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Installing OS via external USB CD drive...
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Posted by: cjmdjm
I wasnt sure whether to put this in the hardware or software forum since it deals with both really. Anyway, I am considering buying an old ultralight laptop for checking email or typing papers around campus (Im a college student) so I dont have to carry my fast, but really heavy, desktop replacement around all the time. However, most of the ultralights I am considering have no built in CD/DVD or floppy and some do not come with operating systems installed. Can I install windows XP using an external USB CD drive? Will the BIOS recognize this drive outside of windows, or will there be problems with a lack of USB drivers/CD drive drivers not being loaded until windows boots? Many of these models offer various types of docking stations that add a CD drive and some other ports, although these are generally more expensive than just buying an external USB CD drive, but do you think they would work better or get around the possible issue of USB/CD drivers not being loaded until windows boots? Or is this a problem at all?
Thanks!
Posted by: matt.modica
Some BIOS's recognize USB devices if "USB boot" or something like that is enabled, but most don't see USB devices. I have never seen a laptop that does recognize a USB device before windows loads. IHMO, if a laptop doesn't have a CD drive, don't get it. It is just something you need. I can help you find a good inexpensive light laptop if you want, and other members can contribute too.
This is a good one. But if you are traveling a lot, considder getting an 8 cell bettery, as the one this comes with only gets about 45 mins.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16834115252
Posted by: cjmdjm
lol, I was actually thinking a bit cheaper than that. I already have a powerful desktop replacement, I just want something thin, light, and dirt cheap that i can stick a cheap wireless card in and check email around campus. It need only be fast enough to check email, browse the internet, play mp3s, and type papers on and have a USB port or card slot for a wirelss network adaptor. As far as Im concerned, a CD/DVD is dead weight I have to carry around so I don't want one unless its abosolutely necessary. ie this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
There is a docking station available for that particular model and the docking station has a built in CD drive, which obviously connects through the docking station port on the bottom of the laptop. Could this be recognized by the BIOS? Any other suggestions for other similiar laptops or a way to install an OS on one like that?
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
I do not think a USB CD drive will be compatible with that laptop as far as boothing goes. Too old.
Your best bet is a docking station or perhaps a network install from your desktop to the laptop assuming it has some sort of Ethernet port built in and somekind of OS on it.
Another option is a usb enclosure for laptop hard drives. You could fully install an OS onto the hard drive through your desktop usb port then put the hard drive back in the laptop. I have seen those for sale around 30$.
You also might consider using a light weight Linux distro. Wouldn't cost you a dime for the OS and some are specifically made for older laptops.
Posted by: matt.modica
The older laptops are actually heavier, though much less expensive. How about this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16834115279
Posted by: cjmdjm
Perhaps I am looking at this the wrong way. I just want to be able to check email, type papers, and listen to music with out having to carry my 9 pound desktop replacement around. But I am on a very tight college student's budget, having already spent a lot of money on my powerful desktop replacement. Its not that I regret getting a big heavy laptop like that, I need the power because Im in to gaming. So I was looking for a way to do this for under $150-$200. So I found the IBM thinkpad X20, which weighs in at only 3.1 pounds, less than any sub-$1000 laptop on newegg, and can be had for $150 on eBay plus $50 new battery. But perhaps an old ultra-light laptop is the wrong way to go. I don't know much about PDAs and smartphones, how much do they cost? Can I surf the net, listen to music, type papers on them? Is internet access on a smartphone only through the wireless carrier, or can I use my university's campus-wide 802.11g? Any other suggestions for other devices or a better place to get a suitable ultra-light laptop for really cheap besides eBay?
Posted by: goranpaa
E-Bay is a quite risky place to buy stuff from. You never know what you get.
But maybe this is better?
http://usanotebook.com/light_weight_laptops.php
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
 Quote:
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Originally Posted by cjmdjm
Perhaps I am looking at this the wrong way. I just want to be able to check email, type papers, and listen to music with out having to carry my 9 pound desktop replacement around.
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Well you definitely don't want a smartphone or pda if you want to type papers.
Honestly the odds of you getting something that can do all that for 200$ is slim to none unless the laptop is either prehistoric, or there's somekind of defect with it. You might get a deal if you can get one without an OS, but even then it would be a stretch.
Also. after using a snappy gaming notebook, I doubt you would be happy using a Celeron 300 laptop with a screen you can barely see. But that's me. Maybe you're different. 
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