81. How Do I Create A Slipstream CD Of Windows XP And Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Slipstreaming a CD basically means incorporating the current updates into the original CD. Let us assume that you want to, say, reinstall Windows XP. Currently the procedure would be to first install Windows XP and then update with Windows XP Service Pack 2. This can be time consuming because you are, in effect, having to do two installs.

By creating a slipstream CD you are taking your Windows XP CD and 'adding' the contents of the Service Pack to create a new CD which contains both the original operating system and all the current updates of the new service pack. Because the slipstreaming is actually done on your pc's hard drive first the contents of the Windows XP CD are updated with the current service pack so the actually CD size is not different to your original CD.

The older files are simply removed and updated with the new ones. After this has been done and ISO file is created which can be 'burnt' to a new CD and used to install the operating system and service pack together. It is a lot simpler and quicker this way.

Before you start you do need a few things:

Your Windows XP CD (full version).
A copy of the Service Pack (this has to be copied to your hard drive).
A copy of the 'freeware' software called AutoStreamer (available from Softpedia.com ).

Now proceed as follows:

Download a copy of AutoStreamer and unzip it to a folder.
Create a folder for the service pack to be copied to.
Copy the service pack to the folder you have just created.
Launch AutoStreamer by clicking on the AutoStreamer Icon.
The option 'I want to use my original windows cd' is enabled by default.
Click the Next button.
The next screen contains the following options:

1. Windows CD Drive

2. Service Pack File

3. Temporary File

Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD ROM and then click on the Magnifying glass to the right of the Windows CD Drive option.
AutoStreamer will now search for your Windows XP CD and will insert the location in the Windows CD Drive dialog box.
Next Click on the magnifying glass to the right of the Service pack File option.
You can now need to locate the folder where you copies the Windows Service Pack files too.
Once you have located the service pack files click on the XPSP2 setup icon.
The location of the XPSP2 file will now be inserted into the Service pack File dialog box.
The Temporary File dialog box should already contain a file location. This is usually C:\$AutoStreamer$
Now click the Finish button.
Another window will now appear with the following options:

1. Desired label

2. Target ISO File

In the Desired label dialog box type in a suitable name, i.e., XP SlipStream.
Next either enter the path of the folder where you want to copy the target ISO file to, i.e., C:\xpstreamed.iso or, alternatively, click on the magnifying glass on the right of the dialog box and browse for a suitable folder to copy the ISO file to.
Once both these dialog boxes have been completed correctly two green 'ticks' will appear on the left of the option boxes.
Now click the Finish button.
AutoStreamer will now proceed to create the ISO file.
Once the file has been completed (usually 15 to 20 minutes) click Exit to exit AutoStreamer.
Finally burn the resulting file to CD using either Nero or Roxio CD burning software. If you use the Windows XP built in cd burner you may have to use an application such as ISO Buster (www.isobuster.com) to convert the file before the files can be burnt to cd.
The slipstreamed cd is now ready for use.