Is it possible to install XP from a USB drive? If so, how?

Here is why I ask...a few weeks ago I was working on my friend's dell
laptop and needed to reinstall XP. I put in the Dell OEM CD and found
out that the CD drive had failed. Looking at my available options, I
used my other computer and copied the OEM CD to my USB thumb drive
hoping that it would act like a CD and start the installation
process. Instead I got an error like in the old DOS days when you
were missing command.com.

I think that this is something that should be possible, and if it
worked it would be an excellent thing to use at work where we all
carry USB drives, I just need some help getting to that point.

Thanks.

beerdini wrote:
> Is it possible to install XP from a USB drive? If so, how?
>
> Here is why I ask...a few weeks ago I was working on my friend's dell
> laptop and needed to reinstall XP. I put in the Dell OEM CD and found
> out that the CD drive had failed. Looking at my available options, I
> used my other computer and copied the OEM CD to my USB thumb drive
> hoping that it would act like a CD and start the installation
> process. Instead I got an error like in the old DOS days when you
> were missing command.com.
>
> I think that this is something that should be possible, and if it
> worked it would be an excellent thing to use at work where we all
> carry USB drives, I just need some help getting to that point.
>
> Thanks.

It's certainly possible. A google search using 'bootable usb disk'
brings up some links. Haven't read this fully but take a look:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...6-5928902.html

Since my own machine won't boot from a usb device my interest in the
subject is limited for now.
Dave Cohen

It is better to install a new cd drive and then install normally.

"Dave Cohen" <user@example.net> wrote in message
news:oqomj.3$cm6.2@trndny05...
> beerdini wrote:
>> Is it possible to install XP from a USB drive? If so, how?
>>
>> Here is why I ask...a few weeks ago I was working on my friend's dell
>> laptop and needed to reinstall XP. I put in the Dell OEM CD and found
>> out that the CD drive had failed. Looking at my available options, I
>> used my other computer and copied the OEM CD to my USB thumb drive
>> hoping that it would act like a CD and start the installation
>> process. Instead I got an error like in the old DOS days when you
>> were missing command.com.
>>
>> I think that this is something that should be possible, and if it
>> worked it would be an excellent thing to use at work where we all
>> carry USB drives, I just need some help getting to that point.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> It's certainly possible. A google search using 'bootable usb disk' brings
> up some links. Haven't read this fully but take a look:
> http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...6-5928902.html
>
> Since my own machine won't boot from a usb device my interest in the
> subject is limited for now.
> Dave Cohen