DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Formatting and reinstalling OS without CD drive

7 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/formatting-and-reinstalling-os-without-cd-drive.45366/

a_medico
a_medico Original post #1
Jan 2, 2007 at 3:39 AM
Is it possible to format the HD and reinstall OS (XP home) without the CD drive working?

If yes, kindly post how?

Thanks.

ps - will external usb writer/HD work?
Kniwor
Kniwor #2
Jan 2, 2007 at 4:26 AM
well they say copy the files and run the setup, but never tried it. Linux is easy though, you could use linux till u get cdrom.


I could not stop myself from asking that what is the deal with your avatar, a rather unusual avatar... tooo weird .
DukeNukem
Jan 2, 2007 at 2:59 PM
a_medico said:
Is it possible to format the HD and reinstall OS (XP home) without the CD drive working?

If yes, kindly post how?

Thanks.

ps - will external usb writer/HD work?
make bootable floopies of xphome (u need good 6 ones) (make it 12 for just in case, lol) boot from it and start the setup from HDD
a_medico
Jan 2, 2007 at 10:51 PM
my laptop HD has just a single partition. If I format it, even the copied CD data will vanish, isn't it?

Is it possible to copy WinXP cd on the HD anyway? I heard it doesnt work.
rajasekharan
Jan 4, 2007 at 2:17 AM
Ok mate . . You can copy the xp cd using image wizard like nero or alcohole :).
Once you get the image copied to hdd use daemon tool or alcohole and mount the image. And run the setup or auto run and install xp :). Simple :). Oh by the way dont unmount the demon or alcohole and dont format the drive in which the image is stored also where alcohole or demon is installed
mod-the-pc
Jan 4, 2007 at 10:04 PM
rajasekharan said:
Oh by the way dont unmount the demon or alcohole and dont format the drive in which the image is stored also where alcohole or demon is installed
So you expect Daemon's drive emulation to work during a windows installation after the first reboot huh..?? I guess it would not work out.

@a_medico - copying Win XP CD to your HD will work. Create a new partition in your HDD, copy your XP cd contents to it and go ahead with the installation.
n2casey
n2casey #7
Jan 4, 2007 at 10:09 PM
^^
Don't guess. It's obvious that application based on windows platform will not work without windows platform. After first reboot, no image, no emulation will work. :cool: