XP Guy wrote:
If I have a blank hard drive that I've partitioned as FAT32 and will
boot into DOS, and if I copy the entire contents of an XP cd to the
drive, is there a way I can launch the XP installation process
after the machine starts and boots itself into DOS?
There doesn't seem to be much on the net that explicitly says you
can do that.
I've tried, and setup.exe requires that it be launched from a
protected mode (32-bit) environment (ie like win-98 I guess).
Some other comments I've come across is that possibly the install
can be started from DOS by running winnt.exe with the appropriate
command-line switches. Yet other comments refer to bart-pe.
So, it it possible?
Shenan Stanley wrote:
Yes.
Google could have told you that. ;-)
XP Guy wrote:
If that's true, I haven't found it yet.
If you have, is there some reason you're not posting it?
Shenan Stanley wrote:
You didn't/haven't asked how.
You asked is there a way/if it was possible.
You seem (according to your own responses) just want to be given
the answers to the questions you ask.
I was/am obliging.
XP Guy wrote:
And actually, no. Google didn't tell me that.
I didn't actually come across anything or anyone who gave a
catagorical "yes" to that question, and certainly no one who
claimed they've done it (let alone explaining how).
And until you actually say how, then what basis do I have to
believe the accuracy of your answer?
How do I know that by answering "yes", that you have actually
understood the question? Others have put forward an affirmative
answer, yet their corresponding explanation as to the "how"
indicates they did not actually address or understand the question.
I think any reasonable or rational person would have realized that
my question was framed in such a way as to invite an explanation of
how to do it (if indeed it can be done) and not simply to seek a
"yes" answer without the corresponding details. Clearly, in the
context of the question, an answer stating simply "no" is possible,
while an answer stating only "yes" is incomplete (if not useless)
without the corresponding details of how.
So, now I ask you how it can be done.
Yes/No *is* all you asked for. Quibble the point all you want - but yes/no
is a useful answer if someone is trying to learn something on their own and
just wants to know if they are wasting their time before they jump in to do
so. You seemed to imply that was your intent with your phrasing and very
specific questions without asking "how".
You had no basis to believe the accuracy of my answer - nor did I see the
need to provide one when I answered your direct questions. You cannot even
be sure I understood the question - actually - even after you see the "how".
You can never be sure I understood the question in the manner you want me
to. ;-)
You did find the answer, winnt.exe, as you mentioned it originally. To me -
this again implied intent to try the answer you had found, given you
mentioned trying another method right before that.
I install many of my setups (Windows XP anyway) from DOS (essentially the
level of DOS - or beyond - that came with Windows 98 SE - known from now on
in this response as "Windows 98 DOS") using a method similar to this:
http://unattended.sourceforge.net/
Where you can use either *nix or Windows 98 DOS to install Windows XP onto a
machine. No CD has to be involved - just network in that case.
The main difference is that you have copied all installation files to same
drive and thus you cannot *format* the drive again (not getting into
partitions here - I'm sure you can sort that out.) Be sure to load SMARTDRV
too - otherwise things will take *forever*.
You can get the right DOS from
www.bootdisk.com. Should have SMARTDRV, etc.
In case you think the answer is unclear and/or you still cannot find your
answer using Google...
Here's a Google search:
http://www.google.com/search?&q=inst...the+same+drive
Here's the first 'hit':
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/101421...ard-drive.html
Although the Microsoft instructions assume you have a CD drive still:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307848
They give you some of the same basics.
The following is my opinion - based on this conversation (entire - not just
my part) and is added because I felt like adding it - not because anyone
requested it. Any reasonable or rational person wouldn't be an @$$ to
people just trying to help them, especially when said person *asked* for
their help. They might clarify things, they might say that was not what
they wanted in some polite manner - as they are reasonable and rational -
but they wouldn't insult or attack them and still expect an answer from
them.
See the entire conversation - it's archived indefinitely he
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...409b97eb470a76
*shrug*
You have your answer and your how - now you should try it to verify for
yourself it is what you wanted. If it is not - please come back and
follow-up.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html