Microsoft
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://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/ads/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/ADS/en-us/nbs_boot_policy_overview.asp
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: |