Welcome to Windows XP Service Pack 4

long-lurker · Post by **long-lurker** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:28 pm

i kind of have to laugh for i am reminded of a Christmas present i bought mom and dad a few years ago and they were convinced at the time that they would not be able to use it because it didn't have a floppy drive

Anthony21 · Post by **Anthony21** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 11:07 pm

Wonderful job, idk what happen to my email subscription but great job so far, read from 2 pages back to see what was happening till now.

Really excited to test it out and thanks for looking into the cd/dvd rom glitch error, hopefully by the time with the other issues, there won't be any problems with MCE 2005 from disk.

I over read about the limit of 4GB for being 32bit, was that the part being illegal to patch to get past the 4GB mark or was that the other thing he was talking about? bc that would be an excellent patch to have done to do.

If it is illegal to do that, why would it be? Microsoft left Windows XP and already updating security patches by that Professional Security Guy, if that wasn't what you/he was talking about then nvrm.

~Cheers n Regards~

long-lurker · Post by **long-lurker** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:58 am

i tried about four or five different PAE patches to increase RAM limit...
my attempts were in Win7 with 8GB RAM and eight-core CPU...
i "hate" 64bit and *HIGHLY* prefer 32bit OS's (for software reasons, not hardware)...

i found NONE of them to be *STABLE*...
and so i go ahead and run 64bit Win7 but do almost *EVERYTHING* inside a 32bit WinXP VirtualBox...

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:26 pm

OK, Windows XP SP4 RC is almost ready. A difficult test (MCE2002->MCE2005 CDROM upgrade seems to work fine).

I have to take care of minor glitches and test Windows 9x and Windows 2000 upgrades to XP.

After that, I'll test Home and N versions of XP. That's it!

spider · Post by **spider** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:00 pm

darkrats · Post by **darkrats** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:40 pm

Please don't forget us.
Waiting as patiently as possible for the ported to XP updates for September.

maxtorix · Post by **maxtorix** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 1:29 am

I have Starter Edition what actually presents sub-version of Home Edition, so support for it will be included in SP4 RC?

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:31 am

Windows xp starter is supported since Windows XP SP4 Milestone 1.

PROBLEMCHYLD · Post by **PROBLEMCHYLD** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:05 am

The only updates that appeared at Windows Updates

Malicious Software Removal Tool
WEPOS and POSReady
Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile.

Everything else seem to be fine. I have tested this on a
Compaq Armada E500 800 MHz CPU, 512MB Ram, 40GB Seagate HDD.
The system is very snappy to be so old. I'm actually selling it this weekend. Thanks again.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 4:25 pm

I decided to create the ported-to-XP updates right now.
I will upload them very soon, so you don't wait any longer.

NEWS: Windows XP SP4 RC can boot from Rufus without BSOD (tested).

darkrats · Post by **darkrats** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 4:48 pm

Thanks, in advance for the updates!
Always appreciated by this devoted Windows XP user.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:31 pm

I updated the first post. You can find the latest updates in the 'September 2014' folder, when you visit the provided GDrive link.
I also uploaded the fixed KB2993651 to the 'August 2014' folder.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 12:38 pm

NEWS: 1) Updating dwup.inf and retrying Windows 2000/9x upgrades.
2) Fixing some xpfixit.inf glitches

UPDATE: Many xpfixit-related glitches have been fixed. Trying to fix issue with Windows NT Upgrade installations: SWENUM Runonce keys will not run (access to rundll32 denied). If someone knows more about this failure, please report it here.

For the moment I will try to digitally sign all syssetup.inf-referenced device installation files using the syssetup.inf catalog file (sp4inf.cat).

Outbreaker · Post by **Outbreaker** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 10:42 am

@harkaz/all
You probably also included the Calculator Plus in you Server Pack 4, how did you do it?
If i add the line "calcplus.chm = 1,,,,,,,,3,3" in the "TXTSETUP.SIF" file and then also add the line "calcplus.chm" into the the "ACCESSOR.INF" file section "[CalcCopyFilesHelp]" then the components are getting installed.
But when add the line "calcplus.chm = 1,,,,,,,21,0,0" to the TXTSETUP.SIF" file then everything is working. But should this not be work with "1,,,,,,,,3,3" since that's also the default one for the "calc.chm" file or i'm doing something wrong here.

long-lurker · Post by **long-lurker** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:13 pm

here is the Calculator Plus addon that i have been using - http://xable.net/forums/viewtopic.php?id=78

edit: oh, also here - http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=514

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:17 pm

@ Outbreaker Add calcplus.chm to the respective accessor.inf copy section and keep the 100,,,,,,,,3,3 reference in TXTSETUP (calcplus.chm is a new file).

I haven't included Calculator Plus in my SP yet.

NEWS: Windows 2000 Upgrade issue is *VERY* INTERESTING... It seems not a signing issue at all, since it does not appear during clean installation or when tested with the original INF files. In addition, the same problem has been reproduced with Onepiece's post-SP3 update pack. I will soon test this with other update packs as well... This means that most likely an updated file in SP4/OP update pack causes Windows 2000 upgrade issues: setup cannot invoke any external programs at all, not just SWENUM runonce keys...

This is the error you will get:

I need your help fixing this one... Any ideas?

UPDATE: Could it be layout.inf file size check?
Windows XP SP4 Milestone 1 worked fine... Let's go back in time to see when the problem started...

George King · Post by **George King** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:51 pm

When i look on you image, i have some ideas. Maybe is problem during upgrade inside INF directory reference. In picture is rundll32.exe called from C:\WINNT but you installing XP and XP files could be in C:\Windows

In some inf must be problem with reference. %10% could be C:\WINNT or C:\Windows. This can in my opinion make a bug in setup. But you can try it to change to %24%\Windows.. Maybe.. Or %16420% is same as %10% but it can be problem in XP upgrade process

I never tried upgrade process, its crappy reinstall.. Its Not recomended and i never modified upgrade files

EDIT: 2k must refer to C:\WINNT if the setup is call from 2k enviroment

Outbreaker · Post by **Outbreaker** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 3:43 pm

harkaz wrote:@ Outbreaker Add calcplus.chm to the respective accessor.inf copy section and keep the 100,,,,,,,,3,3 reference in TXTSETUP (calcplus.chm is a new file).

I haven't included Calculator Plus in my SP yet.

I tried "1,,,,,,,21,0,0" "1,,,,,,,,3,3"" "100,,,,,,,,3,3"" and always get file not found at the installation and have to select the I386 folder manually.

long-lurker wrote:here is the Calculator Plus addon that i have been using - http://xable.net/forums/viewtopic.php?id=78

edit: oh, also here - http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=514

I did it the same as in your addon but i also try to add the calcplus.chm file to the Help folder because the Calculator Plus links to the calcplus.chm file when clicking on help.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 4:55 pm

@Outbreaker You need to update layout.inf as well.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 5:16 pm

It would be ideal if I had an automated layout.inf file size generation tool. Now, I'm going to add 875 new file sizes manually

Outbreaker · Post by **Outbreaker** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 7:00 pm

Great editing the LAYOUT.inf file will result in this error.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 7:14 pm

Yes, I know... You can digitally sign layout.inf using your own certificate (recommended).

Option#2 (without layout.inf mods - generally I don't recommend it): In accessor.inf add [SourceDisksFiles] and a calcplus.chm=1 entry there.
Also add an LayoutFile=layout.inf entry to accessor.inf file ([Version] section).

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 7:59 pm

Will do some additional tests with layout.inf tomorrow. I will build a custom app to automate the process...

Kelsenellenelvian · Post by **Kelsenellenelvian** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:32 pm

Your windows 2000 issue likely lies within the txtsetup numbering, the part that says 100 cannot be understood by win2k you need to change them to simply 1 (this will not effect xp setups at all as xp reads both 100 & 1 the same)

Outbreaker · Post by **Outbreaker** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:41 pm

harkaz wrote:Yes, I know... You can digitally sign layout.inf using your own certificate (recommended).

Option#2 (without layout.inf mods - generally I don't recommend it): In accessor.inf add [SourceDisksFiles] and a calcplus.chm=1 entry there.
Also add an LayoutFile=layout.inf entry to accessor.inf file ([Version] section).

Thanks a lot harkaz it's now working. I'm using the option 2 since i only need it for one file.

harkaz wrote:Apart from the explorer.exe file there are some other files with a greater version number and size in POSready 2009.

For example user32.dll, msgina.dll, sysdm.cpl, winbrand.dll version is 5.1.2600.5669.

Did you find some more files which have a greater version? If yes please post them.

prabocor rajasa · Post by **prabocor rajasa** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 12:39 am

PAE patch in my test works fine, no issue encountered so far I have repatch it till the last version. It use patched hal and 2003's usbport driver and that's the bad thing in term of setup... I need to use /NOLOWMEM in boot.ini too.

Anyway I think it's illegal too, so I won't ask any further here.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:05 pm

To automatically update layout.inf file sizes I need to extract all compressed I386 files.

Some of them, when extracted, have a different (long) file name and extension. I need a decompression app which preserves the original file names and forces short extensions. Or should I create one on my own?

PROBLEMCHYLD · Post by **PROBLEMCHYLD** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:10 pm

harkaz wrote: Windows Components Wizard patching is now complete!

I have found the ideal way to patch ntoc.dll:

- If NtComponents line is not present the OC Manager Window appears.
- If NtComponents line is present the OC Manager Window DOES NOT appear
- In both cases the "Installing components" guide appears during component installation. This is preferable to an inaccurate T- meter with billboard text.
- No setuperr.log errors reported.
Combined with a simple syssetup.dll patch it's the ideal way to have OC Manager support in XP Setup.

Here's the ntoc .dll patch: @1064 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 EB 18
Here's the syssetup.dll patch: @20A60 replace text OCMANAGE.DLL with OCMANOLD.DLL
In addition make sure ocmanold.dll gets copied to System32 directory. The OCMANOLD.DLL is a renamed ocmanage.dll 5.1.2250.1

Enjoy!

I followed all of your steps and it didn't work for me.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:33 pm

@PROBLEMCHYLD The patch will not work with non-English versions. I have been asked to help with patching in different languages and I will do so when I'm done with RC . If you failed with the English version, I can send you the patched files (PM me if you want me to).

I'm ready to rebuild-finalize layout.inf files tomorrow. Will also add all _x for uncompressed files.
This will most likely fix the "access denied" issue, although I will test some additional stuff right now.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:58 am

NEWS: Layout.inf file sizes, although an improvement, did not fix the issue. However, I have narrowed down the issue to a number of IE8 files.

UPDATE: Two specific files: url.dll and urlmon.dll are responsible for this issue. Replacing these files with their IE6 versions fixes the issue.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 2:51 pm

Similar issues can be observed with Win9x to XP upgrades. I will also try to find the cause of these issues, then try to fix all these problems.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:10 pm

IE8 seems to be the cause for both issues. Now I'm trying to completely resolve the issues.

maxtorix · Post by **maxtorix** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:41 am

Maybe this thread about PAE will help.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:59 pm

It seems that the Upgrade issues have been completely solved. I will perform some additional tests tomorrow. We are very close to RC release now.

Anthony21 · Post by **Anthony21** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:18 am

harkaz wrote:It seems that the Upgrade issues have been completely solved. I will perform some additional tests tomorrow. We are very close to RC release now.

~HYPE~ Can't wait to test it out on my Dell!

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:45 am

@maxtorix Windows XP SP4 RC will include some patches as an easter egg.

Hint: Find the unreferenced OC Manager INF file.

UPDATE: I abandoned the easter egg idea, because it can cause failure if different HAL is selected. I will upload an archive with the patched files only. These files, when used with SP4 should be digitally signed.

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 7:25 pm

Finishing some final tests and start building the layout.inf files. Windows XP SP4 may be ready tomorrow.

Anthony21 · Post by **Anthony21** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:23 pm

I forgot, does RC mean finished completely or getting close being done? Keep up the great work! ~cheers~

Outbreaker · Post by **Outbreaker** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:32 pm

A release candidate (RC) is a beta version with potential to be a final product.

Outbreaker · Post by **Outbreaker** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:09 am

@harkaz
Here is something you probably be interested in adding to your SP4.

Code: Select all

; Adds "Open file location" item to the Explorer Context Menu.

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\File Location]
@="&Open file location"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\File Location\command]
@="\"explorer.exe\" /select,\"%1\""
;-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

; Adds "Open command window here" item to the Explorer Context Menu for Directories and Drives.

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd]
@="&Open command window here"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd\command]
@="\"cmd.exe\" /S /K PUSHD \"%1\" & TITLE Command Prompt"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd]
@="&Open command window here"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd\command]
@="\"cmd.exe\" /S /K PUSHD \"%1\" & TITLE Command Prompt"
;-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ricktendo64 · Post by **ricktendo64** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:25 am

I have been trying to figure out how to "natively" add the Open file location for awhile to Windows XP. This is already built in when you right click the .LNK file and go to properties (there is a button)

Now, if somebody knew the GUID of this feature, maybe it can be added to the right click menu of .LNK files (like it is in Win7+) and not just the Properties so you don't have to rely on the hack method

Post by **5eraph** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:26 am

There's a better solution for that which doesn't necessarily belong in SP4, Outbreaker.

I'm not familiar with that, Rick.

ricktendo64 · Post by **ricktendo64** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:29 am

There are two tweaks in Outbreaker's post, I was referring to the first one which adds the same functionality as Windows 7 when you right click a LNK file you can Open file location

If I knew the GUID, I could probably add it

Post by **5eraph** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:30 am

Oh, I see.

prabocor rajasa · Post by **prabocor rajasa** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:34 am

harkaz wrote: UPDATE: I abandoned the easter egg idea, because it can cause failure if different HAL is selected. I will upload an archive with the patched files only. These files, when used with SP4 should be digitally signed.

Yeah the hal will messy to setup automatically. BTW thanks for signing it.

@Rick

there is old free Findtarget shell extension under name FindTarget.dll that works for XP. what you're after?

ricktendo64 · Post by **ricktendo64** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:40 am

Why use 3rd party hack/trick when the feature is built in?

If you know the GUID you can use something like what Win7 uses

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

Same function you get when you click the Find target button in LNK properties you will have it in right click menu

Edit: you just gave me an idea, look in that DLL see what it uses

Anthony21 · Post by **Anthony21** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 4:10 am

ricktendo64 wrote:There are two tweaks in Outbreaker's post, I was referring to the first one which adds the same functionality as Windows 7 when you right click a LNK file you can Open file location

If I knew the GUID, I could probably add it

I agree, that would be easier than clicking 3-4clicks.
right click, properties, show location, close properties

making it to just like windows 7. 1-2clicks.
right click, show location.

Like aw-nestly, how many times have you done that within the last years of windows xp? including windows 95-XP!?! To far long, I'm mean really, this would really indeed help out a lot.

maxtorix · Post by **maxtorix** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:15 pm

XML Notepad 2007 provides a simple intuitive user interface for browsing and editing XML documents.

This program is very useful and free solution because the old Word 2000 is the only program you can edit the "*.xml" files. Internet Explorer only allows you to view the files, and notepad and wordpad will save the .xml as a text file.

Can XML Notepad 2007 (1,8MB) be also included in SP4?

harkaz · Post by **harkaz** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 3:20 pm

Your suggestions are interesting, but I won't make any further changes in the SP4.

I won't be able to release RC today: final tests have shown some glitches caused by the new way IE8 is installed and some others... I'll try to fix these and then release SP4 RC.

Outbreaker · Post by **Outbreaker** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 3:46 pm

@harkaz
Are you aware of the Microsoft IE8 bug with the Quick Launch when uninstall the IE8? This will break the Quick Launch for new User Accounts and the IE8 shortcut in the Start menu (Accessories) is also not removed.
I have the fix for it from the YumeYao IE8 addon, if you need it i can post it.