Booting to windows without HD

[ghidu]

Hi guys, I want a solution to be able to work at my PC without the HD because of the whining noise. I have another 2 PCs in another room and one is on almost all the time so I was thinking about a terminal server or maybe there is something better out there.
I would like to work under XP because my wife uses this PC and I don't think she'll want Linux. Thanks.

 

[bluestrobe]

Why not replace the hard drive? Turning your computer into a terminal server (if possible at this point) is a lot more effort and moving backwards than fixing the original problem.

 

[ghidu]

Originally posted by: bluestrobe
Why not replace the hard drive? Turning your computer into a terminal server (if possible at this point) is a lot more effort and moving backwards than fixing the original problem.

I'm not replacing it because I want a silent PC and I'm sure the HD will be the loudest component after I finish the cooling system. And besides that all the IDE HDs that I have make the same annoying whinning noise. I have 2 SATA drives (one is almost new) but this PC doesn't have a SATA controller and I don't want to buy a SATA PCI card to have another HD installed. Thank you.

 

[JackMDS]

The only logical solution should be a computer that can boot from USB Flash Drive.

A minimal WinXP might fit on 2GB Flash Drive, while a second Flash drive can be used for data.

To be honest, I do not know any one that succeeded in such a Settings.

However, hardware keep getting better may be you would b the first one.

The first steps can be found here, http://www.weethet.nl/english/hardware_bootfromusbstick.php

:sun:

 

[bluestrobe]

I never heard of any "whinning" noises from my HD's except the old or damaged ones. I would invest in a SATA card rather than a couple of USB 2GB drives. I never got the noise level issue but my tolerences are a little higher.

 

[ghidu]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
The only logical solution should be a computer that can boot from USB Flash Drive.

A minimal WinXP might fit on 2GB Flash Drive, while a second Flash drive can be used for data.

To be honest, I do not know any one that succeeded in such a Settings.

However, hardware keep getting better may be you would b the first one.

The first steps can be found here, http://www.weethet.nl/english/hardware_bootfromusbstick.php

:sun:

I don't think XP support booting from removable devices.

Originally posted by: bluestrobe
I never heard of any "whinning" noises from my HD's except the old or damaged ones. I would invest in a SATA card rather than a couple of USB 2GB drives. I never got the noise level issue but my tolerences are a little higher.

You may be right, I played with the idea of no HD, total silent PC.
About that PCI card, can you recommend a good one or maybe a converter is a better choice?

 

[nweaver]

get an Avocent Longview....takes Mon-Mouse-Keyboard and runs them to a small, remote box over Cat5, so you can have your box anywhere you want, and just run Cat5 to your workspace. I do this with my servers (no cold, loud, standing to work on my servers)

 

[jlbenedict]

UBCD4Win

BartPE Builder

Reatogo-XPe

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: ghidu
I don't think XP support booting from removable devices.

That what this is for.

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

BartPE Builder

:sun:

 

[Brazen]

Can't you use PXE to run Windows locally?

 

[ghidu]

Originally posted by: nweaver
get an Avocent Longview....takes Mon-Mouse-Keyboard and runs them to a small, remote box over Cat5, so you can have your box anywhere you want, and just run Cat5 to your workspace. I do this with my servers (no cold, loud, standing to work on my servers)

Excellent idea mweaver, but there are 2 problems: 1st - I can't seem to find this device in my country and 2nd the price is kind of high (the cheapest is like 360$ or something). Do you know what's the maximum length for keyboard, mouse and monitor cables?

Originally posted by: Brazen
Can't you use PXE to run Windows locally?

Brazen, this is what I had in mind in the first place. If you have a link to help me configure it I'll appreciate it.
I'm not looking at building a cd or dvd prebuilt because the optical devices are also loud.
Thank you all and will happly accept any other ideas.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: ghidu

Originally posted by: nweaver
get an Avocent Longview....takes Mon-Mouse-Keyboard and runs them to a small, remote box over Cat5, so you can have your box anywhere you want, and just run Cat5 to your workspace. I do this with my servers (no cold, loud, standing to work on my servers)

Excellent idea mweaver, but there are 2 problems: 1st - I can't seem to find this device in my country and 2nd the price is kind of high (the cheapest is like 360$ or something). Do you know what's the maximum length for keyboard, mouse and monitor cables?

Originally posted by: Brazen
Can't you use PXE to run Windows locally?

Brazen, this is what I had in mind in the first place. If you have a link to help me configure it I'll appreciate it.
I'm not looking at building a cd or dvd prebuilt because the optical devices are also loud.
Thank you all and will happly accept any other ideas.

I don't have a link, I'm not even entirely certain you can boot Windows through PXE. I would starting at the same place you are, so just google around, or maybe someone else knows.

If you want to use a linux server, you can probably use a linux server for the PXE boot but then have the PXE boot use a Windows installation.