Need to install Win XP on a Optiplex 755 with a missing internal optcal drive. I have tried an external USB drive (brand new omega) but the Dell computer seems not recognise the extrenal drive. Says "No boot system available".

Hi
check in setup achi and ata mode change then install
click yes for vote

You need to make boot part/section on your usb disc/drive Use win to usb utility which is easiest way to install xp or windows7 on external usb hdd or to make a pen dtive bootable for installing o.s. without dvd rom from pen drive.I have done both comfortably within couple of minutes and no need of any command prompt.

N my view you only needs to go to bios setup and "boot from USB" must be ON ... then save the setting and restart the PC with boot able USB with Windows XP mount on it... Thanks..

There may be an issue with the way the USB drive is formatted. Assuming you've already set the BIOS on the Optiplex to try booting from USB first, try the instructions below on the PC you're creating the USB image with:

1. Shut down your computer via the operating system. Insert a four gigabyte USB flash drive into an available USB port on your computer. Then turn the computer back on.

2. Click on the "Start" menu in the lower, left corner of the screen. Then click on "All Programs" and select "Accessories" in the drop-down menu.

3. Right-click on the Command Prompt icon in the "Accessories" drop-down menu. Select "Run as Administrator." Then enter the administrator log-in information.

4. Type "DISKPART" without the quotation marks into the Command Prompt window, then press the "Enter" key. Type "List Disk" and hit the "Enter" key. Command Prompt will then locate and list all hard drives or storage devices connected to your computer. The drives will be listed as Disk 0, Disk 1, Disk 2 and so on. Your USB drive is Disk 1.

5. Enter the following commands one by one followed by the "Enter" key:

SELECT DISK 1

CLEAN

CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

SELECT PARTITION 1

ACTIVE

FORMAT FS=NTFS

ASSIGN

EXIT

Leave the Command Prompt window opened after the your USB drive is finished formatting.

6. Insert your Windows installation disc into your OptiPlex DVD drive. Then type the following commands into the Command Prompt window, followed by pressing the "Enter" key:

D:CD BOOT

CD BOOT

7. Type "XCopy *.* C:\VSImage\ /v /s /h" into the Command Prompt window to copy the contents of your Windows installation disc to your USB drive. The flash drive is now bootable.

You need the internal optical drive because it is recognized by default in the computer, once you have windows in place the drivers will be installed for USB support so long as you have the original recovery disc or go on-line to Dell to get the drivers.