How to create a custom startup WinPE CD-ROM in Windows XP (303891)

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Create a custom startup WinPE CD-ROM

It can take several minutes to build a custom version of WinPE. This process creates a folder structure of the WinPE files and optionally creates an image file that you can burn to a CD-ROM:

1. Create and name a folder on your hard disk named Build_location.
2. Insert the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive that is named Cd_drive.
3. Copy Cd_drive\Winpe\*.* to Build_location.
4. Copy the Factory.exe and Netcfg.exe files from the Cd_drive\Tools\Platform folder into the Build_location folder. If you are building a 32-bit version of WinPE, the value of Platform is x86. If you are building a 64-bit version of WinPE, the value of Platform is IA-64.
5. Remove the OPK CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive.
6. Use either of the following methods:
   • If you are building a 32-bit version of WinPE, insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
   • If you are building a 64-bit version of WinPE, insert the Windows XP 64-Bit Edition CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
7. Make custom changes to the WinPE files.
8. If you are building a 64-bit version of WinPE, insert a floppy disk into drive A of the computer. This disk is used for temporary storage during the build process of the 64-bit WinPE.
9. Locate the Build_location folder.
10. Run the following command:

    mkimg.cmd source_directorydestination_directory [image_name]

    The source_directory: Specifies the location of the CD-ROM for the 32-bit version of Windows XP Professional. If source_directory is a CD-ROM drive, you only have to specify the drive letter. If source_directory is a network path, the path must be to the parent folder of the \I386 folder. Do not include a trailing slash in source_directory.
    
    The destination_directory: Specifies the path where the files that you must have to create the image are temporarily stored. If this folder does not already exist, the mkimg.cmd command can create it.
    
    The image_name: Is optional. It specifies the path and file name of the ISO image file that contains the customized version of WinPE, if you are placing this version of WinPE onto a CD-ROM.
    
    For more information, see the mkimg command that is described in the Windows XP OEM Preinstallation Kit Users Guide.
    
    You can also use the Oscdimg.exe program to create an .iso file. If you create an .iso image file, you can burn this version of WinPE to a CD-ROM.

Note To configure the WinPE CD-ROM so that it starts from the CD-ROM every time, if the WinPE CD-ROM is present in the CD-ROM drive, remove the \I386\Bootfix.bin file from the WinPE folder structure before you create an .iso file.

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