Bootable Windows XP DVD

[Bob's PC Repair]

Please forgive me if this is a topic that's been looked at before. I did a search and didn't find what I was looking for. If this topic has been posted, kindly point me to it and we'll pretend this isn't here.

The multi-boot DVD is cool and the unattended Windows XP CD is pretty cool too. Here's my idea. I've got a lot of opensource/freeware/shareware applications that I've downloaded and wouldn't mind having a tutorial on how to create a Windows XP bootable DVD. This way I could include many of these applications, drivers, etc. on the DVD. They don't necessarily have to be "unattended installs" for the apps. It's just that I've found that I cannot make a bootable Windows XP DVD using the standard method.

It wouldn't need a fancy menu. It would simply boot, install Windows XP SP2 (Pro or Home) and all the "extra" space on the DVD would be reserved for a whack of useful applications that are just taking up space on my HDD.

I've had a HDD die on me recently: the drive where such applications where stored. Ouch. It hurt. But it would have been cool if those apps were on a setup DVD.

I would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Thanks.

[MCT]

look in the application installs section for switches for your programs

look in the multiboot dvd section for the other stuff

maybe consider using nlite to reduce source

[dougiefresh]

One question first: What's a "whack of applications"? Anyway.....

The best site I've found for Multi-Boot DVDs has to be FlyAKite's Web Site, particularly if you're wanting to include multiple versions of the same OS. Best site for learning how to make a unattended Windows install is MSFN's Unattended Windows Tutorial, which has a lot of information on how to do so. If you're planning on supporting a lot of computers, also look at Bashrat The Sneaky's DriverPacks, for you will need plenty of drivers. Probably also look at RyanVM's Post-SP2 Update Pack, to totally slipstream all the patches into your install source. If you want to make XP look purty too, look for XPize. Gosh's Web Site also may contain some interesting info for your project.

Software Silent Install switches: MSFN Unattended Application Switches. For software installs that won't silently install, I recommend AutoIT to script the software install.

That's what I've done with my Multi-Boot DVD. On the hard drive, it sits at approximately 13GB. On the DVD, it sits at 3.9GB. Hope this helps!