Slipstream vs. Purchased Disk with service pack

[spiderdan]

I'm gearing this question towards Windows 2000 but I would also like to know in general, is there any difference between a disk purchased from a retailer with a service pack already on it and a slipstreamed service pack? I have a couple 2000 disk images I ripped a long time ago. Not sure whether I ripped them from the same disk or not. One is obviously slip-streamed as it contains a cdromsp4.tst file. I can't seem to find out whether the other has any service packs and would appreciate advice on how to find out. Unfortunately, the physical disks are tucked away in my attic somewhere. Is there anyway to tell what sp is on this image? If it had a sp from the factory, would it have a corresponding tst file? lastly, is there any advantage to having a disk with the sp from the factory (for 2000 and in general). Thanks!

 

[saran008]

If you've slip-streamed properly without doing any mistakes, both Purchased/slip-streamed will be identical.

You can use any slip-streaming tool such as nlite or Autostreamer to find the SP integrated in source.

If you select the source ISO as the source in the slip-streaming tool, it'll the version/SP installed.

 

[spiderdan]

Thanks saran! Will have to get one of these tools. Do you have a preference? Out of curiosity, does anyone know how microsoft goes about slipstreaming in their retail disks? I would imagine they don't use one of these tools. Maybe they have one of their own that they use in house?

 

[saran008]

Sure! They have experts & they are experts!

If you need just to slipstream means, go for Autostreamer!

If you want to edit, enter Product key, add hotfixes, drivers etc to installation CD itself & for more advanced options means go for nlite!
nlite site has good guide for using their tool!

Autostreamer!
http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/223562-autostreamer-1033/

Nlite!
http://www.nliteos.com/

Hope this helps!

 

[spiderdan]

Best answer selected by spiderdan.