Installing WinXP over network

[PCgeek]

Anyone have any idea how its done? I'm trying to install windows on a laptop which lacks a cd and a floppy drive, and cannot boot from USB. But it does have the ability to boot through the network, so I'm wondering how it can be done, of if it can be done at all?

[NotMyBest2Day]

It can be done....but you need a floppy or CD to load DOS and the NIC drivers. I still haven't done it yet though. One thing you could do is pull the HDD out of it and put it in another laptop or if you have the 2.5"-to-3.5" adapter, in a tower and just do the first part of the installation where it copies files, then put the HDD back in the laptop after the files are done copying but before the actual setup starts doing what it needs to do.

I've had semi-limited success with this, but it works when there are no options left.

[PCgeek]

doesn't it still use the cd in the second part of the installation? I will try it anyways I guess, I have the adapter but I'll just throw it in my laptop. If I can even get the HDD out of this thing that is. Its one of those ultra mobile POS's.

[NotMyBest2Day]

Oh yeah..that's right....it does need the CD on the second half.

Guess your only option for future reinstalls is to get Norton Ghost and just image it. You can just push the image across the network and be on your way.