tecknomage

Through Microsoft Help Groups I found a way to make a Windows XP with SP3 boot Setup CD

Why do you need one? There are various functions in WinXP that if you use them will ask you to mount your Setup CD, but it will ask for the
SP3 version IF you have SP3 installed.

The utility you need is nLite 1.4.7 (for personal use only, see EULA)

The site has a guide and download. WARNING - The downloads from the nLite site seemed to be corrupted, the installs did not work. Also, the online instructions are for an older version but still apply.

But I did find an alternative download site where the nLite 1.4.7 Installer DID work, from Softpedia.

nLite will not only slipstream SP3 into your original copy of WinXP, but includes the ability to tweak configuration settings so the install will look like you want it to. Just some of the tweaks are; screen resolution, classic menu & Explorer look, pre-setting your [Start] menu options, PRE-ENTERING your WinXP KEY, and (tada!) disabling the "OOBE" (Out of Body Experience) aka the Windows Tour.

nLite is very easy to use IF you are familiar with the ins-and-outs of WinXP.

What you'll need:

• WinXP installed on your system (of course)
• Your original WinXP Setup CD and Product Key
• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 installed
• A copy of SP3 update
• At least 2gb of free hard drive space (they say 1gb but that's pushing the limits). Note, the ISO file and the contents of the source folder (Setup CD contents, do not remove the folder itself) may be removed after you have your new WinXP w/SP3 CD.
• A CD-ROM CD-R drive, and you may need a DVD-R drive if the ISO file created by nLite is greater than 700mb CD limit

Make sure you read and follow the online instructions, suggest you print the pages.

NOTES:

As said before, the online instructions are for version 1 of nLite, so the screenshots will not match, but the steps are still applicable. Especially note the creation of the destination folder (where nLite will copy your Setup CD) prior to starting nLite.

IF YOU ARE SLIPSTREAMING SP3, you should SKIP the hotfix steps. SP3 rolls-up all previous WinXP updates.

The online instructions do not mention that you can add any personal addons (installers for apps/utilities) to the CD. But careful if you do NOT have a DVD writer since this may make the ISO file greater than 700mb CD limit. I added the .NET Framework 2.0 installer, Adobe Reader, and a few other utilities I wanted handy if I use my new WinXP Pro w/SP3 Setup CD. nLite 1.4.7 does have a note about when to add your own addon, just prior to making the ISO image.

The "Unattend" step in nLite is where you can tweak your new Setup, including entering your WinXP KEY, "Skip OOBE" and much more.

The very last step creates a bootable ISO image that can be written to a blank CD-R or DVD-R. nLite 1.4.7 also includes writing the ISO image for those who do not have their own CD/DVD writing utility.

I found nLite extremely easy to use, but then I am very familiar with the methodology because we use Microsoft OPK to OEM WinXP Pro SP2 where I work. OPK is very similar to nLite but for commercial use and licensed by MS.