Install XP without CD dive or floppy

rossyl · 4 May 2009 at 11:13

Was wondering what the technique was for this. It's an old Compaq machine, unsure if i can boot from USB.

Any tips?

Thanks

Theguy · 4 May 2009 at 11:17

its going to require quite abit of effort on your part. have alook at the eeepc forums, theres abig section on installing xp from usb.

that or could you get your hands on a cd drive just to install, and then take out afters?

eXor · 4 May 2009 at 12:07

I used to install Win2K Pro from hard disk. Not sure if it is possible with XP?

IIRC :

Format the win partition as fat32 and make it bootable.

Copy CD contents across.

Boot.

Run ' \i386\winnt.exe '

Try slapping Windows 7 on there!

J.B · 4 May 2009 at 12:23

It is possible but for the effort Id consider buy a £10 optical drive.

chrisxuk · 4 May 2009 at 13:40

So you wouldn't need to get a DVD Drive, just a CD drive?

willhub · 4 May 2009 at 14:01

I'd just get a drive and some decent cd's.

Wish it was like Windows 7, extract ISO/CD/DVD contents to USB stick, boot, select USB stick, done

J.B · 4 May 2009 at 16:15

chrisxuk said:
So you wouldn't need to get a DVD Drive, just a CD drive?

XP is a CD. Pretty sure Vista and 7 are too big so have to go on a DVD

rossyl · 5 May 2009 at 12:04

Here's what i'm thinking.

1. Try and make it boot from USB. If so, stick the whole XP CD on the USB stick.

If this does not work.

2. If I can log on to the PC (this may be an issue) create a partition. Copy the XP CD to this partition from a USD hard drive.

If either of those do not work...well then I've no clue.

bledd · 5 May 2009 at 12:13

use this.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444

use the Hp tool (included) to format your usb stick and make it bootable

read instructions carefully