here, again, thanks all who helped to get the usb HDD worked under DOS. now, i have the system file in the usb HDD, i'd like to install the system from it. well, clearly, i can boot the pc from boot disk(certain the usb driver for my HDD), then get in the HDD, start the system installtion. But after pc copy the system boot files from the HDD, i have to remove the boot disk. then pc could boot from C: , and continun the installtion. here's the ploblem. now may i use the HDD(because here are the system source files.) to continun? i have this question because it won't boot from the boot disk that certain the USB driver. could I? thanks!

http://www.computing.net/hardware/wwwboard/forum/15106.html respose 2 http://www.computing.net/dos/wwwboard/forum/13636.html

sorry, maybe i didn't say clearly. i mean after pc copy the setup file to C: ,then remove the boot disk, pc will boot from C: directly. and right now, pc boots from C: , will USB HDD be used? can USB HDD be read under this windows system setup?

The BIOS must have an entry that states USB Hard Drive is a bootable device. IF and that is a big IF your BIOS is USB bootable, then using say a W98 OEM boot floppy with added USB support, at the A\>_ prompt you would type SYS C: to transfer system files, also in FDISK you must set drive to Active. Then reboot without floppy and you should be at C:\>_ prompt. Therefore the first step is to ensure you have a BOOT from USB BIOS........

thanks to x86. but ..., sorry, maybe because my english is poor ~ . i can understand what are u talking about. my bios is USB bootable. i can boot it from my USB foppy. but what u said is not my answer. well. again. here's more detail. :D Now, I WANT TO INSTALL WINDOWS 2000 FROM USB HDD. (I HAVE WINDOWS2000 CD IN USB HDD.) start the computer using 98 oem bootdisk to get into dos. A:\>smartdrv.exe (load the smartdrv.exe first) A:\>d: (the letter of USB HDD, i had got it worked understand dos) D:\>cd win2k (the windows2000 cd folder) D:\win2k\>cd i386 D:\win2k\i386>winnt.exe (run windows2000 setup.exe) then pc will copy the setup file of windows2000 to the C:, then it will ask me to remove the 98oem bootdisk, and restart the computer. then pc will get into windows2000 setup from C:, then it will ask me to fill the path of the windows2000 cd files. here we go. IS USB HDD WORKING NOW? because i have to fill the path of USB HDD.

NO will not work, Windows 2000, NT4 and XP are not DOS based O/S, the following is a quote: "Advanced USB Boot The Advanced USB Boot provides enumeration and configuration of an USB CD-ROM, Zip, and Hard Disk drive during POST that enables the ability to boot to DOS from an USB CD-ROM, Zip, or Hard Disk drive that is connected to a system either directly or through a hub(s). Additionally USB CD-ROM, Zip, or Hard Disk drive support enables the use of an USB CD-ROM, Zip, or Hard Disk drive while in a DOS environment" This is from: http://www.phoenix.com/en/products/phoenix+cme+firstbios/system+firmware/products/phoenixbios.htm Pheonix aka Award, who create the basic BIOS for the majority of PC's With NT based systems they do not read the BIOS the same as DOS (W1.x/2.x/3.x/9x/ME are DOS based), at start of install must hit F6 to install 3rd party drivers, obviously you would need NT drivers for the USB device which are not available, because manufacturers sell USB drives as an add-on not stand alone. Though it is supposed to be feasible with a FireWire drives? Also does it state USB hard drive bootable, you only mention Floppy bootable?? they are different, USB floppy boot has been around longer than USB drive bootable!

The problem stems from Windows 2000 setup assuming it is a CD installation because it didn't detect network drives - so it expects that it will load from the CD when it reboots, but the USB drivers are gone by then. Have you tried copying the files onto your target hard disk under a special subdirectory, so that you don't need the USB drive anymore? Check out the Source Files entry under this link: http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=7619 Also check out the MS KB on "HOW TO: Install Windows 2000 Professional" at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304868 for alternative installation methods. Another option is to install a basic Windows 98 or ME (with USB recognition) and do an upgrade... HTH