slipstreaming ??

So ok, I have this pc with xp x64, my first at home usage of xp.
The setup 6 months ago was not error free. a fair percentage of the
suggested updates and patches had to be done manually almost 25%.

I explored the net some and ran across this link to study and
contemplate trying

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_slipstream_windows_xp_sp3_and_vista_sp1

is this a way to go in preparing an easier redo CD for trying to
re-install xp x64 and avoid the pitfalls of the update/reboot process
many times??

Any suggestions on an easier way to build a slipstream install disk?

If you have slipstreamed, is this process in the article ok?

what to watch for?? hazards to avoid??

thanks

 

How many systems are you looking at building/installing?

Having slipstreamed XP in the past myself, quite honestly for just a
single system it's significantly less effort to just install and patch
vs the effort of learning to slipstream, and potentially corrupting the
first attempt or two, etc just to end up with a disc that is out of date
one patch-Tuesday later.

Slipstreaming is certainly doable, and if you're looking at doing
multiple systems that won't be joined to a domain (where using WSUS or
something more advanced isn't an option) then it may be worth exploring
but for a single system it will consume more of your life than doing a
fresh install and patching manually.

As far as patching manually goes, from my own experience, start with a
fresh install of the OS, followed by the latest service pack (if
needed), then IE (if needed). Next install Office, and load any service
packs. Finally, look at Windows Update and let it patch automatically,
avoid adding or removing anything (unless there are patches you never
want installed for some reason), only once the default WU
recommendations are installed would I start installing any Optional
stuff. Occasionally an update will fail and get retried on the next
reboot, but I can't recall the last time I had to install any update
manually.

 

I used AutoStreamer to bring an old XP install CD up to SP3 and I use that
as a base for my XP 32 installs. I don't allow the machines to auto-update
above that level though.

XP x64 is based on Windows Server 2003 and is up to SP2, I can't remember
if I AutoStreamer works with x64.

 

If the goal is being able to rebuild your system quickly, as opposed to
creating an installation media to use on multiple systems, then I'd strongly
suggest using an imaging backup program, instead. Acronis comes to mind, as
I've used them myself with good success. Not sure if they have a version
that works with XP x64, but I would expect them to. I know they work well
with later 64-bit Windows.

One thing that can make the process easier is to split your hard disk into
two partitions. (Again, Acronis and others have products that simplify
this.Some of those are free or have trial versions for download.) Put all
your data on the second partition, moving "My Documents", "My Music", etc to
the new drive. Now you can image just the C: drive, making the process
simpler, and quicker, and also protecting your data files.

 

For 32 nit XP this program has been recommended

http://www.nliteos.com/

Hope it helps

Mike