Slipstreamed Windows XP SP2 Beta CD

I was curious to see if slipstreaming was viable for the beta release of SP2 so I decided to run it through the process and see if everything performed as expected. As far as I can tell the standard slipstreaming procedure worked fine and everything appears to be as functional as if SP2 had been applied from within XP to an existing XP installation. For those of you that have a beta copy of SP2 and want to give it a try the procedure I used is presented below.

Building Directories

The first step is to build a directory structure to hold the files that will be used in the CD creation process. It's a simple structure, requiring nothing more than a few folders. It doesn't matter what names you use for your folders or where you locate them on your hard drive, but most users find drive C the easiest. I created the folders shown below, located on Drive C, and used the XP- prefix for each one so they would all be located together for easy access. Create whatever folders you are comfortable with or use the ones below if you want to copy and paste commands later in the tutorial.

Copying and Extracting Files

• The first step is to insert the Windows XP CD and copy the entire contents into the XP folder or the equivalent folder in your structure.

Before copying the XP CD make sure that the system is set to display all hidden and system files to ensure a complete copy of all files on the CD. The settings to control what files are visible are located in Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View tab. Make sure [Show hidden files and folders] radio button is selected and [Hide protected operating system files] is unchecked.

• The second step is to navigate to where you downloaded the Service Pack 2 file. If you downloaded SP2 from Microsoft it should be named xpsp2.exe. Copy the file to the XP-SP2 folder if it wasn't downloaded there initially.
• Use the Run dialogue shown below to extract the contents of Service Pack 2.

The Run dialogue box is accessed from [Start] [Run]
The command to begin the extraction is:   C:\XP-SP2\xpsp2.exe -x

• The prompt for where to store the extracted files shown above will open. I used the default C:\XP-SP2 but again, you can choose an alternate location if you wish.

Updating The Windows Share

• Apply the extracted Service Pack 2 to Windows XP files in the XP folder that were copied in the first step using the [Run] dialogue box.

The Run dialogue box is accessed from [Start] [Run]
The command to apply the Service Pack is: C:\XP-SP2\i386\update\update.exe -S:C:\XP

As shown below, Service Pack 1 is being integrated into the Windows installation folder.

Successful completion of the integration process.

Extract the Imaging File

In order to make a slipstreamed CD bootable it's necessary to add an image file during the burning process. You need to extract the file Microsoft Corporation.img and save it to a folder. For my testing I just created a XP-BootImage folder on the C:\ drive. There are a number of ways to perform the extraction but the easiest is to use ISO Buster.

• With the Windows XP CD in your CD drive, open ISO Buster. Click on Bootable CD in the left pane then right click Microsoft Corporation.img in the right pane, finally clicking Extract Microsoft Corporation.img file.

Extract the file to the C:\XP-BootImage folder previously created or your equivalent.

Burning the Windows XP/SP2 Beta Slipstreamed CD
Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6

With the preparation out of the way it's time to actually burn the CD. There are a number of different burning or CD creation programs that can be used to accomplish this task. Since this is just a test for the beta release of SP2 I'm only going to use Easy CD Creator by Roxio for this guide. Once the final version of SP2 is released I'll add detailed instructions for other CD burning software, but for now, while the terminology and screens may vary depending on your CD burning program choice, 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 XP-BootImage folder and select the Microsoft Corporation.img file then click [Open] which will return you to the main [Choose Type of Bootable Disc] window. Click [OK] to finish.

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 it's 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. I used THE ELDER GEEK for this test, but MICROSOFT CORPORATION would be an appropriate choice or use your own company name.

• 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 XP 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 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 ensuring 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/SP2 Beta CD ROM.

Last Updated: 08/19/2008

-  Important Information  -
The Elder Geek on Windows XP site contains many articles and suggestions for modifying the Windows XP operating system. I've tried these tweaks and tips on many systems. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. The point is, ensure you have a current, tested backup of all system and data files and understand how to restore the system in case something goes very wrong. You can still yell at me, but I assume no responsibility for your actions and use of the information and disclaim any legal responsibility for any consequences of such actions.