formatting win xp and usb external drive

**mahendran106** · 13-02-2011

my note book internal cd drive is not working.

i am not able to format win xp through external usb drive.

after inserting the original win xp cd in the usb drive,I am not able to boot from there. Any settings need be done for booting external usb drive?

Please guide?

**Maq.H** · 13-02-2011

Well, first you need to change the boot device from the BIOS settings to the CD/DVD rom (Most of the times its by default). Restart the PC, keep tapping F10 for the booting Options or Del key (Depends on motheboards). Now restart the system and it should boot from the cd now.

And if as you said, your cd drive is not working, than better boot directly from an ISO file. Keep the XP installation ISO file on any of your hard drive partition, except C drive, double click the ISO image and double click on setup. Thats it. It will bring Autoplay option. Select "Install XP" and you are done.

**mahendran106** · 13-02-2011

boot option in the bios is cd/dvd only.

will I be able to format the drive,as you suggested.

actually I want to format and make a clean installation due to many reasons.

**Maq.H** · 13-02-2011

Originally Posted by mahendran106

will I be able to format the drive,as you suggested.

Yes, off course. No matter you ran the setup/installation from an ISO image, the setup will go as it goes when you run from a DVD or CD. You will get all options including drive formatting. Just go on, and if you face any problem, do reply back. Good Luck.