Its always a really painful job reinstalling your Windows XP and the bad part doesn’t end on simply installing the Windows XP but then later setting up your PC to your earlier configuration plus the drivers installation for all your hardware is a real pain.

So, for all of you guys having this problem, i discovered an awesome tool to easily fix your Windows and get your PC back on running like you were when your PC crashed.

You will just need your Windows XP CD, a blank disc and a free software to setup your custom CD with the latest Service Pack 3. Also you might not get the Service Pack 3 on the windows update as microsoft has not yet distributed it but it is on the microsoft servers and you can get it here.

For this custom Windows XP installation CD, you need the nLite through which you can setup your desktop, user accounts, drivers, and applications you want to use when your installation is done. And also, you can trim down the disk usage by unchecking the unwanted applications that comes with the installation. It really helps speeding up your PC.

Now, to begin with, you need the Windows XP installation disc. Try getting the latest version possible. nLite (and .NET 2.0). Copy of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP (32-bit), a blank CD or DVD, WinUpdatesList, and a working computer, of course, with 1GB free hard drive.

Now lets get on with setting up your custom installation disc. Once you are done installing nLite, and put in your Windows XP disc into your disc drive. Also, get that product key. Launch nLite and click the next screen, “Locating the Windows installation.” Before you do anything beyond this point, create a new folder in your root hard drive, where your windows is install, usually “C:” (if possible), then click “Browse” and select your CD drive and then you will be prompt to copy the CD to a folder and select the folder you created earlier and let the copy finish.

Once the copying is complete, nLite will prompt you to customize your installation disc. Yes my readers, the best part begins here. If you only want the installation disc to install a the latest updated windows XP, then you can only click the Service Pack button, but if you want the drivers, your applications to install automatically when you install the Windows XP then you can select multiple options and click “Next”.

Now, nLite will ask you to integrate packages into the installer. If you have downloaded the latest Service Pack 3, you can easily integrate it by hitting the Choose button and select the Service Pack 3 executable file. Once you see the version change, click “Next”.

“Hotfixes and Update Packs” tells you all the updates between service packs, if you have included Service Pack 3, then you can skip this part, if you have not included it, I would recommend running WinUpdateList and get the link to the updates you want and click “Next”.

Now, you will see a screen for drivers. If you know where the .inf files are for your hardware you can easily use them here but I would recommend not doing it here. Strangely, a small .inf file increases 200mb to your custom installation disc. If you are using a DVD, then you can do it but if you are using a blank CD, I would suggest simple copying the drivers.

You are almost done now; the “Compatibility Window” can be left checked if you don’t know much about it. The “Remove Component” section is my favorite part of this installation disc, here I can uncheck all the unwanted applications that comes with the default Windows XP installation especially, Briefcase from Accessories, MSN Explorer and Windows Messenger, or any other you don’t wish to use in the future.

Next is the “Unattended” section, here can select on the installation will behave when you put it to installation, if you want to set and forget the Windows XP installation, then you can change to “Fully automated” and then check every tab of which you want to be prompted during the installation. You can also fill in your Product Key here, also the User names, Owner and Network ID, your regional settings. Once you are done, hit Next.

You can leave the “Options” alone, you don’t wonna do much in there, and move on to “Tweaks”. Here you can setup your desktop on how you want your desktop to be when you make an installation from this CD. There are many other options to look into. And and… you don’t have to worry, you can easily modify them later if you want to.

Click “Next”, then “Yes” to start the bundling process. It will usually take 7 to 10 min depending on your computer speed and once it is done, you can later burn them to an ISO file. Before you begin burning it, copy the drivers or any files you want to keep in the files. Now, hit “Make ISO”, choose the location of the image and simply burn it to the CD or DVD, using any software like ISO Recorder.

And you are done… For the next time your PC crashes, you don’t have to worry about setting up your PC from scratch; you can easily use this custom disc for the installation to find your PC as good as your previous installation.
If you are finding any problems with your CD, leave a comment, id love to help. Cheers.

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