Aura Systems

A subject of much debate a few years ago.  But as a technician, I wanted to know the deal behind this.  Research and Microsoft’s official stance, is that since Media Center is a “mod” or “hack” of XP, it isn’t officially supported.  Anyone using plain /integrate or nLite or RyanVM run into problems about Plus, Sonic, Media Center, and/or the theme not installing proper.  Also using /integrate or nLite, you overwrite Windows Media Player 10 with 9.  Media Center (the app) requires 10.

Edit Mar 1 2010. I’ve refined the process.  Almost foolproof now!
You’ll need the following addons from RyanVM forums:
XPSP3_QFE_UpdatePack for Windows XP Post-SP3
DotNetFx_All_In_1_Addon_v2.4.7z (MCE needs .NET 1.#)

You will also need nLite.  If you’ve never done any slipstreaming ever…well…I’ll be honest, forget about this article.  I BLOW MINDS!

1) Copy MCE CD 1 to a temp folder
2) Integrate SP3 manually (using command line /integrate flag.  Look up the documentation on this, I’m not holding hands atm)
3) Follow jonc100’s post from MS Technet forums to make the appropriate fixes.
4) Copy the CMPNENTS\MEDIACTR from the 2nd Media Center CD to the cd-in-making.
5) Using nLite, load the folder and add the two update packs.  Modify and tweak to your needs (add drivers etc)

Here is where I have 2 possible paths.  However after any integrations, go back and verify that the file changes you made using jonc100 method are still there.  Its annoying when nLite breaks something….
Path 1: (Has been the most fool proof)
1) Download Windows Media Player 10 setup (MP10Setup.exe from Microsoft), add to the CD in making.  Run this installer manually after MCE is installed.  The Slipstream reduces WMP from 10 to 9, and MCE needs 10 at least to function proper.
2) Windows Updates for WMP 11, and MCE updates.

Path 2:
1) When integrating packs, you can add YumeYao’s YumeYao_WMP11_Addon_ENU_V3_2_1.7z to integrate WMP 11. This is found at RyanVM forums as well. (If there is a newer version, use it!)
2) Download Update Rollup 2 (KB900325) manually from Microsoft. Run the program. After it extracts it should give you a warning with a YES/NO selection. At this time, browse to the extracted contents (some bullshit like c:\522nsdtn34blahblahblah). Copy out KB900325.exe.  Exit the YES/No prompt and it will close and cleanup itself.
3) Download October 2006 Update Rollup 2 (KB925766).
4) Throw the two KB updates onto your CD in making.  You can optionally add these to be executed via Run once, BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT LET THEM RESTART.  You will ruin the user profile that is being made, and have to make a new one.
5) Windows updates for the rest.

Now, in the quest to find a solution, I
came across a post at MS Technet forums from jonc100.  After reading over his method, and using virtual machines, I have to say it works but since I only have dummy keys, I cannot fully play with the OS, update it, and verify things working.  His method does enable the MCE parts, but Windows Media Player 9 is installed.  I personally did not feel comfortable with this direct integration and modding of files, since who the hell knows what else could be wrong later down the line.

There had to be something simpler, easier for the average Joe.  At last I did find a solution.  SVCPACK Integration Method.  Not too many people know about this method.  What this does, is run any file specified at an ETA of 13 Minutes in the Windows GUI Installer.  I place my SP3.exe file in i386\SVCPACK (directory), and following the directions given for the method, create the following SVCPACK.INF (Don’t forget to delete SVCPACK.IN_ !!!)

;Windows XP
[Version]
Signature=”$Windows NT$”
MajorVersion=5
MinorVersion=1
BuildNumber=2600

[SetupData]
CatalogSubDir=”\i386\SVCPACK”

[ProductCatalogsToInstall]

[SetupHotfixesToRun]
SP3.exe /passive /norestart

I use /passive to make the install unattended but visible (I like to see it happen), and /norestart to not prompt for restart.  Post-restart SP3 actions will happen on first run.  I have also tested this method further by adding the IE7 installer, and a special installer form of Windows Media Player 11 (the real downloader won’t procede silently because it can’t validate online).  Regardless if you put additional hotfixes, SP3 will be installed what I have found out to be properly, no features missing or broken, as if I just went ahead and installed SP3 first thing.

Oh btw, don’t forget to throw the contents of MCE Disc 2 (CMPNENTS folder) into the CD you’re working on.  With the SP3 file, you’ll easily break CD-R limits, and have to burn to a DVD, so why not make just merge the 2nd CD into it?  One less thing to swap.