Autostreamer

ZEUS_GB · Joined: Jan 14, 2003 Posts: 5057 Location: UK

FormalDaHyde · Joined: Jan 02, 2005 Posts: 1511

Sorry ZUES_GB
I should have posted a reply thanking you earlier but it SLIPped my mind!
It is funny, how you can post that link here at LG::Forums and not even get a discussion going but the original link has over 240+ replies to it at neowin.net!
I am so over slipstreaming!
I am thinking it is a waste of time... unless you are in charge of pushing updates to at least a dozen computers each time a new update comes up!
Otherwise, the setup and production of the final slipstreamed bootable media is too time consuming for common folk... every ~6months these slipstreamed disks become coasters as they become old!

Thank you, again!

nlinecomputers · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject:

I can create a slipstreamed XP disk with the latest service pack in about 20 min. Considering that it takes an hour to install XP bare and 2-3 to update it to the latest packs that cuts reinstall time in about half. Also if you ever have a problem and need to do a repair install of windows it's better to do with the slipstreamed disk as using an non service packed disk for the repair can leave you with a system that is still broken and unable to install the Service Pack.

FormalDaHyde · Joined: Jan 02, 2005 Posts: 1511

ejward · Joined: Jan 06, 2003 Posts: 5897

Easiest way to slipstream a SP into XP:

Expand the SP to your HD

Create an ISO of a Windows XP CD

Use WinISO to crack open the ISO

Replace the original I386 folder in the ISO with the one from the SP

Save the new ISO

Burn a CD from the ISO

That's it. No creating special floppy images from DAT files, etc.

nlinecomputers · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject:

FormalDaHyde · Joined: Jan 02, 2005 Posts: 1511

Yeah, I have the separation of "church and state" in my system... errrrrrrrrr! :blink:
My data NEVER shares the same partition/volume/HDD with my system/OS!
But that portion of this conversation is moot as SlipStreaming offers zero protection to user generated files!

Archiving and backing up of user files/data, is a totally different subject but as you have said: a subject that should NOT ever be ignored in any system... Although, Imaging of drive(s) does provide such benefits, if it is properly scheduled and executed!

nlinecomputers · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:31 pm Post subject:

Charred · Joined: Aug 03, 2003 Posts: 1011 Location: Central PA

Unless something has changed at Autostreamer, those of us that that bought a Dell are out of luck. It is my understanding that a "reinstallation CD" cannot be slipstreamed. Mad

Charred

FormalDaHyde · Joined: Jan 02, 2005 Posts: 1511

PostReply#8 and PostReply#9 are 2 great reasons when Imaging works out to be a nicely deployable alternative!
1. "You can have a trashed OS and use a slipstreamed disk to do a repair install that preserves data">>
If imaging task is executed properly (*and all "UserData" is stored in same partition), "reinstallation/repair" via an Image file (*.tib) is only an 8 minute job on a 40GByte HDD with a DVD image, and data is also restored. Maybe what I mean by UserData (files generated/saved by a user, not user specific OS settings or customizations).
2. In the case of the Dell dilemma>>
The alternative becomes an Image of the HDD as nothing else would work. In fact, the Toshiba M55 laptop that we got for my g/f, was first imaged in a virgin-from-factory OS install state. Then and upon blowing that OS off and reinstalling everything AND the kitchen sink for her, another image was created so that either/or image can be at hand and can be shoe-horned back into the same laptop.

The only drawback is that the images created become specific to the system that it was created in/for.

Sorry, I sound like a living ad for Imaging, but unless you have used it and forced others to use it, you possibly cannot admire what an elegant solution it is to crashes. I intentionally do stuff to my PC, just to see how far I can take it, and if I slip... oh well... it is but an 8minute job to restore the whole system again.
I don't even bother with many crash recovery programs any more! Oh and you should see the smiles on those who have been forced to pay/use AcronisTrueImage... when their system crashes.
I have had people literally bowing in front of me for forcing them to pay/install AcronisTrueImage.
Most don't even know what it is. But when I get the call or the visit of someone that just had a system crash, you ought to see the change in demeanor in about 8minutes of tinkering with their system.

... little OffTopic... but not by much! :harhar: