Install Vista from a USB HDD?

GM2 · 14 Nov 2008 at 18:17

Is it possible to install Vista 64 onto a new / blank HDD from an iso on a USB HDD instead of a DVD?

Thanks

GM2 · 15 Nov 2008 at 09:49

Anyone?

meghatronic · 15 Nov 2008 at 14:15

Not from an iso afaik. But if you mb can boot usb, it should be able to boot an install.

GM2 · 15 Nov 2008 at 15:29

meghatronic said:
Not from an iso afaik. But if you mb can boot usb, it should be able to boot an install.

So, is it possible to make an install from an iso?

Skeeter · 15 Nov 2008 at 15:41

In simple terms, a Vista install CD is just a bunch of files on a disk which is bootable. An ISO is just a copy of these files.

To get an install to run off a USB stick or drive you just need to have all the same files there, and have it bootable.

The trouble is, the bootable bit is the issue. Ive not yet found a simple guide to making a USB stick bootable as I will likely be installing a new OS onto a mini server with no CD drive soon. For the hassle it looks like its gonna cause you may aswell buy a cheap USB CD/DVD drive. Better still, just get a USB CD/DVD drive caddy and use a standard full size dvd drive.

meghatronic · 15 Nov 2008 at 15:43

GM2 said:
So, is it possible to make an install from an iso?

Well you can extract the iso using 7zip or something.

If it doesn't boot, boot the pc with a bootdisk cd/dvd or old setup disk to get to command prompt.

Or maybe try http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/15/

GM2 · 15 Nov 2008 at 22:42

Thanks for the info all... Not quite decided what I'll do yet - maybe connecting a DVD drive will be the easiest option.

I had a look at the 'unattended',, but not sure I understand it enough to make any use of it... maybe, if I get stuck, I'll look a bit closer!

meghatronic · 16 Nov 2008 at 00:30

It'll work if you just drag and drop iso contents. I did it earlier.

(e.g.
http://www.techmixer.com/install-windows-vista-from-bootable-usb-flash-memory-drive/)