usb boot problem

[Bigsmith]

I'm currently attempting to install windows XP onto my girlfriends laptop. The only problem is that it doesn't have a disk drive, I've managed to get over that problem by making a usb boot disk by using some software that I found on line, but, when I went to use it on her laptop it didn't pick it up.

Now, I've already used a usb stick to install an operating system onto the laptop, i installed ubuntu 10.10 on it as it was the only os I could find that allowed me to easily install via usb and my Xp stick works on all other computers I've tried it on.

So, the question? Could the Ubuntu installation be effecting the Bios boot order (oh yeah, I've looked at the boot order in the BIOS already) so that it will only boot from the hard disk, could it be a problem that the laptop has developed since I installed ubuntu or is it something else?

 

[Ken Sapp]

It is probable that the USB stick is not properly formatted to be bootable. How did you set it up? Did you use the command-line DiskPart utility?

 

[Bigsmith]

Firstly thanks for the help.

It is probable that the USB stick is not properly formatted to be bootable. How did you set it up? Did you use the command-line DiskPart utility?

No, I used a piece of software that I found online called , it uses an Xp source, in my case a disk, to create a version of it on a usb stick. But, I've previously stated that its worked in all the other computers I tried it on, thats about 20/30 computers and my laptop.

Also, the disk does work, just in case you think it could be an error with the disk, as I recently formatted a computer using it.

 

[Ken Sapp]

Firstly thanks for the help.

It is probable that the USB stick is not properly formatted to be bootable. How did you set it up? Did you use the command-line DiskPart utility?

No, I used a piece of software that I found online called , it uses an Xp source, in my case a disk, to create a version of it on a usb stick. But, I've previously stated that its worked in all the other computers I tried it on, thats about 20/30 computers and my laptop.

Also, the disk does work, just in case you think it could be an error with the disk, as I recently formatted a computer using it.

Have you tried a different stick? Or a USB DVD/CD-ROM drive? Just asking because I ran into a similar problem recently. If you do this often it might be worth the cost to have an external disc drive in your kit.

 

[Bigsmith]

Firstly thanks for the help.

It is probable that the USB stick is not properly formatted to be bootable. How did you set it up? Did you use the command-line DiskPart utility?

No, I used a piece of software that I found online called , it uses an Xp source, in my case a disk, to create a version of it on a usb stick. But, I've previously stated that its worked in all the other computers I tried it on, thats about 20/30 computers and my laptop.

Also, the disk does work, just in case you think it could be an error with the disk, as I recently formatted a computer using it.

Have you tried a different stick? Or a USB DVD/CD-ROM drive? Just asking because I ran into a similar problem recently. If you do this often it might be worth the cost to have an external disc drive in your kit.

I shall try an other usb stick, but, one thing has always puzzled me, if I was to get a usb dvd/cd-rom drive would it need installing and hence would be able to boot from it?

 

[Ken Sapp]

I have never had a problem with them. BIOS usually has no issue talking to them, while Windows may need specific drivers installed.

 

[Nova5]

if I was to get a usb dvd/cd-rom drive would it need installing and hence would be able to boot from it?

Netbooks, as a rule, generally support external (USB) DVD drive booting.

I occasionally have to reformat my father's netbook for him (no DVD drive), so I use a computer tower's internal DVD drive and an adapter from Rosewill. Together they function like a USB DVD drive, and are a helluva lot cheaper.

Here's the adapter I use ($25+S&H): Rosewill RCW 608
Here's the disk drive ($25 with shipping): Sony Optiarc SATA Drive

On a sidenote, that Rosewill adapter is awesome for data recovery if a friend's computer shits out - it supports plugging in both hard disks and removable disk drives.

 

[Bigsmith]

if I was to get a usb dvd/cd-rom drive would it need installing and hence would be able to boot from it?

Netbooks, as a rule, generally support external (USB) DVD drive booting.

I occasionally have to reformat my father's netbook for him (no DVD drive), so I use a computer tower's internal DVD drive and an adapter from Rosewill. Together they function like a USB DVD drive, and are a helluva lot cheaper.

Here's the adapter I use ($25+S&H): Rosewill RCW 608
Here's the disk drive ($25 with shipping): Sony Optiarc SATA Drive

On a sidenote, that Rosewill adapter is awesome for data recovery if a friend's computer shits out - it supports plugging in both hard disks and removable disk drives.

That Rosewill... It's... beautiful....

 

[Nova5]

That Rosewill... It's... beautiful....

That deserves the understatement of the year award, man. It has saved me so many headaches this year.