Can you use an image to install Windows/Remote install question

[j-dawg]

Don't worry, no piracy is involved here.

I recently bought a Dell laptop on eBay. It has no CD-ROM drive; as an ultraportable, it eschewed optical and floppy drives for light weight, instead offering an external 24x CD-ROM. The computer didn't come with it.

I recently installed MS Office to the laptop using an image saved on my desktop, which has a CD-ROM drive. I mounted the image over my network and installed the programs. All went smoothly.

But now we come across problems: the seller neglected to use the Dell CD to install windows, and now the computer tells me that I need to reactivate Windows within three days (to become two in a few hours) because of "extensive hardware changes." The Dell CD it came with does not require a COA to install, so I figured I would install that. Unfortunately, I have no CD-ROM drive for the Dell, and I can't get one within three days. So would it work to rip the image of the Dell CD onto the desktop, and then mount it to the laptop for the install? I know you can't boot off an image, but does the Dell CD copy all the files before it installs the OS?

Also, I have a copy of Windows 2000. How do remote installs work? Can I remote-install Win2k to the laptop using my XP Pro desktop? (If I did, it would only be to hold me over until I get a CD-ROM, which should be within two or three weeks, so activating it isn't a problem).

 

[F1xxer]

The last time I did that was with Windows 98 SE. I had an IBM SureOne (a point-of-sale computer) that only had a floppy drive that needed 98. Rather than rip the goofy thing apart I built a bootable floppy that had WFWG on it and accessed the Windows CD I had on a share on another computer. I don't see why there would be a problem doing something similar to that with XP.

If you have a Server2003 box you could do RIS. That's pretty damned cool once you get it setup. But I'm guessing that's not an option here.

But you seriously don't have ANYONE you could borrow an optical drive from for a couple hours? Hell, go dumpster diving by the colleges if there are any near. There's tons of good shit laying around this time of year.

 

[j-dawg]

No optical drives for a Dell Latitude C400. The computer has no slot to put in a CD-ROM drive, only external, and the only drive I have won't work because I don't have the cable. Apparently the cables are expensive--$35 on eBay, plus shipping, talk about gouging. So basically I can't use the drive, because I don't know anyone with a cable.

I wish I'd waited until I'd read this thread to try cracking the activation, because the program I used was either malicious or didn't work--now the laptop won't boot into Windows at all. So I guess I'll wait until I get a cable.

 

[ChingChang]

if it wants you to reactivate windows, why would you need an install disk/image?? All you should need is the product key. And if you've got a key that isn't working, you can call and have it reactivated over the phone. Takes 5-10 minutes.