Pseudo slipstream in Windows NT4

The slipstreaming of service packs is not available with WinNT4, as it was first introduced with Win2k. But it is still possible to do some tricks:

  • Update these files on the install-image with files from the service pack (SP4+), as it will enable AGP support, remove 8gb limitation etc.

    atapi.sys
    fastfat.sys
    gdi32.dll
    hal.dll
    hal486c.dll
    halapic.dll
    halast.dll
    halcbus.dll
    halcbusm.dll
    halmca.dll
    halmps.dll
    halmpsm.dll
    halncr.dll
    haloli.dll
    halsp.dll
    halwyse7.dll
    kernel32.dll
    ndis.sys
    ntdll.dll
    ntkrnlmp.exe
    ntoskrnl.exe
    SETUPDD.SYS
    tcpcfg.dll
    user32.dll
    win32k.sys
    winsrv.dll

  • Install the service pack unattended (SP4+)
    • Place the service-pack file in this directory:

      X:\i386\$OEM$\SP4

    • Create a text file CMDLINES.TXT in this directory:

      X:\i386\$OEM$

    • Open the text file CMDLINES.TXT and add these lines:

      [Commands]
      “.\sp4\sp4i386.exe -z -u”

    More Info MS KB168814

  • Make a shared directory with the original WinNT4 install files and extract the contents of the service pack to this directory. Then use the shared directory when adding components (after install), so you don’t have to apply the service pack for every change.

Note it is possible to create a bootable WinNT4 CD by using the boot sector from Win2k.