For what it's worth, my order is:
1) A clean XP/SP0 VLK source with SP3 already integrated.
I only use the i386 folder, which already is cleaned up (see crashfly's post above), and the required root folder files. The basic layout looks like this:
I386
AUTORUN.INF
README.HTM
SETUP.EXE
SETUPXP.HTM
WIN51
WIN51IP
win51ip.SP3
Keep this pre patched and cleaned up source in 7z or rar format (whatever you prefer) for easy reuse.
2a ) Integrate update pack of choice with nLite. Personally, I use Red's and Xable's update packs, depending on the variant I'm preparing. Xable's for uber minimalistic and specialised +/- 100MB XP cd's, and Red's for full blown - albeit still stripped - winxp + applications dvd's.
2b ) Red's DirectX addon, Xable's HashTab and WGAN addons, Kel's Runtimes addon, and a few of my own addons.
* 2a+b can be done in one run.
3 ) Windows Media Player 11 + all updates with Booogy's WMP11 Slipstreamer.
4 ) nLite tweaks and stuff. Important! Never start hacking your source with nLite tweaks and stuff, always do this after integrating your update pack, third party addons and stuff like WMP11 and IE7.
5 ) Driver packs with BTS own integrator. Important! Driver packs should really be the final step.
6 ) After all the integrations, I copy my own i386 template/skeleton with various modified INF's, CAB's and stuff like WINNT.SIF, cmdlines.txt etc. + my $OEM$ folder layout.
7 ) Nero Uber Lite 6 (a self made custom version) to burn the final image (or nLite when creating an ISO for testing in virtual machines).
Notes:
If you want to integrate Internet Explorer 7 as well, do it after step 3) WMP11.
For all other applications (about 120 in total in both English and Dutch), I use Windows Installation Helper Utility (WIHU). It's comparable to WPI but its not maintained anymore. Yet, I still like WIHU better, in combination with silent installers for maximum flexibility on my DVD's. On first boot after the installation, it enables you to change to computer name, add user accounts, etc. as well. Of course this can also be predefined. I've also predefined a minimal default application set; this can be changed during the T13 stage, but if nothing is changed within 60 seconds, it will install the predefined set. WIHU can also be run after the installation is finished, at any time, on any win2k, winxp or win2k3 machine. Same applies to all driver packs, with DriverForge you're able to add any missing drivers to already installed - alien - systems. Everything runs and installs directly from the CD/DVD.
