OS install without an optical drive.

camelCase · 16 Jan 2011 at 10:36

I am in the process of specifying a mini ITX Sandybridge PC that packs enough CPU punch to satisfy my plan for serious software development. I won't be fitting a graphic card. My original intention was to fit a DVD drive for software installs but it occurs to me this results in a case that is not dramatically smaller than a small ATX case.

So I am considering ditching the DVD drive from the spec and looking for a case that just accommodates an ITX motherboard, 1 SSD, 8Gb of Ram plus power.

Is it realistic to do all software installs including Windows 7 from a USB 3.0 pen drive?

95thrifles · 16 Jan 2011 at 10:39

To answer your question, I doubt it
most ITX cases allow space for slimline optical drives, imo this is your best bet

Shikyo · 16 Jan 2011 at 10:42

You could get an external one for like 30 quid? :confused:

LG 8x Slim External DVD-RW Retail Kit

Joshlad · 16 Jan 2011 at 11:18

Do the install by holding the Dvd drive outside the box, and throw it away when your finished with it? ^.^

2-alex-2 · 16 Jan 2011 at 12:55

Or if you have another pc in the house than take one from that and plug it in until install is done then put it back after

Randomface74 · 16 Jan 2011 at 13:00

I think you'll need to use a CD/DVD in future - so you should get a basic external DVD/RW and use that for your install.

UberTiger · 16 Jan 2011 at 13:09

camelCase said:
Is it realistic to do all software installs including Windows 7 from a USB 3.0 pen drive?

Yes.

The thing to do is make a list of all the software you need to re-install and check to see if you can get a digital version to copy over to the hard drive and install or not. Alternatively any discs that you have, rip an .iso of it on another PC and then mount it on the new PC to install them.

You can install Windows 7 using this tool which will create a bootable usb stick provided you have access the to disc image.

I haven't used the DVD drive on my PC for ages, I just used an external USB one if required and that's what you could get as a backup for the odd occasion you may need to use the DVD drive, or do what joshlad said.