Bootable USB won't work on OLD computer

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escequi

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Jun 26, 2013
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So, my friend like to dump me some really <mod edit> and old PCs from his parents for me to fix, i'm trying to install windows xp through a bootable USB device (flashed it using rufus as MBR NTFS), the usb shows up on BIOS (it states the size and the manufacturer), but it just won't launch the windows installation when i boot it (either setting it as primary or using the boot menu). Thoughts?
If it matters, the model is "hp compaq dc5000 sff"

<Moderator Warning: Watch your language in these forums>
 
Solution
baconqueror
Since the system is an older one make sure it actually supports booting from a USB drive, try using a cd or another method of booting it. Also make sure the usb is actually being set up for BIOS and not UEFI because older machines often lack UEFI support.
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jacobweaver800

jacobweaver800

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Dec 15, 2017
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Does the motherboard support AHCI? Windows XP doesn't play nicely with it switch it to IDE mode.
 
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escequi

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Jun 26, 2013
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There is no such thing on the BIOS, btw everything is IDE, there are no SATA ports on the mobo
 
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escequi

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Jun 26, 2013
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Apparently the one from microsoft only works for W7-8, what other third-party do you recommend other than rufus?
 
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escequi

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Jun 26, 2013
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I only have blank DVDs and the driver on the PC only reads CDs, i'm trying to avoid having to go out to buy some blank CDs (they are overpriced as <mod edit> in the only store i know sells them "nearby"), but i guess i'll have to do that...
 
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jacobweaver800

jacobweaver800

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Dec 15, 2017
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USB should work if you can find the right software to make it bootable, I've seen it done before with XP, but CD is probably going to be your best bet even if they're expensive.
 
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jr9

jr9

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Dec 6, 2017
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- Where did your ISO come from?

- Some older machines will refuse to boot from USB even if it's correctly set up as bootable and BIOS is configured correctly. If USB isn't working, you may have to burn a CD.
 
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baconqueror

baconqueror

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Feb 17, 2018
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Since the system is an older one make sure it actually supports booting from a USB drive, try using a cd or another method of booting it. Also make sure the usb is actually being set up for BIOS and not UEFI because older machines often lack UEFI support.
 
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Solution
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turbofiat124

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Oct 29, 2017
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I thought CDRs were dirt cheap these days compared to USB flash drives. BTW I never had any luck booting off a USB drive on an old computer either. My Emachines even recognizes it as a hard drive but still won't boot from it.
 
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jacobweaver800

jacobweaver800

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Dec 15, 2017
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Yeah your going to need to get some some CDR's, I did a quick google search and found that while XP does support USB booting your motherboard may not, if it does that option is normally off be default, go into your BIOS and check to see if it supports USB devices for booting if not you need CD's.
 
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