Welcome to Windows XP Service Pack 4

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:43 pm

Bravo!!!

You are amazingly dedicated!!

Anthony21 · Post by **Anthony21** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:48 pm

I've been following the status since my last post. Haven't tested any builds since my last post (like 2-3 pages back) hopping with the new release, I will test it, I've been busy and HDD are hard to come by with the stuff I've been working within the last year and had to use my last resort hard drive that I've been testing windows xp on.

~Keep up the good work~Cheers n Regards~

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:41 pm

NEWS: Fixed .NET Framework 4.0 servicing. I will perform some additional tests before releasing this build, howewer.

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Wed Nov 12, 2014 3:02 pm

darkrats · Post by **darkrats** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:34 pm

@harkaz

Will you be posting the November (ported) updates, especially the IE8 (KB3003057) cumulative update?
Thanks.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:21 pm

@darkrats Will do, as soon as I'm done with SP4 fixes.

News from the SP4 testing: working on an event log error related with the MSI .NET FW 3.5 T13 setup. This error is about .NET Framework 2.0 Runtime optimization service and it happens only during T13 (it's not important).

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:36 pm

Windows XP SP4 Final Version 2.0 is now available!

This version brings fixes to the original Final release:

- Fixes issues with .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.0 servicing. .NET framework is now fully compatible with the .NET Framework repair tool.
- Enables uninstallation of future .NET updates.
- Fixes issues with Rosebud installation and Office 2007
- Fixes issues with Starter Edition slipstreaming
- Fixes issues with Windows Imaging Component registration
- Fixes issues with time reporting in many applications.

Download information available at the first post.

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:55 pm

TY, I am downloading by torrent, and will seed.

Not feeling well tonight, so will look at and play with it tomorrow!

Thank you for all your awesome work!

Kelsenellenelvian · Post by **Kelsenellenelvian** » Fri Nov 14, 2014 9:26 pm

I'm on it too

Atari800xl · Post by **Atari800xl** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 1:59 am

Thanks Harkaz. Did my usual test run (/integrate in xpsp3, use DPbase to add mass storage drivers for SATA, create iso with mvps HOSTS file etc., unattended install using Win8PESE, WinNTSetup and custom winnt.sif, automatic postinstall with 100 tools and 1000 settings).

Working nicely up to now (but then again, so have the last 3 versions).
If any issues come up, I'll report them.
For now, thank you once again for all your work!

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 3:48 am

I finally got it, at 10k forever-speed, now uploading at 130k

There is some "Anti P2P" activity on this one, not the past versions though!

PROBLEMCHYLD · Post by **PROBLEMCHYLD** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 4:22 am

Everything seems to be working fine so far. I did get one error netcfgw.ch_ could not copy. I had to extract the file and point to the location of the said file, all went well afterwards. Thank you very much.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:03 am

@ PROBLEMCHYLD When do you get the netcfgw.ch_ error? I haven't reproduced this error.

PROBLEMCHYLD · Post by **PROBLEMCHYLD** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:20 am

[

harkaz wrote:@ PROBLEMCHYLD When do you get the netcfgw.ch_ error? I haven't reproduced this error.

I get it during the middle of installation. I did this on a clean install, nothing but the hardware drivers was on my system. You also might want to check out the images above and investigate if you have the time. The first run crashed the whole system. The second run almost did the same but I ran chkdsk. The third run got less errors.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:40 am

It must be an HDD/Controller issue then. Consider testing with another HDD.

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:01 am

PROBLEMCHYLD wrote:[

What is your hardware and what drivers are you installing with it?

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:40 am

ok, I have uploaded it over 2.5 times.

Rufus is loading it to my USB Drive, will be going off line shortly, fresh install

XPpro (sp0) -->Slipstreamed directly with USP4 using nLite (1.4.9.3), added AHCI textmode drivers with Intel Inf (PnP) driver pack. Mild tweaks, ISO, Rufus (1.4.12.535) onto my 5gb USB Drive.

Crossing fingers!

PROBLEMCHYLD · Post by **PROBLEMCHYLD** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 1:33 pm

GH0st wrote:
PROBLEMCHYLD wrote:[
What is your hardware and what drivers are you installing with it?

Its a Dell C600 Latitude. All is working fine after about four chkdsk runs. I get no chkdsk errors until after I install the SP. All of my hardware is working. http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/ ... 00/drivers

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 4:12 pm

Looks like there may have been a communication problem, PRIOR to the DRIVERs getting installed. This is why I a tool to INSTALL the motherboard drivers and AHCI (hard drive) driver during the install of windows, so its got the newest installed, right from the start.

Just something for you to think about before you do your next install

iakoboss7 · Post by **iakoboss7** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 4:21 pm

small problem here.

made a vmware workstation installation with xp pro sp3 eng. there i copied the contents of my xp sp0 iso and the contents from your sp4 (i used winrar on it).

placed both in C, opened cmd and started the integration. everything finished fine! i moved the, integrated now, xp folder outside vmware and made an iso out of it with nlite.

i proceeded to install it again on vmware and at the point where it asks the cd-key i doesnt let me proceed without entering one (i could do it with the original sp3 installation just today) now...

doing it from inside windows was supposed to prevent this problem (like if you use nlite).

did i do something wrong? or is there a bug somewhere?

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 4:59 pm

It will not let you proceed without entering a CD key if you have slipstreamed SP4 to an OEM ISO. This happens by design for all Service Packs.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:06 pm

@GH0st Added your security tweaks to the first post

long-lurker · Post by **long-lurker** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:10 pm

is the Post-SP4 Update repository folder going to be updated with October and November patches? or future patches for that matter?

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:18 pm

@long-lurker I'm working on that right now

PROBLEMCHYLD · Post by **PROBLEMCHYLD** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:06 pm

GH0st wrote:Looks like there may have been a communication problem, PRIOR to the DRIVERs getting installed. This is why I a tool to INSTALL the motherboard drivers and AHCI (hard drive) driver during the install of windows, so its got the newest installed, right from the start.

Just something for you to think about before you do your next install

I install all of my latest drivers before any software or updates. Its easier to track problems down this way. Like I said, all the errors go away after running chkdsk about 3-4 times. All is well and working fine, I'm hoping in the future I don't have to do this. I have many computers and I am not a newbie when it comes to doing this.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:32 pm

@PROBLEMCHYLD It's strange because XP SP4 always uses the official system files (no patches).
Unless the installation disk is dirty or something like that and the EXE file you downloaded is correct, there is no way that something in SP4 is broken because update.ver has verified all the checksums in some live install tests I have done - there are no broken files inside the package.

And the fact that you have to run chkdsk multiple times is not a good sign, either. Are you positive that you HDD is perfectly fine? There might be some bad sectors causing this unexpected behaviour (different file is broken every time you run chkdsk).

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:53 pm

All the latest patches are available in the "November 2014" subfolder

For your convenience I have added the .NET patches (from September) to the November folder.

The WindowsXP-KB3003057-IE6core.exe can be used regardless of your IE version. It updates core system files related to IE6 shell.

PROBLEMCHYLD · Post by **PROBLEMCHYLD** » Sat Nov 15, 2014 8:43 pm

harkaz wrote: And the fact that you have to run chkdsk multiple times is not a good sign, either. Are you positive that you HDD is perfectly fine? There might be some bad sectors causing this unexpected behaviour (different file is broken every time you run chkdsk).

50740 kb in bad sectors. Windows reports drive clean though. This is my test bed anyway, so if it fails I'll just buy a cheap drive and continue testing. Thanks a lot for your feedback. You seem like a really cool person and you are much appreciated.

darkrats · Post by **darkrats** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 4:53 am

@harkaz

Thanks for the (ported) updates!

I installed the final SP4 and there were no error messages.
Looks really good from here.

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 11:23 am

@harkaz: Thanks for the great version!!!!!

Since you made so many changes to the way .NET packs install, this did cause the EVENT VIEWER to be more chatty, warnings, but NO errors!!

Thinks feel very tight and no issues getting updates. I will install OFFICE 2003 this afternoon, and report any issues. But this may be the best version yet!

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 11:47 am

Thank you GH0st!

There is an issue I would like to report, but it's not caused by the SP4 itself.

Scenario:

Install SP4 -> Enable .NET Framework 4.0-> Run Windows Update Manual Check. -> Install Updates -> reboot (twice) -> Installed all updates successfully -> Run Windows Update Manual Check.

You will get the .NET Framework 4 GDR update (KB2468871) in the optional updates.

Reason: This happens because one of the newest updates deletes the:

HKLM, "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile\KB2468871" and
HKLM, "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended Profile\KB2468871"

registry keys.

SOLUTION: You can either let Windows Update download and install the update automatically (it must not be removed afterwards) or apply a reg file I will upload very soon (double click on it while logged as admin) to satisfy Windows Update .

UPDATE: Link to the reg file: http://www.mediafire.com/view/p8jibcgq6 ... 468871.reg

Anthony21 · Post by **Anthony21** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 12:19 pm

I'll try it hopefully tonight, also wanted to add this if there is a way to patch the 19 yr old bug thats in every version of windows from 95. n bc of how stupid microsoft dropped XP, they're not gonna make an exception for it.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/391636/micr ... t-about-xp

~Keep up the good work!~

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 12:47 pm

The KB3006226 patch is already available at the repository.[/img]

darkrats · Post by **darkrats** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:23 pm

I'm sure it's somewhere in plain site, but can you tell me the latest updates/patches included in SP4?
i.e. Does it include the November security updates? Does it include updates like Flash, Java or other 3rd party things?

It would be nice if I could find a way to edit System Properties to read "Service Pack 4" instead of "Service Pack 3".

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 4:42 pm

@darkrats The Components Reference PDF contains all the information you need.

SP4 does not include any post-EOL hotfixes, with a few exceptions (see PDF for details). Obviously November hotfixes are not integrated. Flash is updated to May's version (13.0.0.214) as it is already included since SP3. Java, Silverlight, and third party apps are not included.

You can try patching sysdm.cpl but I don't think it's worth the time.

darkrats · Post by **darkrats** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 5:14 pm

Follow up questions:

If I've already installed some of the Post-EOL updates, and then install SP4;
will I have to reinstall those updates? Should I uninstall any Post-EOL updates before installing SP4, and then reinstall them?

I have a question about the various .NET Framework versions, but will have to go through another install of SP4,
because I've forgotten exactly what I did afterwards. Getting old and forgetful.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 5:19 pm

@ darkrats: The SP4 installer will not update files that are newer than those it installs. This means that POSReady 2009 updated files should not be affected. There might be a few updates that will require reinstallation, but Windows Update will inform you about those.

spider · Post by **spider** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 8:13 pm

harkaz wrote: SP4 does not include any post-EOL hotfixes, with a few exceptions (see PDF for details). Obviously November hotfixes are not integrated.

So from the "Post-SP4 Update Repository" I would install all the files from each month to have an up-to-date installation except for the few May updates??

Also from the may Folder I noticed WindowsXP-PostEOL-KB2953522-IE8.exe
is already included in SP4 so maybe remove it?

bphlpt · Post by **bphlpt** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 8:18 pm

Now that SP4 has reached its "Final" stage, harkaz will have a chance to put together the post-SP4 Update pack which I would hope at least one version would have all of those updates combined into a single install package to make them easier to install.

Cheers and Regards

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 8:54 pm

ok, things are feeling nice.

Not sure if I actually have a problem yet, but, normally when I install Office 2003 (my favorite version) it starts to give me the updates thru WU applet. I have not had any offered to me. Normally, there are MANY updates to go with it.

I have WU set to "Notify me but dont automatically DL or install them", this normally makes WU run when I reboot, thus getting me all updates needed. WU is starting, but since the OS is already updated, they offer nothing.

Not sure this is a USP4 problem or not!

Edit: To add, the problem is SP4 does not have the updates to Microsoft Update engine, as MSupdate and Windows Update, are not the same thing. Office updates come thru MSupdate

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 8:56 pm

Question: regarding "Post-SP4 Update Repository"

is this the "POS" updates offered to us through WU? as I have them installed thru WU. Or, is this additional updates, that I still need to install?

EDIT: To add, my questioning this was the post on KB3006226, was concerned it wasnt installed yet. I just looked and it is installed, as a POS update.

so guess that answers my question then

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 9:54 pm

Questions:

1) Taking notice of the addtional settings in Windows Firewall, Exceptions ... is this the added "Security Enhancements" you got from Stephan Kanthak? Also the Advanced tab, ICMP options from the same guy?

if so, is there a read up on these, so I can see which apply to me and such? is there a REG file that has them all in it, so I can check them out from with in registry? ect ect

Anthony21 · Post by **Anthony21** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 10:58 pm

GH0st wrote:Questions:

1) Taking notice of the addtional settings in Windows Firewall, Exceptions ... is this the added "Security Enhancements" you got from Stephan Kanthak? Also the Advanced tab, ICMP options from the same guy?

if so, is there a read up on these, so I can see which apply to me and such? is there a REG file that has them all in it, so I can check them out from with in registry? ect ect

Releasing some info regarding to that may have hackers exploit that location and possibly brake it to have a virus run through your system from websites if not anything else, but caution thou.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:05 am

@GH0st:
- Enable Microsoft Update for Office Updates.
- Check netfw.inf for Firewall settings,
@spider The IE8 May update is indeed included. I will probably remove it from the repo.

As for the update pack, it will not be installable on a live system, it will be integratable to SP4V2 MEDIA using nLite or RyanVMI.

Atari800xl · Post by **Atari800xl** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:19 am

harkaz wrote:As for the update pack, it will not be installable on a live system, it will be integratable to SP4V2 MEDIA using nLite or RyanVMI.

Sounds good!! Looking forward to trying that.
Maybe this is a stupid question, but can I use nLite on "SP3 with integrated SP4" source already? Must admit I haven't tried that yet, but there's a few things I like to use nLite for (eg. chage setup screens to "classic" w2000 style).
Thanks again Harkaz!

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:21 am

@Atari800xl Yes, you can use nLIte on SP3 with integrated SP4.

Apply all tweaks+DPs AFTER integrating the post-sp4 update pack!

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 6:50 am

harkaz wrote:@GH0st:
- Enable Microsoft Update for Office Updates.
- Check netfw.inf for Firewall settings

Thanks, I will check that out.

BTW, how do I "Enable MS update for Office Updates"? in the past, I have never needed to do anything, it just happened!

GH0st · Post by **GH0st** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 7:14 am

Atari800xl wrote:Maybe this is a stupid question, but can I use nLite on "SP3 with integrated SP4" source already? Must admit I haven't tried that yet, but there's a few things I like to use nLite for (eg. chage setup screens to "classic" w2000 style)

I have now done 3 installed using USP4. Last version one time, and now twice with the USP4v2. I have used both RVM and nLite.

I like you, enjoy tweaking XP with the Classic looks and feel, much lighter, faster. Here is my exsperience and recommendations.
~~~~~~~~~~~

I have used RVM integrator to Slipstream USP4vs directly into my XP Pro (sp0) media. Then pointed nLite at that folder and used nLite to install AHCI driver (text mode) and also a folder of Intel INF drivers (PnP/Multi) This DOES install all the drivers needed for my motherboard (than manually install vid, sound, nic after first boot)

Alot (most) of the removal options in nLite will not work correctly, cause of the changes made for the USP4. Most of the TWEAKS will NOT work either. So I recommend that you NOT use either tool (RVM/nLite) to remove or tweak as it wont work and may actually mess stuff up.

The Unattend options do work, the driver integration (like I mentioned) do work.

*** Recommendations: To use nLite to directly slipstream your version of WinXP (sp0,sp1,sp2,sp3) to USP4. Remove nothing, tweak nothing. Can install PnP/Text mode driver and you can use the Unattend options. ***

worst part, is the CLASSIC W2K style, does NOT work (Boooo) but I have found a way to tweak the default account with a reg file once you do first boot. bad thing is this doesnt carry over to the other accounts, so still not fully benefitting.

Let me explain. The Default account is the account ALL other accounts are set like. So by nLite setting the options to make it CLASSIC, Black back ground, FLAT .... blah blah bah ... to look like Windows 2000, CLASSIC SHELL. This change is made to the default account from the get go. So when the OS is installing the other accounts they will have that same CLASSIC shell look/feel/speed. Thus the ADMIN account is super light at first boot. Cause this can no long be installed prior to the accounts we do lose this favorable option. But you can still change the default account with registry settings, so when you REBOOT and the computer LOGS OUT of your user account, to the default account, it wont change to that ugly light blue screen and differant window style (non flat), what ever.... You know what I mean. Those registry keys are posted below! Save this as a reg file and it will reproduce the options/effects seen in nLite.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ThemeManager]
"ThemeActive"="0"

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Colors]
"ActiveBorder"="212 208 200"
"ActiveTitle"="10 36 106"
"AppWorkSpace"="128 128 128"
"Background"="0 0 0"
"ButtonAlternateFace"="181 181 181"
"ButtonDkShadow"="64 64 64"
"ButtonFace"="212 208 200"
"ButtonHilight"="255 255 255"
"ButtonLight"="212 208 200"
"ButtonShadow"="128 128 128"
"ButtonText"="0 0 0"
"GradientActiveTitle"="166 202 240"
"GradientInactiveTitle"="192 192 192"
"GrayText"="128 128 128"
"Hilight"="10 36 106"
"HilightText"="255 255 255"
"HotTrackingColor"="0 0 128"
"InactiveBorder"="212 208 200"
"InactiveTitle"="128 128 128"
"InactiveTitleText"="212 208 200"
"InfoText"="0 0 0"
"InfoWindow"="255 255 225"
"Menu"="212 208 200"
"MenuText"="0 0 0"
"Scrollbar"="212 208 200"
"TitleText"="255 255 255"
"Window"="255 255 255"
"WindowFrame"="0 0 0"
"WindowText"="0 0 0"
"MenuHilight"="0 0 0"
"MenuBar"="212 208 200"

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]
"BorderWidth"="1"
"CaptionFont"=hex:f5,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,bc,02,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,54,00,61,00,68,00,6f,00,6d,00,61,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"CaptionHeight"="-270"
"CaptionWidth"="-270"
"IconFont"=hex:f5,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,54,00,61,00,68,00,6f,00,6d,00,61,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"IconSpacing"="75"
"IconTitleWrap"="1"
"IconVerticalspacing"="-1125"
"MenuFont"=hex:f5,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,54,00,61,00,68,00,6f,00,6d,00,61,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"MenuHeight"="-270"
"MenuWidth"="-270"
"MessageFont"=hex:f5,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,54,00,61,00,68,00,6f,00,6d,00,61,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"ScrollHeight"="-240"
"ScrollWidth"="-240"
"Shell Icon BPP"="16"
"SmCaptionFont"=hex:f5,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,bc,02,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,54,00,61,00,68,00,6f,00,6d,00,61,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,

adric · Post by **adric** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 7:44 am

@harkaz

I noticed your sp4components.pdf contains javascript that opens 2 print dialogs every time the pdf is opened. I'm just wondering why you chose to do this or if it is an oversight.

Al

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Mon Nov 17, 2014 8:17 am

@GH0st Start Windows Update from the Start Menu and select "Microsoft Update" at the top of the page. Follow the instructions to install Microsoft Update.

@adric This is not supposed to happen. I created the PDF with the latest version of Adobe Acrobat and it works fine in the latest version of Adobe Reader.