This guide will show you, how to use WinSetupFromUSB to create a bootable USB Flash Drive including all Windows source files, plus the following installation of Windows XP. Compare to the different USB_Multiboot versions, WinSetupFromUSB comes with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and is in my opinion easier to use.
Here you can get the latest version of the program and you will also find many detailed informations about WinSetupFromUSB.
I’ve tested this guide with a 32-bit version of Windows XP and a 64-bit version of Windows Vista and it worked flawlessly.
Prerequisites:
All you need is:
- a USB Flash Drive with at least 1GB of storage
- the original Windows XP Setup CD
- WinSetupFromUSB
If you use nLite to slim down your version of Windows XP, please keep the following in mind:
under Operating System Options!
I also recommend to integrate Service Pack 3 into your Windows XP source files.
1. Preparations
Download and install WinSetupFromUSB. Default installation path is C:\WinSetupFromUSB.
Create a new folder with the name WINXPCD in the root directory of drive C:\ and copy all files from your Windows XP Setup CD into this folder. Depending on your version of Windows XP, the content of C:\WINXPCD should look approximately like this:
The following files will show you, which Service Pack is already integrated into your CD:
- WIN51IC.SP1, Sevice Pack 1
- WIN51IC.SP2, Sevice Pack 2
- WIN51IC.SP3, Sevice Pack 3
2. Start WinSetupFromUSB
Connect the USB Flash Drive to your PC and start WinSetupFromUSB. It should show up under USB Disk Selection :
3. Select your Source Path
Click on Browse under Windows 2000/XP/2003 Source and navigate to the folder with your Windows XP Source Files. It should be C:\WINXPCD:
Click OK and C:\WINXPCD should show up under Windows 2000/XP/2003 Source :
4. Format USB Flash Drive
PeToUSB or HP Format Tool are used to format the USB Flash Drive. There is no need to download these programs seperately as they are already included in WinSetupFromUSB.
USB Flash Drives up to 2GB should be formatted with PeToUSB in FAT16, USB Flash Drives with 4GB or more with HP Format Tool in FAT32.
I will use PeToUSB to format my Kingston Data Traveler with 2GB.
In the main window of WinSetupFromUSB click PeToUSB under Format target using to start the program. The USB Flash Drive should show up under Destination Drive. Check USB Removable, Enable Disk Format and Quick Format. Uncheck Enable File Copy under File Copy Options :
Click Start and answer the following two questions “Continue?” with Yes.
If everything goes well, the message “Operation Completed Successfully!” should appear. Click OK and close PeToUSB.
The process with HP Format Tool is similar.
5. Copy Windows XP Source Files
To start the process of copying the Windows XP source files to the USB Flash Drive, click GO in the main window of WinSetupFromUSB. Depending on the write speed of your USB Flash drive it may take a while to copy all files.
At the end the following notice about the Windows installation process should be displayed:
Click OK and close WinSetupFromUSB with EXIT.
6. Windows Installation – Part 1
Connect the USB Flash Drive to your PC and turn on the computer. Press ESC at the boot screen and you will be able to select the USB Flash Drive as your boot device from the boot menu.
Other manufacturers may use other keys, e.g. F8 or F12.
After booting from USB Flash Drive, the following menu should be displayed:
- Windows XP/2000/2003 Setup – First and Second parts
Press Enter or wait 10 seconds to get to the next menu:
- First part of Windows XP Home Edition setup
- Second part of XP Home Edition setup+Start Windows for first time
First part of Windows XP Home Edition setup is already selected. Press Enter or wait 10 seconds to start the Text mode part of setup. During this part you can create, delete and format partitions and finally the setup files are copied to your hard disk. At the end the system will restart automatically.
7. Windows Installation – Part 2
After restart, boot the PC again from your USB Flash Drive. The same menu should be displayed:
- Windows XP/2000/2003 Setup – First and Second parts
Press Enter or wait 10 seconds to get to the next menu:
- First part of Windows XP Home Edition setup
- Second part of XP Home Edition setup+Start Windows for first time
Second part of XP Home Edition setup+Start Windows for first time is already selected. Press Enter or wait 10 seconds to start the GUI mode part of setup. During this part you will be asked for your product key, timezone, usernames and other necessary informations. At the end the system will restart automatically.
8. Windows Installation – Part 3
After restart, boot the PC again from your USB Flash Drive. The same menu should be displayed:
- Windows XP/2000/2003 Setup – First and Second parts
Press Enter or wait 10 seconds to get to the next menu:
- First part of Windows XP Home Edition setup
- Second part of XP Home Edition setup+Start Windows for first time
Second part of XP Home Edition setup+Start Windows for first time is already selected. Press Enter or wait 10 seconds to Start Windows for the first time. The Windows installation process will be finished and finally the Windows Desktop will appear.
At next startup you can boot into Windows from your hard disk.
Notes:
After successsful installation, the following boot menu will always be displayed during startup:
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- USB Repair NOT to Start Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
If you don’t plan to use the repair option and want to boot directly into windows, you have to do the following:
Open the file boot.ini in the root directory of drive C:\ with Notepad:
Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS=”Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition” /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)WINDOWS=”USB Repair NOT to Start Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition” /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
Delete the following line:
Your computer may not boot the next time!
Save changes to the file.
At next startup the boot menu will not be displayed.
If you want to keep the repair option, you can reduce the time to display the operating system options from 30 to 5 seconds:
timeout=5
Save changes to the file.
At next startup the boot menu will be displayed only 5 seconds.
I try to do this with my Fujitsu MHT 2040AT 0811(40GB).Make all that you say,without integrate SP3.PC try to boot for USB but give to opsions to install windows(use xp home edition with SP1).I able to run directly:
Safe mode
Safe mode with command promt
Safe mode with network
Last Know Good Configuration
Start windows normally.
I try all of choices but Pc restart and again the same.
Ware is the problem?I have external HDD with windows istalation over it.Please help.
@ maxorka
If i understand you correctly, you want to install Windows from that Fujitsu MHT 2040AT 0811(40GB) drive to another PC.
During installation of windows you should never see:
Safe mode
Safe mode with command promt
Safe mode with network
Last Know Good Configuration
Start windows normally.
This shows up only if there are problems with an already existing Windows installation.
Start again from the beginning. If you follow all steps it should work like charm.
hi andreas
Just a question, IF after a successful installation of a winxp on the asus eeepc1000h following your instructions
is this procedure the same as formatting a pc and doing a clean install of windows?? and if so what about and how do you install the eeepc drivers following succesful winxp installation?
thank you
@ limubear
Yes, exacly the same procedure as doing a clean install of Windows. You just install it from USB instead of a CD or DVD drive.
The drivers you can find on the support DVD. Some have been updated recently so you better download them from the ASUS Support site.
I install them in the following order:
1. ACPI
2. Chipset
3. Audio
4. VGA
5. LAN
6. WLAN
7. Bluetooth
8. Touchpad
Some people prefer to install the ACPI driver after Chipset, Audio and VGA.
After installing all drivers and ASUS Software run Windows Update. Then continue with the rest of your software.
Admin
wow thank you very much. I will attempt this!
thank you!!
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We have an arabic site translate your Subject to our language and alot of people Benefit from your Subject .
” http://www.yallayaarab.biz/vb/showthread.php?p=730039 ”
We wana to know from you why when i press F12 its give me only Boot from lan or hard drive , and didnt give me to boot from Flash
when i wana to change my first boot from Cdroom and make it usb , it give 4 usb ” Usb-Hdd / usb-FDD / usb-cdroom …..
and i try to use all of this and didnt get boot
So please I need your help to fixed this Error
thx my frind
Zizo From Egypt
@ Mohamed
Quote: “when i press F12 …”
What model do you use? Is it a notebook or desktop computer?
Try to set USB-HDD as first boot device, maybe it helps…
Admin
This worked flawlessly on a laptop with a corrupted CD drive driver. Really slow due to my crap drive, but did work!
very thx Andreas I do it yesterday
My pc is M.B Giga byte945 and i was setup anew win xp from Flash yesteday . But now I dont know how I Definition My driver ” audio and graphic ” From Flash
And in your opinion my Motherboard need autorun Definition Not manual
So I need to Boot from flash like my cd-rom “Autorun”
thx my friend
Hi. I made boot-able my transcend 8gb usb pen drive. I formatted it as FAT32. I tried to install my windows xp professional service pack2, but it works only at the first step. It doesn’t permit me to complete the installation with the 2nd and 3d step. I choose 2nd and 3d step when it boots from the usb pen drive, but it begin the installation again. Some suggest pls.
Thanks!
_________________________________
http://highclick.wordpress.com/
That’s probably the best explained guide on this subject I’ve seen so far, good job
However, two notes:
1) Use FAT16 for drives up to 2GB, not 4GB. FAT16 on 2GB-4GB partitions results in not widely supported 64 KB cluster size, which may lead to number of problems.
2) Use NTFS whenever possible, it makes HUGE difference in speed. Here are a few quick tests performed:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=125116
This is the place, where all this was initially and being developed:
http://www.msfn.org/board/Install-XP-USB-f157.html
I followed the steps, everything went fine.
But if I take the USB stick to another laptop and try doing the install.
I get a HAL.DLL error.
And the USB stick now does not work for doing any installs.
At which time I have to redo the steps to get it to work.
It seems like this is a 1 time thing..
Any ideas?
Laptop(s) I am testing with are Lenovo T60, T61, X61s
And yes. I change the HDD from AHCI to Compatability so that I can install the OS.
@Chris White
Do you pass Text mode?
Are you installing in the first partition/first hard disk as the default settings are?
Look at this post for BOOT.INI/partition number details and the reply:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444&view=findpost&p=815519
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444&view=findpost&p=815523
Beware of Viruses and Trojans!
This is a very potential Adware Trojan.
Infection found in: WinSetupFromUSB_v_0.1.1.exe
1.) Adware.Eshoper.Ba
The USB Windows intalation will also carry the infection,
and the computer where you prepare the USB Windows intalation will also be infected with this Trojan, i suggest you not to use this tool.
Note: do not say you were not warned.
Sincerely, Sam
@ Sam
Can you tell us what Antivirus Software you use and which file is infected?
Admin
@Sam
AV programs typically are quite sensitive to AutoIt scripts, which was used to make WinSetupFromUSB. There have been false alarms every now and then with almost any compiled AutoIt script I’ve come across. A quick Google search with keywords like “autoit false positive virus” will give you numerous examples.
If you have downloaded the tool from msfn.org, and the downloaded exe was not infected after downloading it, rest assured there are no viruses or malware in the package.
If you want to do good- contact the antivirus company you use about the false positive.
Do cross-check as well:
virusscan . jotti . org
www . virustotal . com
i only have the recovery disc that came along with the asus 1000ha, would this be enough for a source?
@ babt_opaw
The recovery disc from my 1000H cannot be used as source. It can only be used to reset the whole system to factory install. I think that the content from the 1000HA recovery disc is nearly identical.
You have to look for a Windows XP Setup CD and use it as source.
Admin
Hi,
Can you publish, or point to, detailed guide on how to prepare USB stick, how to install Win XP Pro SP2 or Micro XP v0.82 on the formatted USB stick, and how to boot and run XP Pro or XP Micro directly from the USB stick.
The question is about Portable OS where if the USB stick is plugged before PC power-up, the OS on the stick will boot and run instead of the OS on the HDD. I guess in case of running OS from USB stick (2 or 4GB), will be good idea to move the location of the page file to be on the HDD (if the Portable XP uses page file) – if such moving of location is necessary, then corresponding How-to instructions will be needed too.
Regards,
Homer
@ Homer
Quick Google give me this links:
SolutionBase: Boot Windows XP from a USB flash drive
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5928902.html
Windows In Your Pocket : Introduction
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-pocket,1113.html
Many guides out there. But i never tested one
Admin
Hello, I have tried 3 times already. I go through the text mode but when i reach Step 2 it tells me that ntoskrnl.exe in system32 is missing. What may be the issue?
Thank you!
@ Miha
Maybe you are trying to install Windows to a disk/partition other than first disk/first partition.
Take a look at the FAQ about Install from USB, especially Q4/A4:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=116766
If you want to use another disk/partition, read this post and the following answer:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444&st=200&p=815519&#entry815519
Admin
Yes, that is true. I will take a look at the guide. Thank you.
Hello,
I am having a eeepc 901 and at the moment I am not able to load Windows. Each time it loads, it’ll prompt me to select “Start Windows Normally”, “Safe Mode”, etc. Similar to when you press F8 when windows is booting up.
I observed that there is a blue screen after I select “Start Windows Normally” but I am not able to capture what the blue screen is showing because it will auto reboot and show me the F8 screen again automatically.
What I have is the Recovery DVD from Asus that comes along with the 901 when purchased. Is there a method to recover the 901 using the Recovery DVD via USB instead of via an external DVD device?
Appreciate your quick response. Thanks.
@ YM
Just follow my guide for the 1000H.
http://myeeeguides.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/eee-pc-1000h-recovery-from-usb-flash-drive/
The process for the 901 is similar, you just have to follow the steps described by pietari-poika in the comments of that post:
Hi! I managed to do this with my Eee PC 901 12GB. I just simply clicked Local->Disk->From Image->EEEPC1.GHO and did the process for the smaller SSD. After that, I clicked continue, then again Local->Disk->From Image, but this time I chose EEEPC2.GHO and then the secondary SSD.
Admin
Thanks for the info. Below are the problem encountered next:
After completed loading “Starting Windows Preinstallation Enviroment…” it prompts me this error: “The file dmboot.sys is corrupted. Press any key to continue”. When I press any key, it will reboot the computer. Where is this dmboot.sys file coming from? What could I do next?
Just brilliant!
In trying to triple boot XP, Windows 7, and Ubuntu – I had scrambled the boot manager on my brand new Samsung NC10 and could only access 7 and Ubuntu.
By using the System Recovery Media (aka WinXP Home) and the System Software Media (aka drivers) CDs and your excellent guide, I was able to recreate my basic XP system.
I then reinstalled 7 and Ubuntu and everything is working like a dream.
Thank you so much.
hi,
i know somebody asked something similar but i am wondering if i follow these instructions and do nothing else, will this format my current drives c: and d: before installing xplite . i am worried i have a virus and just writing over my allready working xp i think wouldnt be enough.
@ cpd
You can delete all existing partitions during Text mode part of Windows XP if you worry about a virus. Then create new partitions with the size you want.
If you just reinstall Windows XP to drive c, all files on drive d will still remain.
thanks andreas, advice is very much appreciated-sounds simple enough. also i read somewhere that to be sure i delete all viruses i also have to delete master boot record. i know its slightly off topic but i promise lol i wont ask any more questions-how do i go about that?
@ cpd
As far as i know, when you delete all existing partitions on the hard drive and create new ones, the MBR will be overwritten.
Sometime i use “Active@ Kill Disk” to wipe ot all contents of the drive.
http://www.killdisk.com/
Greetings
Admin
After I complete the proccess and try and boot from the memory stick I get a blue screen telling me that an error was found and to prevent damage windows will shut down. What am I missing?
I tried the tutorial. first pass went fine on my eeepc 900A 4GB ssd. I tried iwth both stock xp and nlite. both times, got missing hal.dll
i had to delete the partitions… now i am stuck with no OS. cant install linux, cant get pass by windows.
any suggestions
@ Harris
Can you boot from the USB drive again and choose “First part of Windows XP Home Edition setup”.
If yes, create one single partition and you should not get any hal.dll error after reboot.
Admin
Hi guys,
first of all thank you for the great instructions on this page. I have come further with this guide than any other guide…
Now I’m almost there, installing XP on my laptop HP NC4200 from a USB stick. One slight problem:
After following all the instructions, windows wouldn’t boot from HDD. I get an error message: “A disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart”
Funny engough the system starts up when I insert the USB stick and go through “Windows installation – Part 3″ again. Once gone through this menu, windows functions as normal. I can even see the USB as a “removable disk” in windows explorer.
Any ideas?
problems solved. I re-installed it and it works this time…
How can i get cd windows like you showed me on the top that has SP1, SP2, SP3? i did with the sp2. i can boot and format,but i can’t copy files to c: drive. Can you tell me what should i do with that thing?
@ Darith
XP Setup CD with SP2 should be fine.
So you can boot from USB, start First part of Windows XP setup, format your hard drive and then no files can be copied to C: ?
What error message do you get?
Admin
I followed the instruction and everything looks OK. I have 2 questions:
1. The original CD had a file Setup.exe that provided a few options. This is not on the USB stick. Why is that?
2) My netbook came wiht 2 DVDs. The instructions only speak about the “starting” DVD. I think the 2nd DVD has some application and maybe some drivers. Can I just add the content of the 2nd DVD to a directory on the USB stick? I assume all I need is the 1st DVD to actually install XS and I can run the Setup.exe file from the 2nd DVD (now on the USB stick). Does that sound right.
On a final note, I guess I am a bit surprised that the USB stick does not do (act) exactly like the DVD.
thnanks
Jerry
@ Jerry
A1: I assume you use a Windows XP Setup-CD to create the USB drive. WinSetupFromUSB copies only files to the USB drive that are necessary. Setup.exe is not needed for installing Windows from USB, thats why it’s missing.
A2: I cannot help you with this question because i don’t know the content of the 2 DVDs. Every manufacturer supplies different CDs/DVDs. If you install Windows XP from USB, all you need are the Original drivers and software from the DVDs. Just look for folders named “Driver” or “Software”.
Andreas
hi
i ve made my usb drive wiht windows xp instalation
but my laptop toshiba is no able to boot from usb
plesae i need your help
By far the best way to install XP via a USB flash – smoked my original install trying to put Win 7 on my HP 1010NR w/8gb SSD – not enough space- had one issue during text install with “unable to read *** file retry or skip ..etc. Just started over – re-copied files to USB drive and re-installed.
I had been looking around the net for a USB installation to hard drive all over the net where sites made all sorts of promises, had all the BARTPE and other similar programs, all of which did not work at all.
But this, WinSetupFromUSB, a very fitting name rather than some association with the programmer which doesn’t seem to work anyway, did the job right the first time.
Great post! Thank you!
i think your method is the best and the simplest to install from usb. i installed and working perfect.. BUT IT DOESNT WORK FOR nLITED WINDOWS SOURCES..some windows images (which are slimmed and changed by some people to make it faster) dont have standard setup.exe, winnt32.exe etc. ( i think the method or pragram is called”nlite” ) and i cant copy windows from its source to usb.. i have to install one tiny windows to a slow computer without cd driver… do you know how to do it? thanks..
one more thing.. your methods doesnt need to delete all partitions.. i want to delete only C, and keep others untouched.. some methods may let install from nlited windows but they required all partitions deleted during install…
@ ivan
If you have an image (for example an *.ISO file), you can extract it with WinRAR to a folder (e.g. C:\WINXPCD) on your hard drive (WinZip or 7z should work also). Then you can point to this folder in WinSetupFromUSB.
But be careful with nLite-Versions. If “Manual Install and Upgrade” was removed under Operating System Options you will run into problems.
Hi
I have a Toshiba NB100 wich had ubuntu installed on it i have tried booting off usb and all goes well boots up in txt mode but when i try to locate my main HDD 80 gig one its not shown in the windows install menu any ideas whats wrong.
I deleted all of the drives content using Killdisk thinking that was the problem and drive still not shown now i cant even log onto ubuntu im thinkin only way to solve this is to buy an external disk drive or can i save my money and install of my flash drive please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
@ stuzzy
I don’t know the Toshiba NB100, but if the hard drive does not show up during Windows XP Setup it’s because of missing SATA-drivers.
Can you change SATA-Mode from AHCI to IDE in the System-BIOS? If yes, change it to IDE and start Windows-XP Setup again.
Also be sure to use Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Andreas
Hi Andreas,
My netbook HP mini 2133 with SATA mode Compatibel or Native. I tried to install window xp from USB Flash Drive with label XP-SP3HP
I had problem during window setup w/both SATA mode, I got list C:Partition1 ( XP-SP3HP ) (FAT) 1938MB ( 956 MB free ).Whats wrong,please help me ?
@ surjao8
Well, your USB drive got drive letter C.
Can you see your hard drive or only the USB drive?
Are there already partitions on the hard drive (FAT32 or NTFS)?
Can you delete all existing partitions on the hard drive or do you still need some data?
Andreas
I couldn’t see my hard drive only USB drive.From where I know partition on the my hard drive ? Please I need some data.
Even in compatibility mode you cannot see your hard drive? Umm, i recommend you to take a look at the HP 2133 Mini-Note Forums:
http://www.hp2133guide.com/forums/index.php
Andreas
Great guide! Just a quick question. Will this work with XP Pro SP3 ?
@ Kartikeya
Short and quick answer: Yes.
Andreas
Cheers Andreas!!
Will post back with my experiences soon.
Thanks Andreas, very well done it was easy to follow and XP Pro is now installed. Only one problem as far as I can see, is that I can’t connect to the net any idea as to what drivers I,m missing and best place to get them ??.
As an add on to the above I have an acer150 netbook with 160gig H/D
Hi Andreas,
thanks for the tutorial that you made, i have managed to install Win XP Prof SP2 on my aspire one A150 since it has been crash due to virus attack, now the remaining task is to restore all the drivers that needed
i have searched through google and found this
ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/netbook/aspire_one_150/driver/
hope it would be useful for others aspire one users
Hello there,
I have a Samsung NC10 coming soon and am looking to do a clean install but have a few questions hoping you can help me with.
1. Which XP CD am I to use to copy over to the USB stick? The recovery CD that comes with the NC10 or a stand alone XP CD?
2. Will I receive a License Key with the NC10 or will I have to use some sort of software to extract the license key? I have a Vaio laptop and had to extract the license key when I did a clean install of Vista.
3. Should anything go wrong, will I be able to use the recovery CD to restore the NC10 to its exact default state?
Look forward to hearing from you and please do forgive me as I am not very computer savvy.
Regards.
This worked flawlessly on my hp Mini 2140, you just have to have the SATA driver ready for a vanilla XP pro install
Thanks so much! was killing myself for days trying to get this working on the mini
Simple question: Can I install win XP Pro sp2 on asus 1000H with preinstalled xandros?
Worked perfectly on my new Samsung NC10. Thank you, I wasted 2 hours with other non-working tutorials >_<
So after 2 days of googling with other non-working tutorials. due to a messed up CD/DVD drive not allowing me to reinstall Windows. i decided to usb install it which took forever to find the right site to get her done.
THANKS !!!!!!!
“Cannot see hard drive during setup”
Hey…
The installation gets problematic at the point where I need to select a partition to install windows xp onto. As it turns out, only the flash drive is loaded as a possible installation point.
I should note that my hard drive works properly. It is detected on bios and has a working installation which boots properly when the flash drive is not selected as a priority boot location.
However, when I go to the restore command prompt in setup (when booting from flash drive), I’m unable to locate my “C” drive.
I’d appreciate any help.
Thanks.
I just figured it out. The issue was resolved by changing the SATA interface from AHCI to IDE.
Thanks!
Thnx! Works a treat!
Great guide, worked an absolute treat. Thank you very much!
Got a slight problem though it works perfectly…when I plug the flash drive into a m/board that only supports usb1.1 and boot the comp…go into boot menu and boot from the flash drive…I get a NO GRLDR Message…is this because the m/board doesn’t support usb2.0! Regards!
Hello Andreas,
After creating the USB file with your software, I wiped out the hard drive on my laptop and started the installation process. During the file copy process, a series of errors popped up, stating that the file could not be copied due to bad source. I have reprogrammed the key three times with your tool, assuming that there was something wrong during the file copy process.
Could you help?
Thanks so very much.
Swanny
Nice post.
hey guy, I tries this method. and it worked perfectly, that is until i rebooted my p.c. an got a “missing C:system32/Hall.dll file” message. when itry booting from the USB however, it works. turns out my flash drice is my (C:) and my hard drive has turned into my (D:) drive. PLIZ HELP! any idea how to reverse that?
I have followed the steps to prepare the flash drive for installation on my HP MINI 2133. Once I boot from the flash drive I am brought to a LINUX prompt. I feel as If this is not normal…
Hi there,
Followed the instructions and got as far as the installation. However, during the installations some of the files cannot be installed. I was given 2 options, Skip this portion and cancel installation. I choose the former. This occur a few more times.
After installation, PC rebooted and I get a msg “NTLDR is missing, Press any key to reboot”
This msg jus keep repeating.
Is my eepc dead?
Any advice?
OK so to put it simple, I have a 4 gig Flash drive, i followed the steps compleatly and every thing turned out right. so when i go to boot up the computer,the first time, and i choose USB flash drive it doesn’t boot from it. it just waits a bit as if reading it and then goes on to the booting from the hard drive. Im not quite sure what I’m to do. ANy ideas?
I have the same problem as “jesus”
“…got a “missing C:system32/Hall.dll file” message. when itry booting from the USB however, it works. turns out my flash drice is my (C:) and my hard drive has turned into my (D:) drive. …”
Please Help!!!
This is probably the best and most streamlined process for making a bootable USB XP install stick I have seen after hours of searching. Thank you for making this program!
I Use: Acer Aspire One 150
am having difficulties with settnig up USB stick installation. I get it up to point that it boots up, loads setup files but then only displays stick drive available to install windows. i tried few times but with no luck.
any1 know what am doing wrong ?
It worked on my HP2133 mini note as smooth as it can be.
Thanks for crystal explanation.
Abbas
Hello,
thanks for the nice tuto!
I’m in big truobles;
every thing is OK installation and restart
only issue if I remove the usb there is no way to start the computer!!!
the hard disk is not detected!!!
I spent todays trying to find out with no sucess.
please help!
I have Acer aspire one
I added a sata hard drive
windows start perfectly when I start with the usb key
but without this no way to start windows!!
any one got this issue?
thanks for help
where can I download winrar from your blog? winRAR compress content 8 to 30 percent better than ZIP!
to the people with the drive letter problems.
i haven’t tried this but it should work:
begin the windows installation again (step 1) and the setup wizard should see the xp installation and prompt you to repair it.
enter the recovery console. change to d: and edit the boot.ini file
change this line:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS=”Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition” /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
to
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS=”Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition” /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
—
disk(0) is changed to disk(1)
—
HEY MAN THANKS FOR THIS!
I have an HP Mini 1000 MIE / MI edition… I have tried every which way of partitioning, formating, boot.ini setting ever mentioned. Has anyone gotten XP to install on this device using WinSetupFromUSB? If so PLEASE post a step-by-step that worked for you.
SOMEONE SELLING YOU TIPS ON EBAY HERE IS LINK http://cgi.ebay.com/Install-Windows-From-USB_W0QQitemZ250409807185QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090420?IMSfp=TL090420153008r38231
Ok I’m trying to install tinyxp using a usb stick. The problem is when I select the source files and error comes up Saying “this doesn’t seem to be a valid source, could not find DOSNET.INF”
Why wont it work?
Whenever i get to the bit where you put the usb drive into the laptop and press esc to choose the boot drive and select the usb drive i just get a message saying “remove disks or other media. press any key to restart” then it just asks for the stupid Hal.dll file again its driving me mad!!! someone please help :/
first excuse my english…
second thanks a lot for the work
I’d like to say no problem…
i made the usb key…then decide to test it on a pc…install 100% ok
my hopes were great
then try it on my laptop(with broken cdrom)…it boot on the usb key ok but instead of menu(Windows XP/2000/2003 Setup – First and Second parts) i directly arrive in grubDos…and there i am a bit lost….is there a solution? maybe some commands in a right order?
find /menu.lst….or install…or setup or kernel
usually i try to solve it myself but it seems i’m the only one in this situation…and command lines without a clue of what i’m supposed to do is a bit tricky…
so please some advices or a solution would be very nice…
thank you in advance
Thanx a lot this process has help a lot.
I also have a “remove disks or other media” on a samsung nc10
I have managed to make the internal drive bootable using Win 98 dos files but with the USB stick in place i just get the remove disks message all the time.
Any ideas appreciated
Okay. I NEED to say this. T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. You just saved my life!!! I was going to get my a$$ kicked so hard if this didn’t work! If anyone has problems during the first part of the GUI install, like the “hal.dll” error, don’t freak out. Remove the USB, and turn off your PC. Replug the USB, turn the PC on, and it should be done. Worked for me. It works GREAT. You just saved my Asus Eee PC! Right now I am installing all of my drivers back. Thank you, so much. Really.
Followed the tut to the letter but the problem is when i boot to the usb i only get one option & that is
* Second part of XP Home Edition setup+Start Windows for first time
i don’t get the first ie
* First part of Windows XP Home Edition setup
can anybody help
Great build, using it about a year:
http://depositfiles.com/ru/files/kcnd005tt
- Best Windows XP usb flash edition 2009.
Hello all,
i have followed all the procedure, and when i boot from the removable disk i obtain a grub4dos menu, with 4 options:
- find /menu.1st, /boot/grub/menu.1st, /grub/menu.1st
- command line
- reboot
- halt
No option to install XP. Am i doing something wrong? I have performed all the steps twice, to be sure i was doing it properly…
Thanks!
thanks you
I tried this but I got the hal.dll error and not i cant go back to using vista. Help appreciated.
Dear Andreas
I tried this method with my maxtor 250 gb usb external drive , but during the first part of installation it shows the partition and after selecting the partition to be installed it simply says COULD NOT CREATE \WINDOWS FOLDER INSTALLATION WILL BE POSSIBLE ONLY AFTER THE CREATION OF FOLDER
what will be wrong can u please help me
Tnx in advance
How to use “USB Repair NOT to Start Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition” ? The USB repair cannot run?
Why don’t those guys with issues, which are not yet resolved here, ask in the place where this application is developed and actively supported?
http://www.msfn.org/board/Install-XP-USB-f157.html
Hey just wanted to throw my two cents in. First off I wouldn’t exactly trust that 2009 USB edition from that russian server linked to by “k1d” … fuck that.
Secondly WinSetupFromUSB has changed a bit. You may need to format your USB before it will appear in the list. It now uses RMPrepUSB, which is great. Format if going to use XP with an NTLDRit will make it faster for file xfer, then refresh your list and your USB will appear. Everything else seems to work the same.
My USB didnt appear when I was looking for it because it was previously formated for another USB install. This seems to be the easiest process I have used so far, compared to the others that use win2003 server updates and shtuff.
GL HF
Thanks for the tutorial!!!
-someGuy
hello iam little bit stuck
i loaded my xp on my usb pen drive through winsetupfromusb .i done it properly but when i boot my pc from usb , grub dos appears instead of the two steps of installing windows…can someone help me
Worked perfectly on my Lenovo s10. I now have XP Pro rather than Home!
Many thanks – I followed the steps carefully and it was easy!
hi got an aspire zg5 all works well until i get to the windows setup page then BSOD to protect pc
any help appreciated
Perfect! Finally I was able to install WXP via USB drive to IBM T43 with these instructions! I tried first some other instructions, but text based setup was unable to copy WXP files to HDD!?!
Only problem which I had was wrong product key. I’m 99% sure that I had correct key (VLK) for installation media, but setup didn’t accept it. I did some googling, and found article about that correct product key can be also found from installation media from file \i386\UNATTEND.TXT. With this key installation worked perfectly!
Thanks for this article and hopefully someone with same problems that I had can find solution to this issues from my comment. =)
–Lauri Lattoni
Thank you very much, it worked perfectly.
I add that have a EEEPC 1000HE.
I have Toshiba Portege R100 and I can’t manage with this.
I am afraid that the BIOS is too old and can’t boot from USB.
Please help!
Can this be used to make an usb installation from an unattended windows instalation source?
I was able to create the bootable USB stick with WinXP+SP3 fine, but when I got to the point where I’m supposed to choose which partition to install windows on, only one partition shows up which is my USB drive (I don’t see the partitions from the main hard drive). Does anybody what’s wrong?
Still having the hall.dll error issue.
I really need this to work…Anybody?
Best guide and app for installing XP. The good way to do it: quick and easy.
Great job!
So, I figured out the issue with the whole “hal.dll” thing.
I went back into the first part of the setup and deleted not only the c:/ windows partition, but the Utility/diagnostics partition. Then I installed on the unpartitioned drive and it worked like a charm. Hope this helps all of you.
Beautiful job! Amazing!
I just wanted to let you know that this worked like a charm on my Samsung NC10. I was looking for a way to get it back onto it sans the recovery partition so I could dualboot with Arch Linux, and this worked! I’ve made a backup iso of what resulted, just in case something screws up. Thanks a lot for this guide.
DOWNLOAD,,,,,,
WinSetupFromUSB-0.1.1…
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nefyzniizmj..
Thank you very much, it worked perfectly.
Hi thanks for the guide!
Windows XP starts no problem.
BUT I cannot get rid of the message: ‘USB repair Not start Microsoft Windows XP’
I can’t find the boot.ini file in the root cd:\ which you mention in order to get rid of the USB option.
Any ideas?
hi everyone
can you help with my problem i try the steps but got error like this cannot copy files in cd pls click enter to retry and f3 to quit
Yes very good!!! Thank you very muchhhhhhh!!!
Hello! I would like to say many thanks to you for this wonderful guide. It helped me with restoring my netbook’s factory OS without the crapware and … I made to get rid off this netbook [sold!], as the wifi card was not recognized by my reasonable OSs anyway.
I must say this: I REALLY REALLY, BUT REALLY HATE WINDOWS. Not Microsoft, not Bill Gates, not Steve Ballmer, etc.
I just HATE WINDOWS ITSELF. That piece of junk makes me wonder where humanity is going. As I mentioned – I used to the systems, that actually let you do EVERYTHING with your computer. They have NO LIMIATIONS. In contrast – Windows has PLENTORA and MYRIADS of limitations and it made me sick so bad … I think I have a lot of grey hair now.
Thanks for this guide anyway. It helped me make a good choice: I no longer own this “windows-only” netbook and I’m thinking of getting something “standard-compliant” HW in a future, but who knows? It all depends on how long my actual HW will serve me.
Hello: I need to know if this can be done, if a person has No CD and is using an OEM computer (original equipement machine) I have an HP home edition xp computer with No Disk? Please let me know, Thanks
Thanks for this article saved me a lot of time as i used this on my mackbook
thanks for your tips..
i tried this on my lenovo ideapad s10 and i cant even do step one i get stuck at the screen whe you pick the operating system to start help please
never mind i figured it out thanks for the tutorial really helped
Thank you so much, sir! After hours spent searching for a way through hundreds of sites which promised to have a solution, yours did the job!!!
The only problem I had was installation didn’t recognize my SATA HD. After a few research over internet I learned I had to change the SATA Mode on BIOS (something like IHCA to IDE). Now works like a charm!
Thank you again!!!
I have the Dell Mini 10v. I’m told it will run MacOS. That’s pretty neat and all, but I really have no need for a Mini-Mac. Don’t get me wrong, I like Macintosh! If I were a rich man, I’d have a “top of the line” Mac Netbook.
My oldest son has one, and he also runs Windows 7 (Either in a window or full screen.. As a “Task”… makes full use of his hardware etc, I was pretty impressed! But, for $2000.00 I BETTER be impressed! HAHA!
My Question:
In theory, couldn’t *any* OS be run from a flash drive (as long as your machine supports booting from the USB of course). It would be nice to have MacOS, Ubuntu, and some other versions of Windows.. 98se, Vista, 7, XP, 3.11, etc…. on various flash drives.
Thanks,
Joe Bucci
joebucci(at)netzero.net
I have been trying to install from USB, in my dell inspiron mini 10, but, in te contract request me press esc or f8 to accept, but F8 doesn’t work, the key it is availabe, works right, only here doesn’t work, is some error or something? I ho you can help me
hal.dll or NTOSKRNL.EXE problam can be solved by if you go on the menus like:
“Second part of XP Professional setup from hd 0 part 1″
hd can be 0,1 etc..
part 1,2,3,4
try all of them and it will work.
I’ve actually started up a website of my own. I’m hoping to
promote this good deal that I’ve found on a netbook–since they
seem to be all the rage now, and they’re wonderful little devices,
I’m trying to show everyone this little gem. If you guys want to
check it out, it’s located at http://www.eeepc-900a.info. Thanks!
This is a wonderful and really fast solution. But there is ONE SERIOUS ISSUE with the windows installed using this method
——>
If the h/w config changes, the windows stops working and shows blue screen of death.
this happens in case of adding/ removing HDDs or CD Roms etc.
If anyone has solution to this Problem please reply
Too Good. Every thing worked to perfection.
Saved me from Buying an External DVD Writer.
Thank You.
I have the same problems as @Cross, @alecto and @deep.
As in i get the grub4dos menu appear instead of the windows setup. Is there a solution to this problem?
thanks in anticipation
I’m using an Acer Aspire One for my Windows XP.
When i plug in my USB port at first, everything is fine….
Until the TXT mode of the Setup says: “Setup is starting Windows”
Then my thumbdrive suddenly disconnects for a while then reconnects again.
Then it crashes with the BSOD. “SESSION5_INITIALISATION_FAILED”
I’m using a SanDisk Cruzer Micro 2GB.
Hi,
Is it possible to have the usb stick show up with a different drive letter other than d: in the windows xp txt mode setup ?.
This is because i would like to partition one physical drive into 2 partitions say c: and d: I want the other partition to be d: because i’m relocating Documents and settings to this drive. At present Windows txt mode setup only see the usb stick as d: drive.
Any thoughts
Regards
Greg
Hey!
I followed your EASY Steps (Believe me, if you see the other crap on the internet, you’ll understand), and just completed :
1. Formatting my Comp
2. Re-installing Windows
ALL USING MY 2 GB Pendrive!
I specially wanted to come back to this site and give you big THANK YOU & a HUG
P.S (The pics of WinSetupFromUSB program that you have put up on this blog, are from the older version. It would really help if you updated it. I was a bit confused, but it all worked out for the best)
Godbless
ive just used this method on an acer aspire one and it went smoothly thanks.
hi,
i have problem here….
after follow the instruction i got the ‘asms’ file needed….
please help….