Windows XP/SP1 Slipstreamed CD
Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6

With the preparation out of the way it's time to actually burn the new CD. There are a number of different burning or CD creation programs that can be used to accomplish this task. A large majority of users seem to favor either Easy CD Creator by Roxio or Nero Burning Rom by Ahead Software I'm using both for this guide. If Nero Burning Rom is your favored software, click here for program specific instructions. The terminology and screens may vary depending on your program choice but the principles remain the same and can be easily adapted no matter what burning software is being used.

Setting Up The Easy CD Creator Software

• Load the Easy CD Creator program.

• Select [File] [New Project] [Bootable Disc] from the menu

• Set [Bootable Disc Type] to No Emulation

• Set [Load Segment] to 0x7c0

• Set [Sector Count] to 4 (Failing to set Sector Count to 4 will make the CD unbootable)

• Click the [Browse...] button
   

• Navigate to the SS-Boot folder and select the Microsoft Corporation.img file then click [Open]

You'll notice that in the Project section of the main Creator Classic window two files have been added; the BOOTCAT.BIN and Microsoft Corporation.img files. Later in the process of creating the slipstreamed CD the Microsoft Corporation.img file will be renamed, but for now just leave it as its entered.

• Select [File] [Project Properties]

The General Tab

• Set the [Volume Label] field depending on your Windows XP version.

  • If you have Windows XP Professional enter WXPCCP_EN

  • If you have Windows XP Home enter WXHCCP_EN

  • If you have Windows XP Professional OEM enter WXPOEM_EN

  • If you have Windows XP Home OEM enter WXHOEM_EN
     

• Set [File System] to ISO9660

• Set [Physical Format of CD] to Mode 1: CDROM

The Advanced Tab

• Set [Publisher Name:] [Prepared By] and [Copyright:] fields to your choice of information.

• Select the radio button next to [Use original file date]

• Select the radio button next to [Any MS-DOS 8.3 character file names]

The File Filter Tab

• Select the radio button next to [All Files] in the Add Files section.

• Remove any check marks from [Do not add Hidden files] and [Do not add System files] selections.

Click [OK] to exit the Project Properties selection screens.
 

As soon as you click [OK] to exit the Project Properties selection screens the Creator Classic window shown below will open.

In the [Change Name To] field, replace the default MICROSOF.IMG name (as shown above) with BOOTIMG.BIN and then click the [Change] button.

The screen captures below show the before and after of the Project section and illustrates what the name change accomplishes. It's essential that your screen looks like the right hand screen capture for the burn process to complete and the CD to be bootable.

Adding The Files To Be Copied

• Set the [Select Source Files:] drop down selection list to SS-Root or your equivalent folder. Click on the first file in the list, hold down the Shift key and click on the last file in the list to select all the files and folders in the C:\XP-SS\SS-Root folder.

• Click the [Add] Button which is actually the downward facing blue arrow shown lower right below.

The files you selected will be copied into the lower Project section of the Creator Classic window. The window shown below will appear at some point during the file copying process with a warning that SYMBOLS.PRI needs to be renamed. This same window may appear numerous times. Each time it does, just accept the default name change of SYMB.PRI by clicking the [Change] button. Failure to make this change in each of the windows that appears will result in a CD that will not be usable.

• Click the orange [Record] button in the lower right corner of the window once all the files have been copied into the Project section.

Setting The Record Options

• Set [Record Options] to Record using the radio button

• Set [Record Method] to Disc-At-Once using the radio button

• If you want more than one copy change the [Number of Copies] field but I'd advise against it until you've created and tested the first copy. You can always save this setup after the burning is completed if you want to create additional copies at a later time.

• Click [OK] button.

Burn XP, Burn !

The Burn Disc Progress screen will open and allow visual monitoring of the burning process. A few notes are in order relating to insuring a successful burn.

• Before you start the burning process close all other programs. Burning a CD can be very processor and memory intensive and there is no sense in taxing the system more than necessary. Even I can avoid FreeCell during a CD burning session and I'm a FreeCell addict.

• If you use a screensaver, disable it before the burning process as an extra precaution. The same applies to your anti virus software if it starts scans or updates automatically.

• How long the burning process takes will vary widely depending on your system and the CD burner speed. It may not appear like anything is happening at times, but be patient and more than likely all will be fine.

• If the burn does fail, especially because of a buffer problem, reduce the speed of the burn and try again.

Congratulations !

When the screen above appears you have successfully burned a slipstreamed XP/SP1 CD ROM.