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Hello dear members of the TechSpot Forum,
I am trying to Install Windows XP on my external Hard Drive and I have to edit files in my Windows XP Iso. These are the instructions.

Use the Cab SDK (from the command line) for extracting the contents of the .IN_ files. Each of them contains exactly one .inf file. If you are unsure how to use the Cab SDK, here is an example command line: "cabarc x USBSTOR.IN_" . You should end up with three new files in the folder, called:

* usb.inf
* usbport.inf
* usbstor.inf

You can now delete the .IN_ files.

What am I supposed to do? I tried running the exe in the Bin folder and a little screen appears for a fraction of a second and disappears. I've tried running it from the Run... and typed cmd, then put in "cabarc x USBSTOR.IN_". What am I supposed to do?

I had posted the steps here, however I decided to put them in a txt file that I will attach to a new post..Srry for any confusion or problems this may cause.

This was part 2

I used wordpad to create the txt file so I had to zip it to be able to upload it. Hope it fixes your problem.

Attached Files

External HD Boot.zip (4.3 KB, 296 views)

nobardin thanks for the Manual. I tried to read the manual, but for me it's like reading Arabic. Is there a simpler way to do this? Is it possible to receive a link to an Iso of WinXP with this work already done? I have my own copy with my own cd-key, so it should be arlight.

When I use the CAB SDK Cabarc.exe It shows a cmd screen for a split second and then it auto-shuts down...whats going on? Is there another way to extract .in_ files?

I will try to simplify the steps further. If I can I will post it here..

Ok here are the simple and complete directions for extracting the files you need.
The guide I posted earlier should get you through the rest of the process "section 6 on". Just take your time and don't worry if you need to read the same sentence 3-4-5 times over to understand it ( I do it all the time). If you need help with the rest of it just let us know.

Also here is the URL for WinIso http://www.winiso.com/

Attached Files

Extracting files.zip (1.2 KB, 373 views)

nobardin when I got the first "Operation Successful" I could have kissed you XD
wow, I've been trying so hard these last few days and your guide was PERFECT, it didn't assume I knew how to do everything and it SIMPLY listed the steps needed to use CAB SDK. MAJOR PROPS to you in my book, this is what a Guide should look like. Now Ill go ahead and try to install the modified XP for my USB boot and let you know how it went. Txs again man

Hey np at all. If you get stuck or need any help with the rest of it, just let us know. Let us know how it goes..if you get it installed or if you don't. Glad we could help you out.

Ok, I have successfully edited those files which I had extracted from the WinXP cd Iso file... Now I am having problems editing that Iso file so that I can delete the old ones and put in the new ones that I have edited. I dont have WinIso but I do have UltraIso Premium 9.0. It says that it is possible to EDIT iso files with that, but It does not specify how. Is it possible for you to help me out with this with a simple step guide. Thanks

Sure just give me a bit..will post it back here soon. Also did you recompile the files that you extracted back into their .IN_ form?

Here it is. If you need help with anything else feel free to ask.

Attached Files

Editing the iso file.zip (785 Bytes, 142 views)

Hey txs again bud, and yes I did recompile them back to the .IN_ format. Before coming back to the forum I did find a good program for creating .iso files called ISORecorderV3RC and used that to recompile the XP folder back into an .iso. It worked and the computer recognizes the iso now I am going to go ahead and try to install XP on my external hard drive... wish me luck :P I will let you know if it was successful

Hey I just tried installing XP and it was going along fine until it got to USB.inf, it said that it was having problems and that I could skip it or end the setup, so I chose to end the installation process. Maibe I did something wrong while editing it? I just went over the usb.inf again and everything seems to be correct. Should I just skip it?

Ok, I tried doing the setup again and I skipped the first usb.inf file that it said could not be copied and went on to see that all the .inf files I modified "cannot be copied" and finally the USBBOOT.INF that I created is corrupted in line 3.

Hi Andros_Forever,

I hope this problem gets solved for you eventually
But in the mean time, instead of replying to yourself, use EDIT instead
You can just leave a couple of spaces (like paragraphs) in your adding to previous post

Edit:

Oh you just went offline

OK, I will look into the issue and see what I can do. We will get this resolved for you.

I think I know what happened..when you were repacking the files you must have entered the commands wrong and it created the file, however it was blank. Just a guess because I did that a few times until I realised what I was doing wrong.

I sent you a PM Andros.

I'll check back a bit later and see if you've been around. I am on Eastern time in the US. If I don't get back to you right away don't worry..I will!! I am in this until we get it resolved or until you tell me to stop helping you =p

Alright, I appreciate your dedication and yes I believe that option number one should do. If you can post those edited files plus the USBBOOT.inf it would be great

Oh, btw I forgot to mention I am running on a Laptop and can't unhook my internal drives manually. Also, when I go to install Windows XP, the OS does not recognize the hard drive partitions, only the external USB hard drive.

hmm the files overall size is to big to attach in one post( Have 2 sets of the files which would take 4 posts to post them all). I am going to send you a PM with my e-mail address. If you would like me to e-mail them to you let me know by sending me a PM with your e-mail address or an E-mail I can reply to.

If you don't feel comfortable doing that I can break them up and post them here over multiple posts. However, I'd rather not spam the thread like that. Just let me know how you would like to handle this and I will be more than happy to get them to you one way or the other =).

Something else I was thinking about. Have you already formatted the USB HD? Not installed anything on it. just formatted it and made a valid file system on it...preferably NTFS.

Edit

I sent the e-mail with the edited files. Hope it works for you. If not just let us know and we'll continue to diagnose possible causes
Oh yeah and make that 3 sets of files. I found some additional inf settings that may help and included it in the 3rd set of the files