How to make a USB Flash drive a installation drive

[IBACFII]

I would like to be able to make a USB flash drive my primary way to install windows. ie with drivers and such.
Any help would be great.

IBACFII

 

[linney]

I am not sure what you are asking, but I think you will have to make your USB drive bootable and copy the XP installation CD to it or start the install from DOS?

307848 - HOW TO: Start Setup from MS-DOS in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

http://www.weethet.nl/english/hardware_bootfromusbstick.php

http://www.google.com/search?source...6-10,GGLG:en&q=install+windows+from+usb+drive

http://groups.google.com/groups?sou...6-10,GGLG:en&q=install+windows+from+usb+drive

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=28700158

http://www.google.com/search?source...4-50,GGLD:en&q="usb+boot"+motherboard+bios+xp

http://groups-beta.google.com/group...4-50,GGLD:en&q="usb+boot"+motherboard+bios+xp

 

[alidabiri]

it doesn't cecessarily have to be bootable. you can invoke installation in command prompt. navigate to the usb disk drive where the install stuff is.
type winnt32
installation will initiate GUI and continue.

 

[IBACFII]

Wow. Thanks for the replys. I guess I still have a couple of follow up questions.

1. If I make it bootable and tehn copy all my files from the install CD is it then ready for action?

2. If I dont make it bootable am i going to need to use floppies to boot to command? or is there another way to do this?

Thanks Again

 

[alidabiri]

get a windows 98 boot disk from

http://www.bootdisk.com

start the pc with that floppy disk.
then once in command prompt, navigate to where install files are, and type winnt32

 

[linney]

It might help you to understand how a CD becomes bootable, there is a bit more than just copying files onto it. That is why we are mentioning DOS as an alternative to making the drive bootable.

Also your bios has to be able to recognize the USB drive away from the Windows environment if you to want to start any install other than from a working Windows system.

"Bart's way to create bootable CD-ROMs"

http://www.nu2.nu/bootcd

My earlier links are more USB specific.