Note that in WinXP one can use the PowerToy TweakUI to configure the source path. My Computer -> Special Folders -> Installation Path.[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows NT \CurrentVersion]
Sourcepath = "D:\i386"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows \CurrentVersion \Setup]
Sourcepath= "D:\"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows \CurrentVersion \Setup]
Installation Sources = "D:\i386" (MULTI_SZ - Use Regedt32.exe)
More Info MS KB168645
More Info MS KB323003
More Info MS KB811260
More Info MS KB833615
Note a new feature have been added to Win2k/WinXP that places the install files from the installed services packs in a backup-folder. This backup-folder is useful in these situations:
- When adding/removing components where the install-CD is used, then one don't have to reinstall the service pack, as the proper install files are available. (Something which caused many problems on WinNT4)
- When Windows File Protection have detected that a protected system file have been deleted or overwritten, then it is able to restore the correct file using the backup-folder.
Note if having changed the install path to a location on the HDD/Network, and don't want to be requested for the install cd, when using SFC or Add/Remove Programs, then one have to set this DWORD registry key:[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows \CurrentVersion \Setup]
ServicePackSourcePath = "C:\WinNt\ServicePackFiles"
More Info MS KB271484
More Info MS KB329260
Related Configure Drive Letter for the CD-ROM drive[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software \Microsoft \Windows \CurrentVersion \Setup]
CDInstall = 0
More Info MS KB316565
At one time 'my' HP Pavilion laptop balked at running the command "sfc /scannow" (it MS & HP blindness prompting to insert CD despite the system's i386 files being on the laptop's drive). As I recall, I tweaked the registry to locate i386 files, then sfc worked w/o the resorting to brail. Somewhat oddly though, after using the system's recovery to (assumably includes formatting and then the re-install to factory condition), I then went to use sfc and it didn't balk. Go figure.