How to: Install XP from U3 USB key, easy!

I am almost scared to try reinstalling from my U3 with another drive in another slot.

I couldn't figure out how to get this to work so in a desperate attempt to make use of my AA1, I removed the HDD and put it in my desktop and loaded windows onto it. Of course it was late at night and I wasn't thinking so I left it as a secondary HDD in my desktop so it has no boot information on it. I have been trying to find a bootable program to create a MBR but nothing has worked so far. Im tempted to try using another USB drive in another slot but if it fails and over-writes any of the OS that is on there im going to throw my AA1 out the window.

 

OK. I don't have the solution, but all i can say is, do NOT start fixing things at night! It won't end well! Trust me, i know! Go to bed, sleep, wake up with new energy and spirit, and THEN do it

 

I installed my xp using a 2G Sandisk Micro U3 stick created using the universal customizer with my custom nlited ISO onto an MSI Wind u90 without issues just now. I had another Patriot 2GB x-mini flash drive in on of the usb ports.

 

i had a problem with the universal customizer, it always told me that only one drive could be connected at a time (under vista).

then i made a search, and i found this: http://www.emtec-international.com/soft ... .0.5.5.zip

i made the update, and then i run the customizer included in the package with my xp.iso and it all went just fine.

i just posted this because it might help anyone that may fond the same problem i had.

 

bought a 2GB Cruzer u3-stick, prepared that as mentioned here and formatted my old 8GB Cruzer u3 to FAT32, and used another WindowsXP image, but I still have the same problem. Not working.

 

Remove the U3/CDFS partition from the U3 flash device that you are using as the secondary device:

http://www.sandisk.com/Assets/u3/launchpadremoval.exe

The U3/CDFS file partition may be restored via using the Universal Customizer.

 

try a smaller flash drive like 2gb. Btw my xmini was formated in FAT16

 

It was removed when I tried

I'll try and reverse it and install from the larger stick.
My Vista 32bit machine has all sorts of issues with recognizing the u3 sticks as u3 sticks btw...any clues?

EDIT: I wonder if it does matter in which USB ports the sticks are plugged in to?


EDIT2: I ended up ripping out the DVDreader from my stationary computer and plugging it in to the AspireOne using a USB to PATA/SATA adapter. Worked like a charm.

 

There's more than one way to skin a cat! The USB to PATA/SATA adapter (with an external power supply) was the initial way how I installed XP on my A110; but, I believe that for a portable netbook a portable solution is required. I've tried the standard USB install methods - they work even if (personally, I find that) they are rather laborious. The beauty of the U3 method - after all the spade work has been done - is that all that is required is a standard ISO: Ubuntu, Slackware, Windows 7 Ultimate Beta, Ultimate Boot CD, and so on. Ubuntu 8.10 works beautifully when booted from a U3 stick. Moreover, it's possible to create multi-boot U3 CDFS images - without creating coasters.

The U3 method is my preferred method for installing operating systems onto any compatible computer.

 

well it's obviously not bulletproof since it didn't work for me and none of the support I received here worked :|

 

hi hope some one can help i got a sandisk 8gb cruzor usb stick with u3 but when i run the universal customizer exe it runs i follow the onscreen instrutions it gets to around 50% the usb stick reboots and i get the following error ........ failed to access your u3 smart drive u3 customizer will now shut down tried everything i can think of but nothing seems to work am i doing something wrong i dont really know a thing about u3 thanx for any help

 

For some reason, my Vista machine had a lot of issues with the customizer and I had to use a machine running WinXP sp3 to prepare the u3stick.

And another alert for anyone trying to do this, unplug your Ipod. I tried to run the customizer on my Vista machine, and my ipod was plugged in (classic 160GB) and it threw a fit and took a very long time for it to reboot after I did a reset...all while the ipod was clicking oddly. I thought it actually died, but now it's up an running again.

Just disconnect it to be sure, is my advice

 

An alternative to using the "Universal Customizer" to write an ISO image to a Sandisk Cruzer U3 compatible USB device is to use Sandisk's "LPInstaller.exe"

1. Download LPInstaller.exe - http://u3.sandisk.com/download/apps/LPInstaller.exe
2. Using RAR (or Universal Extractor) extract LPInstaller.exe to a directory of your choice
3. In the extraction directory create a file qa.ini with the following lines:

Code:

[QA]
localISOPath=C:\your_iso_file.iso

4. Open a DOS prompt navigate to the extraction directory and run the following command: "LPInstaller local"
5. Follow the wizard's instructions, WAIT!
6. "Safely Remove Hardware" when the update process has been completed.

LPInstaller version = 1.0.2.36

Courtesy of http://u3community.com/viewtopic.php?p=6116#6116

 

Any update on the BSOD problem yet?

TIA

 

I'm sorry, but I get the exact same BSOD with this technique...I have no clue why it doesn't work. I now have a new SSD in my A110 so I guess that rules out that there was an issue with my old SSD.

 

So, I take it that writing an ISO image to a U3 compatible drive is not an issue. The only suggestions I can make are:

1. Make sure that you are using the latest BIOS - 3309
2. Initially, use an unmodified Windows XP (SP3) install disk (ISO)
3. Find a secondary flash device that works for your particular setup. Success has been reported with a "Patriot 2GB x-mini flash drive" and an "EasyDisk 2g" flash drive.

As a last resort, I know that you bought an IDE/SATA to USB connector, use an external hard-disk as the secondary USB device.

 

If it's any help to someone. I put an old generic media player into another USB port and it installed straight away. Try putting an MP3 player in another port, it might just work.

 

Inspired by your post, I used a Fuji FinePix S5600 digital camera as the secondary USB device and the Windows XP installation procedure initialised correctly.

USB data transfer MP3 players, and digital cameras are basically USB mass storage devices:

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedi ... vice-class

I suppose, in theory even an IPod might work.

 

I'll give this a shot next week, would be great to know why this is not working. Thanks for all the help

 

got a major problem -after running the process of u3 customiser it stalls and says failed to access u3 device - now when i goto format the stick - originally an 8gb cruzer - im only able to format 2.8gb!!!!

how can i format to the full capacity again....thanks alot, plz help