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nLited XP installs for a cab
spystyle:
Hi Camper,
Short answer :
No, we can't legally distribute MAME-XP. And even if it was legal, it is very large (700MB and possibly more) on account of the driverpacks. So it wouldn't be something hosted casually.
Long answer :
I don't know all the legalities but I know we strive to keep all things on this message board perfectly legal. Lawyers are scary and Saint hates going to jail :)
So until we figure out a legal method to distribute pre-made "MAME-XP" we all must make our own. But it's easy using any XP CD and following instructions for a couple hours.
It's a couple hours well spent that will not only allow you to make a "MAME-XP" CD but also introduce you to "Nlite" and "DriverPacks". With those you can make any type of "custom XP" for your various projects.
I am running a custom XP on my own computer as I type this, it's nice and fast.
Once you learn Nlite you can try other people's versions of "custom Windows XP" as well, legally, by trying their "lastsession.ini" file. "Lastsession.ini" is a tiny file that tells Nlite how to modify your XP CD.
So go ahead and follow my tutorial and make your own MAME-XP. You can burn it to a CD and try it on a spare computer or test it on a "virtual computer" using a free program called "virtual PC".
You can make many custom versions of Windows and try them all in virtual PC - doing benchmarks and installing programs to verify compatibility ect, all without making "coasters" (wasting blank CDs).
Be creative and make a custom version of Windows XP that really suits you :)
Optional :
For fun, attached is the lastsession.ini I use to make a custom Windows XP SP3 I install on my computer and all of my customer's computers. I call it "Skinny XP" and so far we all like it a lot.
Also attached is the lastsession.ini from my last version of MAME-XP.
Cheers,
Craig
edit : I updated the lastsession.ini files - apparently if you "Nlite" and already "Nlited" OS the lastsession.ini doesn't save your previous "Nliting" - only your most recent "Nliting" - so be sure to get it all done in one session if you plan to upload it to the internet :)
Here are the files :
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C6XT6HYM
Firebat138:
awesome...So if I have my latest version of windows, NLITE, and your ini file...I can basically do this with no problem...GREAT... It's really no big deal, I just have several computers that I want to try and I want to make sure everything works as well....
Thanx
spystyle:
If you follow my tutorial on Nlite and Driverpacks you should be all set.
The (optional) lastsession.ini files will save you the time it takes to select each item for removal in Nlite, so that could shave an hour off the process.
Once you do it one time the directories and files will all be in place on your computer (driverpacks, SP3 update, Nlite ect) and you can quickly try other people's lastsession.ini files in like 10 mins.
My opinion (worth 2 cents) :
When first introduced Windows XP was pretty buggy, then with SP2 it was terribly bloated, all that time I used 2K and wouldn't touch XP with a 10 foot pole. Finally SP3 made it good - then Nlite and driverpacks made it perfect :) Now I can't imagine a better OS.
Sure Vista is newer, and Linux is more virtuous - but an SP3 with driverpacks that is slimmed down with Nlite has a perfect balance of speed, ease of use, and compatibility. I really dig it :)
People don't choose Microsoft OS because they love Microsoft, they choose it for 3rd party compatibility. Everything is compatible with XP... for now anyway :)
Have fun!
Craig
Firebat138:
Hmmm...weird...the link that you have gives an error
spystyle:
This one works
--- Quote from: spystyle on June 03, 2008, 09:19:39 am ---OK, I finally wrote the tutorial detailing how I made "MAME-XP" :
http://tinyurl.com/2befhpn
(please don't spread the link)
It should be handy for those confused by nLite and DriverPacks.
Cheers,
Craig
--- End quote ---