Install win XP from Network?

[Guest]

My laptop DVD/CDWR stopped working. Now water spilled on the laptop and the
system hangs on boot. I want to re-install xp but I still need the old data
on the laptop. How do I re-install/repair XP without CDROM drive? Urgent help
needed!!!!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

My laptop DVD/CDWR stopped working. Now water spilled on the laptop and the
system hangs on boot. I want to re-install xp but I still need the old data
on the laptop. How do I re-install/repair XP without CDROM drive? Urgent help
needed!!!!

Water spilt on the laptop does not damage Windows;
it damages your hardware! You have to remove the
disk, install it as a slave disk in some Win2000/XP
desktop PC, then save your important files. If you
don't have the facilities to do it yourself, take the laptop
to a computer dealer.

This is an excellent opportunity to think about the
merits of regular backups. Next time you might lose
the lot!

 

[Guest]

The laptop works ok now, only the shift key has a problem once in a while.
let's forget about the water stuff. The software got corrupted when the
keyboard was not working and the system had to be shut off manually.
Backing up will not help much in this case, it is the application that I
need, not the data.
Can you please give me an idea of how to re-install/repair the windows xp.
I get errors when I run chkdsk. I am sure some files are corrupted.
Urgent help required. Thanks.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I don't know of any way to repair or reload WinXP
unless you have a floppy disk drive or a CD drive.

 

[Guest]

The drive A is working ok. How can I re-install?

I don't know of any way to repair or reload WinXP
unless you have a floppy disk drive or a CD drive.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Loading Windows XP without a CD drive requires a network
boot disk so that you can access a WinXP CD via a networked
PC. To make such a disk is a fairly involved process. It must
be specific to the network adapter that you have in your PC.
Sample drivers are available on www.bootdisk.com.

A much easier option would be to purchase an external
CD drive. You would need to ensure that it is recognised
at boot time, before Windows XP loads, so that you can
re-install Windows.

 

[Patrick J. LoPresti]

I don't know of any way to repair or reload WinXP
unless you have a floppy disk drive or a CD drive.

You can install by booting directly from the network if you have the
right infrastructure. Microsoft supports this via RIS (if you have
Windows servers). You can also roll your own using free software
(http://unattended.sourceforge.net/).

- Pat