Hardware

Ask something
Question Locked

Installing XP Without A CD

0 helpful
4 replies

by jarrett

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I'm having a serious issue with a client's computer. First, they had a spyware infection so terrible that I couldn't recommend anything other than a format. The problem is that the old laptop has seen better days and its cd-rom drive is dead. If I had another old one sitting around I'd install it but I don't currently and I don't really have the time/money to order a new one for him at this point. He already purchased a new external CD-RW so I don't want to charge him any extra.

So I used the following tutorial:
http://www.syschat.com/install-windows-xp-without-floppy-cd-463.html
and I've managed to get almost all the way to where I need to be but when I get to the last step of installing xp I get this message asking me for the location of the asms. Well, by the time I've moved it to the HD I no longer have access to a cd-rom drive so I can't move installation along. This laptop cannot boot from USB, it has no floppies, and I'm afraid this little HD won't take much more abuse. I've even tried installing the OS entirely and just moving the HD over but I get BSOD.

Any ideas would be greatly helpful.

4 replies

by thechas

If you can't get the external to work, here is an alternate option.

Format the drive as a bootable drive in another computer.
Copy the XP CD to the drive. I would also copy any drivers and software you plan to install onto the drive.

Boot up to the DOS prompt.
Browse to the folder where you copied the XP CD.
Run setup.

Chas

by bcpgm

You have to remove any drivers that the XP installed (video, sound, NIC, and son on) before installing the HD back to the laptop.
Do not restart at any point after removing a driver.
Make sure the IDE controller is installed as Standard controller. You may have to force the change.

This discussion is closed to new replies.