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Thread: Installing Windows XP

  1. #1
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    Installing Windows XP

    Got 2 laptops, both without CD or floppy drives, I've tried to start XP installing on a desktop and then transfer the drive back to the laptop for it to finish but its not having any of it, anyone got an suggestions?

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    USB flash drive or USB zip drive?
    (I once installed w98 from a jazz drive...)

    Or you could try a usb CD drive.

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    Almost in control. autopilot's Avatar
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    You can install Xp over a network cant you? Never done it, but might be an option. Otherwise borrow or buy a cheap external CD drive.

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    Studmuffin Flibb's Avatar
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    • Flibb's system
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    Is it possible to copy the contents of the xp cd to the HD (with HD in desktop rig) then run the install once its back in the laptop. Think this might have worked with 98, anybody tried this??

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    I remember having an old computer and copying the contents of w98 onto the hard drive so I never needed the cd again but that was just for adding and removing components. Never started from scratch.
    But I'm guessing you will need something to start the process off. Like a w98 boot floppy but if you dont have one, thats useless.

    I don't know about installing XP over a network, I know you can do it with linux tho...

    If usb doesnt work, you could buy a cheapo parallel cd drive second hand.

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    Both machines have USB and I have a USB CDROM drive, however neither machine will boot from it, as a last ditch idea I could install ME or something with some sort of USB mass storage drive built in and then upgrade to XP from there, bloody ball ache tho....

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    I take it the laptop wont boot from usb?
    I had that problem with my sony vaio. I have an external DVD drive and couldn't get the laptop to boot from it.

    Sorry mate, I'm out of ideas.

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    Almost in control. autopilot's Avatar
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    A laptop that wont boot from a USB CD? Thats just stupid. Have you checked the BIOS for booting options?

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    Yeah, it is possible. My old laptop (P3-600) wont boot from usb.

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Network install i have a Domain controller set up, as its my favourate way of installing (no messing around with CDs). But last time i tried ti without a "server" edition of windows i found it feindishly non-trivial.

    take out the laptop HDD, and copy the files from a CD to FAT parition you create on the HDD. After a format /s (copies system files, makes it bootable) or using the sys command (or copying the files from a boot floppy).

    Then, put HDD back into lappy, boot of the HDD (or just using a boot floppy and then navigating there).

    The reason for doing all that jazz is as its not got a working optical, what happens when u want to reload it next, by doing that its dead simple, as you've got the install files on the HDD.

    As to how to get the files onto the laptop HDD in the first place, you can buy a USB-> HDD adaptor thingie, i like these gadgets, you pick them up for £6 on ebay, so there a geek must have. (great for pulling files off a damaged laptop!). Or if your a cheapscape and don't want hotswap, for about £1 you can buy an laptop IDE cable with normal 40pin on the other end. Might be a bit of trouble doing it this way, but is worth it if u think ur ever going to have to reload it.
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

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    Had thought of that, shouldnt be too difficult I can use partition magic or something and an ISO of the CD...

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    buy a usb floppy and use a network bootdisk Ive used this method in the past before works very well and fast also.

    Pete

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