way to install Win Vista or Linux with no CDROM

[Donald]

Ok, a friend has a computer with a broken (or near broken) hard drive and a broken CDROM. I can get a new hard drive, but with no CDROM, how to load anything. I do not have a spare CDROM USB attach drive. This needs to be on the cheap and they do not want to replace the CDROM drive.

I can attach the new hard drive to a working computer, but I assume the install process for Windows and Linux looks at the hardware it running on to install various drivers.

 

[Towncivilian]

Follow these instructions to install Windows Vista from a USB flash drive.

Why are you still wanting to install Windows Vista? 7 is better.

 

[greenaccord02]

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

The really, really easy way to do it with linux.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Towncivilian
Follow these instructions to install Windows Vista from a USB flash drive.

Why are you still wanting to install Windows Vista? 7 is better.


It was late (for me) and I mis-typed. And I need to install Win XP on the hard drive but can not used a CDROM as the source.

 

[Donald]

A follow on question, can any laptop with a USB port boot from it via USB memory drive or USB attached CDROM?

 

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: Donald
A follow on question, can any laptop with a USB port boot from it via USB memory drive or USB attached CDROM?


If the BIOS supports it.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Ok, a friend has a computer with a broken (or near broken) hard drive and a broken CDROM. I can get a new hard drive, but with no CDROM, how to load anything. I do not have a spare CDROM USB attach drive. This needs to be on the cheap and they do not want to replace the CDROM drive.

I can attach the new hard drive to a working computer, but I assume the install process for Windows and Linux looks at the hardware it running on to install various drivers.


buy a new dvd burner.. a dvd burner goes for about 18$ now. they will probably want that to work anyway.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

The really, really easy way to do it with linux.


He's right. It is easy. Download Mint Linux 12, 32-bit version, Download that utility above, grab a 4GB or larger flash drive, let it do it's thing.

You know have a completely portable, usuable, & an installer. LOVE this. Install Mint as needed, voila, you won't be working on the PC any longer.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

The really, really easy way to do it with linux.


He's right. It is easy. Download Mint Linux 12, 32-bit version, Download that utility above, grab a 4GB or larger flash drive, let it do it's thing.

You know have a completely portable, usuable, & an installer. LOVE this. Install Mint as needed, voila, you won't be working on the PC any longer.


OK, I did that, but the laptop does not seem to want to boot from a USB flash drive. Maybe the laptop is more broken that I thought.

OK, I have the hard drive from the T21 attached as an I drive (via a USB adapter) to a fully working laptop. How do I get Linux installed on it?

 

[2004tdigls]

you can network install if you have access to another working computer

its easy

http://www.overclock.net/t/345500/how-to-install-windows-over-network

 

[Rand]

you might need to adjust the bios boot settings
or perhaps there is a boot menu key

ie f11 f12 tab delete f8

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Rand
you might need to adjust the bios boot settings
or perhaps there is a boot menu key

ie f11 f12 tab delete f8


I can get to the Boot Menu but none of the selections on it will boot from the USB.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Outdated BIOS perhaps? I agree with the above poster, just replace the DVD drive, it's cheap, they'll be happy in the long run.