What Not to Do with XP SP3 RTM: Slipstream It on Windows Vista

Whatever you do with Windows XP SP3, do not attempt to slipstream the service pack on Windows Vista. Despite the fact that SP3 RTM Build 5512 is provided as a standalone download, it can be integrated into earlier versions of the operating system. The process is called slipstreaming. While Microsoft performs such actions and offers access to the slipstream variant of XP SP3 to a very select crowd including MSDN and TechNet subscribers, end users are literally left to fend for themselves. Still, the integration is not that difficult to perform, and is similar to the one that had to be done in order to integrate Windows XP Service Pack 2 files into the Windows XP installation folder as explained by Microsoft in KB900871.

As far as Windows XP SP3 is concerned, the main problem is using Windows Vista as the operating system on which the last service pack for XP is slipstreamed, according to Bink. There are no errors preventing the end users to build a Windows XP ISO with SP3 integrated, however, moving onward to a clean installation on a new machine will not prove as simple. During the clean install of the Slipstream XP SP3 RTM the process stops to require a product key.

This is the first sign indicating that something went wrong. Following the changes introduced by Microsoft in XP SP3, the operating system should no longer require the end user to enter a product key during installation, but instead deliver an experience similar to Windows Vista's, with a 30-day free trial period. But at this point in time, entering the actual product doesn't work either.

Still, this is not a new problem for Microsoft. It has been around since Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate 1, back in December 2007. "Current investigation reveals that this issue happens when the integration process (SP3.exe /integrate) is performed on a Windows Vista machine. Please do not use 'Nlite' tool for integration as we do not support the same," Microsoft's Shashank Bansal stated at the time.

"Go to link KB900871 to have detail about SP Integration steps and use the same. And if anyone facing same issue while performing integration process other than Vista machine please inform us," added Suraj Kumar Gupta from Microsoft, revealing that the issue affects not only Slipstream copies of Windows XP SP3 created on Windows Vista but also those built on Windows Server 2008. The fact that Microsoft knew about the problem did nothing to help resolve it in the final version of the service pack.

Meanwhile, Windows XP SP3 RTM Build 5512 is available for download here.