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buckstaff

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How to Install Windows XP Pro without a CDROM (install files are on harddrive).

I have a Dell laptop which needs to have Windows reinstalled due to a bad virus.  This laptop is so small and it did not come with a CDROM, however, I found the I386 Folder on the C: Drive.  Can I use this too reinstall Windows XP?  Will I still be able to format the drive and install Windows XP when the files reside on the harddrive?

Thanks in advance.

T.J.
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SheharyaarSaahil
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Dell laptops comes with a seperate partition having all the installation data which can restore the factory settings
can you tell us the make and model of this laptop?
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buckstaff

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its the Latitude X200

Thanks
by the way.  There is so much spyware and viruses on this thing.  This is the reason I wanted to format and reinstall windows.  Thanks.
You'll need to boot so that you can access the I386 directory.
(Win98 boot disk or similar)
Once you have booted with a boot floppy you should be at the A prompt.
A:\>
Type CD c:\
C:\>
Type CD i386
C:\>i386
From this point I believe that you need to type in WINNT.EXE and then select Enter.
Hope this helps!
:-)
David
ok one more problem.  this stupid laptop doesn't have nor come with a floppy drive.  I do have a USB flash drive, I'm not sure if I can boot off of that however.
nothing on Dell website, they hae written everywhere about using the Restore Disks which you can't as there is no cd drive
where is the documentation of this machine, check out if they have anything on Recovery options?
did you get Recovery Disks btw with this machine?
i hate Dell.  This is a laptop that we use at work.  I'm the IT admin, and I was stumped on how to reinstall Windows.  

Can I run setup in the I386 folder while windows is running?
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I don't think that is possible. If you were performing an upgrade, yes.
ok i found a PCMCIA cd-rom.  Do PCMCIA cd-roms boot from CD?
"Do PCMCIA cd-roms boot from CD?" - They can, if the laptop allows you to load the PCMCIA drivers, or recognizes the drive during the initial startup prior to booting from the hard drive.
Ok its not booting from the CDROM.  Since this this doesn't have a floppy drive either, am I screwed?
This is a great guide for reinstalling on a Dell:  http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm . . it may give you some pointers
That model came with a "Media Base" which has the cd-rom amoung other devices . . any idea where that would be?
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You can boot from USB drives (but you'd have to format the usb) - do a google search on "Boot from USB drive" to get started.
Hey Buckstaff, do you still need help with this? Havent heard from you in a while....
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