Burning the Windows XP/SP3 Slipstreamed CD
NERO Burning ROM 8

Setting Up The Nero Burning ROM 8 Software

• Load the NERO Burning ROM program.

• In the left hand column select CD-ROM [Boot] from the available choices.

• Make sure the [Boot] tab is selected.

• In [Source of Boot Image Data] section select [Image File] and 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 [New Compilation] window.

Back in the New Compilation window, make sure there is a checkmark in the [Enable Expert Settings for advanced users only)] section.

• Set [Kind of Emulation] to No Emulation

• Set [Load Segment of Sectors (hex)] to 07C0

• Set [Number of Loaded Sectors] to 4 (Failing to set Number of Loaded Sectors to 4 will make the CD unbootable)

Switch to the ISO tab in New Compilation window and make sure the settings appear as shown in screen capture below.

• Make sure [File System:] is set to ISO 9660 + Joliet. There is a setting for 'ISO 9660 Only', but if you use it the CD will trigger errors during the file copy process when you are installing XP. They aren't fatal errors, and the installation will complete, but it's better to avoid the situation completely by using the proper settings.

Switch to the Label tab in New Compilation window and make sure the settings appear as shown in screen capture below.

• Set the [Manual] radio button and make the appropriate [ISO 9660] and [Joliet] entries.

  • 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

Switch to the Dates tab in New Compilation window and make sure the settings appear as shown in screen capture below.

Switch to the Misc tab in New Compilation window and make sure the settings appear as shown in screen capture below.

Switch to the Burn tab in New Compilation window and make sure the settings appear as shown in screen capture below. Of course, your [Write Speed] setting may vary depending on the installed system hardware. I suggest you leave the [Number of Copies] setting at 1 until you've burned the first CD and tested it for proper operation.

Adding The Files To Be Copied

Once all the tabs in the New Compilation window shown above have been accessed and set appropriately, click the [New] button to open the main Nero application window.

• Set the [File Browser] section on the right side to display the XP folder that was created earlier 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.

• Left or right click the highlighted files and drag and drop them beneath the WXPCCP_EN heading in the ISO1 column on the far left.

If everything was done correctly you should see a window very similar to the one shown below. The first column shows that the CD will be titled WXPCCP_EN and contain the folders listed below the name. The second column shows that in addition to the folders there will also be seven other files added to the CD. The view is identical to what you'd see if you looked at the finished CD in Windows Explorer using details view.

Once everything has been completed and looks right the only thing left to do is click the Burn (it's the ninth icon from the left in the screen capture above) icon. You will be taken back to the Burn tab in the New Compilation window where you'll need to click [Burn] again to start burning the current compilation.

A progress screen similar to the one above 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/SP3 CD ROM.

Last Edited: 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.