Vista - Sliptream Vista SP2

Lol sorry I know, I could pirate a copy but that would be to easy. Thanks.

Some experience info.

I had a SFC failure that SFC could not repair so I needed to so a repair install of a Vista Ultimate x64 SP2 system. I slipstreamed an SP2 disc from a Vista SP1 DVD and found that I did not have the upgrade option. I would get a message about the upgrade needing to be a newer version. Some comments here suggested that the problem might be due to the host system having newer updates.

So, I recreated the slipstreamed SP2 and installed all the updates before finishing the SysPrep dialog with OOBE/Generalize/ShutDown. Same problem. It appears then that the problem is not an issue with the actual updates/version in the slipstreamed system but with what version the slipstreamed system thinks it is. Some version number someplace is not getting updated.

In this process I also had the problem with the Ctrl-Shift-F3 not working. I think this is due to using a fancy keyboard (MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, in my case) that allows the function keys to be redefined. I replaced the keyboard with the stock Dell keyboard and Ctrl-Shift-F3 worked fine.

Needing to get the system working, I sprung for a TechNet subscription (I won't use pirated copies). This will also give me a try-before-buy opportunity on other software for the next year. The ISO I downloaded from MS ran and had the upgrade option available so I could do a repair install. This further suggests that it is a slipstream version problem and not a latest-update problem. I have not tried to do a clean install with the slipstreamed disk I created.

Thanks for a great web site!

If you oryginal Vista DVD have ability to repair install (from box always have it independly it is OEM or BOX version) I susspect you during instalation Vista to sleapstreaming you entered product key.If yes there is no strange your new sleapstreamed Vista DVD losed ability upgrade & Repair Install.All preregistered Vista DVD (for example from Dell) are devoided ability upgrade & repair install

@Trax1963
Can you suplement this warning for your tutorial?

I don't know if the original disc had the ability to do a repair install and I don't have any SP1 systems to try it on to see. Both my Vista x64 systems already have SP2 so I get the usual message that the upgrade option is not available because the upgrade must be a newer version.

I tried both entering the product key and not entering the product key when creating the system to slipstream and both gave the same message about needing a newer version DVD when attempting the repair install.

If I have time I'll try another install on the partition I used for creating the slipstream, but just let it finish and then reboot and see if I can do a repair install on the new system. That should tell me if the DVD can do a repair install. I'll post the results.

The original disc has the ability to repair install. I tested it by doing a new Vista install and then immediately trying a repair install. So, as I previously mentioned, it appears that the slipstreamed SP2 thinks it is some earlier version and the repair won't be allowed if the version is older than the system that needs repair.