how to do fresh install without bootable optical drive?

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Hi guys,

I have dell ultraportable laptop, with an external cd/dvd drive which is not bootable and really need to do a fresh install of windows. I have the original media and there is windows on the laptop but it is plagued with spyware etc so I wish to do a format/fresh install. How can I go about doing this? Many thanks.
 
1. Plug the hdd into your desktop (you'll need a 2.5" --> 3.5" adapter).
2. Delete contents of lappy HDD
3. Copy i386 from install cd to lappy HDD
4. reboot desktop and boot from install cd
5. Start install - point installer to lappy HDD
6. The first time installer asks to reboot, power down desktop, remove lappy HDD and plug it back into lappy.
7. Boot lappy. When asked for install cd - point to c:\i386
8. install as normal.

Job done :D
 
are you sure they're not an option to boot from cd? the fact that's it's external shouldn't matter. are there no startup options in the bios? surely even dells would have this option.... :p
 
Whats the model of the laptop ? I've had a couple of the Delll Ultra portable laptops now (X200, X300, D410, D420) and when you plug an external DVD drive in you can still use them to boot from when pressing F12 at the BIOS screen.
 
marc2003 said:
are you sure they're not an option to boot from cd? the fact that's it's external shouldn't matter. are there no startup options in the bios? surely even dells would have this option.... :p
Click to expand...
depends on how old the machine is...
 
Clarkey said:
floppy drive?
Click to expand...


Unless it's Windows 98 or he wants to use a 100 floppy disks or so, I don't think that's a very good option.

However if it was me, I would do this:

=walls= said:
1. Plug the hdd into your desktop (you'll need a 2.5" --> 3.5" adapter).
2. Delete contents of lappy HDD
3. Copy i386 from install cd to lappy HDD
4. reboot desktop and boot from install cd
5. Start install - point installer to lappy HDD
6. The first time installer asks to reboot, power down desktop, remove lappy HDD and plug it back into lappy.
7. Boot lappy. When asked for install cd - point to c:\i386
8. install as normal.

Job done :D
Click to expand...

;)
 
Ice On Fire said:
However if it was me, I would do this:
Click to expand...

TheKnat said:
Whats the model of the laptop ? I've had a couple of the Delll Ultra portable laptops now (X200, X300, D410, D420) and when you plug an external DVD drive in you can still use them to boot from when pressing F12 at the BIOS screen.
Click to expand...

fixed. :p
 
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