Random

So I’ve recently started going back to school.  In one of my classes we were to create a Windows XP Service Pack 3 Slipstream disk.  There are several guides out there but most of them involve Nero or some other pay for software.  This would simply not do, I am always trying to find free if not open source software replacements.  I’ve found that most of my CD burning needs can be accomplished with ISORecorder which integrates right into windows explorer however when I used this program to burn the folder the sp3 slipstream was in I would get NTLDR missing when I would try to boot from the CD.  Confused by this I have spent a good portion of the day researching why and have decided to write up this quick and dirty guide to hopefully help save others some time.

Apparently to make a windows xp installation disk bootable the disk requires the use of 4 sectors instead of the default 1, which ISORecorder uses.  Not finding any way to change this I focused my attention on my other free cd burning software; CDBurnerXP.  This program is a great Nero alternative for data and audio cds/dvds and of course is free.

However the first time I tried creating a slipstream disk with CDBurnerXP it failed as well.  Not willing to believe that my alternatives had failed me I spent many o hours hunting the Internet high and low until I found a post referring to a bug within CDBurnerXP that causes boot failures if you make the Boot Options changes after adding files.

—=Steps to create a sp3 slipstream=—

1. Your first step is to create a folder and copy the contents of your windows xp cd to it.
2. Then create another folder and download SP3 to it (SP2 as well if your cd doesnt already have it applied).
3. Next Apply the services packs to the installation folder. I’ll go through and update this guide with screen shots and more details later.  The core of this article is configuring CDBurnerXP.
4. Once completed extract the Microsoft Corperation.img file from the installation CD and save it some place easy to find.  On guide I followed recommended placing the file inside same folder as the xp-cd, which is what I did here.

Finally on to burning the disk.

When starting CDBurnerXP your first choice is to choose what kind of CD to burn.
Choose the Data Disk as showing below.

This is where things can get goofy, so be sure to follow closely.
Do Not drag the files, first edit the boot and disk information as shown below.

Label the Disk the same name as your installation cd.

Next, edit the boot options.

Adjust the settings accordingly-

Emulation Type = No Emulation (NT/2000/XP boot images)
ISO Level = ISO9660:1999 (unrestricted)
Load Segments = 7C0 (or 07C0, same thing)
Loaded Sectors = 4
Enable [Check] ISO version number extension
Disable [Uncheck] Enforce level 1

Now you can add all the files within your XP folder to the compilation.

Be patient, it can take a few minutes to add the files.

Once the files have been added and the transfer box has disappeared you can Click the Burn button.
In the box that follows Select: Let me Choose Advance Settings
Confirm that disk at once is selected and that buffer protection has been selected.

Note: Do not change the boot options at this point, if you need to make changes you will have to remove and readd the files to the compilation.
Click Burn Disk and watch the bar go!

Congratulations, you’ve just created a XP-SP3 SlipStream disk using FREE software!