So, where is the checked build download?? It's gotten to be like it's some sort of a freakin' test.? "If you can't find the checked build, you're not smart enough to write Windows drivers."? Caray!? If that's the case, then I?must be?a big pendejo, cuz it took me more than 30 minutes to find the damn thing.
Confused as to what to do with these downloaded executables?? If you're frustrated because you can't figure out how to install the checked kernel and HAL for your system from the executable downloads this article points to, check out this link.
Because I don't want you all to have to re-live my pain, here are the locations and links:
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Windows 7
Direct Links:??I guess Microsoft is done providing direct downloads of the checked build, because I sure can't find any for Win 7.
MSDN:?Available in the Subscriber Downloads section of MSDN.
In the WDK:??Once again, the WDK team has done us a great service by providing checked Kernel and Hal components in the \Debug\ directory of the WDK. ?Use these, and avoid MSDN download annoyance.
Windows Vista
Direct Links:? Not available.? Apparently the checked build of Vista is so valuable, it is a state secret and only available to MSDN subscribers.
MSDN: As OSR Online member Charles Chopp reports, below, the Vista checked build is available via MSDN.
In the WDK: Perhaps the best option of all is to use the checked Kernel and Hal images that are provided in the Vista WDK.?You can find the images and associated PDBs in the \Winddk\6000\Debug\ directory.? I recommend you use these... it'll save you an hour or three or four, downloading and attempting to extract the appropriate executables.
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Windows Server 2003 SP2
Direct Links:
32 Bit: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=096c54b5-7584-4a85-97e6-251a7606809e&DisplayLang=en
64 Bit: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bd2576bb-2007-45c6-bff0-5f0b4509b5a4&DisplayLang=en
MSDN: Didn't even bother to check.? Use the link above.
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Windows Server 2003 SP1
Direct Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f07a5e49-4a13-42cb-898b-278a8b287e16&DisplayLang=en
MSDN: Didn't even bother to check.? Use the link above.
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Windows Server 2003
Direct Link: (none that I can find)
MSDN: Go to msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions.? Click subscriber downloads?and log in when?prompted.?You should now see the download directory in the left pane.?Select Platforms, Windows Server 2003, English.? There you'll find Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition - Checked/Debug (English).? This is what you want.? Don't worry that it's Enterprise Edition.? Just use the checked O/S and HAL images.
(It's also on disk number 2085, May 2003)
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Windows XP SP3
Direct Link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=D811F258-C95F-479A-BDF1-0D1154D700A5&displaylang=en
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MSDN:?Didn't even bother to check.? Use the link above, courtesy of a reader.
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Windows XP SP2
Direct Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7a4d8d12-9f5d-42bb-b31c-7b31657c869c&DisplayLang=en
MSDN:?Didn't even bother to check.? Use the link above.
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Windows XP SP1a
Direct Link: http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/checkedbuild.asp
MSDN:?I can't find it online on MSDN.? But who cares?? Use the link above.
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Windows XP (Gold)
Direct Link:? (good luck)
MSDN: Go to msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions.? Click subscriber downloads?and log in when?prompted.?You should now see the download directory in the left pane.?Select Platforms, Windows XP Professional, English.? There you'll find Windows XP Professional, Checked/Debug ISO CD Image (English).
Windows 2000 Checked Builds
Direct link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/SP4/SP4build/default.asp
(you can substitute SP1-SP3 for SP4 in both places in the above line to get the respective checked build)
MSDN: Go to msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions.? Click subscriber downloads?and log in when?prompted.?You should now see the download directory in the left pane.?Select Platforms, Windows 2000.? You'll find the checked builds for SP 1 and SP 2 directly under their respective entries.? The SP3 checked build is under SP3, then "Full Install Disc".? I can't find the SP4 checked build in MSDN.? Again, use the link above.
Windows NT V4 SP6
Direct link: http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/recommended/SP6/SP6build/default.asp