OS Installation from usb HD

[sarah]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

i want to format a desktop machine previously loaded with
win xp. no cd rom available. instead, i have an external
harddisc with many programs, softwares and operating
systems copied to it. this harddisc could interact with
the computer via usb connection.
- can i format the desktop harddisc using the fdisk
utility that i have it on a seperate floppy?
once the harddisc is formattted, will the usb HD be
supported so i can call the windows setup file and
install the operating system that i want?
your imput to my questions is appreciated and will
appreciate any idea to have the job done.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

On that floppy you would need DOS-mode drivers for the USB port and disk
(and I haven't seen such creatures)

It's be like adding CD support to DOS, ie. in config.sys a statement
"device=a:\oakcdrom.sys /dakcd"
and in autoexec.bat "a:\mscdex.exe /dakcd /l:e"


--
Tumppi
Reply to group
=================================================
Most learned on nntp://news.mircosoft.com
Helsinki, Finland (remove _NOSPAM)
(translations from FI/SE not always accurate)
=================================================



"sarah" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> kirjoitti viestissä
news:a60101c48780$16b39cd0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> i want to format a desktop machine previously loaded with
> win xp. no cd rom available. instead, i have an external
> harddisc with many programs, softwares and operating
> systems copied to it. this harddisc could interact with
> the computer via usb connection.
> - can i format the desktop harddisc using the fdisk
> utility that i have it on a seperate floppy?
> once the harddisc is formattted, will the usb HD be
> supported so i can call the windows setup file and
> install the operating system that i want?
> your imput to my questions is appreciated and will
> appreciate any idea to have the job done.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

"sarah" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:a60101c48780$16b39cd0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
>i want to format a desktop machine previously loaded with
> win xp. no cd rom available. instead, i have an external
> harddisc with many programs, softwares and operating
> systems copied to it. this harddisc could interact with
> the computer via usb connection.
> - can i format the desktop harddisc using the fdisk
> utility that i have it on a seperate floppy?
> once the harddisc is formattted, will the usb HD be
> supported so i can call the windows setup file and
> install the operating system that i want?
> your imput to my questions is appreciated and will
> appreciate any idea to have the job done.

The simple answer is yes. If your motherboard allows you to boot from the
USB-HDD you need to have a DOS Ver 7 (preferable) OS system on the USB-HDD
to allow it to boot. If you cannot boot directly from the USB-HDD you need
to have a bootable floppy with USB drivers. I use 'duse' as my USB dos
drivers, just search for 'duse' in Google.