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You're most welcome Montecarlo. :)
It makes perfect sense. There are many updates that, once installed, do not allow you to backup.That doesn't make much sense. Was that changed with the advent of SP1? I hope so, because it defeats the purpose of updating your system.
Note a repair install often checks timestamp and version numbers and when a newer timestamp or version number is encountered, it is not uncommon to receive an error that states something along the lines of "a newer version is already installed." You should be able to do a full factory restore, but that is not the same as a repair install.
David,
What part doesn't make sense??
Perhaps this can help in understanding it better. :)
A repair install is a in-place upgrade install using the same edition and version of Windows 7 that you currently have installed in an attempt to repair the current installation. A upgrade requires that the current Windows 7 installation be either the same or older than the Windows 7 you are installing.
When you install Windows Updates, they of course will update your currently installed Windows 7. Some updates are minor and do not affect be able to do a repair install as described above. However, some updates may cause your currently installed Windows 7 to be newer than your Windows 7 installation media. When this happens, you will not be able to do a repair install as described above.
This is the main reason why I added the option to update the slipstream Windows 7 SP1 by being able to add/integrate newer Windows Updates in this tutorial. This way you can keep the slipstream Windows 7 SP1 up to date to hopefully be able to do a repair install if needed.
Of course, I prefer to keep system image backups instead. In case of total loss, a quick system image recovery to the latest created image will restore everything as it was when created in about 10 minutes or so.
I can concur on having more then one system image stored on more then one storage drive as a means of full system recovery especially on non OEM custom builds where you do it yourself. You wouldn't be able to repair a 7/SP1 install even with a full install dvd lacking the service pack but only see a full clean install and need for second install of SP1.
The slipstream option is the actual "bail out" of the dilemna for those running laptops, netbooks, and even desktops as well only seeing one main OS drive and where they do not own an external drive or HD enclosure to use for images to be stored onto.
As far as the guide for the WAIK that would to be a "step by step for the noob" just for many experienced users to follow. If you happen to lack programming experience for C++ and Visual B etc. you would tend to get lost fast.
It's helps knowing how to use a non 3rd party method for doing anything while not everyone will want to spend the time either trying things oot. For taking that into consideration as well you would need to "Simplify" as much as possible.
It will still be the hardest for those who never saw the dos/Legacy days and only run things with a mouse click. But what can you do?
You need to know HTML as well, for making up the "answer file." But if you know C++ then you know HTML. I said I was going to make a tut for that, but I'm beginning to reconsider. It would take FOREVER. Besides, it would be for advanced users, and if your an advanced user, you can read the Microsoft documentation on it like I did, and know exactly what they are talking about. It's not as difficult as it is time consuming. It took me several days just to read through all the WAIK documentation. Then a few more days of experimenting, and a few more days finalizing the disc [be prepared for about a dozen coasters OR just use a DVD-RW like I did]. It's a serious pain in the behind. But I think it's worth it.
David,
It's ok if you don't want to create one. I understand completely, and that is exactly why I went with the 3rd party program route myself.
Well, I didn't say I wouldn't, just that I'm thinking it over some more is all. Are you aware of the method using the WAIK that is posted on the Vista forum for SP2? You can do it that way too, and it's much easier than what I did. The link is HERE. The person who posted it gave really aweful instructions [the wording mostly]. But it works with Windows 7 SP1 as well. Basically, you just create an install.wim file to replace the one in a factory DVD. Would you like a tut on that method with MUCH better indtructions? That one would be a breeze compared to my method, and tut. It's still a lot better than using a third party tool IMHO. It does require a second hard drive though. You can't create, and use a partition on the same drive to build the replacement install.wim file. In theory anyway.
I would be more interested in doing it if I couldn't just download an integrated SP1 ISO at TechNet.....LOL
But I'm game for letting the members here in on a method for slipstreaming SP1 into Windows 7 without using a third party compiler. That's what the WAIK is for.