Installing an OS on a X40 with no CD drive

[catback]

Sorry if this has been discussed previously. Since the X40 doesn't have a cd drive, what's the preferred method to install Windows XP on it from an install disc? The X40's hard drive is currently wiped clean so you can't boot from it.

[Tasurinchi]

If you have no X4 Ultrabase you could try booting from an external USB Optical Drive. Alternative, you could move the XP install disc to a bootable USB Drive (would be me preferred method).

There are several instructions on the net, try googling "how to make a bootable winxp usb drive" or similar

[catback]

Thanks. I'll see if I can get the bootable USB flash drive method to work.

On a related matter, the X40 currently has the factory 40GB 1.8" hard drive. It may or may not be working properly. I won't know until I actually have the machine in front of me. If it isn't working, I'll replace it with a CF card. However, as a temporary solution, is it possible to use a regular USB flash/thumb drive as the boot drive to run Windows and applications? I'm not sure if this has ever been attempted or is even possible.

[Tasurinchi]

I recall reading somewhere about a bootable Windows, but I'm not sure if there is a XP version that can run (already installed) from an USB Drive

IMHO the easiest temporary solution would be to run a Linux distro from a USB drive. This is done very easily and you have most of the programs for office and Internet browsing already installed.

Check out this site: http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal- ... -as-1-2-3/