JSI Tip 9106. How do I cause Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to use my design instead of the standard boot splash screen?

If you want the subject operating systems to use a custom bitmap instead of their standard boot splash screen:

1. Design a Boot.BMP file that is 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high and 256 bit color depth (16 colors) and save the file in the Windows (%SystemRoot%) folder.

2. Open a CMD.EXE window.

3. Type attrib -r -s -h c:\boot.ini and press Enter.

4. Type notepad c:\boot.ini and press Enter.

5. Add the following switches to the end of each desired \[operating systems\] line:

/bootlogo /noguiboot

so one might look like:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /execute /bootlogo /noguiboot

6. Save the C:\boot.ini and close Notepad.

7. Type attrib +r +s +h c:\boot.ini and press Enter.

The next time you start Windows, your splash screen will be used.

NOTE: The /noguiboot switch disables the bitmap that displays the progress bar for Windows startup.