is it possible to install windows xp onto a laptops hdd if i slaved it to my vista pc via a usb enclosure ? the laptop wont log in, has no disc drive and cannot boot from usb (i think).
No, it will not work. Since you'd be installing XP on a different PC, XP would be be getting installed to work on that PC not your laptop. I take it this is a netbook? You could get a external USB DVD Drive, or remove the DVD drive from your PC and hook it up to your laptop via a SATA/IDE to USB adapter.
it is my nephews small ibm thinkpad i'm trying to do something with as it is my fault it is not working. i stupidly must have removed something important when removing some virus' from it and it just logs straight back out now when logging in so it looks as if all i can do is find a way to reinstall windows. i tried booting from a usb pen drive but i don't think its capable as in the boot menu under removable devices it 0nly has legacy floppy drives. here is the boot menu : -removable devices legacy floppy drives -hard drive ibm-dara-206000-(pm) cd-rom drive network boot intel (r) boot agent version 4.0.17 i thought about using an external drive but didn't know if that counts as a usb device, an if i would have had to install it first as obviously i can't since i cant log on. also, if this is an option, would hooking up my pc's dvd drive work when the boot menu only mentions cd-rom? i don;'t want to buy anything until i know for sure it would work. a also have an other broken laptop would i be able to hook up the disc drive from that. i thought maybe a legacy floppy whatever that is maybe an option, i don't know yet. this is a post of mine looking for help when it happened: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/778789#4714964 edit : the laptop does not support usb 2.0 if that affects using an adapter. thanks for helping
You don't need to be logged into Windows for it to work. If the laptop has a disc drive insert the CD into the drive and then boot from the CD.
would the netbook have connectors inside for hooking up another disc drive or would it have to be via usb ?
Is this a netbook or a laptop? Because you say laptop in your first post. I then ask if its a Netbook but you only refer to it as either a laptop or a small ibm thinkpad.
sorry about that, i don't really know the difference to tell you the truth. it's just a little square thing with no disc drive or anything. it has no wi-fi capabilities either so i didn't know if it counted as a netbook as i looked around the web for answers and it says netbooks can do little more than browse the internet so i would say just a small laptop since it lacks wi-fi. how can i tell the difference ?
It's not really either a netbook or laptop. Not to be harsh but without Wifi or a disc drive it really isn't much. I'm sorry but I'm out of ideas.
it's a piece of crap is what it is lol. he was using a wireless network adapter card to connect to the net. through a wireless router so the network boot sounded an option but from what i can tell you need to put stuff on the laptop first, which i cannot do, is this right ? i think i'll just need to open it up and see if there is a connection for a hard drive inside as i would think a external drive would just be treated like the usb pen and be ignored. only other option will be to look into a legacy floppy drive as goin by the boot menu it might recognize that, whatever it is lol. thanks for tryin anyway peainapod.
