Right question. Wrong place to ask it. We have a whole Forum for "installing Windows from USB", right here: http://www.msfn.org/board/install-windows-usb-f157.html with a number of different ways (and NO, a "plain" winnt32.exe won't work). Easiest would be this one: http://www.msfn.org/board/33-t120444.html If you want to go your own way, you will have to re-start from the "historical thread": http://www.msfn.org/board/25-t61384.html jaclaz apologies for delay in replying to jaclaz and thanks very much for your info. But I have already found a way to install Windows XP SP2 with plain WINNT32.EXE option. if you require the method just let me know.