How To Create Windows XP Boot Disk?

This article on Windows XP boot disk will guide you to make a boot disk for a Windows XP system. A boot disk will come to your help when operating system on a computer running Windows XP will not boot properly and the damage is suspected in the files that start Windows.

WHAT IS A BOOT DISK?

A boot disk is the alternative to your hard drive. Instead of hard drive, a boot disk will allow you to boot off of a diskette. This diskette can be used as a lifetime solution for your computer to fix problems, which may arise during the lifetime.

Follow the procedures in this article to fix the problems that deny your system from starting. The problems may occur due to boot sector damage, Trojans, virus, missing files, improper or damaged drivers etc. This article will help you to explain the boot process, possible problems and situations and how to make a boot disk and use it. A non-booting Server is not recommended when it is hosting hundreds of web pages for a company. It is recommended to keep this boot disk nearby in case you are in trouble and need to get a system to work efficiently in case of non-bootable situation.

For Windows XP Home Edition

The computers without a bootable CD-ROM can now able to perform a new installation of the operating system with the help of a Windows XP startup disk. It will automatically load the correct drivers to gain access to the CD-ROM drive and start a new installation of Setup.

Only Microsoft provides Windows XP Setup boot disks for download. The provision of Setup boot disks is made so that you can run Setup on computers that do not support a bootable CD-ROM. If your computer does support booting from a CD-ROM, or your CD drive is not working then network-based installation is available, it is recommended that you should use those installations methods available on Microsoft's official website.

In future the products will no longer support installation by using the Setup boot disks. Installation of future Windows operating systems must require the ability to start from the CD-ROM drive or by using PXE boot from the network.

How to use PXE boot?

For detail information regarding how to use PXE boot, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/ads/en-us/
Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/ADS/en-us/nbs_boot_policy_overview.asp

It Supports Windows 95,Windows 98,Windows 2000,Windows ME, Windows NT and Windows XP Operating Systems.

How to get Windows XP Setup boot floppy disks?

Six Windows XP Setup boot floppy disks are available. To access the CD-ROM drive and to start the Setup process you must have the files and the drivers that these disks contain.

At a time of downloading the Setup disks, the download contains a single large program file. When you run downloaded file, it extracts the files.

The following message appears:

This program creates the Setup boot disks for Microsoft Windows XP. To create these disks, you need to provide 6 blank, formatted, high-density disks.

Please specify the floppy drive to copy the images to:

You have to type the drive letter for the floppy disk drive, usually it is drive A , then you will receive the following prompt:

Insert one of these disks into drive. This disk will become the Windows XP Setup Boot Disk.Press any key when you are ready. The downloaded file starts its work to extract and copy the files. Follow this procedure until all six disks are created. Remember, this process should not be interrupted; otherwise you have to run the downloaded program file again to create all six disks.

The important thing to remember is that you must use the disks in the correct sequence during the Setup process for that you have to label each disk carefully with the number that is specified by the program. Now you have created all six disks.

Once you are ready with all six disks, insert the first disk in the floppy disk drive and restart the computer. Before doing that you must configure the computer to boot from the floppy disk drive. For that you have to modify the BIOS settings on your computer to do this.

It will start Setup process. Insert the other floppy disks according to prompts. It is recommended to use the Windows XP CD-ROM to finish the Setup process.

How to download the Setup disk program file?

For Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition download from following link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&
FamilyID=E8FE6868-6E4F-471C-B455-BD5AFEE126D8

For Microsoft Windows XP Professional download from following link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&
FamilyID=55820EDB-5039-4955-BCB7-4FED408EA73F

For Windows XP Home Edition SP1 download from following link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&
FamilyID=FBE5E4FC-695F-43E5-AF05-719F45C382A4

For Windows XP Professional SP1 download from following link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&
FamilyID=83F53BE9-28FA-40E8-8EC2-631504EF5E26

For Windows XP Home Edition SP2 download from following link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?
FamilyId=15491F07-99F7-4A2D-983D-81C2137FF464&displaylang=en

For Windows XP Professional SP2 download from following link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?
FamilyId=535D248D-5E10-49B5-B80C-0A0205368124&displaylang=en

Above steps will help you to create Windows XP Setup boot disks.

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