formatting new notebook HD from external CD drive?

[hunapu]

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I'm trying to find a way to get my Toshiba notebook working again. The CD-ROM drive and the HD have, over time, both broke down. I just purchased a new HD for it, but am worried that I won't have a way to format and install the OS. I was hoping to use an external CD/DVD drive to do it, but I don't know how to get the system to access the external drive, given that no OS is installed. The external drive can be connected via firewire or USB, if that makes any difference.

I'd rather not buy/replace the optical drive...is there a way to do this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Check the notebook's BIOS and find the "boot order" option, and turn on all the relevant options.

It should be able to boot off a USB-attached CDROM - you might have issues installing an OS from there though.

Worst case scenario, look up RIS (Remote Installation Services) and do a network install. This is assuming you're using Windows.

- M4H

 

[hunapu]

Thanks for replying....I need some remedial help with your suggestions though.

How do I check the BIOS? Do I hit some F-key while it's loading up, or something else?

Sorry, I'm still learnign this stuff.

 

[hunapu]

After talking to Toshiba, I've learned that one cannot access the BIOS on my model of notebook. So I guess I'm SOL.

Thanks for the help in any case.

 

[fbrdphreak]

If you can hook the hard drive up to another computer (Buy cheap external 2.5" enclosure or 2.5" IDE-->USB kit), you might be able to copy the install CD's contents to the HDD, boot up with a boot floppy or something, and start the install from the command prompt. You'd need a floppy tho

 

[imported_jon1003]

see this thread link
there might be a way to get into your bios. If you can attach an external usb CD drive, and get it to boot from it, there won't be any problem installing windows from it. I did it with my Asus before the internal cd drive was shipped to me