How to Slipstream Drivers on Windows XP using WINNT.SIF

So you have already slipstreamed Service Pack 3 using one of the many tools available I prefer Autostreamer v1.0.33 Its Autopatchers little brother and takes the legwork out of uncompressing and recabbing. I then tend to integrate WMP11 using boooggy's slipstreamer this allow then installation of all associated WMP11 hotfixes.

When all this has been done its a good idea to slipstream all the post SP3 hotfixes to the I386 folder and also copy the WINNT.SIF file that you have created to perform an unattended install with drivers.inf files.

One of the best update packs available is Xables the latest version is v2.0.2 (August 2010) download link HERE this what the pack includes History at the point of posting August 2010 its stands at around 219 post SP3 hotfixes its only missing about 12 hotfixes mainly NET. Framework Service Pack fixes. Plus 12 optional updates you will need to go to the update website to get those if you really want them, or here is a list so you can google them

1. Update for Windows XP (KB961118)
2. Update to .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 for the .NET Framework Assistant 1.0 x86 (KB963707)
3. Security Update for Jscript 5.8 for Windows XP (KB971961)
4. Update for Windows XP (KB976662)
5. Security Update for Windows XP (KB981332)
6. Microsoft Browser Choice Screen Update for EEA Users of Windows XP (KB976002)
7. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x86 (KB982168)
8. Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 SP1 Security Update for Windows 2000 and Windows XP (KB979906)
9. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 Security Update for Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP x86 (KB979909)
10. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x86 (KB982524)
11. Security Update for .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 and 3.5 SP1 on Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x86 (KB983583)
12. Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP (KB2183461)

When you have installed this you are ready to copy your WINNT.SIF file to the I386 folder and create the drivers folder in your Windows Source Folder, then use Signets DriverGrabber v0.51b on your existing installation to get all the INF DLL and EXE files that you will need for your driver folders

Create an $OEM$ folder and place inside it a folder called $1 and then another inside that called Drivers then a folders for each driver make sure that you number then to ensure that chipset is always first.

001_chipset <-----this must be first
002_LAN
003_audio
004_display
005_monitor
006_modem
007_USB
008_ <------ more folders you need to add to the OemPNPDriverPaths

these are the paths that I have specified in the WINNT.SIF relevant section, you MUST add these lines in the [Unattended] section OR it will fail on you. !!!!

NOTE: The OemPnPDriversPath can't search sub-folders to all the files that Driver Grabber will give you will have to copied them to the relevant numbers root folders, and remove the subfolders for each driver remember that each path is separated by a semi-colon

DON'T add an extra semi-colon at the end, it might fail !!!

OemPnPDriversPath=\Drivers\001_chipset\;\Drivers\002_LAN\;\Drivers\003_audio\;\Drivers\004_display_2003\;\Drivers\004_display_2004\;\Drivers\005_monitor\;\Drivers\006_modem\;\Drivers\007_USB\
DriverSigningPolicy=Ignore
NonDriverSigningPolicy=Ignore
UpdateInstalledDrivers = Yes <---- this line is critical to make sure

All you need to do to complete this process is change these two sections to suit your OEM Licence and Owner Details.

[GuiUnattended]
AdminPassword="" <------- this can be encrypted using sysprep
EncryptedAdminPassword=No
OEMSkipRegional=1
TimeZone=85
OemSkipWelcome=1
ProfilesDir="C:Documents and Settings" <------ you can change this

[UserData]
ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
FullName="your name"
OrgName="your organization"
ComputerName=your computer <----- note that there are no "." on this



FINAL NOTE: if you are using OOBE.INI in the either the $OEM$\$$\system32\oobe folder OR a cabbed (use Compression Bin by Jcarle) to create the OOBE.IN_ in the I386 folder, to set up new users (max 6 admins only) then make sure that you don't use these three lines in your WINNT.SIF to avoid any setup errors on the Out of Box Experience.

[Data]
AutomaticUpdates=yes

[Unattended Section]
AutoActivate = Yes


OR you will get a Out of Box Experience Error after the install as these skip the Create User Accounts and Set Up Internet Screens



If you have any other problems add these sections to your OOBE.IN_ and WINNT.SIF files that you have in your slipstreamed I386 folder

WINNT.SIF
[Unattended]
UnattendSwitch = Yes

[Display]
AutoConfirm = 1

OOBE.IN_
[StartupOptions]
Offline = 1
Registration = 1
ScreenResolutionCheck = 0

[Options]
IntroOnly = 0
NoIspPreconfig = 1
JoinDomain = 0
AdminPW = 0
SkipAutoUpdate = 1

[UserInfo]
Identity000="You"

remember to keep your OOBE.INI file so that you can edit it before you cab it with compression bin or makecab.

Read more tips from Owen Stephen Dawson