Can you use an External DVD/CD RW to Install OS onto HDD with no OS?

qaw010203 · 17 May 2016 at 09:27

Hey guys, I have a new HDD with no OS on it, was wondering if I'd be able to use a external USB 2.0 DVD RW to install Windows onto it? asking before I buy an external one. Thanks!

kitkat9933 · 17 May 2016 at 09:36

Yep, jut boot into the USB drive.

qaw010203 · 17 May 2016 at 09:38

Brilliant, Thanks, I just needed to clarify I thought I could but wasn't too sure with the OS having nothing onit.

VKleita · 17 May 2016 at 10:01

The Os doesn't deal with hdd's and DVD's directly, its the system BIOS (Or UEFI these days)
that works out what is plugged into it and deals with the "Hardware"
All you need to do in the BIOS is set it up boot from the USB DVD drive and you should be good to go.

qaw010203 · 17 May 2016 at 10:14

Thought so I just wan't sure because you know at times you cant always (in certain situations) use the USB keyboard so you need to use old PS 2 connection, so that's why my question popped into my head

El_Watcher · 17 May 2016 at 15:34

VKleita said:
All you need to do in the BIOS is set it up boot from the USB DVD drive and you should be good to go.

To be honest, if the HDD has nothing on it, you probably don't even have to change the boot priority, as it will skip the HDD and see the DVD anyway (unless somehow the DVD is disabled in the BIOS).
If it is a UEFI BIOS it might be more complicated as sometimes, legacy drives are not bootable as only UEFI drives are. The re woul dbe a BIOS setting to switch boot over to legacy or both.

If you have another PC and a spare USB2 pendrive, it would install quicker using that than the DVD. Use Rufus to create the pendrive, and depending on what O/S, either download the latest ISO, or RIP the DVD to ISO.