Laotop with broken CD drive - how to re-install windows...

[kennysarmy]

So I have this laptop handed to me and I've been asked to re-install XP.

 

The internal CD drive is broken.

 

I've attached an external USB CD drive which windows picks up fine.

 

There is no option in the laptops bios (toshiba sat pro L20) to boot from USB.

I've flashed the bios to the latest just in case - but no luck...

 

The laptop does have the option to book from a USB hard disk.

 

How can I re-install windows?

Can I put it on a usb stick?

[Boon72]

yes, i used to have windows xp install from a 1gb usb via BART.

 

i cant remember what you need to do as i dont use it anymore but if you google it (you'll find it on the Bart website i think)

[mstarkie]

Laptop CD/DVD are 99.99% universal. Just find an old laptop with a cd drive, take out and replace the broken drive temporary. Usually only 1 or 2 screws holding drive in.

 

Easy peesy option,

 

Matt

[webman]

If you do use a drive from another laptop (which I'd recommend) - just watch out for the front bazel (you may have to remove it). Laptop optical drives don't all have the eject button/activity LED in the same place, so you may not be able to use the one from the L20.

[mstarkie]

Just to expand a little bit.

 

The drives are universal and adapting plates for the particular laptop are screwed on to them (sides and back). Fit the adaptor plates on to the temp drive. And as webman said the plastic side that we see just unclips and will clip onto the temp drive.

 

Also one last thing. If you have take more than 3/4 screws out your probably undoing screws you dont need to

[gl3nnym]

Try making all items appended with USB top priority for booting. I have found with the L20's that USB-ZIP works for the external USB CD drive.

[kennysarmy]

Found a link for instructions on USB boot - trying that first for now...

 

Cheers guys...

Edited September 15, 2010 by kennysarmy