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Thread ID: 109467 2010-05-09 11:01:00 Booting from DVD (no DVD drive) WarNox (8772) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
883441 2010-05-09 11:01:00 Hey!

I need to install Windows Server 2008 on a computer that has no DVD drive, getting one is not an option and I cannot plug another one in as it uses SCSI ports.

Is there a way I can boot from a network share or something like that? Maybe split the DVD into CDs?

I've had a look around but can find nothing concrete. Also cannot find how to make a flash drive bootable with Windows 2008 files.

Thanks for any help :)
WarNox (8772)
883442 2010-05-09 11:20:00 Ok I failed at searching, found how to make Server 2008 USB Bootable so I'll give that a go.

Still would like to know if it is possible to boot from network somehow.
WarNox (8772)
883443 2010-05-09 11:21:00 Try this -- load it from a USB drive --

The Computer will have to be able to boot from a USB device, you may need to change it in the BIOS.

Just a word of warning, when a reboot is required, remove the USB drive before it restarts other wise it will boot from that again.

On W7 or Vista PC -- open a Command prompt as administrator.

Format the thumb drive

1. from a DOS prompt execute: diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk 1 (assuming disk 1 was your thumb drive in the above list disk command) -- Get this right - its a bugger wiping the wrong drive.
4. clean
5. create partition primary
6. select partition 1
7. active
8. format fs=fat32
9. assign
10. exit


Copy the complete Win2008 DVD to the Flash Drive.

All going well, it will boot from the drive and away you go.

Re: the network Boot -- YEP!! you can boot from a WinPE 2.0 disk / drive to connect to a network share and install that way.
wainuitech (129)
883444 2010-05-09 12:50:00 Thats the one I found too, thanks! Seems to work too, now just need to get some working SCSI drives and we're away. WarNox (8772)
883445 2010-05-09 21:08:00 Microsoft now have out a tool for making bootable USB drives called Windows 7 USB/DVD - easy to use. Download (dw.com.com fa02) wainuitech (129)
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