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    Win2k istall without cd or floppy

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by vkpascal, Aug 7, 2008.

  1. vkpascal

    vkpascal Notebook Guru

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    Hardware: Toshiba Tecra 510CDT w/ cdrom drive (really old laptop with no floppy drive, no usb, no NIC)

    Motives: I only got this thing for the use of the serial port which i am in desperate need of.

    Problem: BIOS can not boot from the CD (this is verified). So i cant just install win2k. I do have a usb IDE adapter so i can and have removed the HD and formated it on my current vista machine. The biggest thing is that all the bootdisk utilities out there want to write to a floppy. Is there anything a can do to make the HD bootable?

    How can i make this old HD bootable via a usb connection?

    Also, must the win2k OS cd be loaded with the MSFT boot disk? can it be istalled like winXP just from the cd?

    If any body can help me boot this thing to a dos prompt i would be happy.

    ANY HELP is appreciated,
    Ciao
     
    vkpascal, Aug 7, 2008
    #1
  2. Thomas

    Thomas McLovin

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    Put it in another computer, install it, and change to the laptop?
     
    Thomas, Aug 7, 2008
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  3. CGSUN

    CGSUN Notebook Guru

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    I have that notebook, the 530CDT, same pc I would imagine. Mine does have an external floppy, pity you don’t have that!

    Does it have an OS installed already? By the sounds of it no.
    If the bios says you can boot via USB then you are set, you may need to boot into a slackware first though, then partition and install win. My Tecra bios doesn’t say that, all I have is FDD/HDD/LAN. I haven’t had much success setting up a lan bootable OS either, others may.

    Like the other guy said
    I have had success with win95B and 2000Pro going this route also, installing it on one pc then moving the HD to a fallen pc. Are you able to do this? You get some errors occasionally but you can typically exit to a prompt at least.

    Win2000 just installs right from the disc if I remember correctly, I have Pro in its folder at home and I don’t remember any floppies. If you can get DOS or an OS on the HD you should be able to go right from c:\ to the winnt set up from the cd. Win3.11 also works great for swaping HDD’s between computers, not much fuss there in my experience.

    Get your mitts on a floppy drive, they are life savers and super cheap these days.

    Good luck
     
    CGSUN, Aug 7, 2008
    #3