Xp HE .ISO Information

[bludgard]

I have 11 .ISO files that are for Xp service pack three.Each .rar file is 48 MB.I have them extracted to .ISO files-each 564 MB (6.06 GB!-Windows 7 is a tad over 3 GB;so the math doesn't add up).Do I somehow merge these into a single .ISO?If so,any direction for instruction?

I have run VirtualBox by using the first .ISO file as the source OS.Seemed to run fine.Haven't actually tried to do a whole lot with it yet though.

I've only had a passing association with Xp so am not up to par,obviously.But will soon be on a crash course as I will have some Xp machines that have licensed Windows running on them.I'd like to keep that intact.

What I am trying to do is create a disk for install/repair in anticipation of file corruption.And mainly to broaden my scope on obsolete software.

I like Xp.Boots fast as hell and low resource overhead.

I enclose a couple of screen shots but doubt they offer much.Apologies for the quality.

Thanks.

PS.I obtained these files from a reputable source.I just haven't heard back from them and I am impatient.I also got an .ISO from MS.I tried it on VB and returned unbootable.I'll get that one sorted.

[MANEMAN]

Yo my man bludgard. :)

Looking quickly at your photo, it would be usual practice to unzip/unrar the last file (#11) - this should start to automatically extract all of the previous from #1 onwards into a folder which should then contain a single ISO which can then be burnt to a CD. If it is not doing this, suspect file corruption either in download, or by the guy who split the original file in the first place.

Windows XP although not as good as Windows 7 in our modern age, is a rugged, tough little bugger amongst the Windows operating systems. (Think Marines. - Think Yeti :) )

When Microsoft stop support, that is only going to mean, - No security updates. No real problem for the home user with good AV etc installed. Could be a problem for industry if they continue using it past the support date.

Plenty of use left in XP yet awhile.

To check your Virtual Box out (Hope you've got the latest #4) Try a Linux Distro in it. PUPPY is good and easy for starters and checking VB out. (130Mb download - yeah I know you've got a slow connection :( Just download when you sleep for Chrise sake. :) )

Keep us updated.

John.

[MANEMAN]

I was being smartass and ahead of myself again, forgetting the full instructions.

Here ya go ! HOW TO INSTALL PUPPY LINUX IN VIRTUAL BOX

[bludgard]

'Peciate ya,MANEMAN.

You'd be please to know that I am running the latest version of VirtualBox 4.0 on Windows 7 and VB OS on Ubuntu 10.10.No problems there.I actually prefer the Ubuntu 10.10 X86 host/Windows 7 X64 Ultimate guest setup.Trying to run Microsoft VM on the Ultimate VM.Haven't quite got it yet-yet.

Anyway,I extracted .rar 11 as you advised.I do not know that it is any different than extracting the 2nd,or 8th for that matter.It all seems the same and bootable via VirtualBox.

I tried booting the XP .ISO from USB Multi-Disk and get the error:INF file txtsetup.sif is corrupt or missing,Source code 18.Not exact,but searchable.

I had to run out and grab some writeable disks to test a slow burn on CD/DVD ROM.I mean if it is bootable to VB,I would assume it to be bootable to a "real" machine.

It's the Wife's birthday so things are running a little slow right now.

I'm fixin' to start fiddlin'.I'll keep us updated.;)

One

[MANEMAN]

Happy boithday to the wife. :flowers:

She's a lucky woman to have you.

Bludgard Said: It all seems the same and bootable via VirtualBox.

(Who trained you in the art of explaining stuff, - George Bush ?)

(1) - So. You've unzipped the files which I suspect are the XP operating system ? - Am I right or wrong ?

(2) - Burnt the resultant ISO to a disk, now you have a bootable XP system which works well in Virtual Box. - Am I Right or Wrong ?

(3) - The main object, at the end of this little project is to have an XP install Disk that is useable. - Right or wrong ?

This is a multiple choice test question which we hope that you do not find too difficult. Each question has a number against it. Against that number you merely answer "Right" or "Wrong".

Chimpanzees have been trained to answer multiple choice test questions.

However, - If you have difficulty answering these questions our technical representative Mr. Shandra Patel will communicate by telephone and run you through a quick psychological test originally set up for primates.

Now, dont start to p... me off like some of the other posters bludgard.

I've just got over the flu and I'm not ready to be p..... off just yet-yet. :lol:

Group hug.

John.

[bludgard]

I'll try to answer the questions posed in an orderly fashion. (For it is Tuesday....;) )

1) You are correct>Files are unzipped/extracted to .ISO.All eleven of them apparently equaling the same PX OS.I can boot each individually via VirtualBox but get errors when trying to boot the media from BIOS.

USB MultiCard;INF file txtsetup.sif is corrupt or missing,Source code 18.Not exact,but searchable.

CD/DVD ROM;STOP:0X0000007B (0XF78D2524,0XC0000034,0X00000000,0X00000000)

__something about running chkdsk,and something about possible hardware fault(s),could be a virus,run a scan,blah,blah....Which I did.Searched the error very lightly and found something else about BIOS changing RAIDAUTO/AHCI to RAIDAUTO/ATA.I looked and only saw option to change SATA from AHCI to IDE.What the hell,I tried it.Nothing.Changed it back and ran the suggested operations.

I've trashed it all save one .ISO.I can at least learn Xp on VirtualBox.I don't know what the main hangup is but I'll keep at it.

2)No.I have only run Xp via VB with a disk image file for controller.(Image below). I'll try to boot the disc I just burned in VB.Haven't tried it yet.

3)Yes.I want reliable Xp install media so as to install/repair/learn Xp.Since I forsee a mass migration sometime in the future,I'd like to know from whence it cometh.Maybe I can finally be of use to someone.If Xp lives forever,then the knowledge gained will not be in vain.Win/Win.

And finally-for now-I would not be gnashing my teeth at this stiff-necked,rebellious,incorrigible babylonia if I wished to communicate with someone who acts like I needed to learn grammar.For the price people pay,they should be able to interact with others of the same linguistics-or something remotely resembling said such.

Thanks for your time.I shall press on....

I do hope ones dander is no raised for answering "yes" for "right",and "no" for "wrong".

I'll probably be up most of the night.It's 10:26p.I'll ingest my meds and perhaps contact Mr. Shandra Patel....

One

[bludgard]

Happy boithday to the wife. :flowers:

Wife says aaaaaawwwwwww.Thank you.

Damndest thing.The .ISO image disk booted fine in VirtualBox.So does the .ISO image file.Whenever I boot either from BIOS,they ultimately fail.The disk image loads drivers and gets as far as starting installation and then the above error interferes.

I'm going to try to download this again from MS.Last time I used a download manager.I'll use the default and see if anything improves.

Haven't quite worked up the nerve to bother Mr. Shandra Patel.I'm sure he's waiting.

[bludgard]

I have this gut feeling that Windows 7 will not let XP through setup.I also suspect that I do in fact have the proper image.I just need an XP machine to test it on (or a zeroed out hard drive).Tomarrow.It runs fine on VBox and passes all MD5 checksum verified by ultraISO.

By the way,MANEMAN,this would be the file created by extracting .rar11.Furthermore the .ISO that I downloaded from MS is standalone upgrading for SP1 and/or SP2 to SP3.

I'll let you know how I get on.I gotta say goodnight.

Always,Bro.

Peace on Earth...

And Justice.:lol:

One

[MANEMAN]

I do hope ones dander is not raised

One's dander has not been raised since having the flu. (Not even upon awakening ! :P )

Sounds as though you are doing pretty good Cap'n Bludgard. :)

I have offered a little help by means of a PM to you. It would be nice though to keep the main story rollin' out here on the board so that anyone trying to pick up tips about computing can learn by the experiences you suffer.

The "Tourettes" kicks in pretty bad on Tuesdays ! :lol:

God bless you, and all who sail with you Cap'n Bludgard.

(Johnny Depp to play main character in the film adaptation.)

John.

[bludgard]

I love XP.Simple,quick and uncomplicated to put a few lables on it.Haven't had a machine to test it on yey-yeti.

I not too long ago imaged my hard drive with Clonezilla-to image all partitions and their various file systems.If the image actually works I'll put a link in for it.I'm fixing to try it for I am impatient and am fixin' to try a clean install of XP on my own machine.

I shall try to decrypt the message before nuking my rig.Always a pleasure to hear from you.We missed you on Christmas....

Speaking of Johnny Depp;did you see the movie Dead Man (music by Neil Young)?Great Stuff. After being referred to as William Blake,Ol' John replies/self reflects-"My gun is my pen,blood is my ink"(paraphrase).

I gotta install IE8 on this VM.Juust got done with the download.Java and Adobe installed fine.Everything works perfectly save updates.It is not activated-at least Windows 7 will allow updates during the trial period-and I get a message that my OS (XP) is no longer supported.And it is also a virtual OS.So I have to try an install.:lol:

I'll be back.

One

edit:I have a shield in sys tray telling me that updares are at 12%. WTFH?

[MANEMAN]

I get a message that my OS (XP) is no longer supported

I think you will find this is so because, either you are running a copy without any Service Packs, or the SP installed is no longer supported. Work your way up to SP3 and you will find it is still supported.

(I think you already know this because you have downloaded an ISO from Microsoft to enable SP upgrades.)

I dont want to confuse you too much at this stage, but when you are fully updated with the latest Service Packs you should at some stage try to end up with a final XP install Disk that is fully integrated (Slipstreamed) with SP3. This makes install a lot faster in the future.

NLITE Makes this very easy to do. You can end up with an install disk that you have to fill no on-screen details at all. (An unattended install) - nLite is user friendly and very easy to understand.

Once again I am writing this not only for you, but hopefully for forum readers trying to play "Catch-Up" with their computer skills. If I weave in a few things that are fairly obvious, it is not because I am talking down to you Cap'n, - just for the general understanding of everyone. :D

We missed you on Christmas....

You didn't send the airplane tickets like I asked.

John.

EDIT: P.S Did you get the PM (Personal Message) that I sent ?

[bludgard]

EDIT: P.S Did you get the PM (Personal Message) that I sent ?

Yes,sir.I am working on that as well.

If this XP is not supported,would I be getting torrents o' updates?Pic of a few of the updates below.

I'll have to ponder upon the rest of your post and may stop by in a few to hash this out.:0

[MANEMAN]

would I be getting torrents o' updates?

I dunno. I'm only here for the giggles. :P

Right click on the "My Computer" icon and choose "Properties"That will bring up this: (See Photo)

At "System:" You will see exactly what operating system, and which if any Service Packs you have installed.

I haven't run updates on anything other than SP3 for years so I dont know what Microsoft have now decided to update or not.

See ya later down the road.

John.

[bludgard]

See ya later down the road.

John.

Yeah.I got that.Update count was at 85 last time I checked.I suppose I have a keeper.B)

I got the 2GB account.I will browse in a bit to see what type of sorcerous concoctions you have brewed.

Wife wants to play her games for a while.I'll do much research tonight.Either there is not enough time in the day to fiddle,or I need a banjo for when the fiddle is down (for whatever reason).I'd like a complete symphony.However....

One

[bludgard]

Had to delete some images to upload.

Sorry for deleting most recent.:(

[bludgard]

Good news and bad news.

Bad News:

I wiped my hard drive.Created a 10GB primary partition.Marked it as active.Formatted to fat32.Assigned the partition a mount point.Booted from XP .ISO.Install went to the Starting Windows and I get the error with technical detail " STOP:0X0000007B (0XF78D2524,0XC0000034,0X00000000,0X00000000)"

I must be doing something wrong.I just don't understand how the install process can be so different.Either I have a bum .ISO image or I can't get a grip on configuring the interface in BIOS.

Good News:

Clonezilla worked great for re imaging the hard drive.As far as I can tell Windows and Ubuntu both operate perfectly well.I was a little worried about this as this was my first attempt at imaging other than Windows file systems.And imaging a dual booting HDD as well.I do however have some WindowsImageBackups to fall back on but they won't support the Ext4 file system that Ubuntu 10.10 uses by default.So no support,no access to Linux=reinstall.

Clonezilla is a little more difficult to navigate than Windows Backup & Recovery.I guess the more complex the creation,the more complex the maintenance.

OS reliable disk/partition image/cloning backup software that supports most file systems.I will use it again.

Clonezilla Main Page

Clonezilla Direct Link For .ISO/.ZIP

I know there are easier to use programs out there to image a HD.However,I couldn't find anything out there that supported Ext4 file system.Much less support imaging said FS.Partimage doesn't recognize.Latest Easeus Part Mast Pro doesn't.Nor did the latest Partition Wizard.Possibly a paid program like Acronis would ?I don't have time to pay for something while I'm trying to learn the why,what and how of a procedure.Maybe after I learn these things will fork out the dough and let someone else do it for me.:lol:

Meanwhile,I've got to figure out why I can't get this XP .iso to install.

I'm not quite ready to abandon ship just yet,MANEMAN.I'll be diggin' around yer toolbox later.

I have to let all this integrate in this shorted out mind of mine and run some tests to make sure this box is stable.

Thanks again.You are one of a kind.(is that a bovinian slur?)

One

[MANEMAN]

Very quick reply as I am trying to sort out a strange electrical problem on one of the vehicles. It's cold and wet, and I am dodging in and out of the house to keep warm and keep my temper low.

Possible "Glow Plugs" or intermittent 12V relay. Cant make my mind up yet. Have just flattened the battery, - now charging !

A story for another day.

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XP runs just fine on FAT32, but a lot better on NTFS with less defragmentation, plus other benefits regarding some software that really does not like FAT32. - Go for NTFS. Believe one who has tried both. :)

Format 10GB FAT32 partition, and re-format as NTFS. If you can do it all from the install disk so much the better. Use "NTFS Quick Format". You may find the install now goes well.

I have had happen, what is happening to you. But my memory bank is blocked by auto-stuff.

At the moment my mind is 80% in an engine bay so bear with me.

Stoopid I know, but if you are using CD-R make a copy onto a CD+R and try that,or vice-versa. I know you've loaded it into Virtual Box with the same CD/DVD drive but strange things do happen. I'll put my thinking cap on whilst I'm working. :)

With Disk Imaging, - If you are happy with the software, understand it, and it does the job. - End of story.

If you are triple booting on Windows 7. Do make sure you have a Windows 7 Repair Disk burnt and ready. It can save having to re-image the whole of "7" when "7" mysteriously goes bust. Even happens sometimes when using EasyBCD as a boot manager. Once again from someone who knows. Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt.

( What boot manager are you using ?)

DO NOT abandon ship Cap'n Bludgard.

Back to the cold outside world for now.

John.

[bludgard]

I won't be a ship jumping rat bast***.:0

I have put the project aside for a bit,though.Until tomorrow anyway.Then it's off to the races again.

To answer one of your questions;I use Startup Manager which I found in Ubuntu's Synaptic Package Manager to control multi-boot.Works a charm.I had issues with Ubuntu installs taking over as default OS and have wiped the drive to correct this in the past.I have found that when I encounter Windows boot issues,running bootrec.exe /fixmbr from Windows command prompt has helped sort this out.Especially after deleting Ubuntu/Linux partition(s) which leaves Windows either without a boot record,or a corrupt one.I have actually had very few problems,though.Nothing that an image backup hasn't fixed.

I shall try the optional formatting and disc types.Thanks for the suggestions.

I don't know why I am so obsessed with this.I just hate to be bested by something man has made.I'm sure there are easier ways to go about this but it has become no more than a challenging puzzle.And I do love my puzzles.

Pressing on....B)

One

[bludgard]

I have 11 .ISO files that are for Xp service pack three.Each .rar file is 48 MB.I have them extracted to .ISO files-each 564 MB (6.06 GB!-Windows 7 is a tad over 3 GB;so the math doesn't add up).Do I somehow merge these into a single .ISO?If so,any direction for instruction?

PS.I obtained these files from a reputable source.I just haven't heard back from them and I am impatient.

I finally received a response from this source.

I am told that all eleven .rar files are to be extracted at once.

Then burn the .ISO with the resulting disk image file.

Since I trashed all the .rar files for fear of a corrupt download,I will have to acquire them again to confirm this method.:lol:

I am picking up one XP machine tomorrow.I will finally have something to destroy other than my tried and trusted lappy.;) She deserves a break and the wife won't have to fret over coming home to find smoldering ruins of plastic and wire.:P

I'll keep posted.

One

[bludgard]

Bad News:

Well,I wasn't able to pick up the XP machine for there was snow and ice all over the world when I woke up this morning and it only accumulated.

Good News:

The ship pulls out at full sail.

The XP HE .ISO is legitimate.

Although checking BIOS SATA configuration was the first thing I checked (and changed to IDE),when I rebooted from XP,there was a prompt to "Press any key to boot from CD".Well,I do not know why-possibly personal memory failure on my part-I didn't press any key.Of course the monitor went straightway to Repair screen for my Windows Seven runs AHCI and it was trying to boot IDE.

After conversing with MANEMAN,something was mentioned about IDE and I had a flashback to when I was fiddlin' with the BIOS.I then remembered the prompt and my inaction when it appeared.I tried to boot the disc again with changes to BIOS and when prompted to press a key,I did.Works perfect.

I shall say that I jumped through a lot of unnecessary hoops,but I am the more wiser for it and have a better understanding of XP-which is what I was striving for anyway.

I can not say how much I appreciate MANEMAN for his patience and suggestions.

I suppose this thread can be marked as "Resolved".Reckon it was about time this came to rest.

Oh,and to extract all 11 .rar files,I opened the folder in Explorer,highlighted them all,right-clicked and chose "Extract" from WinRAR context menu.I was left with the XPsp3 .ISO.:D

Thanks once again.

One