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windows installation without cd/dvd/usb drive.

  • 18-12-2006 6:52pm
    #1
    rara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 69 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    Work gave me my old laptop, a compaq nc4000 today. It has windows 2000 pro on it but password long forgotten. wnat to do fresh install of xp but the laptop has a external dvd drive connected via usb. Problem is usb port has come loose and is no longer functional.

    Any ideas?

    thanks in advance.

    Ra


Comments

  • #2
    Redisle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,849 ✭✭✭Redisle


    you could always buy one of these and use that drive you have...

    Im not recommeding that seller by the way its just the first one i came accross... you might get something similar in maplins or pcworld


  • #3
    5uspect
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,520 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    Does it have a PCMCIA slot? If so get a USB hub for it.


  • #4
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Have a google for a network install. (RIS / Remote Installation Service). It does make it more messy though.


  • #5
    matt-dublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭matt-dublin


    copy the i386 folder from windows xp installation cd and run winnt32.exe

    only thing is though you won't be able to format the drive and it will take much longer


  • #6
    greglo23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭greglo23


    looking at the specs for the laptop it only has 256 ram so it will be fairly slow running xp. if you can get the password somehow i would stick with win 2000. have a look here http://tinyurl.com/fkwi


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  • #7
    rara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 69 ✭✭rara


    Could i remove the HD and put it in my vaio laptop, install xp on it and swap it back to the compaq?


  • #8
    Redisle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,849 ✭✭✭Redisle


    No you couldnt do that, xp would recognize the massive hardware change and want you to reinstall. you could put it in to the vaio and format the drive in that using the xp disc then copy the i386 folder of the xp disc to the hardrive and put it back in the other laptop. then assuming the laptop has a floppy drive get a boot floppy with command prompt from the net somewhere and boot the laptop with that and execute the winnt32.exe file to install windows.


  • #9
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    ab_cork wrote:
    No you couldnt do that, xp would recognize the massive hardware change and want you to reinstall.
    What you CAN do though is to put the disk in the vaio, start the first text-based part of the install, (which just copies the installation files across) and before it reboots, power it down and move it back to the laptop. When that starts up it will carry on with the install proper. Easier than messing with boot floppies IMO.


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