How to install Windows via .CAB files?

[WolfPac_Ite]

Hello everyone. I needed to know how to install Windows staright on to a HDD, so I can then transfer that drive into the PC I need it for, because it doesn't have any useable disk drives. I know the .CAB files need to be copied onto the HDD, but I don't know all the details.

Thanks for any help.

[EzyStvy]

It will vary depending on which version of windows you need to install.

You should be able to boot off the Windows CD.

If it doesn't have a cd or floppy drive->Get one.

[WolfPac_Ite]

If it doesn't have a cd or floppy drive->Get one.

That isn't an option at the moment.

[EzyStvy]

You can try:

1. Slave the drive in another system
2. Format it Fat32
3. Copy the contents of the Windows cd to the drive
4. If for example, the slave drive is "D" drive, go to a command prompt and type: SYS D:

5. Move drive to the intended pc and see it'll boot. If it does you should be able to type: Setup to launch the install.

[WolfPac_Ite]

Slaving the drive in another PC is what I was trying to say. I have Windows 98SE.

Thanks for the response.

[glc]

What Ezy said, but modified slightly:

Put the drive into a 98 machine. Partition it, format it, and make it bootable. Use Fdisk to create a primary dos partition on it, verify what drive letter it's gonna use (I'll use X here for example) - then from a dos prompt type:

format x: /s

Then make a directory for the cabs:

x:
md win98

Copy all the files from the win9x directory on the CD into the directory you made. No need to copy the subdirectories.

Install the drive, boot to it, and from the C prompt, type:

cd win98
setup