SUMMARY
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:
MORE INFORMATION
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:
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 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
For information about the Setup boot disk versions that are
available for download, visit the following Microsoft Web sites: