Trying to install Windows with no CD-ROM!

Get youself one of these.

1. USB 2.0 to IDE / SATA Adapter Cable 80cm (Supports 2.5" & 3.5" IDE)

http://tinyurl.com/36uql7

2. Laptop IDE Hard Drive Adaptor

http://www.datapro.net/products/laptop-ide-hard-drive-adaptor.html

Download DOS.

http://ms-dos7.hit.bg/#msfv

Burn it to CD using Nero or similar.

Remove the Hard Drive from the Notebook. Ensure that you have an Active Partition on the Drive and it is formatted FAT32.
Set your PC to Boot from CD in the BIOS. Connect your USB HD and turn on the PC. Insert the DOS CD that you created and follow the prompts to install it to the USB Drive. When you have finished installing DOS shutdown the PC and reconnect the Hard Drive.

Restart the PC and reconnect the USB HD, now you will need to copy the I386 folder from your XP CD to the USB HD. When you have finished doing that, disconnect the USB HD and insert it back into the Notebook. Turn on the Notebook and you should end up with a DOS Prompt. Type in CD I386 and press enter. Type winnt.exe and press enter. ;)

I used to build dual booting 98/XP boxes this way and same for 98/windows 2000 boxes.
what you could also do is get a copy of acronis true image, build an image of your favorite Xp setup and store that on a removable drive.
NOTE: If you are going to clone XP boxes you should consider running a tool like NEWSID if they are going to live in a domain environment to avoid confusing the AD controllers.
-S