Ok, so I want to do a clean install of windows on my laptop. I have a bunch of files and I already backed them up, so I am ready to use my Windows disc and wipe it clean. The only problem is my CD Drive is broken and cant read disks. Is there anyway to restore it without using a cd drive?
The external optical drive is the better suggestion. Most machines need some sort of optical device. Another more tedious method would be to get an external USB2.0 2.5" HDD enclosure for about $45.00. I am assuming your laptop is new enough for USB2.0 Remove the laptop HDD and install in the external enclosure. Hook up that drive to another machine. You say your have your data backed up, so format the laptop HDD in FAT32. Copy the i386 from your XP CD to the HDD. Either SYS the HDD to make it bootable or plan on using a floppy to boot the laptop. Install the HDD back in the laptop. Boot to HDD or floppy. Run the install for the i386 folder. Usually a command something like this: C:\i386\WinNT /S:C:\i386 /T:C:\ The /S: command is to indentify location of source files. Once Windows XP is installed do a CONVERT to change the drive to NTFS. Some newer laptops can boot to a USB thumb drive if the thumb drive has been made bootable. You could do the same as above but with a thumb drive.
