Creating bootable windows xp sp2 bootable cd for recovery purposes

Opening thoughts

I found the process of building a bootable cd time consuming and a learning experience. The process below does not require purchase of any software to build a bootable version of windows xp. Primary reasons for having the bootable cd is the purchased version of Windows XP is now updated since service pack 2 has been installed. Recovering my XP pc using original software may revert it back to pre-service pack 2 days - no thank you Microsoft. Also, in my efforts to assist someone that has their original cd packed away in a garage 6 hours away was another reason.

ISO build and burning software - Fireburner is freeware as of 5/26/05

ISO extract software - isobuster (the option you need is freeware)

ISO burning software - deepburner (freeware)

An original XP Home installation cd

Copy of XP Home SP2

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These steps were actually tried and successfully build a bootable windows xp cd with service pack 2 (SP2).

SORRY - BELOW IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS

(1) Copy XP onto your hard drive: build directory for XP and SP2, insert your original xp cd into drive and copy ALL contents into a root folder or XP directory. Make note of all files and directories so they can be deleted after your bootable cd is installed and workable.

(2) Apply SP2: download the SP2 executable, extract into the root directory using the following:

EXTRACT SP2

'Start / Run' type 'CMD'
Go to drive and directory of the service pack file using c: or d: then cd sp2 (change directory command)
run the executable service pack but make sure you add a space then -x such as:
d:\]windowsxp-bk835935-sp2-enu -x
Next, you'll need to enter a directory for the extracted service pack files such as D:\SP2

APPLY SP2 to XP HOME COPY ON HARD DRIVE

Re-enter cmd
cd to the sp2\i386\update directory
Type 'update /S:(yourdrivename):\XPCD' and hit enter to begin the update process. (yourdrivename):\XP is of course where you copied the original xp files to
Example command:
d:\sp2\i386\update>update /s:D:\XP

(3) Build ISO file: start deepburner, choose create data cd/dvd, no multisession, choose and drag files to build as iso using explorer display to cd drive, click burn disk, click save iso then enter location and name of iso file.

from my cd
autorun.inf
readme.htm
setup.exe
setup.htm
win51
win51ic
win51ic.sp2
docs directory
i386 directory
support directory
valueadd directory

(4) Burn iso file onto cd: load deepburner software, select burn iso, select the iso by pressing ... click build.

(4) DOES NOT WORK ====== Burn iso image file: make sure "bootable" is not checked; iso image is bootable, click build and burn iso, click burn iso, select iso using dialog and wait until completed. (4) DOES NOT WORK ====== Burn iso image file: Click burn options, set your iso file click select iso, then add to project list, make sure bootable is checked as an option, click burn disk... wait until complete, click exit.

(4) DOES NOT WORK ====== Burn iso image file: click build and burn iso option in fireburner, click burn iso - locate the xp sp2 iso and click open to start.

(5) Your bootable cd should work - try it out, make sure you are bootable from your cd drive (BIOS setting).

Thats all, sorry if you wanted more info - you should be good now!

This page last updated March 27, 2005