install vista or xp from usb to HD

[mhike]

hello everybody
Just want to know if there is a chance that I could make an xp installer from usb as well as vista installer for usb. This will be good for laptops without cd rom.I was able to create a bootable usb with xp installer, and was able to install xp off usb through formatting the hd, make it bootable to dos and copy files from usb to HD, and launch the setup from HD, which takes time when installing. This does not met the goal.
I would just like to put the usb like the cd does and should install xp or vista automatically. Installing from usb, dos environment, caused problems like it installed from the usb instead of the target HD. Ive seen usb installers like this so it should be possible. Otherwise, kindly share tested steps in making this.
Thanks a lot and help will be appreciated a lot.

[hellnoire]

I've seen USB installers for Linux, but not for Windows. My Googling also came up with nothing. Sorry.

[heart reaper]

It is possible, but u wont get the exact version for vista. but it is possible for xp. do a searching and you will find it, as i myself have installed it one box.

here
-JCmiras-

Search for the files somewhere else if they are not available at the links given.

[mhike]

thanks for the replies already done it both for xp and vista, though it took me a week to figure it out and test successfully.

[ding-dong]

so you did success mhike, maybe you can post here in the forum what you did so that others may find it interesting and gonna look for a step by step procedure and will try them by themself.
spread the knowlegde bro, thanks!

[mhike]

as suggested, I just search thru google. There are different ways that may or may not work, but for me, regarding Vista, Just need at least more than 4g, through Diskpart command, you may find it in google. Something like from CMD or run type diskpart, list disk, select partition (of your flashdrive), clean, etc. Ill check my notes if I have time, I did not memorize the whole thing.

[newprouser]

as suggested, I just search thru google. There are different ways that may or may not work, but for me, regarding Vista, Just need at least more than 4g, through Diskpart command, you may find it in google. Something like from CMD or run type diskpart, list disk, select partition (of your flashdrive), clean, etc. Ill check my notes if I have time, I did not memorize the whole thing.

please find sometime to post it for XP. I've tried so many methods but none of them seem to work

for vista the method is pretty simple and it also works for 7. I've often used the Vlite'd version in this manner.

[mhike]

what are the methods that you already tried?

[YuMeng]

I install XP, Vista and 7 without using disk but using virtualdisk.

[newprouser]

what are the methods that you already tried?

I made the bart PE files to work from USB (using PeToUSB )and then I replaced them with win XP setup files.

Then I've tried installing using "usb_prep" tool, but apparently that works only if there are no more than one HDD partition.