Slipstream Happy - DX8.1b into Win2k...

[jiimmy]

I have managed to semi-slipstream DX8.1b after a bit of trial and error. Just had to install the .cat files in svcpack.inf under the \'special\' names \"dxnt.CAT\" and \"dxbda.CAT\".

I think there is some kind of naming scheme going on with the catfiles and the capitalization of the extensions. My working theory is that a .CAT extensions means the inf was renamed (to like oem1.inf) and/or the catalog file itself was renamed... who knows. But I know for a fact there is a scheme with capitalization of the .inf files because, according to my setupapi.log files, certain .inf files (e.g. ICH2Usb.inf) are verfied as signed only when i rename them to all CAPS.... F*ing annoying.

I still have to run dxsetup (in [HotfixesToRun] ) for the registry stuff because Im not smart enough to slipstream that in but there are notable improvements. Like certain files from DX7 are no longer copied over at all during setup. This was my initial problem cause these files are deleted by DX8.1b (apparently unbenounced to my OS, which would always complain about not being able to find them - i posted on this before).

Another note about dx is that you can repackage it as follows:
Extract dx81nteng.exe.
Move dxbda.cab, dxsetup.exe, dsetup.dll, and dsetup32.dll to a new folder.
Repackage the remaining files into a new cabinet named \"dxnt.cab\" (ID 14894 although you can ignore this i think)and place it in the new folder.
Drop these five files in svcpack folder or whatever and run dxsetup from there.

IEAK6 gives you the same type of distribution which i also popped into the svcpack. Now im gonna try to slipstream the files in as well so they dont have to be copied on the last setup boot.

Hope this is useful to someone...

[Space Betwen]

That\'s still not slipstreaming...but usefull

couldn\'t you just edit the txtsetup.sif file or whatever to place those file\'s and merge the right .reg file at boot up..i don\'t have a clue about this man :-)...i know it works for smaller thing\'s but this im not sure. I don\'t even know what all need\'s to be merge or even begin to find out with directx8.1

it\'s just a cooky idea :-)

[Fjellu]

Easier, maybe not?
Extraxt all files to a temp folder. Use iexpress.exe from IEAK6 Make a new package with \"dxsetup /silent /install\" options. Run from guirunonce.

[jiimmy]

Space - I think your right on that. Im just slowly working my way along here.. not really knowing what Im doing. I was gonna try something along those lines but my problem was fixed so... Ill give it a shot it If i get the time (I think it will take alot of test installs though). thing is, dx7 and dx8 use different files and stuff so it wont be simple replacement. Also, I suspect some stuff (registry entries.) etc. come from the setup.dll\'s and not just infs. dont you just love windows.

Fjellu - I dont know if i was clear about this but all the build files (in i386 and all .CABS) were replaced with their directx8.1b counterparts. This was the key to my problem because before, setup would call dxnt.inf to install directx7 and all its files, but then i would run dx81 from cmdlines and it would remove them but leaving a trace. So I had to get the dx7 files out of there.

And the main point for my post was the thing about the .cat files. Because if you just use the file names as given, \"dx8w2k.cat and \"dx8bda.cat\", in [ProductCatalogsToInstall], as I did in my first attempt ... it no work. And call me an idiot but I had no clue that the capitalization of the target filename is determined by the string in the (svcpack).inf\'s.

But the one file from Iexpress is most definately simplier. Its all about style though:) The way above is how the redistributables are packaged.