Installing windows onto a harddrive

So, since a few of the laptops that I got are in good condition and nothing wrong with them, I am wiping the hard drives and installing a basic windows onto them. They all had windows XP on them, so that is what I am going to install.

Now, in the past, the install window would pop up, and when you click on "install windows" the next screen asks you where you want to install it. Well the screen shows up, but I cannot click on "Install Windows"

Does anyone have an idea on how I can do this? It has always worked for me before.

I don't deal with CD's, but if I need to, I guess I will go buy some and do it that way.

i usually use a restore disc.....i have xp, vista, and 7

Originally Posted by mikeinreco

i usually use a restore disc.....i have xp, vista, and 7

When I used to use CD's for restore/installs I would just make a cd each time, as the one I made, I gave it to the buyers so in case something happened, they would have the cd.


Now I use damontools for an .iso program and install stuff like that instead of burning to a cd.

Originally Posted by AuburnEwaste

What are you using to install windows? CD/DVD/Flash drive? There are all sorts of weird things that come up.

Once you get the hang of things, you need to look at getting a hard drive cloning program, and learn about the wonderful world of .iso images. This way you can install the image onto the hard drive and it is much faster. This is also great for multiple machines that are all the same. Load the .iso onto the machine, install updates, then you can clone them "drive to drive".

Well right now nothing. I was/am using damontools since they are .iso images. When you click on the program, it gives you an option to either run the setup files, or open the file and see all the other files inside. Normally in the past, it has worked rather well for me to install windows on the hard drives while I had them plugged into my desktop. I would run the installer and then choose the drive that the hard drive was hooked up to, to install the OS. This is the first time i have tried with XP and it wont let me click on "install windows xp"

Right, generally i have no issues installing .iso files using damontools on anything i want, but for some reason this isnt working.

I am getting frustrated with windows xp not wanting to give me the option to install it on the hard drive, any hard drive that I have hooked up to my pc.

I am going in a day or 2 and buying a usb thumb drive...but here is a few questions.

1.what is the minimum size that the thumb drive needs to be to have the windows OS on it?

2.If windows xp wont give me an option now to install, then how can I install the .iso onto the thumb drive?