This article is Part 1 of the "Combining Windows XP with Service Pack 2 for reinstallation" guide. Part 1 introduces the series.

Note To view the other topics of the "Combining Windows XP with Service Pack 2 for reinstallation" guide, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that are listed in the "References" section.

The "Combining Windows XP with Service Pack 2 for reinstallation" guide includes the following topics:

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Copying the Windows CD to the hard disk

Part 3: Integrating Service Pack 2 in the Setup files

Part 4: Reading the boot image file

Note Integrating a service pack is supported only in Windows XP Home Edition and in Windows XP Professional Edition. Integrating a service pack is not supported in Windows Media Center Edition.

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Part 1: Introduction

Reinstalling Windows XP is time-consuming, especially when you have to update your computer by using Windows Update. However, there is a simpler procedure that you can use. In just a few steps, you can combine Windows XP and Service Pack 2 (SP2) so that you can burn them on a single repair disc. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to do this. You will need:

•	The original Windows XP disc.
•	The complete Service Pack 2.
•	A tool that you can use to read the boot image file.
•	CD-writing software that you can use to create bootable CDs, a CD writer, and blank CD.

The Original Windows XP disc

You can create a Windows XP Home Edition Setup CD that is integrated with Service Pack 2, and you can create a Windows XP Professional Edition Setup CD that is integrated with Service Pack 2. In both cases, you must have an original Windows CD. This CD may also contain Service Pack 1. Recovery CDs, such as the ones that are included with portable computers, do not always work. You can only determine whether they work through trial and error.

The complete Service Pack 2

Besides the Windows CD, you will also need the complete Service Pack 2. To download the complete Service Pack 2, visit the following Web site, click Download and then save the WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe file to your computer:

Note The file is approximately 265 megabytes (MB). We recommend that you download this file by using a fast Internet connection.

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You can also order Service Pack 2 on CD. To do this, visit the following Web site:Select your country and region, click Order Now, and then type your customer information. The CD will be sent to your postal address.

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A tool that you can use to read the boot image file

To create a bootable CD, you must have a boot image file. You can use a special tool to read the boot sector on your Windows CD. In this guide, we used Bart's Boot Image Extractor (BBIE) as an example. You can download this program from the Internet free of charge.

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CD-writing software that you can use to create bootable CDs, a CD writer, and blank CD

You can then use a CD writer, CD-writing software, and a blank CD to create a Windows XP repair CD that includes Service Pack 2.

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For more information about this topic, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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