Disabling the Shutdown Event Tracker

Disabling the Shutdown Event Tracker

Because Windows Server 2003 is a 'Server', the event tracker plays a crucial role so that it can keep logs on why the server was shutdown/rebooted. Since we want it to be a Workstation, we will easily attempt to disable this feature. Again, its so damn simple :-)
Group Policy Editor We will need to go into Group Policy Object Editor, go to Start -> Run -> and type gpedit.msc followed by enter. You should see the Group Policy Editor as shown on the left. Browse to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> now look in the right window pane and double click on Display Shutdown Event Tracker.

This window will now appear, simply select Disabled and then proceed to click on OK. Now close the Group Policy Object Editor window. If all goes well, you should get this when you attempt to shutdown:
Display Shutdown Event Tracker

Shut Down Windows

Now that you have IE ready for Internet browsing, and disabled the Shutdown Event Tracker, now's a good time to start downloading and installing all those drivers! After you have done so, move on to the next section - where we will accelerate our Graphics card and enable DirectX!

Slipstreaming Windows XP

Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Create Bootable CD

Slipstreaming a Service Pack, is the process to integrate the Service Pack into the installation so that with every new installation the Operating System and Service Pack are installed at the same time.

Slipstreaming is usually done on network shares on corporate systems. But with the advent of CD burners, it does actually make some sense for the home user or small business user to do the same.

Microsoft added the ability to Slipstream a Service Pack to Windows 2000 and Windows XP. It not only has the advantage that when you (re)install your OS, you don't have to apply the Service Pack later, also if you update any Windows component later, you'll be sure that you get the correct installation files if Windows needs any.

Slipstream Windows XP Service Pack 2

Download the (full) "Network Install" of the Service Pack (English version [266 MB]), and save it to a directory (folder) on your hard drive (in my case D:\XP-SP2). Other languages can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Web site.

Note: do not use spaces in the folder name!

Next copy your Windows XP CD to your hard drive. Just create a folder (I used \XP-CD), and copy all the contents of your Windows XP CD in that folder.

Next, open a Command Prompt (Start > Run > cmd), and go to the folder where you downloaded SP2 (cd \foldername). Type the command: servicepack filename /integrate:drive/path. In my example the command is WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU /integrate:D:\XP-CD.

Extract SP2 files

If you get the error:

This service pack can't be integrated error

This is caused by the fact that your Windows XP CD contains updates that will be automatically installed when you run setup. This type of CD's will usually be from larger OEM suppliers (like Dell, HP, or others).

You cannot use this type of CD to create a slipstreamed SP2 install.

First, the files will be extracted, and next they will be integrated in your Windows XP files:

Updating Windows Share

When ready, you should get a confirmation. Windows XP Service Pack 2 has now been Slipstreamed into your original Windows XP files.

Slipstream Completed


Creating a Bootable CD

For this part I used IsoBuster and Nero Burning ROM 6 (make sure you have the latest version, but at least 5.5.9.0).

After you install IsoBuster, you can choose to use only the product's free functionality for what we want to do, IsoBuster will look like the image below (you need to have your original Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM drive).

Start to extract the boot loader from the original Windows XP CD. Using IsoBuster, select the "folder" Bootable CD, and right-click Microsoft Corporation.img. From the menu choose Extract Microsoft Corporation.img, and extract it to the folder on your hard drive where you have your Windows XP files (D:\XP-CD in my case).

Extract Boot Image

Next, start Nero Burning ROM, and choose CD-ROM (Boot) in the New Compilation window. On the Boot tab, select Image file under Source of boot image data, and browse to the location of the Microsoft Corporation.img file. Also enable Expert Settings, choosing No Emulation, and changing the Number of loaded sectors to 4 (otherwise it won't boot!)

Nero Boot Settings

The ISO tab should be configured correctly as shown below:

Nero ISO Settings

If you have an older version of Nero you won't have the option Do Not Add ";1" ISO file version extention under Relax ISO Restrictions. You won't be able to boot your new CD, so update Nero!
You can configure the Label tab to your liking, I would however recommend that you keep the Volume Label the same as on your original Windows XP CD. Here are some (English) Labels:

* Windows XP Professional: WXPCCP_EN
* Windows XP Home: WXHCCP_EN
* Windows XP Professional OEM: WXPOEM_EN
* Windows XP Home OEM: WXHOEM_EN

Nero Label Settings

Next press New, and from the File Browser window, select the files and folders from your slipstreamed location (in my case D:\XP-CD). Now drag & drop the selected files in the ISO1 window.

Copy Files

Next, burn your new CD.

Burn

You now have a Bootable, Slipstreamed Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD!