This is a long one but it works really nicely:

I have used this method with great success and I want to say that I did not create it, but in checking several sources, I find that it is pretty much the standard way to Slipstream the new SP2 that is being posted all over so have fun ...... If you follow the steps to the letter, you shouldn't fail on the very first attempt or the first burn

SlipSTreaming XP SP2

Now that Service Pack 2 (SP2) has been released (RTM 2180) for Windows XP a lot of people have been updating their systems. In fact, a lot have been doing clean installations followed immediately by applying SP2 to eliminate much of the garbage that has collected over the past year of using XP. There really isn't a downside to reformatting and doing a clean install, but if there was one I suppose it could be that the installation of SP2 might be quite time consuming, especially if you do it through Windows Update. However, there is a way to reduce this time expenditure.

If you fall into the category of users that frequently reformat their systems and clean install XP from the CD then creating a slipstreamed version of XP/SP2 can be a huge time saver. You invest the time once and then on subsequent reinstalls you avoid bringing XP up to SP2 speed via Windows Update downloads and installations. You will still have to get the post SP2 updates from Windows Update, but the time saved will still be worthwhile.


There are a few essential items necessary to successfully create the slipstreamed CD. You will need:

The original Windows XP installation CD ROM (Preferably A Corporate Edition)
Note \ it doesn抰 matter if you slipstreamed a normal XP version or XP with SP1 (By MS OR Slipstreamed before) one At the end you抣l always come out with a XP\ SP2 CD ROM.
The new CD can be created from either the Home or Professional version of Windows XP. If your computer came with an OEM version of XP it can also be used.

Windows XP Service Pack 2 - It will be necessary to either download SP2 or obtain it on CD. To slipstream, you need the full SP2 which is a 265MB( RTM Version) download from forum or wait till it抯 officially on Microsoft site.

CD Creation Software - A burning program for your CD-R or CD-RW drive that allows creating bootable CD's. Unfortunately, while XP does come with the capability to burn CD's built in, the software it uses is not suitable for this task. Since the majority I know seem to be using Nero Burning Rom I've used it in the tutorial, but the instructions can be adapted to other burning software.

ISO Buster - Used to extract the boot loader image file for the Bootable CD. It's a free download (free to try ware)

Building Directories
The first step is to build a directory structure to hold the files that will be used in the CD creation process. It's a simple structure, requiring nothing more than a main folder with three sub-folders. It doesn't matter what names you use for your structure or where you locate them on your hard drive, but most users find drive C the easiest. I used the structure shown below, located on Drive 揅:\