You can install XP unattended so you won't have to sit through the installation process if you are upgrading from another operating system. Simply follow these steps:

1. Insert your Windows XP CD-Rom
2. Double-click on the My computer icon
3. Double-click on the CD-Rom Drive icon
4. Got to the "Support\Tools" sub-folder
5. Double-click on the "DEPLOY.CAB" file
6. Highlight "DEPLOY.CHM", "REF.CHM", SETUPMGR.EXE", and "README.TXT"
7. Select your tartget path
8. Click "OK" to extract the files
9. Go to the folder where you extacted the files
10. Double-click on the CHM files one at a time to read teh detailed guidelines on how to install XP in automated unattended mode
11. Run "SETUP.MGR", which will guide you through the process of creating an "UNATTEND.TXT" file

Microsoft offers a more profressional solution to OEM installers. Even though you might not be an OEM if you want to have more control over the installs. Go to oem.microsoft.com and go through all the BS registration. There are also free software packages which all you to integrate service packs and hot fixes including software. Do a google search to find such programs, i will right now and edit my post when i find them.

Or, if you have Windows Server 2003, you can easily deploy Windows XP installations.

[N]F

Why would you want to go through all those steps? The Windows installation itself is pretty much automated already.

xboxrulz

If you want to install XP on large amounts of computers, this may be helpful.

You think so ? It has an annoying timing when it comes to asking questions. For example the time/date and the network dialogue, they force you to stay near your computer while windows is installing.
The unattended method is much better, put the disc in, partition, format and of he goes. When I leave for 15 minutes and then come back, I get a windows desktop, instead of the windows installer asking stupid questions.

Another method I always use, is nLite (google it). This allows me to slim down windows by removing useless programms and it can apply loads of tweaks and settings.

i agree with the guy above me, nlite is really useful, i use it, and if your interensted, the URL is http://www.nliteos.com/

another good thing is that its free

true, but you could've at least waited for the questions to pop up, it wouldn't take too long, then you can go out for 30min then come back and it would've already go into the set up menu.

xboxrulz

I really like going through Windows Setup for Windows XP. Although I find that the timing for the Language options wizard is a bit off, I do find that the setup is entertaining, helpful and beneficial to non-experts.

I really love going through the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screens (with the music and helpful question mark). I have even taken pictures of those screens with the digital camera (bit shaky).

Yes, this could be good for installing on multiple computers. About that nLite thing, I only like the Windows 98 version, and I don't really recommend it.

lol, that's a first for knowing someone is entertained by the Windows setup (although, I have nothing against it). I rather go through YaST2 than using Windows Setup.

xboxrulz