[Malikorx]

I have a Gateway MX6440. It came with the usual OS install disc and two Recovery CDs. I can use the OS install disc to reinstall Windows and then pop in one of the Recovery discs and let Windows automatically install what's on the disc. This restores the computer to factory default settings. I am attempting to take what's on Recovery Disc 1 and remove the trial applications off of it. I will then take the two applications on Recovery Disc 2 and place them on Disc 1. Is this possible, and if so, how would I go about doing it?

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Not really because the recovery CDs are designed to do either everything or nothing. They're a cheap and cheerful way of a worst case scenario for end users. They're not designed to be butchered in this way.

[Neil Jones]

Not really because the recovery CDs are designed to do either everything or nothing. They're a cheap and cheerful way of a worst case scenario for end users. They're not designed to be butchered in this way.

[Malikorx]

Makes sense. Is there a way I can make my own recovery CD and put my drivers on it and SP2 and possibly a few other programs? Make it somehow automatically install it all for me?

[Neil Jones]

Perfectly possible.
http://ghost.radified.com/ is an idea, others are available. What you might want to do is set up an installation, install your service pack 2 and your drivers, configure the system as you like it, then use Ghost or any other cloning program to save it to either a separate drive or a CD. So if you want to wipe the system in a few months time when it gets bogged down in the usual fashion, just clone this image back and you're as you were.

[Malikorx]

Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you so much!

Now what about this: I know you can order SP2 on a CD from Microsoft. Anyway I can make my own?

[Malikorx]

There are programs such as Bart's PE Builder which can be used to remake a Windows install CD and you can slipstream SP2 into the install. Bart's PE Builder is used to make an Ultimate Boot CD. This CD will use your currently installed OS to make an ISO image that can be put on a CD. When the ISO is burned to a CD and ran, it will replace your normal Start menu with a simplified version with links to certain programs that were installed on the computer that the ISO was created on. The certain programs include antispyware, antivirus, disgnostics, etc. I want this so that I can run it on another computer and use the programs I have off of the CD. The only problem is that I can't with my version of XP because I'm using an OEM version and that won't work. Is there a program that will do what I'm looking for but not use my current Windows install or Windows XP install CD? I do not have access to someone else's XP CD, else I'd use theirs. I want it to be able to boot into a simple Linux or Windows environment and allow me to run programs such as Ad-Aware, Registry Mechanic, diagnostics and others.

[Neil Jones]

You can slipstream on any version of Windows XP, OEM or Upgrade. You only might not be able to do it if your computer manufacturer has only supplied the i386 folder. But if you have a full OEM CD you can slipstream with it no problem.

Edited by Neil Jones, 11 May 2007 - 05:16 PM.