Anilrgowda

question
I like to test shareware and other junk and as a result, my operating system always gets messed up to a point to where it is just easier to reformat my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. Well, there is a bit of time involved getting all of the latest service packs and patches and antivirus, etc to bring it back.

Does anyone have a way to create a bootable restore cd, like the ones you would get from a pc manufacturer (my box is home made and requires drivers from the motherboard manufacturer)?

soln
To answer your question, yes it would be best to create a slipstreamed CD. However for your situation, there may be a better alternative for you called Deep Freeze. No matter what changes are made to the computer, you just simply restart and bada bing back to your old computer configuration. Which means you can install all the shareware and third party software you like, just restart your back to brand new.

http://www.faronics.com/html/deepfreeze.asp

They have a Standard and an Enterprise Edition.

However if you would like more information on slipstreaming, I found these two sites very helpful:
http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2000_...pstreaming.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp