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How to Create a Bootable Windows XP CD/DVD or USB Key

There are many possible reasons as to why someone would go looking for a tutorial on How to create a Bootable windows XP. To start with, it maybe because you just bought your PC/Laptop off the shelf and it didn’t come with a Setup CD or that your PC is choking on every function. There is also a chance that your PC has built up mess over the years and that inturn has slowed your PC. Whatever the reason is, we are here to help.

In this post we will be guiding you with a Step-by-Step tutorial on How to create a Bootable Windows XP CD/DVD or  USB Key.

Creating a Bootable Windows XP CD/DVD from Hard Disk

The instructions listed in this section will be dealing with creation of a Bootable Windows XP for off the shelf PC’s that did not come Bundled with a Setup CD.

Requirements

It is also recommended to backup your whole System in case there is any technical glitch. This can be achieved by using your default Recovery Disk or alternatively you can use  Free Hard Disk Backup and Restore, Hard Disk Image and Cloning Utilities for the same purpose.

Creating the Bootable Windows XP CD/DVD

Step 1: Create a temporary working folder in root of Drive (C:\) named XPSETUP 

Step 2: Copy not  move C:\I386 to C:\XPSETUP which will give you C:\XPSETUP\I386.

Step 3: Create an  ASCII text file with absolutely the word and case  “Windows ” without quotes but with an extra space at the end. You can do so using Notepad. Type the word “Windows” without the quotes then type one additional space. Finally, hit the ENTER key. Do not add anything else to this file.

Step 4: Save the file with the filename “WIN51” with the quotes in C:\XPSETUP.

Step 5: If your PC or laptop originally came with XP Home, make a copy of the file you just created and call it “WIN51IC”. If you are using XP Home Service Pack 1 (SP 1), make two copies of the file and call them “WIN51IC” and “WIN51IC.SP1”. If you are using XP Home Service Pack 2 (SP 2), make three copies of the file and call them “WIN51IC”, “WIN51IC.SP1” and “WIN51IC.SP2”. All the copies of the files should be in C:\XPSETUP.

Step 5: Now, that everything is in place open the wxp10.zip you downloaded in the requirements section. Once the zip file is open, go into the cds directory and into wxphome directory, followed by the files directory. Drag the “w2ksect.bin” file exactly into C:\ (the root directory/folder of drive C:).

Burning The Bootable Windows Install CD/DVD

Assuming that you downloaded the correct version of ImgBurn(2.3.2.0 or > V2.4.0.0) or you are well acquainted with other Burning Software you can begin the final process as:

Step 6: Copy all the Code below and paste it in Notepad, save it as “” including quotes on Desktop or anywhere you can find it.

Code:

IBB

[START_BACKUP_OPTIONS]
BuildMode=1
Destination=0
TestMode=0
Verify=1
WriteSpeed=0
Copies=0
FileSystem=1
PreserveFullPathnames=0
RecurseSubdirectories=1
IncludeHiddenFiles=1
IncludeSystemFiles=1
IncludeArchiveFilesOnly=0
AddToWriteQueueWhenDone=0
ClearArchiveAttribute=0
VolumeLabel_ISO9660=VRMHOEM_EN
VolumeLabel_Joliet=
VolumeLabel_UDF=
Identifier_System=
Identifier_VolumeSet=
Identifier_Publisher=
Identifier_Preparer=
Identifier_Application=
Dates_FolderFileType=0
Restrictions_ISO9660_InterchangeLevel=0
Restrictions_ISO9660_AllowMoreThan8DirectoryLevels=1
Restrictions_ISO9660_AllowMoreThan255CharactersInPath=1
Restrictions_ISO9660_AllowFilesWithoutExtensions=1
Restrictions_ISO9660_AllowFullASCIICharacterSet=1
Restrictions_ISO9660_DontAddVersionNumberToFiles=1
Restrictions_Joliet_InterchangeLevel=1
Restrictions_Joliet_AllowFilesWithoutExtensions=1
Restrictions_Joliet_AddVersionNumberToFiles=0
BootableDisc_MakeImageBootable=1
BootableDisc_MediaEmulationType=0
BootableDisc_BootImageFile=C:\w2ksect.bin
BootableDisc_DeveloperIdentifier=
BootableDisc_LoadSegment=07C0
BootableDisc_LoadSectorCount=4
[END_BACKUP_OPTIONS]

[START_BACKUP_LIST]
C:\XPSETUP
[END_BACKUP_LIST]

Step 7: Run ImgBurn, Select Mode>> Build from the menu.

Step 8:  Navigate to Select File> Load Project from the menu. From the dialog box that Pops up>Select the XPSETUP.ibb file you saved earlier and click “Open”.

Step 9: Click the “Labels” tab on the right side of the screen. Change the label in the ISO9660 field to one of the following, depending on what type of Bootable setup CD you’re making.

Step 10: Click on Write Button which should be near the lower  right corner and should pop up as an Alt Tag saying Write when you hover cursor over it.

Step 11: A pop up saying something like “You’ve only selected 1 folder! C:\XPSETUP. Does the ‘XPSETUP’ folder represent the root directory for the image content? (Otherwise the ‘XPSETUP’ folder will be visible in the root directory of the image.)” Click “Yes” to this.

Step 12: If you get an error message  regarding “c:\w2ksect.bin” that means you have messed with the code. You can Go Back and fix the issue.

If everything goes fine, after the Burn has completed your Windows setup disk will be created. To use it, make sure your BIOS is set to boot first from your CD drive, and reboot, this can be reached by pressing F11 or F8 for most PC’s right when your PC has started to boot. Then place the CD into the CD drive and if all goes well, the Windows installer starts up and you’re on the way to re-installing your system.

How to Create a Bootable Windows XP USB Key

The method that we are going to list next is for PC users without a working CD/DVD writer or Notebook owners that often do not come with a CD writer. This method can be used for almost all versions and editions of Windows OS.

Requirements

Creating the USB Key

Step 1: Download and Install WinSetupFromUSB

 Step 2: Insert the official Windows XP disk into CD ROM Drive and click Browse.

Step 3: Select the CD ROM as source on the Software menu and enter destination path on the PC.

Step 4: Insert the USB Key, Hit refresh and then select it as the final destination using small arrow located just to the left of the Window.

Step 5:  Select Fixed, then Click on GO and wait for the process to complete.

Installing Windows XP using Bootable USB Key

Step 6: Insert the USB Key into the port of computer you want to install Windows XP on.

Step 7: Most of the PC’s recognize F11 or F8 as a function to enter into  BIOS just when the boot has started. Once you are in it, choose Boot from the USB key, save changes and Exit.

Step 8: After the restart you will see two options in GRUB menu. Select the first one that says boot from USB to start installation

Step 9: Follow instructions till installation is complete.

Step 10: Install/update the required Drivers.

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