This tutorial covers:

• Slipstream a pre-SP2 XP CD

• Create a Windows XP SP2 Recovery CD

In the event that something should go wrong with your Windows XP installation, are you prepared to deal with the issue quickly and effectively? Most people will answer "No" to this question. Having an XP Recovery CD will help with any of the following situations:

• Hard Drive Crash

• Virus Attack

• Malware Attack

• Driver Corruption

• Accidental Data Deletion

The reason that it is necessary to create a Windows XP Recovery CD is due to the fact that using your original Windows XP CD will only restore your system back to original factory settings. Your original Windows XP CD will not have updated drivers, previously installed software and will wipe your hard drive clean of all your data when a complete reinstallation is chosen.

With a good Recovery CD, you can restore your computer back to a current installation. You can use it to reinstall a corrupt driver or even restore all of your data that you have backed up.

<>The Preparation:

Listed below are the items needed to create a good working Restore CD:

1. Original Windows XP CD

2. 25 Digit Windows Product Key

3. Essential Hardware Drivers

4. Backup copy of your archived data

5. If your original Windows XP CD does not include SP2, you will need to download a copy of it and save it to a folder on your Hard Drive (Instructions below).

<>The Original Windows XP CD

It is common these days for people not to have access to their original Windows XP CD. This is due to many manufacturers pre-installing Windows XP and not including the CD in with the sale. In most cases, you can contact the manufacture and have them send you the CD. But, in other cases, you may have to pay a small fee to obtain it. In any case, it is essential that you have this CD in order to continue with this tutorial. If your original Windows XP CD contains SP2, then skip ahead to the "Valid Windows XP Product Key" section below.

You may have a CD that is a pre-SP2 installation in which case you have had to upgrade to SP2. Once the system contains the SP2 upgrade, you will not be able to reinstall your operating system using this disc. We will need to make your pre-SP2 CD into a new hybrid Recovery CD using a process known as Slipstreaming. Simply put, Slipstreaming is the process of Integrating a Service Pack into the installation so that the Operation System and the Service Pack are installed at the same time.

You can download SP2 from Microsoft. This is a free download and can be downloaded using the link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

Next, you will need to create a folder on your hard drive named: "sp2" (without the quotes) Here's how:

1. Go to Start>> My Computer>> Double click on your Hard Drive folder (usually C:).

2. Right click an empty area inside this window and select New>> Folder.

3. Click once on your newly created "New Folder" and press F2 on your keyboard (or right click and select rename).

4. Rename this folder from "New Folder" to "sp2" (without the quotes).

5. Place the SP2 download inside this folder.

<>Slipstreaming the Windows XP CD

As I had mentioned earlier, this next step is necessary so that your original Windows XP CD contains the SP2 upgrade. When this is accomplished, SP2 will automatically install when you use this Recovery CD to reinstall your Windows XP Operating System.

First, you need to create a folder on your hard drive named: "xp" (without the quotes) Here's how:

1. Go to Start>> My Computer>> Double click on your Hard Drive folder (usually C:).

2. Right click an empty area inside this window and select New>> Folder.

3. Click once on your newly created "New Folder" and press F2 on your keyboard (or right click and select rename).

4. Rename this folder from "New Folder" to "xp" (without the quotes).

Once this folder is created, insert your original Windows XP CD into your CD Drive. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Start>> My Computer>> Double click on your CD Drive (usually D:)

2. Highlight everything contained in the root folder of the CD and copy the entire contents to your newly created "xp" folder on your Hard Drive.

Now, with both new folders created on your Hard Drive ("sp2" and "xp") you are ready to integrate the two. Here's how:

1. Go to Start>> Run. Type in: cmd  [Enter] or click OK.

2. At the Command Prompt, type in:

c:\sp2\WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU /integrate:c:\xp

Note: I recommend that you copy and paste the above command for accuracy sake.

3. Press Enter

The command above automatically integrates the information held within the "sp2" folder with the "xp" folder. This process could take several moments. Once complete, your "xp" folder will now be slipstreamed. If for some reason this process did not work, then your Windows XP Recovery CD cannot be slipstreamed.

<>Valid Windows XP Product Key

Make sure that you have a valid Windows XP Product Key. If you do not have this code, then you will not be able to load your Operating System using this CD. The Key Code is usually located on the Certificate of Authenticity on the CD case. Or, some manufactures place the Key Code on a Microsoft sticker commonly found on your PC.

If you cannot find this code, you will need to contact your computer manufacture or Microsoft direct.

<>Adding Drivers to the mix

You will need to add your essential drivers to your "xp" folder on your Hard Drive. All of the essential drivers that you require can be found at the manufactures web sites. Here's how to place them in your "xp" folder:

1. Navigate back to your "xp" folder on your Hard Drive.

2. Double click the folder to open it.

3. Right click an empty area within this folder and select New>> Folder.

4. Rename this "New Folder" to "DRIVERS" (without the quotes).

5. Once the "DRIVERS" folder is created, using the same method above, create DRIVERS sub-folders called:

• VIDEO (for your display adapter drivers)

• NETWORK (for Ethernet or network adapter driver)

• MODEM (if applicable)

• BACKUP (include any drivers necessary to access any backup devices)

Be sure to include all of the pre-tested drivers and software necessary to gain a connection to the Internet. Once you are connected, you can always go out and get the non-essential drivers later. Do not place ZIP files within these folders. Be sure that they are expanded so they are readily accessible.

<>Add your backup data

Lastly, create a folder within your "xp" folder called: SOFTWARE

Add any backup software needed to pull your data off of your backup media.

<>Make your CD Bootable

Now, we have to make this a bootable CD. To do this, you will need a utility called IsoBuster (Free Trial). You can download a copy of IsoBuster by using the link below:

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/isobuster.html

IsoBuster is used to extract the boot loader from your original Windows XP CD. Here's how:

1. Open IsoBuster

2. With your original Windows XP CD loaded in your CD Drive, select your CD Drive from the list.

3. Highlight the bootable CD folder from the menu on the left.

4. Now, drag the BootImage.img file (or Microsoft Corporation.img file should work fine) from IsoBuster to your Hard Drive.

<>Time to burn your Windows XP Recovery CD

Be sure that you will be using CD burning software capable of creating a bootable CD. The most common burning software are:

• Roxio Easy Media Creator 7

• Nero Burning ROM 6 or later

Depending on the program you are using for burning your Recovery CD, the steps will vary. Refer to your instruction manual for proper burning instructions. Basically, what you are going to accomplish is:

Copy the entire contents of the C:\xp folder to the CD project.
Use the BootImage.img file for the boot image data.

<>Testing your new Recovery CD

First, your CMOS setting must include the CD Drive in the boot sequence in order for your CD to function.
Place your new Windows XP Recovery CD into the CD Drive. Restart your computer and allow Windows to boot with the Recovery CD in the CD Drive. If you see the menu once your system boots, your CD should be working fine.

Store this near your computer at all times, or place it in your Laptop carrying case.

<>Delete files from your Hard drive

Once the process is completed and you have successfully created a Windows XP Recovery CD, you can safely delete the "sp2" and "xp" files from your Hard Drive.

Congratulations! You will feel much better knowing that if something happens to your system, you have the tool necessary to bring it back quickly and easily.