Installing Windows XP via a USB key

[cyberspace]

I have been given a laptop that is simply refusing to read XP discs, although bizarrely it will boot BartPE.

I also tried to install Windows 2000, but that wouldn't work either.

The laptop currently has no OS so I am trying to install by booting from CD.

I've tried all ways but it's not going to work, so I was wondering how I should go about doing it from USB key.

I read a post on another forum that discussed making the USB key bootable, and then to copy the i386 folder to it. so I downloaded an HP tool to make USB drives bootable and ran it. I then copied the files over, but when I try to boot (I have set the key as first boot device) the machine just reports disk error, and to press any key to restart.

Any ideas?

I could use Barts mkbt but for some odd reason the only pc in the office with a floppy drive doesn't give me the option to create an ms-dos start up disk?? So I can't even get the boot files

thanks

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[cyberspace]

oh I should add that the PC I was trying to make a boot floppy from is running windows 2000

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[ArizonaGeek]

You can create a bootable USB key and just copy the files from the CD to the key and start the install right from the key. I haven't tried it but in theory it should work just fine as long as you can boot to a USB key.

Obviously you'll need a working Windows XP machine and your legal copy of your install disk. First I would download Darik's Boot and Nuke and wipe the hard drive clean on the laptop. With all the failing installs, better to start from scratch. Since DBAN is a bootable disk it will let you know if something is wrong with your CD rom or just your Windows disk.

Anyway, on to making a bootable USB key. I'd make sure you are using at least a 1 gig key. From a working Windows XP machine:

1) Format your USB Key with FAT

2) Format a floppy disk in Windows XP with the "Create MS-DOS startup disk" switch

3) Download usb_format from this link Once you got it, run it, select

Create a DOS Bootable disk (using "DOS system files located at" your floppy drive)

4) Once your key has been formated, go back to the floppy drive and copy the entire floppy disk to your USB key. You do not need to copy the hidden files.

Once that is done the key is bootable. I'd create a folder on the USB key simply called xp and dump the entire Windows XP disk into that folder. Once you boot to the key, CD to that folder and run the set up. You should be good to go.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[BadBigBen]

Where is it hanging, when you try to boot from an XP cd? is this a copy or a bona-fide MS disc?

if you do not get anywhere with AZ-Geeks instructions, then we need to look at it closer (ie. we need the specs of the LapTop) to discern the problem...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[cyberspace]

Thanks for the post AG, I will be trying that over the weekend. Just one thing though, what exactly do you mean by "Create a DOS Bootable disk (using "DOS system files located at" your floppy drive)" - wasn't that done when the disk was formatted using the "create ms-dos bootdisk option?

The disc was burned using an image of XP which I use for backup (which has been used just fine on other machines). However, the Windows 2000 disk I tried to use was original MS media and that wouldn't work either.

Strangely though, i was able to Format the C drive using BartPE!

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[BadBigBen]

Cyberspace - if you can boot all the way to the install process where it goes to detect the drive and it does not, or it does and wont continue there... then I would suggest you DL dban (Darik's Boot and Nuke) utility:

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

and NUKE the drive(may take a long time to finish but worth a try) before you attempt to install XP once again...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[ArizonaGeek]

what exactly do you mean by "Create a DOS Bootable disk (using "DOS system files located at" your floppy drive)" - wasn't that done when the disk was formatted using the "create ms-dos bootdisk option?

This is an option under the USB_Format software from the download in step 3. You'll see it when you run the software.

I've made more than a few bootable USB drives using the steps above so you should be good as long as your laptop can boot to USB.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!