How to network boot, format and install OS for a computer

[Guest alex298]

Hello,

I have a computer that has no floppy disk and no CD-ROM. It is connected on a network with some computers running windows 2000 and windows XP.

I need to format and re-install new OS for this computer. I learned that I can use network boot this computer, format and then install OS over network. Is that true? If yes, could you please advise me how to do that.

Thanks and best regards

Alex

[cluberti]

If your network card can PXE boot to the network, you can use RIS or one of the other open-source alternatives to RIS to create a Windows installation share that is accessible via only booting from the network card.

[fizban2]

Another option would be to load from Bart or WIN PE, depending on how old the machine is, you can boot off a USB mass storage device and run the PE from there, mapping a drive to a installation source or an Image