• Welcome to Tux Reports: Where Penguins Fly. We hope you find the topics varied, interesting, and worthy of your time. Please become a member and join in the discussions.

How do I make a Windows Installation CD?

D

Dave

Flightless Bird
I have a computer Gateway computer that did not come with a Windows
installation CD. It has a D: Partition with a Restore to install the
computer back to the way it was when I purchased it. I came home today and
found the computer had crashed it said to run check disk. The drive did come
back up ok so far. As I write this on another computer I am running a backup
up the computer. I was told there is a way to make a Windows installation CD
from the computer so when I get a new hard drive I can format it and install
Windows. My question is HOW DO I DO THIS? Thanks for any help in advance.
 
P

Pegasus [MVP]

Flightless Bird
"Dave" <Dave@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:861E48F0-4453-4119-BA48-522A81EFEA70@microsoft.com...
> I have a computer Gateway computer that did not come with a Windows
> installation CD. It has a D: Partition with a Restore to install the
> computer back to the way it was when I purchased it. I came home today
> and
> found the computer had crashed it said to run check disk. The drive did
> come
> back up ok so far. As I write this on another computer I am running a
> backup
> up the computer. I was told there is a way to make a Windows installation
> CD
> from the computer so when I get a new hard drive I can format it and
> install
> Windows. My question is HOW DO I DO THIS? Thanks for any help in
> advance.


I do not think there is any such way. Borrow one from a friend or ask
Microsoft to send you one:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246.
 
D

David Webb

Flightless Bird
Why not try this method...obtain a recovery disc for your system. They usually
cost about $40 USD.

Here's a link where you may be able to buy a replacement:
http://www.restoredisks.com/

Gateway may even offer one for your model.

For other sources, simply do a Google search for "recovery cd"

--
Google is your friend.....


"Dave" <Dave@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:861E48F0-4453-4119-BA48-522A81EFEA70@microsoft.com...
> I have a computer Gateway computer that did not come with a Windows
> installation CD. It has a D: Partition with a Restore to install the
> computer back to the way it was when I purchased it. I came home today and
> found the computer had crashed it said to run check disk. The drive did come
> back up ok so far. As I write this on another computer I am running a backup
> up the computer. I was told there is a way to make a Windows installation CD
> from the computer so when I get a new hard drive I can format it and install
> Windows. My question is HOW DO I DO THIS? Thanks for any help in advance.
 
J

Jose

Flightless Bird
On Jun 12, 1:19 am, Dave <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I have a computer Gateway computer that did not come with a Windows
> installation CD.  It has a D: Partition with a Restore to install the
> computer back to the way it was when I purchased it.  I came home todayand
> found the computer had crashed it said to run check disk.  The drive did come
> back up ok so far.  As I write this on another computer I am running a backup
> up the computer.  I was told there is a way to make a Windows installation CD
> from the computer so when I get a new hard drive I can format it and install
> Windows.  My question is HOW DO I DO THIS?  Thanks for any help in advance.


This is typical - no genuine bootable XP media included with your
purchase - just some kind of System Recovery CD. These CDs that come
with your system are what you would use to restore your system to an
"as shipped" condition. Generally an unattractive option for a
malfunctioning system.

Ask the ask the person that told you it was possible to show you how
to do it, try it and then share that information with us all.

In some fantasy world, you contact Gateway and they will be happy to
send you one - you paid for it, right? Why didn't they include it
with your purchase?

In some other fantasy world, you would borrow a genuine XP
installation CD of the same vintage as your installation and just make
a copy. Making a copy of an XP installation CD is legal.

If your system has Service Pack 3 on it, it would be another pleasant
fantasy if the CD you borrow to copy also has SP3 on it - what a lucky
break! Usually you have to make those things yourself.

To get an XP installation CD with SP3 involves taking the older XP
installation CD, copying it all to some folder on your HDD,
"slipstreaming" SP3 into that folder and using freely available tools
to create a new (and improved) bootable XP installation CD with SP3
built in. Then you will be having it for sure and one step ahead of
your friend and in a very good position to fix future problems with
minimal hassle. If you want to do that and can round up or borrow an
XP installation CD, let us know and you will get lots of ideas. It is
a fun project.

Here is a link that describes a method involving an OEM system and SP2
that I have never tried but it looks like it might work. If you try
it and it works, let us know.

Create a bootable XP CD from a pre installed OEM OS system that has an
i386 folder.

The will allow you to slip stream the current XP Service Pack into a
copy of the current i386 folder:

http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

Depending on what Service Pack you have, you may need to adjust the
directions for Service Pack 3 and then it still may not work.

Some say it is not possible:

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/can_i_create_my_own_windows_xp_installation_cd..html

If you want to be able to have a very good chance to fix your system
for future problems (while you are pondering the creation of an XP
installation CD), you should at least have a bootable XP Recovery
Console CD available. If you do not have a hardware problem, just
about any XP affliction from Recovery Console:

You can make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD easily:

Create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is available
by following the directions in this link:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
Too late now but you should be able to use the hidden Recovery partition to
return the computer to OOBE state.

See...

Cleaning a Compromised System
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of
Windows. Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT
fix this!

HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307

After the clean install, you will have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a local network (i.e., other computers) and
before using a flash drive or SDCard that isn't brand-new or hasn't been
freshly formatted:

4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Other helpful references include:

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer
when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial and download/run the
appropriate removal tool before installing any updates, Windows Service
Packs or IE upgrades and before installing your new anti-virus application
(which will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).

Norton Removal Tool
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe

McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Also see:

Risks & Benefits of P2P file sharing
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/data/downloadfileshare/filesharing.aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2008/10/06/the-cost-of-free-software.aspx

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx

Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

Avoid Rogue Security Software!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx

If you need additional assistance, please begin a new thread in this forum:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistarepair/threads
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7repair/threads
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xprepair/threads

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002



Dave wrote:
> I have a computer Gateway computer that did not come with a Windows
> installation CD. It has a D: Partition with a Restore to install the
> computer back to the way it was when I purchased it. I came home today
> and
> found the computer had crashed it said to run check disk. The drive did
> come back up ok so far. As I write this on another computer I am running
> a
> backup up the computer. I was told there is a way to make a Windows
> installation CD from the computer so when I get a new hard drive I can
> format it and install Windows. My question is HOW DO I DO THIS? Thanks
> for any help in advance.
 
L

LVTravel

Flightless Bird
"Dave" <Dave@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:861E48F0-4453-4119-BA48-522A81EFEA70@microsoft.com...
> I have a computer Gateway computer that did not come with a Windows
> installation CD. It has a D: Partition with a Restore to install the
> computer back to the way it was when I purchased it. I came home today
> and
> found the computer had crashed it said to run check disk. The drive did
> come
> back up ok so far. As I write this on another computer I am running a
> backup
> up the computer. I was told there is a way to make a Windows installation
> CD
> from the computer so when I get a new hard drive I can format it and
> install
> Windows. My question is HOW DO I DO THIS? Thanks for any help in
> advance.


Dave, in the instructions that came with your Gateway it tells you how to
access the program to be able to create the system recovery disks. If the
hard drive crashes totally before you can get them made you will need to
contact Gateway to have them ship a set to you (at cost.)
 
J

Jose

Flightless Bird
On Jun 13, 7:04 am, undisclosed wrote:
> Hi There,
>
> A good way is to find xp professional sp3.iso on a good  torrent site,
> it should be around 589mb. Try to get sp3 as it will save  you about an
> hour or so worth of downloading and installing.
> When  that has downloaded use something like nero to burn it cd, There
> you  have your windows xp professional installation CD.
> look in you d  partition to see if you have a drivers folder. send any
> important date  over to your d partition. IF you use wireless make sure
> you have your  wireless driver in your d partition. Boot from cd
> probably press F12 at  start up to get into your boot options (not the
> same on all pcs). format  your c partition. I assume you have a key to
> use somewhere on your  machine. After its installed open device manager
> and install all your  drivers activate windows ect....
>
> Hope that helps a bit.
>
> --
> JAM_EZZ


Where is this good torrent site where I can get an xp professional
sp3.iso?
 
D

Daave

Flightless Bird
Jose wrote:
> On Jun 13, 7:04 am, undisclosed wrote:
>> Hi There,
>>
>> A good way is to find xp professional sp3.iso on a good torrent site,
>> it should be around 589mb. Try to get sp3 as it will save you about
>> an hour or so worth of downloading and installing.
>> When that has downloaded use something like nero to burn it cd, There
>> you have your windows xp professional installation CD.
>> look in you d partition to see if you have a drivers folder. send any
>> important date over to your d partition. IF you use wireless make
>> sure you have your wireless driver in your d partition. Boot from cd
>> probably press F12 at start up to get into your boot options (not the
>> same on all pcs). format your c partition. I assume you have a key to
>> use somewhere on your machine. After its installed open device
>> manager and install all your drivers activate windows ect....
>>
>> Hope that helps a bit.
>>
>> --
>> JAM_EZZ

>
> Where is this good torrent site where I can get an xp professional
> sp3.iso?


Heh.

Actually, I am sure that *somewhere* out there in the vast expanse of
the Internet, one can find an .iso of a clean, legit, original
installation CD of XP Pro at the SP3 level. It would have to be a
generic OEM version, of course because the only Retail versions that
exist are ones that have been slipstreamed (legit, original Retail
versions are only as recent as SP2).

That being said, I would never recommend that anyone obtain it this way;
there is far too great a risk to contract malware this way! (Then again,
Jose, since you like to live on the edge, this might be right up your
alley!)

FWIW, I made an .iso of my generic OEM XP Home (at SP3) installation CD
(not XP Pro) a while back (Label: GRTMHOEM_EN) for my own use. I never
uploaded this, but I'll bet others have. The hash values for it are:

MD5: db34a933ad23114be2e6a4553b61eb77
SHA1: 93683dbbb16b23d8be6c409b96c76cd903347259

So if someone has a legit installation CD that is damaged with the legit
accompanying Product Key, burning a CD from the proper, safe .iso would
actually work. A program like Hash Calc could verify the hash values.

That being said, how would anyone know that I am not trolling and trying
to get people to search for and download malware-ridden software? *I*
know I'm not, but how would others know this 100%? Oh, what a tangled
web... (no pun intended!)
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
<gag> Now pull the other one...

undisclosed wrote:
> A good way is to find xp professional sp3.iso on a good torrent site,
 
L

LVTravel

Flightless Bird
"undisclosed" wrote in message
news:58b8e4b136fdc15b4569861e4deabe37@nntp-gateway.com...
>
>
> Hi There,
>
> A good way is to find xp professional sp3.iso on a good torrent site,
> it should be around 589mb. Try to get sp3 as it will save you about an
> hour or so worth of downloading and installing.
> When that has downloaded use something like nero to burn it cd, There
> you have your windows xp professional installation CD.
> look in you d partition to see if you have a drivers folder. send any
> important date over to your d partition. IF you use wireless make sure
> you have your wireless driver in your d partition. Boot from cd
> probably press F12 at start up to get into your boot options (not the
> same on all pcs). format your c partition. I assume you have a key to
> use somewhere on your machine. After its installed open device manager
> and install all your drivers activate windows ect....
>
> Hope that helps a bit.
>
>
> --
> JAM_EZZ


Yes, Torrent. A download site that has a lot of interesting things... like
virus, Trojans and other nice malware. It is illegal to download any
version of XP, Vista or Win 7 from any site other than Microsoft's
recommended seller which is through Digital River. Any other use of a
download is just fraught with issues.
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
+1

LVTravel wrote:
>> A good way is to find xp professional sp3.iso on a good torrent site,
>> it should be around 589mb. Try to get sp3 as it will save you about an
>> hour or so worth of downloading and installing.
>> When that has downloaded use something like nero to burn it cd, There
>> you have your windows xp professional installation CD.
>> look in you d partition to see if you have a drivers folder. send any
>> important date over to your d partition. IF you use wireless make sure
>> you have your wireless driver in your d partition. Boot from cd
>> probably press F12 at start up to get into your boot options (not the
>> same on all pcs). format your c partition. I assume you have a key to
>> use somewhere on your machine. After its installed open device manager
>> and install all your drivers activate windows ect....
>>

> Yes, Torrent. A download site that has a lot of interesting things...
> like
> virus, Trojans and other nice malware. It is illegal to download any
> version of XP, Vista or Win 7 from any site other than Microsoft's
> recommended seller which is through Digital River. Any other use of a
> download is just fraught with issues.
 
L

LVTravel

Flightless Bird
"undisclosed" wrote in message
news:5193497f4d1bcd8713aa43d200f88780@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> Yer i fully understand exactly what everyone is saying about downloads
> from torrent sites but your making it sounds like there's not even one
> good copy anywhere and that is not the case but as with anything its a
> risk. Find a good copy though and your ready to go in 50 mins or less
> downloaded and burned. (i really do agree though that it has potential
> to go wrong)
> I thought i might end up changing the thread, i actually tried to word
> it so i wouldn't, guess i failed though and ill have to try harder next
> time.
> Again i really dont want to change the subject but i dont think its
> illegal to simply copy an installation cd. there is no copy protection
> on the cd itself. Many people have their key on their machine but no
> copy of windows.
> This article from microsoft teaches you how to copy windows with all
> the updates (slipstreaming they call it) 'How to slipstream hotfixes
> that replace pre-existing driver files'
> (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814847) so they clearly don't have a
> problem with it.
> Anyway I hope that Dave finds the best way to sort out his computer, if
> it isn't done already.
>
>
> --
> JAM_EZZ


I didn't say it is illegal to copy a cd I said download. A big difference.
If you read the EULA on just about any MS CD or program it says you can make
a copy for archival purposes. I also don't think MS would mind if a copy
was made and given to a person in need as long as the license isn't
transferred to use in more than one computer.

Torrent is notorious for providing hacked, malware infected software. How
does the OP know what is good from the site and what is bad? There is
absolutely no way of knowing without downloading and installing. When all
the data or plugged in backups are deleted or trashed it is too late then to
say, Oh, should not have done that (son found out the hard way, thank
goodness that he lived a town away and wasn't on my network.)

The key on the machine will require a generic OEM version of Windows or the
rebuild disk set from the manufacturer to function. It won't operate on a
retail version, especially the Pro version you said to download. You are
apparently a mind reader as the OP said nothing about XP Pro being on the
computer's sticker.
 
Top