Lucid Tips

After numerous delays Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) was made available via Windows Update this week. It is a mighty 316.5 MB download. You can avoid repeated downloads by downloading the WinXP SP3 ISO file and burning a CD. However if you are going to reinstall Windows XP you can save a lot of time and effort by creating a Windows XP install CD with Service Pack 3 integrated.

What is Slipstreaming?

Slipstreaming is a process of integrating the latest updates and hotfixes into the installation files of the original software. This results in a fresh set of installation files with all the updates and hotfixes incorporated hence eliminating the need to apply them after installing the software.

Slipstreaming Windows XP is a very simple and straight forward process.

Disclaimer: Slipstreaming allows you to create updated version of the Windows XP CD but does not change your original license. Most Windows XP license are for install on a single machine unless you have volume license. Please do not use the information in this howto to create and distribute copies of Windows XP. I do not support software piracy.

Prerequisite: Ensure you have at least 1 GB of free disk space. Also make sure you have the original Windows XP install CD.

Screenshots for this howto are available here

Create the required folders

C:\WinXP-CD
C:\WinXP-SP3
C:\WinXP-BootImage

Copy your original Windows XP install CD onto the hard drive

1. Insert the original Windows XP CD into the CD/DVD Drive (Note: Holding down the Shift key when you insert the CD prevents bypasses the autorun)
2. Copy the entire contents of the CD into C:\WinXP-CD folder (see screenshot)
3. Make a note of the volume label of the original WinXP CD. This will be used later during the CD creation process.

Download and extract Windows XP Service Pack 3

1. Navigate to “Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers” page on Microsoft Download Center
2. Click on the “Download” button and save the file into C:\WinXP-SP3
3. Click Start->Run
4. Type the following command (see screenshot) C:\WinXP-SP3\WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe -x:C:\WinXP-SP3
5. Windows might display “Open File – Security Warning”. Click Run (see screenshot)
6. Extracting Files dialog will appear and when extracting is done the Extracting complete message will appear. Click OK

Slipstream SP3 into XP

1. Click on Start->Run
2. Type the following command (see screenshot) C:\WinXP-SP3\i386\update\update.exe -s:C:\WinXP-CD
3. This starts the slipstream process and Software Update Installation Wizard will appear
4. When complete “Integrated install has completed successfully” message will appear. Click “OK”

Download bootable image file

1. Click here and download the “Microsoft Corporation.img” file.
2. Save this file in C:\WinXP-BootImage folder

Make the bootable CD with Roxio Easy CD Creator 6

1. Insert a blank CD into the CD Writer
2. Start Roxio Easy CD Creator Classic
3. Click File->New Project->Bootable Disc (see screenshot)
4. “Choose Type of Bootable Disc” window will appear
5. Click on “Advanced” button
6. Advanced Settings will be displayed
7. Ensure “Bootable Disc Type” is No Emulation, “Load Segment” is 0x7c0 and “Sector Count” is 4 (see screenshot)
8. Click the Browse button and navigate to C:\WinXP-BootImage
9. Select “Microsoft Corporation.img” and click Open
10. You might be prompted to rename “Microsoft Corporation.img”. If you are prompted rename it to “BOOTIMG.BIN” (see screenshot)
11. You will be returned to “Choose Type of Bootable Disc” window
12. Click OK. This closes the “Chhose Type of Bootable Disc” window
13. Creator Classic window will be displayed with the title “Untitled Bootable Disc Project – Creator Classic”
14. The project will show two files
    BOOTCAT.BIN
    Microsoft Corporation.imgOR

    BOOTCAT.BIN
    BOOTIMG.BIN

15. Rename Microsoft Corporation.img to BOOTIMG.BIN (skip this step if you already renamed it earlier)
16. Click File->Project Properties
17. Project Properties window will open (see screenshot)
18. Change the Volume Label to match the one from original Windows XP CD.
19. Change the File System to ISO9660
20. Click Advanced Tab
21. Select “Use original file date” and “Any MS-DOS 8.3 character file names”
22. Click “File Filter” tab
23. Select “All files”
24. Click General tab
25. Click Apply and then click OK.
26. Project properties window will close and you will be returned to Creator classic window
27. You are now ready to add files to this project
28. Drag and drop all files and folders from C:\WinXP-CD into the project window
29. You will receive an error indicating some filenames need to be changed. Click “Change All” on this error window (see screenshot)
30. At this point the project is ready.
31. Click File->Record or click the burn button
32. Record Setup window will appear (see screenshot)
33. Change Record Options to “Test and Record”
34. Click OK to start the record process
35. Burn Disc Progress window will appear and display the record progress. (see screenshot)
36. When the process is complete you have the Windows XP CD with SP3 integrated.

The instructions to burn using Nero or any other software should be similar.

Clean files

Unless you wish to burn additional copies you can now delete the following folders and clear up hard disk space.

C:\WinXP-CD
C:\WinXP-SP3
C:\WinXP-BootImage