System Disk Creation Question

[Computer_User]

Hello.

I know this must be a simple question but I dont know how to do it. I am trying to create a system disk for the computer I am about to build. So, I went to my current computer (Windows XP Pro) --> Put a blank floppy in --> My Computer --> Right clicked on 3 1/2 in. floppy --> Format --> Then I checked the box that says Create MS DOS startup disk --> Start. It said that the format was complete and that was it. Did I do this correctly? Is there another way I can do it? Also, I want some other things on the floppy as well:

FDISK.EXE/REGEDIT.EXE
FORMAT.COM/UNINSTALL.EXE
EDIT.COM/SYS.COM
SCANDISK.INI/CHKDSK.EXE
ATTRIB.EXE

MSCDEX.EXE/SBCD.SYS

How do I get them on the floppy? I cant find them. I dont even know where to start. Any information will be very helpful. Thanks.

Computer_User

[Statica]

What operating system are you trying to install onto your new computer? If its XP Pro, you will get the best results from booting using the XP CD.

[Computer_User]

Yes, I will be installing Windows XP Pro on my new computer. So I dont have to use the system floppy disk? I can just boot from the Windows XP Pro disk?

I thought you had to use the system floppy disk. Why would someone use the floppy disk instead of the OS cd if this is the case?

[bigandy]

I don't know why anybody would still use floppy boot disks, much easier to use the CD.

Just set your boot order to your CDROM first, and you are good to go.

[RJ]

Why would someone use the floppy disk instead of the OS cd if this is the case?

I guess because many people still don't know. .. I mean, you too wanted to create a floppy altough they are not needed anymore since Windows 98. Windows 95 was the last OS that you required a floppy to install.

RJ

[glc]

You *can* use a floppy to install 98/ME, and there's no real difference between that and booting direct to the CD - but with 2K/XP, FORGET about using floppies - 2K needs 4 floppies and XP needs 6 floppies for getting into setup. I did it *once* - on a machine that had no CD boot in the bios. What a pain, it took forever.

[Computer_User]

I didnt know that. I was just going by the information on the build your own computer tutorial. Is there any other information that I need to know that might be outdated on the tutorial?

[Panama Red]

Since you asked, here's some additonal thoughts. If you are installing on a new, large hard drive, you may want to take advantage of the 'create a new partition' option during the installation. Setting smaller drive partitons will make your system easier to defragment and you will see a small performance increase if the XP is installed on it's own partiton separate from programs, games and data files. Putting your page file on it's own partiton is another way to improve performance. Here's a good article to read.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

[Computer_User]

Thanks Panama Red. I have a Western Digital 120GB hard drive. I was thinking about making it into 3 partitions (20GB, 50GB, 50GB). The 20GB would be the one with OS on it. What other programs and applications would you suggest using on the 20GB partition? I would use the 20GB for important programs and the (2) 50GB partitions for storage and such. How does this sound?

P.S. Congratulations on becoming a Moderator

Computer_User