*techwhack exclusive feature*

Towards the end of this year, when Windows XP’s latest update (Service Pack 2) is satisfactorily rolled-out we are going to see a media blitz. Looks like Microsoft favours letting a year or two roll-by, and getting a good service pack out of the door, before advertising in public media about their OS and office suites.

Preliminary speculation says that its going to be a package (XP integrated with SP2 + Windows Media Player 10) promoted as an OS different from what you knew WinXP to be. Its not a retail product - its not a new version of windows.

Most of the components that will form part of the XP reloaded campaign are out. Today, we will see a short guide to make for yourself the Windows XP Reloaded CD.

You need:
1. Your Current licensed Windows XP CD (professional or home edition).

2. Service Pack 2 (download the appropriate version for your language)

3. Follow one of these guides to update your Windows XP install-source. (to install integrated with SP2 by default - saves on time, and gives you peace-of-mind)
The D-I-Y guide –OR– Universal Windows Slipstreaming and Bootable CD Guide

4. Download the Windows Media Player 10

5. Download the .NET framework 1.1 and the update for it (SP1).

6. Additional tools download and info for XP SP2.

Put it all in one place, and burn a CD. Enjoy having something that isn’t even on the store shelves as yet.