[phaolo]

Hello I have a problem with my unattended "project".

First is good to specify that I've already used nlite in the past to make a WinXp Pro SP2 tweaked CD plus applications. I have then installed and tested it for a year without errors.

Now, however, I've tried to do a WinXp Pro SP3-slipstreamed DVD plus apps, but.. it doesn't even start! I'm testing it as usual on vmware 5.52: on dvd boot I get black screen and nothing.



What could be the cause??

-wrong dvd boot info for some unknown reason?

-vmware version 5.52 too old to support SP3 or DVDs?

-nlite 1.47 is not new enough to support SP3 or DVDs?

-SP3 too old? (downloaded on 05/2008, version 6.2.29)

-uncompatible hotfixes? (a few taken from ryanvm list)
KB938464.exe
KB942288.exe
KB944043.exe
KB950762.exe
KB950974.exe
KB951376.exe
KB951698.exe
KB952954.exe
KB953838.exe
KB953839.exe
KB954156.exe


I don't have clues, can anyone help me? :'(

This post has been edited by phaolo: 24 September 2008 - 04:53 AM

[gkar]

If your are burning the ISO with nLite try using imageburn instead when burning DVD's or CD's.

I use WindowsXP-KB942763-x86-ENU for slipstreaming SP3 into WinXP Home (SP1).

This post has been edited by gkar: 24 September 2008 - 06:04 AM

[phaolo]

I'm not using a real DVD, but an ISO file instead.
Another ISO program maker didn't work.

I'm also not integrating applications but I'm installing them via RunOnceEx, so they can't be the source of the problem.
Thanks for answer anyway qkar

This post has been edited by phaolo: 24 September 2008 - 06:09 AM

[johnhc]

phaolo,
I am using VMware Server and am not familiar with what you are using but I suspect it should be OK. I assume you are using nLite to create an ISO. In my VMware experience the optical drive is always listed as CD/DVD and I don't think the ISO knows the difference.
Without looking (you should look) I strongly recommend you upgrade to nLite 1.4.9.1. There were some nLite problems early on with SP3. I am running XP x64, so have no SP3 experience.
You need to provide more information - the more the better. Please attach (not Paste) your LastSession.ini. Always use a fresh copy of your source files/folders and never nLite a source that has been nLited before.
Enjoy, John

[phaolo]

Yes, I use Nlite to create an ISO. I've attached my last session as suggested.
The options, however, are almost the same as in the old working CD, except for: SP3, new hotfixes and services, LogonCount and SystemRestore space (I think nothing else). For RunOnceEx I use a manual custod method (working).

I've checked the new program version changes before, but there's nothing that suggests a fix to my problem.
I could try it anyway, but first look at a vmware error log line when it hangs:

Quote

vcpu-0| FLOPPYLIB-LIB : Win32Ioctl: syserror The device is not ready.

What's this? Nlite or Virtual Machine fault? (power off the floppy wasn't a solution lol).
I noticed that one time, after recreating a virtual vmware hdisk, the virtual DVD booted. I didn't proceed in the setup as I wanted to check again, but then the ISO failed to start again..

p.s: yes to be sure I always start from zero after modifing the source. Frustrating anyway..

Attached File(s)

•  Last_Session.ini (28.22K)
  Number of downloads: 2

This post has been edited by phaolo: 24 September 2008 - 09:31 AM

[johnhc]

phaolo,
First, please install the latest nLite and see if that corrects your problem. The VMware log says the floppy is not ready. Why does this matter? You may need to upgrade your VMware also. They just released VMware Server 2.0.0 (free) or you could go over to VirtualPC or VirtualBox (both free) and much much smaller. If I think of anything else, I will comment, but please get the latest nLite.
Enjoy, John.

[phaolo]

Ok ok, I'll do that.
Also because I see now that both old CD and new DVD start randomly.. must be a VM installation issue.
Thanks John

p.s: dunno about the floppy, the vm freezed there

This post has been edited by phaolo: 24 September 2008 - 10:01 AM

[johnhc]

phaolo,
I also think it is probably a VM problem, but I think you should eliminate the nLite version before you address that. At the boot time you are talking about, VM has no knowledge of SP3 and the only way SP3 should effect your ability to boot is if nLite had problems with integrating it and messed up your ISO.
Good luck, John.

[phaolo]

All right, I've downloaded both new programs and.. I still get the error.

I really think it's Vmware now.
I've reproduced the event, so booting from an ISO only works the first time. If I don't continue the setup and I restart, I get black screen with guest cpu disabled. This until I create a new VM with allocated disk space.
Not a fatal bug (if I'm right), but annoying to catch indeed.

Well, I'll test if I can complete the installation this time.

[phaolo]

Mm this is strange!

When I used the DVD created with last nlite 1.49 I got a "ntdetect failed" error.
The DVD made with the 1.47 version worked instead!

Can anyone understand his behaviour? (O_o)


---------------------


I have some questions about unattended process:
- I missed the setup moment to check this:

"echo y| chkdsk.exe C: /f /r"

should work from cmdlines.txt, right?

- one entry must be messing the RunOnceEx list after reboot: title changes to "Windows Update" and item 018 is missing. Anyone noticed a thing like this?

- again about RunOnceEx, is there a way to keep Windows in the state before-desktop between restarts? I mean when there is only RunOnceEx window and behind nothing. Otherwise tray+desktop+settings load when I finish the procedure and start the reboot.

This post has been edited by phaolo: 14 January 2009 - 02:44 PM

[phaolo]

Nothing??
John?


EDIT:
update for the forum
-"ntdetect failed" error was avoided using Mkisoft ISO engine
-the chkdsk.exe doesn't seem to work in cmdlines.txt
-?
-one empty line must be added at each runonceex end before the reboot

This post has been edited by phaolo: 14 January 2009 - 02:43 PM