I have just come across the Install XP from USB forum here on MSFN. It is well worth considering as an option to this topic.

Edited September 11, 200817 yr by Andreas T

Thanks, this is starting to look interesting but I'm not following some things such as...

a ) Why do you need to create a multiboot CD when it sounds like you boot from some other sort of boot CD in the first place?

b ) What is this boot CD of yours running, some sort of DOS-derivative or what?

Is this directed towards me? If so,

a ) I don't create a multiboot CD. I am only creating the source that contains all hotfixes (slipstreamed), so that I do not have to go to Windows Update on each machine that I build.

b ) I created a WINPE (Windoes Pre-Installation Environment) based CD that launches a script that sets up the parameters I would need during setup (such as comp name, OS [xp, tablet, 2003]), copies source files and any additional files I want on each system, then performs setup from network/local source.

Edited September 22, 200817 yr by NtegrA

If you boot your PC using a WinPE CD, and then format the target drive as a system drive using "format c: /s", are you then able to boot your PC on that drive to a command prompt?

If so, can't you just format the drive from WinPE using format c: /s, then copy the i386 folder, reboot from the target drive, and at the command prompt just do a \i386\winnt.exe?