Installing Windows from USB Flash Disk

This article originated the idea when trying to install Windows on the nettop Telebit Nucleom AG-100. Due to nettop does not have a CD-ROM, InfoKomputer must use an external CD-ROM. Only later it occurred, what if the installation using the flash? This solution is clearly more practical and inexpensive, because we do not have to buy an external CD-ROM and live use a USB flash disk that costs more affordable.

But to do so, we can not just put the files from the Windows installer CD to a flash disk. We have to make it recognizable as a flash bootdisk first. One thing that is also crucial is the BIOS on the notebook / netbook / PC that will be installed must support booting from flash disk. Actually almost all the new products already support it, but we suggest you check your PC BIOS first.

If it can, here is a list of properties you need.
1. A PC with a CD-ROM (to do the preparatory process and transfer files)
2nd. CD installer Windows XP or Vista
3. Application support form (all available on DVD InfoKomputer February edition):
a. USB_PREP8
b. PeToUSB
c. Bootsect.exe
4. Flash disk with a minimum capacity of 1GB

Here's how to enter into the Windows installer flash disk.

1. Copy the files in the folder PeToUSB.exe to USB_prep8.
2nd. Run the file by clicking usb_prep8.cmd twice. File is located in the folder USB_Prep8. Note: If your PC using Windows XP2, you need to unblock the file so he could walk. Properties>Unblock" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#ebeff9'" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#fff'">Way, right-click> Properties> Unblock
3. Later files window will appear as shown below.
4. Press Enter, and will appear the windows.
5. Leave all the settings in the default conditions (except if you want to replace the drive label) and press Start. This will menformat your flash disk, so make sure no important files on the flash disk.
6. After the process finished, DO NOT close the window PeToUSB. Leave it open.
7. Run>cmd)." onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#ebeff9'" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#fff'">Open a command prompt (caranye click Start> Run> cmd). At the command prompt panel, go to the folder where the files are stored bootsect.exe. Way, type "cd foldername". For example, because bootsect.exe files are in folders bootsect located on the desktop, we type "cd desktop" then "cd bootsect" (both without the quotes).
8. If bootsect.exe been met, type "bootsect.exe / nt52 X:" (without the quotes). Note: X: show flash disk drive for you, so find out first names of his drives. In our case, the name of L so that the drive is commanded to "bootsect.exe / nt52 L:"
9. If step 9 is done properly, will appear the message "Bootcode was successfully updated on all targeted volumes". Close the command window and the window PeToUSB. note: do not close the window USB_Prep8. USB_Prep8 window should remain open.
10. When you close the window PeToUSB, USB_Prep8 window will automatically appear as menu options under the picture. If not, try and press Enter.
11. At this stage you really just do the settings for Prep8, only way is to choose the menu based on the number. All you need to change are:
a. Menu 1: select the drive where Windows XP (or your CD-ROM). 1-click way, will be out Explorer to select the drive. Choose a drive (on our PC is C).
b. Menu 2: select the Virtual TempDrive, or virtual drives on your PC hard drive as a place to store data (before it moved to a flash disk). Select the drive that is not in your PC, say drive T
c. Menu 3: to choose your flash disk drive. Press 3 and select flash disk drive that you want to enter Windows.
d. Menu 4: this menu to run the next process. If you are running 1 to 3 menu, you immediately run this menu 4.

12. It will be a pop-up window that will immediately delete the temporary drive (which we do in the menu 2). Press Yes.
13. After that, the Windows installer file transfer running. There are two processes going on here. The first file transfer process from the CD-ROM to hard disk, and the second from the hard disk to flash disk. The duration of the process depends on the speed of the CD-ROM or flash disknya, and in our case about 30 minutes.
14. After that, we lived flash disk that plugs into the PC that will be installed, and set the boot priority to the flash disk. When turned on, there are two options available. Select option number 1 (TXT Mode Setup Windows XP).

After that, the installation went as usual, including the reboot process. There is nothing you need to do here, just wait until the installation process is complete. Noteworthy is the flash disk can not be revoked until the process is complete (already in Windows).