Make Bootable Windows XP Image (ISO) File Updated With SP3

February 10th, 2010 Tanmay

You have to install the Windows XP first and then the service pack (sp2,sp3) in your PC. It is little bit laborious to install the service pack after each re installation of Windows XP. There are some bootable Windows Xp Installation Cd which is along with the service pack 2. But Now Microsoft has released the Service pack version 3(SP3). And you have a XP installation CD. Then you have to install the XP first and then the Service pack 3 (available at www.microsoft.com).

Tip: Install any program/software on usb flash drive and  install Google chromium on usb stick.

To avoid the installation of  SP3 separately after each installation of the Windows XP, you can make your XP installation CD updated with the Service pack 3  making the bootable image(ISO) file of Windows XP updated with Service Pack 3.

Here is the complete procedure:

  • At first copy the total files from the XP installation CD and save it in a folder named XP (say) in the root drive, say ‘C’.
  • Download Service pack 3 From Microsoft.
  • Save a copy of the downloaded file in a folder named SP3 in the same location where the XP copy resides.
  • Open command prompt and go to the path C:\SP3>
  • Type the command given bellow:
servicepackfilename  /integrate:drive:XPfolder

In this example the command will look like

WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU /integrate:C:XP

After the successful execution of the command the system files and installation files  of the folder ‘XP’ is updated with the Service Pack 3. But you can not use this  XP folder to burn the installation cd. You have to make the ISO file.

How to create the image(ISO) file??

  • To create the image file we shall use a software named Bart’s BCD software. Download the software from  http://www.nu2.nu/download.php?sFile=bcd111.zip.
  • Unzip BCD to a folder. We’ll unzip it to c:bcd for this example.
  • Download wnaspi32.dll.
  • Copy it into BCD’s bin folder (in our example, to c:bcd\bin).
  • Download  Windows XP file (5 KB).
  • Unzip it into BCD’s root folder (c:bcd in our example).
  • Make sure the subfolders are also unpacked.
  • Copy the i386 folder (in our example, from C:WinXP C:XP) into one of the following folders, depending on whether it’s Windows XP Home or Professional:
  • c:bcd\cds\wxphome\files (Windows XP Home Edition)

    c:bcd\cds\wxppro\files (Windows XP Professional)

  • Copy the win51ic.SPx or win51ip. SPx file here as well . Optionally, you can also copy the following files (not needed for bootable CD installation):
  • autorun.inf
    
    readme.htm
    
    setup.exe

    xp-service-pack-3-bootable

    Now you are ready to roll.

  • Go to the c:bcd folder.
  • Type in and run one of the following commands (depending on whether it’s XP Home or XP Pro):
bcd wxphome       (For Windows XP Home edition)
or:
bcd wxppro     (For Windows XP Professional)

The process to make the ISO image will be started. The image file is generally located in the folder ‘Temp’ in ‘My Document’.

Collect the image file of Windows XP Service Pack 3 and burn it with Nero Image Burner. That’s all you have done to get rid from time consuming installation process of your Windows XP.

If you face any type of problem then feel free to share with me.

Reader Comments

  1. kartik

    i type command bcd wxppro. but when i goto tha temp folder it shows me empty.

    December 2nd, 2009 at 18:09
  2. @kartik
    If you follow every steps carefully then it should work. Don’t be in hurry and start the process from beginning and follow every steps carefully.

    December 2nd, 2009 at 18:42
  3. prakash

    Dear Sir
    i have one win xp sp3 cd that is not bootable i got from my friend
    i told him to take a image of win xp sp3 operating system cd but he has copied the all cd contents that files i burn in bland cd but that is not taking boot up can we make it a bootable ? sir please give me suggestion

    thanks

    bye………….

    December 5th, 2009 at 13:12
  4. tanmay

    @Prakash
    Yes you can. Just follow the part with heading “How to create the image(ISO) file??”.

    December 5th, 2009 at 14:04
  5. aidan

    The file: bcd.iso

    is approx 560 mega B. in size and it burns successfully to a CD.
    BUT the CD will not boot, and I can find no way to get XP to install from this CD.

    February 15th, 2010 at 00:10
  6. Shahzad Ali

    Dear sir after all these process when i want to install from the new cd which i burn the message appear
    Insert Windows XP Professioanl Cd -ROm
    Please Guide Me

    February 25th, 2010 at 20:00
  7. Tanmay

    @Shahzad Ali’
    I can’t understand what you want to say. But I suggest you to double check every steps whether they have successfully completed. Check the SP3 file which you have downloaded. It should not be damaged one. Another thing that you must check the image file before burning it in CD. You can check it by extracting the iso image file from the ‘Temp’ folder in some new folder and run the setup file. It should show the installation window. If every thing is right then burn it in the cd.

    February 25th, 2010 at 20:42
  8. Hi, very great info. Thanks a lot.

    June 25th, 2010 at 22:47
    • @pkv: You are most welcome.

      June 25th, 2010 at 23:09
  9. munaswamyk

    can we make iso file to bootable disc

    June 26th, 2010 at 13:42
  10. @Munaswamy: Yes you can. Just unpack the ISO file and write the whole into a CD.

    June 26th, 2010 at 15:08