How to Make a Start-Up CD Using Windows XP
Windows XP is one of the most popular iterations of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Microsoft Windows is one of the most widely-used operating systems with an average market share of 90 percent. Most major computer manufacturers and distributors (such as Dell and Lenovo/IBM) included a copy of Windows XP on computers they sold through 2008. It is essential to have a start-up CD in order to boot up your computer when the original Windows XP operating system installation experiences problems that prevent proper start-up.
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Instructions
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1
Create a backup of important personal files on the computer hard drive. Data backups are essential before attempting to reinstall an operating system or boot a computer using start-up CDs. Having a backup of your hard drive can also save you considerable amounts of time if the operating system crashes and you lose the original data copies. You may use blank CDs/DVDs, an external hard drive, or an online backup service such as Mozy.com.
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2
Download the Microsoft Windows XP Setup disk program from the Microsoft software support website (link in the Resources section). There is one version each for Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional. Choose the Windows XP Setup disk program that correlates with your PC's installed version of Windows XP. The program file is large. Depending on your Internet connection, the download process may take several hours.
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Double-click the file you downloaded in step 2 to launch the Windows XP Setup program for the first time. The program will automatically begin to extract all critical files required to make a start-up CD. Do not close the dialog box until the extraction process is complete.
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Enter the drive letter for the disk drive you wish to use to create the start-up disks.
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Insert the first of the six blank disks into your computer.
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Press any key on your computer keyboard to begin writing the start-up files to the blank disk. The Windows XP Setup disk program will automatically begin extracting and copying the operating system's important files to the disk. Follow the prompts in the dialog box as it asks you to insert new disks once the first disk is full. Repeat this process until all six disks have been used. Do not pause or close the program while it is creating the start-up disks.
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Label each disk in the order in which it was created. You will need to re-insert them in the correct order if using them to start up Windows XP.
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Store the start-up disks in a cool, dark area away from direct sunlight. If your PC crashes and requires a start-up disk to boot into Windows XP, insert the first disk to begin the start-up process.
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Tips & Warnings
Backup your computer proactively to ensure you have a backup of important files when your PC crashes.
