There are few solutions, but you have to know that you need additional appropriate hardware.
-Solution #1-
Needed:
- the Fujitsu external floppy disk drive, together with the laptop docking station which allows the drive connection.
- a DOS bootable floppy disk with network support.
- Boot the laptop with the floppy disk and reinitialize the laptop HDD: use fdisk to create two partitions and format them FAT 32.
- configure a network with the help of networking tools on the floppy, connect the laptop in a local network with another computer(s), use one shared folder from the network to copy the Win XP kit on the second partition of the laptop HDD.
- run the "winnt.exe" or "winnt32.exe" application existent in the folder I386, from the kit partition.
- follow the XP installation procedure. You may format NTFS the C partition during the installation. Second partition could be later converted.
-Solution #2-
Needed:
- a desktop PC with IDE (parallel ATA) hard disk interface and with floppy disk unit.
- an IDE cable adapter from 3.5" type HDD (PC) to 2.5" type HDD (laptop)
or
- an external rack for laptop IDE hard disks. The rack should be connected internally on one of the IDE interfaces, not on USB.
- The PC should run Windows 98, 98SE, or Millennium. If not, a floppy disk bootable with Windows 98/Millenim system is required - search on internet for how to create one. Is necessary to have on the bootable floppy additional tools. At least "sys.com" and "smartdrv.exe"
Take out the HDD from laptop and connect it to the PC, using one of the solutions above mentioned.
Start the PC. If the laptop HDD is connected properly you may see it in My Computer.
Save the eventually needed files present on the HDD.
Use fdisk or other partitioning tool to reinitialize the HDD. Create at least 2 partitions, the second one large enough to accommodate the Windows XP kit. Format FAT32 the both partitions. Copy the content of the Win XP install disk on the second partition. Now you should make the HDD bootable on it first partition.
If your PC is running Win98/Millenium, click "Start", "Run" and use the following command:
sys L:
where L is the drive letter for the HDD first partition.
If not, use the above mentioned floppy disk to boot the computer. It will start in Win98/Millenium system without windows interface. Now use the same command:
A:\sys L:
- Once you have made the HDD bootable, put it back in the laptop. Power up the laptop and it should boot in win98/Millenium system, without windows interface.
-now runs the “winnt.exe” or “winnt32.exe” application existent in the folder I386, from the kit partition.
-follow the XP installation procedure. You may format NTFS the C partition during the installation. Second partition could be later converted.
-Solution #3-(my favorite)
Needed:
- one desktop PC and hardware needed to connect the laptop HDD
or
- one laptop with IDE HDD and able to boot from CD.
- Remove the HDD from Lifebook and connect it to the PC using one of the mentioned methods at Solution #2, or replace the laptop HDD with the Lifebook’s one.
- Use the Win XP bootable install disk to boot the PC/laptop.
- Follow the usually installation procedure until first reboot is required. Let the PC/laptop to go off but prevent it to reboot. Cut the power, keep pressed continuously the start push button, do whatever you want/know. Do not let the system to reboot, but make it shutting down. Once the system is “de-powered” disconnect the HDD and put it back in the Lifebook. Power it up and continue the XP installation.
