X32: can I run recovery disks from an external USB HD?

[urban75]

Hi
I've got a Vista X31 and a pile of shiny disks from Lenovo to put it back to the original XP version.

However, here's my problem:
I've got three external CD/DVD drives - one is a Freecom one so old that it isn't recognised by either the BIOS or even Vista, and the other two are FireWire - and there doesn't seen to be any option for booting off that.

USB is enabled in the BIOS and I've tried shunting the boot order around, all to no avail.

I do, however, have a 120GB Maxtor external USB HD - could I use this to run the recovery disk from? And if so, do I just drag over the contents of the CDs or do I have to faff about with making ISO files of them all?

A non spoddy answer would be appreciated!

(If it all gets too complicated, I guess I'd have to look at buying/borrowing a cheapo USB CD drive).

Thanks!

[ajkula66]

Buy or borrow a cheapo USB drive...