memNOC Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 hey.. i was wondering what MS uses to compress the system files on XP install CDs? you know, the files in i386 that end in _ (SHELL32.DL_, UXTHEME.DL_....).. the reason i want to know is because i want to update my XP install with the cracked uxtheme.dll, maybe a new shell32, logonui and other stuff.. so i need to compress my files with their compression method and just replace them.. i know to decompress them you use the expand utility, but there's no word on the actual way they compress them.. i know about the compact command too, but that only takes advantage of NTFS's own file compression method.. better yet, if there is a program/guide that can do this for me automatically ala AutoStreamer (i don't need the SP2, just these files), toss it my way.. :D thanks (Y) sidenote: Opeth rules. :woot: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Veteran Posted October 10, 2004 Veteran Share Posted October 10, 2004 They're really CAB files, just with a different extension. Although, you may have problems during the install, because the installer checks the signatures on the files inside. If there's no signature, or it's damaged, it will refuse to install. There's a makecab command you should know about, it will turn any file into a cabinet file with an extension similar to what you see on the Windows CDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memNOC Posted October 10, 2004 Author Share Posted October 10, 2004 They're really CAB files, just with a different extension. Although, you may have problems during the install, because the installer checks the signatures on the files inside. If there's no signature, or it's damaged, it will refuse to install.There's a makecab command you should know about, it will turn any file into a cabinet file with an extension similar to what you see on the Windows CDs. hhmm thanks for the makecab info.. that's definitelly the way they do it.. though, you're sure about the sig check? cuz i've seen some slipstreaming programs such as Flexbeta claim to be able to include a hacked uxtheme.. it's still not released, though.. i'd hate to go through the trouble of making the CD, installation and then find out the install craps out on me.. :( anyone manage to do this yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Veteran Posted October 10, 2004 Veteran Share Posted October 10, 2004 I've never done it (I don't use hacked files :p) But I've heard of other people having problems, and I've heard of other people not noticing any difference... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memNOC Posted October 10, 2004 Author Share Posted October 10, 2004 I've never done it (I don't use hacked files :p) But I've heard of other people having problems, and I've heard of other people not noticing any difference... i might make 2 CDs then.. one with the hacked files and another with original ones, just in case.. :D this will just be a temporary solution, though.. once i get my DVD burner, i'll make a bitchin disk image with everything exactly the way i want it: programs, files, skins..... ahhhh..... *fantasizes* :D IDK.. it's not worth the effort.. not for me, anyway.. i'll probably end up doing my usual unattended, and sit tight.. but it'd still be interesting to know if this is possible.. i'm sure someone's tried it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgeek Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 I did the same you are doing and it works. If it finds that the file is corrupt or changed too much It will simply tell you that the file is corrupt and let you skip the file to contiune installing XP which is not recommended as XP needs almost all those files to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgeek Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 (edited) Damn. Sorry for the double post. Those "Server is busy" errors. :blush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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