Find out what version of Windows XP you are running: Win+R then type winver and OK.
This afternoon I did something I’ve been meaning to do for ages: I ‘slipstreamed’ Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) into my Windows XP Professional installation CD.
‘Slipstreaming’ is something that Microsoft introduced with Windows 2000 that allows you to integrate the latest service packs and fixes into the main installation files. So now, the next time I want to reinstall Windows from scratch, rather than having to install Windows XP Professional SP1 first and then SP2 on top of it, overwriting a number of already-installed files and taking another 20 minutes, I just have to install using my new bootable slipstreamed CD of XP SP2.
All I needed to do this was:
- A genuine Windows XP CD-ROM
obviously!! - Windows XP Service Pack 2
either as the download from the XP SP2 website, or from the CD-ROM that was bundled with alot of PC magazines when it was first released. - ISO Buster
to extract the boot image file from the XP CD-ROM - CD burner software, such as Nero Burning ROM
to create the new, bootable installation CD-ROM
Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows has an excellent, step-by-step guide to Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2), which I followed. The whole process took me 10 minutes at most.
Next, I’ll see if I can do the same for my brother’s copy of Windows XP Home. I’m getting the hang of this PC lark!
Instead of running ‘winver’, you can just hit Windows-Pause… or at least you used to! 😉
Where’s the fun in that? Besides, that brings up the System Properties window and not About Windows.
To bring up About Windows, open any Explorer window (My Computer, Windows Explorer, My Documents, etc.) and select Help > About Windows.