This is my first post on here, and I just wanted to say I came across reatogo, and was very impressed by it.

I do hope someone could possibly answer a few questions I have.

First let me explain what I am trying to attempt. I would like to create a Windows XP Pro Live cd. I am a legit owner of XP Pro and have a valid key incase it matters. Anywho If anyone on these forums is familiar with Linux at all let me try and compare some things to let you know what I'm after. I will use Ubuntu as an example since I'm familiar with its structure.

When you download Ubuntu and burn it to a disc when you boot from the cd you get a menu that allows you to select from a series of boot options.
Boot from Live Disc
Run Installed
Memtest
Boot from Hard Drive

If you choose the first option, it loads up Ubuntu (just like it would for a normal user), it then loads a default user account and you're at your desktop. The desktop looks just like a clean Ubuntu install on a HDD after a first time use. The only addition is that there is a shortcut to the installer.

I would like to do something very similar to this. I would like to create a Windows XP Pro Live disc from my cd and then make it bootable in a Full Live XP Environment. I would also like to be able to add a shortcut to the desktop so that a user could install XP if they choose to.

The motive behind this idea is because I enjoy working on new things and learning from them in the process. I think it would be cool to have a disc that I can boot into a fully working XP Environment (if need be) and then just as easily install a clean OS or perform a repair from the Live disc. I could then listen to music, or search the internet while the installer is running in the background without having to stare at a moving bar for however long.

I'm very familiar with Windows and native OS's such as Mac & Linux. I've tried several flavors of PE (UBCD, BartPE, BootPE,etc, etc), reatogo seemed to be the best because it had the most options & features to choose from while making it as user friendly as possible, but call me picky, but I just hate all the "additional" stuff added into all these iso's that is unnecessary. I understand that you may want to post a logo or something to commercialize your product, and I'm fine with that, but I just don't understand all the added stuff. I know some people find it helpful, but I tried to make the most stripped down ISO bootable and it still doesn't look like a plain XP environment.

Is there anything anyone can recommend or suggest for what I am trying to do?

I have seen some threads about making Windows XP portable & bootable through a usb drive. I'm basically trying to do the same thing, only a FULL version of XP with no modifications and instead of a usb drive I want to put it on a disc (dvd if it's greater than 700mb).

I was thinking perhaps if there was a way to somehow install XP inr eal time, however instead on installing it on a HDD, having it install on a cd. THe only issue I can come across are the registry hives and such)..

I've heard that this has been done before but I have yet to see it personally, and this could be very useful for me because I'm a technician so using this disc would be very beneficial.

I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work with your software!

You could search the forum and read up on the topic, alot of reading, and search by means of Google etc, but I doubt that you will ever get a full blown XP on cd.

Have fun.

Don't be so pessimistic.

It's possible.

Is it easy?

Is it convenient?

These are still open questions.

However, gentlemen, let me introduce to you ETBOOT:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=3890

My personal opinion is that for a technician a USB stick (with either a PE or a "Full XP") is much more:

• simple
• convenient
• portable
• updatable/modiyable on-the-fly and on-the-spot
• flexible

But of course de gustibus....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_gustibus_non_est_disputandum



jaclaz

OMG thank you sooo much. This is it. haha I have no idea how long I have been searching for something like this. I appreciate all the help, and I will let you know how my project will progress. Thanks again!

You can also try out UXP.

I'm an ubuntu user and also wanted the same sort of tool for windows so I did this project to boot from a LiveXP or install XP if necessary.

The whole procedure is straightforward and requires only a few clicks to mention where the windows XP source is found and you're ready to go.

Read the introduction post here:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=3651

Multiboot


LiveXP


Download:
http://winbuilder.net/download.php?view.24

Have fun!

Just for the record, LiveXP is NOT a "Full XP" but rather a PE.

jaclaz