Making XP disc

The laptop I'm buying has XP installed but no disc. How can I make a back up installation disc from the installed XP?

 

No can do. You can purchase Acronis True Image and build an image of your system that you would be able to restore from.

 

Some recovery programs provided with modern laptops request you to make a system restore CD, although the more common type use a backup partition on the hard drive. If you do get a backup CD version it will be tied to the laptop.

 

How does the I386 file work in making a backup? Are the key files in the I386 folder?

 

You can't make a backup CD from the I386 folder.

You will need to make an image of the currently installed system as recommended in the first couple of posts.

Is the laptop you are buying used? If it is the original OS as loaded from the factory sometimes there is a program that allows you to burn a set of recovery discs. It is usually limited to one copy so if the original owner burnt the discs and lost them than this will not be an option.