is there any program that i can run under ubuntu 10.10 netbook remix and make windows XP installable from a flashdrive via a torrent i downloaded. i need to install windows back on this computer then reinstall linux and dual boot for work.

look into using the dd command.

just google dd iso to usb windows.
and google boot sector bytes on windows cd.

I found a couple possibly useful articles for your request. Here's one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_boot_record (MBR located at 512 bytes so maybe Windows CD is the same?)

Assuming your flash device is located at /dev/sdd perhaps the dd command you're looking for is
That is experimental and I have never done this so don't take it as a guaranteed solution. If this works please report back so others may find it useful.

SAM

hi there,

no dice my man. i need something that can format the device to fat32 and create the iso image into a bootable image on startup. in layman terms, i need the device to install windows xp when i boot from the usb,

Seems to violate the LQ terms doesn't it? You are stealing software and you want us to tell you how.

i made the torrent about 2 years ago from a windows xp professional cd, i redownloaded it from my online storage. so its not stealing. i did this for just such an occasion because i work on netbooks and thats what im currently running on right now.

I found this possibly useful post, I don't know how reliable its information is since it is not sourced.
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=22152
You may also wish to look into BartPE and WPE (Windows Preinstalled Environment) but that cannot install WinXP for you. However that may give you an insight as to how to correctly formulate the command. Or even research how they make their iso images (BartPE uses mkisofs to create its images so looking into that command may be useful).

Edit: Doesn't installing using a hacked key what would make it illegal? Not having the ISO on hand. I have tons of Windows ISO images as backups at my work because people lose CDs all the time. His/her netbook likely doesn't have a CD drive which is why they're trying to "burn" it to a usb disk.

IMO it doesn't violate LQ terms if the OP is using a legal key (which is usually located on the bottom of the netbook).

Hi,

LQ Rules;Reported!

This is annoying because nobody seems to listen to reason. They just autoban content when in fact in the IT world it would be found as useful for situations I have already mentioned.

for what purpose? its my iso image, i bought the windows disc for $150. its not stealing.

I'm going to rephrase my question now, i have a iso in my downloads folder called XP_HOME.iso i want to make it bootable on my flashdrive via program, terminal command, anything that works. and it needs to be able to install when i start it up from bios commands.

Hi,

Then download Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File if your the legal license holder.

i already have my .iso file. why would i need another one?

http://www.nu2.nu/bbie/
I'll continue to assist until LQ governs otherwise. All of my ISOs are made from company CDs legally purchased through Microsoft vendors. In our corporate account, making ISOs as backup copies is part of the TOS.

edit: thanks onebuck for your post on the ISO download. I forgot about that.

drew@drew-laptop:~$ dd if=/dev/XP_HOME.iso of=/dev/sdd bs=2048 count=17
dd: opening `/dev/XP_HOME.iso': No such file or directory
drew@drew-laptop:~$



i legally purchased my cd from microsoft.com

Hi,

If you are the legal license holder then install the image. The EULA states single use unless multiple license. I personally would not get involved with the actions since this does circumvent the agreement.