install windows from USB?

jdf_warrior · 01-02-09, 11:17 AM

I just wanted to know if it was possible to install XP/Vista from a USB drive? My wife is extremely rough on computers.. Broke the cd-rom drive in the Sony Vaio she has. I literally had to ram the drive back in. She broke the railing that made the drive slide in and out somehow, I havent actually tried the drive yet, I'm just assuming its dead. Either way, it doesnt exactly pop in and out anymore. I dont need to do a reinstall right now, but when and if the time comes, can I copy the windows install files to a jump drive and install from it? If I have a, say 8gb usb drive, just copy the install files to the drive, set the boot priority in the bios, and let it boot the jump drive?

kevlar93 · 01-02-09, 11:55 AM

i do not know if this would work
but you could try something like this:
http://www.5starsupport.com/tutorial/xp-recovery-cd.htm

just make sure the does not break the usb ports =D

Zuzzz · 01-02-09, 11:58 AM

While it IS possible to do like that you may not choose that option as it will take quite a while(especially Vista) to install. That is quite a bit longer than a CD or DVD drive will take.

Z

kevlar93 · 01-02-09, 12:13 PM

could you get an external cd drive?

kevlar93 · 01-02-09, 12:14 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Super-Slim-External-USB-Portable-24x-CD-ROM-Drive_W0QQitemZ260304696876QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_ Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item260304696876&_trk sid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A1 2|39%3A1|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

redduc900 · 01-02-09, 12:40 PM

^^^ @ kevlar93... you need to enclose the link in URL tags:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Super-Slim-External-USB-Portable-24x-CD-ROM-Drive_W0QQitemZ260304696876QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_ %20Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item260304696876&_ trk%20sid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2| 65%3A1%202|39%3A1|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3 A50

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdf_warrior

I just wanted to know if it was possible to install XP/Vista from a USB drive?

Just one of many sites that explain how to do it...

How to install Windows Vista from a USB Flash Drive
http://www.otgnet.com/Content/Defaul...all,Title=3764

kevlar93 · 01-02-09, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redduc900

^^^ @ kevlar93... you need to enclose the link in URL tags:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Super-Slim-E...3%3A1|294%3A50

OK

{PGA}AfterShock · 01-02-09, 01:37 PM

It works, I have a few patriot xt drives laying around so I figured I'd make use of one and see if it really worked using the same guide that I found on a different site, only took about 20 min to install ultimate from start to finish which is way faster than what it takes using the dvd

jdf_warrior · 01-02-09, 11:34 PM

Nice.. thanks for the replies guys..

For the replies mentioning purchasing an external cd drive, I realize that, that is an option, but this is an old laptop. I will be buying her a new one soon, and this one will become mine. I plan on getting another laptop at some point for myself, but I may stick linux on it or reinstall windows on it just to have something to play with. I dont wanna put more money in it because its prob not worth it

01-02-09, 11:17 AM	Thread Starter #1
jdf_warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL	install windows from USB? I just wanted to know if it was possible to install XP/Vista from a USB drive? My wife is extremely rough on computers.. Broke the cd-rom drive in the Sony Vaio she has. I literally had to ram the drive back in. She broke the railing that made the drive slide in and out somehow, I havent actually tried the drive yet, I'm just assuming its dead. Either way, it doesnt exactly pop in and out anymore. I dont need to do a reinstall right now, but when and if the time comes, can I copy the windows install files to a jump drive and install from it? If I have a, say 8gb usb drive, just copy the install files to the drive, set the boot priority in the bios, and let it boot the jump drive?
	QUOTE Thanks

01-02-09, 11:55 AM	#2
kevlar93 Member Join Date: Dec 2008	i do not know if this would work but you could try something like this: http://www.5starsupport.com/tutorial/xp-recovery-cd.htm just make sure the does not break the usb ports =D
	QUOTE Thanks

01-02-09, 11:58 AM	#3
Zuzzz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Middletown, Ohio	While it IS possible to do like that you may not choose that option as it will take quite a while(especially Vista) to install. That is quite a bit longer than a CD or DVD drive will take. Z __________________ Core i7 2600k @ 4.7GHz (1.400v)Orthos/Prime95 stable on Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 16GB - G.Skill PC12800 9-9-9-24 XFX HD6950 1GB(Stock speeds for now) Coolermaster 212 Plus - Heat pipe FOLD for LIFE !! "Folding for Team32" --------------------- Zuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
	QUOTE Thanks

01-02-09, 12:13 PM	#4
kevlar93 Member Join Date: Dec 2008	could you get an external cd drive?
	QUOTE Thanks

01-02-09, 12:14 PM	#5
kevlar93 Member Join Date: Dec 2008	http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Super-Slim-External-USB-Portable-24x-CD-ROM-Drive_W0QQitemZ260304696876QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_ Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item260304696876&_trk sid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234\|66%3A2\|65%3A1 2\|39%3A1\|240%3A1308\|301%3A1\|293%3A1\|294%3A50
	QUOTE Thanks

install windows from USB?

Internet Services

Website Development

Tech Hardware

01-02-09, 01:37 PM	#8
{PGA}AfterShock Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 127.0.0.1	It works, I have a few patriot xt drives laying around so I figured I'd make use of one and see if it really worked using the same guide that I found on a different site, only took about 20 min to install ultimate from start to finish which is way faster than what it takes using the dvd __________________ AMD FX-8350 4.4ghz 1.368v cpu/nb freg 2400mhz 1.20v HT Freq 2600mhz 1.2v Corsair H100 <Res Mod> Asus Sabertooth 990fx 2x4 GB G-Skill Sniper ddr3 1600 7-8-7-24-34 1T 1.6v EVGA GTX 570 SC 865/1730/2000 256GB Samsung 840 Pro 468gig SAMSUNG HD400LJ NXXT Switch 810 Corsair GS800 PSU
	QUOTE Thanks

01-02-09, 11:34 PM	Thread Starter #9
jdf_warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL	Nice.. thanks for the replies guys.. For the replies mentioning purchasing an external cd drive, I realize that, that is an option, but this is an old laptop. I will be buying her a new one soon, and this one will become mine. I plan on getting another laptop at some point for myself, but I may stick linux on it or reinstall windows on it just to have something to play with. I dont wanna put more money in it because its prob not worth it
	QUOTE Thanks

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search