Ever wondered if it was possible to install Windows Server 2008 without needing to lug a external DVD-ROM drive to the datacenter each time one of your machines needs reloaded?

I have some good news, I was doing some searching for a method to allow the easy installation of Server 2008 without needing to carry any disks, external drives, etc. with me each time. I googled for quite a while until I stumbled onto a guide on just how to do it.

Link: http://www.jesscoburn.com/archives/2007/10/15/installing-windows-2008-via-usb-thumbdrive/

Using his guide I was able to do it rather quickly and easily.

Below is the exact steps needed as were layed our by the above site:

Format the thumb drive

1. from a DOS prompt execute: diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk 1 (assuming disk 1 was your thumb drive in the above list disk command)
4. clean
5. create partition primary
6. select partition 1
7. active
8. format fs=fat32
9. assign
10. exit

Copy the Win2008 install files

xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\ (assumes your dvd is drive D: and your thumb drive is drive E:\, adjust accordingly)

It works like a charm!

Filed under: Windows Servers