Can you install Windows (98) on an external hard drive that has been formatted?

  • Thread starter Thread starter garrettsinclair
  • Start date Start date
G

garrettsinclair

I am running XP Pro on my laptop.

I have an 80GB external HD that I just formatted.

I have both a Windows 98 install CD and an XP Home upgrade CD that I
can use.

My intention is to install XP Home on my external HD and then place it
into a new bare-bones unit.

How can I do this? What options do I have?

Thanks.
 
If I put the new/formatted HD into the bare bones - won't I need a
bootable disk?

I was able to copy one (Windows 98 boot disk) from the internet. Can
this be run from a CR-ROM drive?

In a nut - what steps do I need to take to get the bare bones system up
and going?
 
Yes. boot up with Win 98 boot disk. BIOS set to boot first to floppy drive.
The original win 98 boot disk, at least, would prompt you as whether cdrom
support was requested. If cdrom support chosen, setup would install drivers
for cdrom. otherwise cdrom drive will not be available. Hopefully, downloaded
boot disk provides cdrom support option.

Install win 98 on HDD. Then shutdown and boot from XP Home Upgrade CD. Have
to set bios to boot first from cdrom. Perform "Upgrade install".

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941#XSLTH3169121122120121120120
 
Put the new HD into the bare bones box. Set the BIOS to boot
from the CD. Boot from the XP Home Edition Upgrade CD and run
the installation. At some point during the installation you
will be asked to provide qualifying media in order to use the
upgrade CD. This is when you put in the Windows 98 installation
CD. Once the Win98 CD is accepted, you can put the XP CD back
in and proceed with the installation.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
Nepatsfan's response is better and easier.
I don't know why I didn't recommend it. I'm aware that this can be done.
Slipped my mind.
 
If I put the new/formatted HD into the bare bones - won't I need a
bootable disk?
Click to expand...


Well, how were you planning to install WinXP? All legitimate WinXP
installation CDs are bootable.

I was able to copy one (Windows 98 boot disk) from the internet.
Why?


Can
this be run from a CR-ROM drive?
Click to expand...

Can what be run from a CDROM?

In a nut - what steps do I need to take to get the bare bones system up
and going?
Click to expand...

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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