Installing windows XP32bit from a usb key drive

I tried to put it all in the title, but what I want to do is to somehow enable my PC to load windows xp from a usb drive, because i have no blank cd's/dvd's nearby or any easy way to get them (my public transit is on strike now), and i left my actual disk at home 3 hours away, so i downloaded the program and plan to use my own cdkey.

first off id like to know what size usb key is needed, and then what exactly i have to do to get it working so that it boots up properly.

 

What do you, live in Ottawa or something?

anything larger than 1GB would work.

Ideally, you would use a U3 key as I have loaded it from a Sandisk U3 key using U3 Customizer easily. The U3 software allows to emulate an optical. The only thing you need is the BIOS to see it as such. I have done this on many netbooks (Asus EEE, MSI Wind, Acer AA1) with no issues.

Otherwise, you could try something like this.

http://www.msfn.org/board/How-to-install-XP-from-USB-t111406.html&st=6

Others have had great success with this method also.

I'd also recommend you nlite the OS install files beforehand to have a leaner install of XP.

 

nice i have a u3 key but its only 1gb lol
yeah im ottawa, carleton university so its hard to get anywhere atm without a taxi.

 

that would be fine, 1GB should work. It would just not leave you with alot of space afterwards for using the remainder of the space. I use an 8GB and with an nlited XP install, i have around 7.4gb of usable space on the key. I seen them for $20 at staples a few weeks ago.

Yeah, i understand but really, I'm not for the ATU, my feelings toward their union leader is not something I can say without probably getting banned for life from the Internet.
I feel for the poor people that are unable to deal with this and are suffering hardships as a result. I have no issues getting around as I never used OCT anyways.
Whereabouts in the city are you at? I hope you were not in any accidents today, that black ice was something else and so is this cold spell!

 

I've used this guide with success
http://www.eeeguides.com/2007/11/installing-windows-xp-from-usb-thumb.html

The thumb drive I used at the time was a 1GB one and it worked fine.