How to install Windows XP / Vista / 7 from USB Stick / Flash Drive

Here’s how to create a Windows XP, bootable, USB key. This is very useful especially persons using Netbook or in the case that your PC is not equipped with a DVD/CD player or its is out of order.

 
Creating your bootable USB key:
First of all, you will need:
A USB key (capacity:1 or 2 GB;)
A Windows XP CD ( official version )  or an ISO image of Windows XP
A PC with a CD player and a USB key
And this software WinSetupFromUSB : http://www.datafilehost.com/download-109e97af.html [Used in this article]

If you need spcial drivers or you want to create a slipstream / unattended / shrinked version of Windows XP then you'll have to use Nlite.

Another good software is WinToFlash http://wintoflash.com/home/en/

If you’re trying to install Windows 7 on a netbook, Microsoft is making things even easier. Just use the Windows 7 USB tool.

It will also require that:
Your USB key is bootable. 
Your machine can boot your USB key (see in the BIOS).
Your key is fast enough to avoid delays during installation of the OS.

WinSetupFromUSB

HP Format Tool

Steps to Follow:

1. Select your Windows Source, it could be a CD / DVD and / or in case you don't have a ROM Drive then an ISO image that is mounted on a virtual drive. You can use image softwares like UltraISO, PowerISO or MagicDisk for mounting an ISO image. 
2. Select your target USB Drive, be very careful and double check your selection. If your USB doesn't show up in the list you can try hitting the refresh button and then go on the small arrow just to the left and select the USB key that you'll be using to boot XP.
3. In 'Force Target Disk Type', select 'Removable'.
4. Use HP Format Tool to format your flash drive and format it in NTFS File System, this speeds up the data read significantly at the Text Mode part at the start of installtion of Windows XP.
5. If everything goes as planned and I hope it does, you can Hit the 'Go' button Wait for the copying procedure. Then close the software (you are informed when the copy is complete) and your USB will be created.

Optional: You can use UltimateBoodCD, Windows 7 / Vista / Recovery ISO, PartedMagic or any other linux distribution ISO too. This will make it a multi boot USB.

Installing XP

For the first time when you'll connect your bootable USB to your PC / netBook, you may have to change the boot order in the BIOS, so that your computer can boot from the USB Flash drive. All the latest desktops / laptops / netBooks have the ability to boot from USB Flash Drives and there is a Quick Boot Menu too. It could be F12, F2, F9 or DEL button, so figure out yourself this part. Just make sure the USB is already attached. :)
 
Steps to Follow:

OK, So right here, I'm assuming that you've successfully booted from your USB Flash Drive and you'll be presented with the following screen.

Press ENTER

Select 'First part of Windows XP Professional setup', this will start the text mode installation procedure.

Complete this part untill the 'Copying of Files to your Hard Disk' and RESTART your PC. Boot again from the USB but now Slect the 2nd Option.

Select 'Secondpart of Windows XP Professional setup', this will start the graphic mode installation procedure.

Complete this part, you maybe presented with the following screen too. Just keep it as it is and Press ENTER.

 
Now your Windows XP is installed with your USB key! I tried to make this as easy as possible. If theres still any problem, you can hit me @bithack3r and I'll be glad to help you.

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How to reinstall / fix GRUB2 after installing / dual booting Windows 7 or Ubuntu 10.10

Reinstalling GRUB 2

  

There may be times when a user needs to either move or reinstall a GRUB 2 installation. GRUB 2 needs to be reinstalled when a user is presented with a blank screen with only the word "GRUB", no prompt, and no ability to enter commands. This often happens when the MBR of the booting device is altered and GRUB 2 is removed, such as when Windows is installed after Ubuntu. Additionally, if a user cannot boot into an operating system at all, even using the rescue mode mode, a complete reinstallation of GRUB 2 may be necessary.    

 

Reinstalling from LiveCD

  

If you cannot boot from GRUB 2 review the section Boot Problems and Rescue Mode. If a reinstall becomes necessary follow these instructions. Two methods are presented; both require booting from a LiveCD (Ubuntu 9.10, Karmic Koala or later version). If the first method does not work, follow the second method, which is more complex and contains more options and instructions.   

 

SIMPLEST - Copy GRUB 2 Files from the LiveCD

  

This is a quick and simple method of restoring a broken system's GRUB 2 files. The terminal is used for entering commands and the user must know the device name/partition of the installed system (sda1, sdb5, etc). The problem partition is located and mounted from the LiveCD. The files are then copied from the LiveCD libraries to the proper locations and MBR. It requires the least steps and fewer command line entries than the following methods.  

1. Boot to the LiveCD Desktop (Ubuntu 9.10 or later).

2. Open a terminal by selecting Applications, Accessories, Terminal from the menu bar.

3. Determine the partition with the Ubuntu installation. The fdisk option "-l" is a lowercase "L".

   1. sudo fdisk -l

      If the user isn't sure of the partition, look for one of the appropriate size or formatting.

      Running sudo blkid may provide more information to help locate the proper partition, especially if the partitions are labeled. The device/drive is designated by sdX, with X being the device designation. sda is the first device, sdb is the second, etc. For most users the MBR will be installed to sda, the first drive on their system. The partition is designated by the Y. The first partition is 1, the second is 2. Note the devices and partitions are counted differently.

4. Mount the partition containing the Ubuntu installation.

   sudo mount /dev/sdXY /mnt

   Example: sudo mount /dev/sda1 Note: If the user has a separate /boot partition, this must be mounted to /mnt/boot Note: If the user has a separate /home partition, this must be mounted to /mnt/home. Encrypted home partitions should work.

5. Run the grub-install command as described below. This will reinstall the GRUB 2 files on the mounted partition to the proper location and to the MBR of the designated device.

   sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sdX

   Example: sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda

6. Reboot

7. Refresh the GRUB 2 menu with sudo update-grub

8. If the user wishes to explore why the system failed, refer to Post-Restoration Commands section below.

 

METHOD 2 - Copy GRUB 2 Files from the Installed Partition

 

This is a quick and simple method of restoring a broken system's GRUB 2 files. The problem partition is located and mounted from the LiveCD. The files are then copied from the broken system's /boot/grub directory to the proper locations and MBR. It requires fewer steps and fewer command line entries than the following CHROOT method. For users with separate system partitions, such as a separate /boot partition, or other special circumstances, using the CHROOT method may provide better results.

1. Boot to the LiveCD Desktop (Ubuntu 9.10 or later).
2. Mount the partition with your Ubuntu installation.

   1. From the Places menu, select and click the partition containing your Ubuntu installation to mount it.

      • 

      • If the partition isn't recognized, look for one of the appropriate size or label.

      • Once mounted, the user should see Ubuntu system directories such as /boot

3. Open a terminal by selecting Applications, Accessories, Terminal from the menu bar.

4. Run the grub-setup -d command as described below. This will reinstall the GRUB 2 files on the mounted partition to the proper location and to the MBR of the designated device.

   1. Determine the mount point by referring to the location box in Places. Replace XXXX in the command with the UUID, or replace /media/XXXX with the correct location if the partition is not mounted in /media. The designation may be a UUID, or a label, if the user has created one (see note).

   2. If the location window is not in the format shown, click on the icon to the left to change the presentation.

      • 

   3. When ready to copy the UUID/location, by highlighting it with the mouse. Paste it into the terminal by pressing the middle mouse button. If using the keyboard, use CTRL-SHIFT to copy the location and CTRL-SHIFT-V to paste it into the terminal.

   4. The device/drive is designated by sdX, with X being the device designation. sda is the first device, sdb is the second, etc. For most users the MBR should be installed to sda, the first drive on their system.

      sudo grub-setup -d /media/XXXX/boot/grub /dev/sda

      Example:

      sudo grub-setup -d /media/7848138a-41a0-4eba-8aed-d1b625ac8759/boot/grub /dev/sda

   5. If the user gets a "error: Cannot open /boot/grub/device.map" message, add the -m switch and path to the device.map to the command as follows:

      sudo grub-setup -d /media/XXXXX/boot/grub -m /media/XXXXX/boot/grub/device.map /dev/sda

      Example:

      sudo grub-setup -d /media/7848138a-41a0-4eba-8aed-d1b625ac8759/boot/grub -m /media/7848138a-41a0-4eba-8aed-d1b625ac8759/boot/grub/device.map /dev/sda

   6. Other switches are available for use with the grub-setup command. In a terminal, type grub-setup --help for a list of available options.

   7. You may find you get a repeated "error: Cannot open /boot/grub/device.map" message. If this happens try rebooting. The UUID method may actually work but throws an error message falsely. Using the label name does not seem to evoke the same repeated error message.

5. Reboot

6. Refresh the GRUB 2 menu with sudo update-grub

7. If the user wishes to explore why the system failed, refer to Post-Restoration Commands section below.

   Ubuntu 9.10 introduced a new application which can easily assign labels to existing partitions. Access Disk Utility from the System, Administration menu.

 

METHOD 3 - CHROOT

 

This method of installation uses the chroot command to gain access to the broken system's files. Once the chroot command is issued, the LiveCD treats the broken system's / as its own. Commands run in a chroot environment will affect the broken systems filesystems and not those of the LiveCD.

1. Boot to the LiveCD Desktop (Ubuntu 9.10 or later). Please note that the Live CD must be the same as the system you are fixing - either 32-bit or 64-bit (if not then the chroot will fail).

2. Open a terminal - Applications, Accessories, Terminal.

3. Determine your normal system partition - (the switch is a lowercase "L")

   sudo fdisk -l

   • If you aren't sure, run

     df -Th. Look for the correct disk size and ext3 or ext4 format.

4. Mount your normal system partition:
   • Substitute the correct partition: sda1, sdb5, etc.

   sudo mount /dev/sdXX /mnt # Example: sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt

5. Only if you have a separate boot partition:

   • sdYY is the /boot partition designation (for example sdb3)

   • sudo mount /dev/sdYY /mnt/boot

6. Mount the critical virtual filesystems:

   sudo mount --bind /dev  /mnt/dev
   sudo mount --bind /dev/pts  /mnt/dev/pts
   sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
   sudo mount --bind /sys  /mnt/sys

7. Chroot into your normal system device:

   sudo chroot /mnt

8. If there is no /boot/grub/grub.cfg or it's not correct, create one using

   update-grub

9. Reinstall GRUB 2:

   • Substitute the correct device - sda, sdb, etc. Do not specify a partition number.

   grub-install /dev/sdX

10. Verify the install (use the correct device, for example sda. Do not specify a partition): sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sdX

11. Exit chroot: CTRL-D on keyboard

12. Unmount virtual filesystems:

    sudo umount /mnt/dev/pts
    sudo umount /mnt/dev
    sudo umount /mnt/proc
    sudo umount /mnt/sys

    • If you mounted a separate /boot partition:

      sudo umount /mnt/boot

13. Unmount the LiveCD's /usr directory:

    sudo umount /mnt/usr

14. Unmount last device:

    sudo umount /mnt

15. Reboot.

    sudo reboot

 

Post-Restoration Commands

 

Once the user can boot to a working system, try to determine why the system failed to boot. The following commands may prove useful in locating and/or fixing the problem.

• To refresh the available devices and settings in /boot/grub/grub.cfg

  • sudo update-grub

  To look for the bootloader location.

  • grub-probe -t device /boot/grub

  To install GRUB 2 to the sdX partition's MBR (sda, sdb, etc.)

  • sudo grub-install /dev/sdX

  To recheck the installation. (sda, sdb, etc.)

  sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sda

If you need help on this, just leave a comment or follow me @bithack3r and send me a driect message.

 

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10 things to do after installing Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

So you’ve downloaded Ubuntu 10.10, made yourself a freshly minted copy and installed it with haste. Now what? 

Here is our guide to the top 10 post-install must-do’s that will help ensure you get off to a marvellous start with the Maverick Meerkat.

1. Run Update Manager

Just because you’ve installed the latest version of Ubuntu doesn’t mean that there won’t be some updates and patches waiting for you. Make sure you run the update manager (if it doesn’t update you first) so that you’re benefitting from the latest fixes and features.

2. Enable graphics card drivers for 3D fun

If you want to use advanced desktop effects such as Compiz (3d Cube, wobbly windows) then you will need to enable the “official” drivers for your graphics card.

Ubuntu should automatically detect and alert you that 3D drivers are available. If so, you will see a ‘circuit board’ icon appear on the top panel. Click this and follow the prompts.

If Ubuntu fails to detect any hardware (do be patient as this isn’t always instant) then you can manually run the ‘hardware configuration tool’ from the System > Preferences menu.

3. Set up Ubuntu One file sync

Ubuntu One provides all Ubuntu users with 2GB of free online storage space that allows  to back up and sync important files, Firefox bookmarks, Tomboy notes and Evolution contacts between computers – as well as any other  file or folder you wish.

Head to Applications > Internet > UbuntuOne to get started.

4. Install Ubuntu Tweak and make your life easier

Ubuntu Tweak is a one-stop shop for managing and installing extra applications, tweaking your desktop (such as putting the window controls back on the right and choosing which icons show on the desktop) and allowing you to keep your system in tip-top shape with the built in system cleaning options.

5. Visit the Software Centre to find great apps

One size certainly does not fit all so if you’re wanting to add VLC, install Photoshop rival The GIMP or play some awesome games then look no further than the Ubuntu Software Centre which can be launched from the Applications menu.

Everything is one-click install so browse around – make sure you check out the cool new featured applications section, too!

6. Integrate your browser

By default most browser look pants in Ubuntu so wrap a band-aid around the sore thumb of no-integration and apply a matching theme to your browser of choice

• Ubuntu 10.10 Ambiance & Radiance themes for Chrome, Firefox & Opera

7. Install some indicators

Ubuntu’s Indicator-Applet project – which aims to make panel application entries behave consistently  – is pretty neat.

So neat, in fact, that there are a tonne of really neat and useful indicator applets you can add and use.

Everything from screenshot and system load monitoring tools to workspace switchers and USB ejectors.

• View Indicator Applet posts

8. Add Gmail, Thunderbird, Google Voice and more to the Messaging Menu

Make the messaging menu (the green envelope) work for you by adding notification support for Gmail, Thunderbird and other applications.

• Gmail
• Thunderbird
• Zimbra

9. Install Nautilus-Elementary

Ubuntu’s default file-browser – Nautilus – is, by default, is a bit of a mess. Add some file-browsing simplicity to your set-up by installing the paired-down, and quite frankly beautiful, Nautilus-Elementary.

Better still the refined replacements comes with many great features not present in normal-Nautilus including a ‘cover-flow’ like browsing view, toolbar editor, built-in terminal, ability to hide the ‘main menu’ and a zoom slider.

You can upgrade Nautilus using the official PPA (Personal Package Archive). Installing this allows you to remain automatically up-to-date with any change and new release.

Add it by entering the commands below in a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal): -

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:am-monkeyd/nautilus-elementary-ppa

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

10. Enjoy using it!

Finally, to end on a corny note, take some time out to just enjoy using it. Forget about finding and installing new apps or tweaking some part of Maverick for an hour or so and just use Ubuntu like anyone else would: check Facebook in Firefox, chat to your mates on Empathy, type up that letter in Open Office and listen to some music in Rhythmbox.

Ubuntu 10.10 is a fantastic upgrade from 10.04 so take some time to soak in the fantastic achievement of it.

Pssst!

Whilst we are at it – why not subscribe to BitHacker! to find out about the latest news, cool applications, tips, tweaks, gorgeous themes and wallpapers and a healthy side-serving of opinion and bad jokes? C’mon, you know you want to.

• Twitter @BitHacker

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