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    Boot from Flash Dive without losing original OS

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by CLR1986, Mar 20, 2013.

  1. CLR1986

    CLR1986 Newbie

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    Ok, got a question and I apologize if this is in the wrong place. I have a laptop running windows 7 home premium...I am now using my laptop at work and need to have windows xp pro. I do not want to downgrade my operating system nor do I want to compromise my laptops hard drive space by having to partition the drive and add xp as a dual boot issue. I have a copy of windows xp pro on a disk and an activation code generated by my company. Is there a way to put the xp pro operating system on to my 16 gb flash drive and then use the flash drive to BOOT NOT INSTALL xp on my laptop? This way I don't have to worry about a true dual boot or having to downgrade my operating system.
     
    CLR1986, Mar 20, 2013
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  2. mattcheau

    mattcheau Notebook Deity

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    i don't see any reason why you couldn't install xp onto the flash drive from the cd. just boot from the cd obviously, and select the usb as the installation drive/partition, no? have you tried it?
     
    mattcheau, Mar 21, 2013
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  3. SL2

    SL2 Notebook Deity

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    SL2, Mar 21, 2013
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  4. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    JOSEA, Mar 21, 2013
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  5. Prostar Computer

    Prostar Computer Company Representative

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    XP Mode is a very viable alternative to an install. albeit it's "emulated", which may or may not suit your needs. But otherwise, you can install and run XP off of a USB drive - just expect performance to be rather poor.

    Here's a how-to guide to install to a USB drive.
     
    Prostar Computer, Mar 21, 2013
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  6. SL2

    SL2 Notebook Deity

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    Remember that regular USB 2.0 drives can be incredibly slow for Windows, they're not built for random read.
     
    SL2, Mar 21, 2013
    #6