I have created an unattended XP install for a project. Problem the total file size is 1.3 Gb so it wont fit on a CD, it may go on two but id prefer to run the setup from a usb pen as this can be edited a lot easier and quicker than writing to CD.

I has to be possible to do this as I can run a standard XP install from an external usb CD Drive, so i know its possible to use the USB ports during the install. I also know that the computer I will be installing to has the capability to boot from a usb key/pen, and also a usb HDD. The computer recognises my pen drive as a USB HDD in the BIOS.

Can anybody tell me how this can be done.

I have tried creating a bootable usb pen but i havent got a boot disk to get the files from and when i create a floppy boot disk I get a different set of files which the HP USB pen formatter doesnt recognise.

PLEASE HELP, ive only got a few days to get this done and ive been searching the web all weekend

PLEASE HELP, ive only got a few days to get this done and ive been searching the web all weekend

Well, maybe you didn't search well enough.

Let's separate the TWO problems:

1) how can I make a USB stick bootable:

http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...SB/USBfaqs.html

http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...B/USBstick.html

and another method:

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=15837&st=6

(BOTH tested, working and -possibly- foolproof)

2) how can I install from a USB stick:

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=14723&hl=

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=61384

(DOS/WIN9x method tested, working and -possibly- foolproof)

(direct setup UNTESTED, EXPERIMENTAL, NOT foolproof)

jaclaz

Ive seen all of these sites but as i said i havent got a boot disk to get the dos system files from so that i can make the pen drive bootable. I cant create a boot floppy using my machine because this creates a different sort of boot disk (probably because i have XP and no version of dos is installed.

Does anybody have a copy of the dos system files or an easier way to make a usb pen bootable?

Ive seen all of these sites but as i said i havent got a boot disk to get the dos system files from so that i can make the pen drive bootable. I cant create a boot floppy using my machine because this creates a different sort of boot disk (probably because i have XP and no version of dos is installed.

Does anybody have a copy of the dos system files or an easier way to make a usb pen bootable?

try BootDisk.com site for bootable dos disks..

but i have used the Windows 98 and Me ones from there to make a boot disk .. and it works Good with the HP tool

Which one did you use as ive tried a few from that site and they dont work

Ive seen all of these sites

Well, you also need to READ them:

http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...SB/USBfaqs.html

FAQ #4

Sends you here:

http://www.bay-wolf.com/usbmemstick.htm

which links to the 98 files needed:

http://www.bay-wolf.com/utility/usbkey/win98boot.zip

and to the HP USB format utility:

http://www.bay-wolf.com/utility/usbkey/usbmemkeyboot.zip

As CLEARLY stated on the bay-wolf page:

This is a zip file that contains all of the system files that you will need. Create a new folder and extract these files into the folder that you just created. Make sure that you preserve the directory structure.

You DO NOT need to make a bootable floppy!

As said, tested, working and -possibly- foolproof, maybe I should take the "foolproof" part out....

jaclaz

Edited March 13, 200620 yr by jaclaz

Wow nice one, could you share your Final working solution when its done? Im working on somethings of my own and it would be great if i could use them!

Thanks in advance