geeklog- ultimate geek knowledge: How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks?

Microsoft Windows XP Setup boot disks are available only by download from Microsoft. The Setup boot disks are available so that you can run the Setup program on computers that cannot use a bootable CD-ROM.

If your computer does support booting from a CD-ROM, or if network-based installation is available, Microsoft recommends that you use those installations methods instead.

Future products will no longer support installation by using the Setup boot disks. Installation of future Microsoft operating systems will require the ability to start from the CD-ROM drive or by using PXE boot from the network. For more information about how to use PXE boot, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/a6e23f3c-c982-49b4-940d-bd0fd54cd4201033.mspx?mfr=true

There are six Windows XP Setup boot floppy disks. You must have the files and the drivers that these disks contain to access the CD-ROM drive and to start the Setup process.

Create the Setup disks

When you download the Setup disks, the download contains only one large program file. When you run the downloaded file, it extracts the files. You receive the following prompt:

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:

Type the drive letter for the floppy disk drive (this is typically drive A). After you type the floppy disk drive letter, you receive the following prompt:

Insert one of these disks into drive drive letter:. This disk will become the Windows XP Setup Boot Disk.

Press any key when you are ready.

When you press a key, the downloaded file starts to extract and copy the files. Continue to insert the blank disks as you are prompted to do so until all six disks are created. If the process is interrupted, you must run the downloaded program file again to create all six disks.

Make sure to label each disk appropriately with the number that is specified by the program. You must use the disks in the correct order during the Setup process.

Use the Setup disks

After you create all six disks, insert the first disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer. The computer must be configured to boot from the floppy disk drive. You may have to modify the BIOS settings on your computer to do this.

The Setup process starts. Insert the other floppy disks as you are prompted to do so. You must use the Windows XP CD-ROM to finish the Setup process.

Download the Setup disk program file

Windows XP original release

For information about the Setup boot disk versions that are available for download, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=E8FE6868-6E4F-471C-B455-BD5AFEE126D8
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=55820EDB-5039-4955-BCB7-4FED408EA73F

Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Note Windows XP CD-ROMs that include SP1 have the text "Includes Service Pack 1" on the CD-ROM.

For information about the Setup boot disk versions that are available for download, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

Windows XP Home Edition SP1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=FBE5E4FC-695F-43E5-AF05-719F45C382A4

Windows XP Professional SP1

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