How to Make a Windows XP Startup Disk
Level of difficulty: Easy
A boot disk can be used to start the Operating System (OS) on a computer with Windows XP in the event that the platform refuses to load and run due to file corruption and damage. Some examples that may cause your Windows XP OS to not load properly would be a virus infection, boot sector damage, file corruption, missing files, or incorrect drivers. Having a boot disk handy will help your computer proceed to the Windows log-on process so you may retrieve important data or start repairing your OS (if possible).
Materials Needed:- A computer or laptop with Windows XP platform installed
- 6 floppy disks (formatted
- blank
- virus-free)
- Internet connection
- floppy disk stick-on labels
- pen
Step 1
Turn on the computer and find out the version of XP you are using by going to 'Control Panel' and choosing the 'System Menu' option.
Step 2
Open your Web browser and go to the Microsoft website (www.microsoft.com). Point the mouse over 'support' on the menu on top of the page once the site has loaded. This will expose a drop-down menu where you can click on 'Windows XP Solution Center'. Click on 'Get Windows XP setup boot disks' under 'Installation and setup'. Read and follow the instructions on the page. Go to the version you have installed on the computer and click on the corresponding link.
Step 3
You will find that only one large program file is present once the download is finished. Running this program will extract files and will prompt this message: 'This program creates the Setup boot disks for Windows XP. To create these disks, you need to provide 6 blank, formatted, high-density disks.' Then, you will be asked to specify the drive where the images will be copied. The drive is usually 'A'. Another message will appear after you’ve specified the drive letter: 'Insert one of these disks into drive letter: (your specified drive). This disk will become the Windows XP Setup Boot Disk.' Insert one of the diskettes and press any key when you are ready.
Step 4
The data copy and extraction processes begin when you press a key. Insert new disks when prompted. Make sure to label each used disk with the appropriate numbers for easy referencing later on. You have to insert the disks in its proper order in the event that you need them for startup and setup.
Step 5
You will have to run the downloaded program again if the process of copying the files to the diskettes is interrupted at any point.
Step 6
Test the Windows XP startup disk you created. Initially check the BIOS settings of your machine if it's configured to boot up by first searching for the system in the disk drive you'll use for your Windows XP startup disk. If it's not configured to do so, change the BIOS settings for it to search for the system in the said disk drive. Save the changes you made on your machine's BIOS settings then insert the Windows XP startup disk you created into the appropriate disk drive and reboot your computer. If it's not working properly, create another one but download another copy of the Windows XP startup disk again from the Microsoft website.