How to create bootable usb from xp?

[Kjetil Torvik]

Hi!

I have an Acer Aspire One AOA150 with WinXP sp3. I want to create a bootable usb for new install. I have no optical drive and no XPcd. I have only XP on existing HDD. I have tried many ways, but I always end up with error.

I need a very spesific tutorial, because I am far from an expert.

Is it possible to do this?

Kjetil

[Boris]

Without an optical drive and an XP CD you will find this difficult.

You can buy USB optical drives fairly cheaply. Can you not borrow an XP CD of the same type (OEM or Retail) as the version on your netbook ?

If so .....................this is quite a comprehensive guide to doing what you want :-

http://www.techtipsg...e-part-ii/1286/

It is possible to make a bootable XP USB drive using an XP .iso file - but as you say you are not an expert I don't recommend that you try it !

[Kjetil Torvik]

Thank you for replying.

Well, I thought it would be possible to do "something" with the i386 folder.

I tried usb_multiboot 10, WinToFlash and some other tools. First time it error on missing oembios-files (4 of them). And then missing hal.dll.

Can i make an iso of i386? What program is easiest to use?

And is there anything i must copy into the i386 folder, or "prepare" before i make an iso?

:-)

[-pops-]

You could make a full system backup of your current installation using a program such as Acronis and use that (with the Acronis boot media) to install a copy of your current setup.

This assumes that there is nothing amiss with your current as any malware/faults etc. will be transferred during the backup process but this would most likely apply with any method using an existing Windows installation.

There is a hint in your post:

missing oembios-files

that you have an OEM version of XP. This means that it is tied to the system as it is at present. This also means that if you replace items such as the HDD there is a good chance that Microsoft will object to this and not permit activation with the current Product Key.