Windows XP build 2481 (main)
| Build of Windows XP | |
 | |
| OS family | Windows NT |
|---|---|
| Version number | 5.1 |
| Build number | 2481 |
| Architecture | x86 |
| Build lab | main |
| Compiled on | 2001-05-23 |
| Expiration date | |
| Timebomb | 2001-11-19 (+180 days) |
| SKUs | |
| Professional | |
| Product key | |
| QB2BW-8PJ2D-9X7JK-BCCRT-D233Y | |
| About dialog | |
  | |
Windows XP build 2481 (main) is a pre-RC1 build of Windows XP released internally on 1 June 2001 and to testers on 6 June.[1]
New features and changes[edit | edit source]
Boot screen[edit | edit source]
The boot screen was updated to its final animation, which replaces the breathing loading... text animation with three progressing blue bars. Along with this, the copyright and "Microsoft Corporation" text were moved from the middle to the bottom left corner. The "Version 2002" text remained and was moved to the bottom left corner on top of the copyright text, which would be removed in build 2485.
The safe to shutdown screen has been updated to include a black background instead of a light purple one. The background of the Windows banner is now also white instead of black.
The alternative AUTOCHK boot screen (which can be invoked by adding /SOS to BOOT.INI) also has the "XP" text recolored from white to orange.
Windows Setup[edit | edit source]
The text welcoming the user to Windows XP RC1 was removed at the beginning of the GUI setup.
Out-of-box experience[edit | edit source]
The Monitor Settings window has had it's text modified to include more information about the monitor resolution change.
The pre-OOBE loading screen has been modified to include the previously mentioned updated boot screen.
Startup[edit | edit source]
In case of a startup failure, the system now shows a screen where the user can start Windows with either Safe mode or last known good configuration options.
In relation to this, the option for the timer to display these recovery options in the System applet under Startup and Recovery is now available after being grayed out since its introduction in build 2469.
User interface[edit | edit source]
Look and feel[edit | edit source]
Almost all Windows Whistler references in the Setup and user interface were replaced with Windows XP. Alongside this, the "Comments?" link located on titlebar windows was removed. It would later reappear in Windows Server 2003 build 3590 and in Windows 7 build 6931.
This build is currently the earliest available build to include the Olive Green and Silver Luna theme variations, under the names of Homestead and Metallic respectively.
Login screen[edit | edit source]
The Windows flag animation on the login screen was replaced with a static Windows logo, which is different from the one used in build 2465. The turn off computer option has also had the "computer" text replaced with the computer name.
Sounds and Music[edit | edit source]
The Windows XP sound scheme has been introduced. This sound scheme, unlike later builds, contains a higher bitrate compared to builds after 2481, making it the only available build to have the higher quality version of the Windows XP sounds. Additionally, they are outputted in stereo at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate. On first boot, these sounds are used; however this ends up being reverted back to the Windows 2000 sounds upon reaching the desktop as the Luna theme file was not updated to utilize the new sounds. This build also contains a special sound for opening the start menu as well, which was dropped in later builds (Windows XP Start Button.wav).
With the addition of the new Windows XP sound scheme, the Utopia sound scheme was removed from the installed system with the exception of the Close Program sound (clickerx.wav). The files for this sound scheme would however remain on the installation media up until build 2600.5512.
A Sample Music subdirectory was added to the My Music folder. This subdirectory includes the Beethoven Symphony No.9 (Scherzo) and New Stories (Highway Blues) sample music files, the Drumkit Test MIDI file, as well as copies of the Flourish, OneStop and Town MIDI files.
[edit | edit source]
Several programs have been added to the default recently used programs list. These include MSN Explorer, Windows Movie Maker, Tour Windows XP and the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
A new "Printers and Faxes" option was added to the start menu, while a "Windows Catalog" link was added to the classic start menu. The log off and shutdown options of the classic start menu have also received new icons.
Windows XP Tour[edit | edit source]
The Windows XP Tour has been updated to its RTM counterpart and is now fully complete and functional. As such, a new "Tour Windows XP" program was added, which launches a menu where the user can select whether to use the Flash version or the HTML version of the tour.
Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]
- The STOP error code was moved below the troubleshooting text on the system crash screen. A "Technical information:" tag was also added before the code, which is stored in the message table as
0x40000083(BUGCODE_TECH_INFO).[2] - Slightly simplified instructions for bugcheck code
0xEA, removing the reference to VGA Mode.
Bugs and quirks[edit | edit source]
- The files
IEXPLORE.CHMandIGMPAGNT.DLLfiles are corrupted in current copies of the build. This makes Internet Explorer's help file unavailable. - Due to a bug, Windows XP sound scheme is not used by default, although is supposed to.
File differences[edit | edit source]
The following files have been introduced or removed compared to build 2475 Professional:
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Boot screen
"Please wait" screen
Startup recovery options
Default Luna theme
Homestead Luna theme
Metallic Luna theme
Windows Classic theme
Upgrade setup
System crash
Hibernating in progress
Safe to shutdown screen
Tour[edit | edit source]
Format selection
Adobe Flash-based tour[edit | edit source]
Introduction
Main menu
Best for Business
Safe and Easy Personal Computing
Unlock the World of Digital Media
The Connected Home and Office
Windows XP Basics
HTML-based tour[edit | edit source]
Main menu
Start here
Safe and Easy Personal Computing
Unlock the World of Digital Media
The Connected Home and Office
Best for Business
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Thurrott, Paul. Windows XP: The Road to Gold (Part Three), Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. 24 August 2001. Archived from the original on 7 June 2002.
- ↑ https://www.geoffchappell.com/studies/windows/km/bugchecks/index.htm