XP Home Upgrade sliptreaming

Maybe I didn't explain it right. I know I need a disk from a qualifying OS to use the upgrade version, and I do (Windows 9. I insert the 98 disc and the installation continues normally. However, there comes a point during the install when it stops and asks me to insert a CD containing Windows XP SP3. Why would I need to do that when I slipstreamed SP3 into the original?

make an XP upgrade version with SP1 into an XP upgrade version with XP3. Look at the volume label of your CD. It probably says something like "WXHCCP_EN". Different offerings of XP have different volume labels. OEM versions are tagged as such. I don't know that XP only looks at the volume label to qualify and installation as that would be too easy to circumvent. In any event, slipstreaming a later service pack just updates some of the files, adds new ones, etc. It won't change one from Home to Pro or OEM to retail....or Upgrade to any sort of a full version. If you have an upgrade version, this means you paid a lower price as an incentive to stay with MS. When you first try to install an upgrade version, you are asked for proof that you qualify. XP looks at your HD for a qualifying OS. If it finds none, it asks for a disk. You insert the necessary disk and XP says "Ok, you're legal" and will continue with the installation as you said. I hope this makes sense.

I'm not trying to upgrade my Upgrade Edition to a full version. If I install my Upgrade version as is, there is nothing stopping me from installing SP3 after the fact. I have done that before. What I'm trying to accomplish is save time by slipstreaming SP3 into my original so I don't have to install SP3 later. How is this not "legal"?

I will have to check my volume label tonight as I don't have the disk with me now.

I'm presuming you already have XP Home (upgrade version) installed on your hard drive and updated to SP3. You now want to just update your XP CD to SP3 so, that in the event you need to re-install XP, you won't have to go through the process of updating to SP3 again. Well, slipstreaming SP3 into your XP Home (upgrade version) will do that just fine. It won't remove the need to present a Windows '98 (or whatever) disk each time you re-install XP. That companion disk will be needed every time you re-install but, if you use the slipstreamed disk, you won't need to update to SP3 the next time. So, you do save that time but XP has no way of remembering the first time it qualified your right to use an upgrade version of the OS. It will ask each and every time you need to re-install. If you want to try an experiment, put a new HD into your rig and attempt an installation with your slipstreamed disk. It should ask for the qualifying older OS. Complete the installation but don't register or activate it. Check the SP level (My Computer\Properties). It should be SP3. This proves it will work.

Now I understand why we're not communicating. I am trying to do a fresh install. I understand the need to insert a CD of a qualifying OS every time. The problem comes when a few seconds after the install begins it stops and asks me to insert a CD containing Windows XP SP3. Sorry for the confusion.

It should go this way

1. You boot from the CD you made from your upgrade disk and attempt an installation

2. You are asked for a qualifying OS (none found on hard drive) and you put in your Win '95/98 CD

3. A few seconds later, you're asked for the XP SP3 disk again. You insert it and the installation continues

This is the normal sequence. You have qualified your eligibility for the upgrade. If you have two CD/DVD drives and already have the win '95/98 CD in the other drive, XP finds it and continues without any further need to swap disks.

I'll bet it's not going back to the other drive. Will check it tonight.

Thanks!

You never mentioned that. If so and if both disks are inserted you should just need to answer "ok" without doing anything and the installer should look for and find the XP disk again. If not...well, computers do odd things now and then. It's their nature. Live is too short to fret over it. Good luck.

I probably did something dumb. I was up to late last night.