Slipstreaming XP and SP2 install

[daamon]

Hi all,

I want to make a backup of my XP Pro install disk and SP2. My PC is currently running SP2 from a direct update done online - not from a SP2 CD.

I've done some research, but I'm not sufficiently familiar with the techie side of PCs, so I'm posting here...

I came across this article and it sounds like it'll suit my needs. But I have a few questions:

1. On the first page, near the bottom, there's a link (with text "available here") in item 5 of "What do you need to do all this?"

Is the .exe that's referred to on the linked page suitable for an XP Pro single PC home user?

2. Why is the SP2 install file referred to on the linked page bigger than the one that's installed with a direct update online?

3. So, am I right in thinking that this will produce a single CD to install WinXP (Pro) updated to SP2 - all in one install?

4. I presume the original license code will remain valid?


If there's anything else you can spot that's either a danger or inappropriate, please mention it.

Many thanks,
Daamon.

[ViRaL1]

1. If you click the link to M$ for the SP2 download, it mentions XP Professional under Supported Operating Systems.

2. What you downloaded was a subset of Service Pack 2 that didn't include any patches or updates that you had already installed. This is done to decrease download times and maximize bandwidth.

3. Yes, this should yield a single CD. You will boot from that CD and install Window$ XP as you normall would. The difference being that once the installation is completed your installation will be SP2 compliant and your system will recognize that SP2 has been applied.

4. Everything else looks ok.

The biggest advantage of this is that you save the time you would spend installing Service Pack 2 as there won't be a great many extra files that weren't included with your original CD. Another advantage is that you save space by not having the backup of the Pre-SP2 versions of the OS files.

As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to burn one now. :P

[daamon]

Hi ViRaL1,

Thanks for the prompt response, and all the useful feedback.

As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to burn one now. :P

Ha ha ha

[bunyip]

I recently created an XPSP2 install disk, but I used 'AutoStreamer' - very quick and painless - you may like to have a look at it also.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4444.html

[daamon]

Hi bunyip - An excellent looking little app. Thanks very much.

And I presume that your XP-SP2 install disk works OK? And that it's for a single home PC?

[bunyip]

Well mine was an XP Pro and I tested it sucessfully on a rebuild, but I see no reason why XP Home would be any problem.

[jimmalenko]

Hi daamon,

Nice shoes, BTW


I'll second autostreamer. I made one for work (we have 100 client licenses) and the original key works fine. Basically it gets you to the point where you've gone through an entire XP install, and then run the "network administrator's" version of SP2, all in the install process.

[stiltman]

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

http://www.seanster.com/Super_WinPE/SuperWinPE1.htm

http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-create-multi-os-cd.htm

[daamon]

Nice shoes, BTW

Thanks - Your mama did a good job polishing them didn't she...?

@ stiltman - Good links, loads of info. Cheers.