · 29 Jan 2008 at 09:08

Drivers possibly? CD\DVD utilities (eg. Nero, WinDVD), your choice of web browser, defrag\disk utilities (powerdefragmenter), Everest\CPU-Z, Adobe Reader.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jan 2008 at 09:47

badbob said:
SP3 will be cool, once it's out.

I have actually just downloaded XP SP3 RC3 from Microsoft - reckon its worth it or should I stick with SP2?

[TW]Fox · 29 Jan 2008 at 09:48

sr4470 said:
Drivers possibly? CD\DVD utilities (eg. Nero, WinDVD), your choice of web browser, defrag\disk utilities (powerdefragmenter), Everest\CPU-Z, Adobe Reader.

Problem with drivers is that I never quite got the hang of integrating stuff which has control panel software - ie Creative Xfi, Nvidia drivers, etc.

Indy500 · 29 Jan 2008 at 09:50

[TW]Fox;10992696 said:
Problem with drivers is that I never quite got the hang of integrating stuff which has control panel software - ie Creative Xfi, Nvidia drivers, etc.

By that I mean just put the setup exe in the folder before making the ISO with Nlite.

Dingleberry88 · 29 Jan 2008 at 09:51

I don't see the point in integrating app/drivers. There's always newer versions out by the time you come to reinstall anyway.

Indy500 · 29 Jan 2008 at 09:53

Dingleberry88 said:
I don't see the point in integrating app/drivers. There's always newer versions out by the time you come to reinstall anyway.

If you use a CD-RW its not a problem to update...depends on if the platform is mature, as for applications - don't fix what ain't broke?

Muffin` · 29 Jan 2008 at 10:03

Use 7zip over winrar. cccp codec pack, vlc, ie7 - list goes on - I should do the same as you, but do it in work.

Theguy · 29 Jan 2008 at 10:39

i wouldnt bother putting on SP3 rc tbh, next time you go to format, the real deal will be out and you will have to do it again ne way.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jan 2008 at 11:05

I tend to lose the disc and make a new one every time I reinstall anyway so that isnt an issue. Slipstreaming is just geeky and cool and allows unattended installs and none of the stupid hour long install/reboot/blah rubbish after.

Theguy · 29 Jan 2008 at 12:05

a fair enough

- i guess the idea of semi beta software being as my main OS puts me off abit tbh.

badbob · 29 Jan 2008 at 12:16

I wouldn't slipstream drivers or SP3 yet, just do SP2 install with your own tweaks.

nade · 29 Jan 2008 at 13:40

I've recently discovered a program call CT Update. Can't remember if it was in a thread on here. But you can download all the post SP2 updates, including IE7 and create a iso. I used to use Autopatcher until they got shutdown.

Have tested it with a virtual machine and works great.
http://www.heise-security.co.uk/news/97355