walter22

wondering if anyone can help as im puzled.

recently my computers been playing up a lot, i really do need a windows reinstall after trying so many things to stop it messing up i just want a clear out and start fresh

the only problem is that my cd drive is broken, so i can no longer put a windows cd in and reinstall and do this!

wondering if anyone knows an easy way around this.. i do have a usb pen ?

UnkieTrunkie

If you have a USB CD/DVD drive, you should be able to work around your current one being broken. With a pen drive, you'll need to get a fresh OS image, which means you'll have to work with/around the copyright issues of the OS.

Chuck S

Replace the CD drive, they're cheap or borrow a USB CD drive from someone. But you're gonna want a CD or DVD in the computer anyway so just buy a replacement drive.

-- Chuck

walter22

i dont really understand what you mean. i have always had a copy of windows on CD but now the cd player doesnt work so i cant install windows as normal. i have a usb pen-drive but dont know where i can find a copy to go on this as my copy is on CD ? windows site is cluttered with 10,000 downloads...

windhund116

External CD/DVD drive?


http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics...ernal+cd+drive

engifineer

You can make a bootable windows install USB image without the disk, assuming you still have the license key that came with the install you have on the PC currently. I did this last year on my windows 7 laptop at home. I created a bootable image (I just used a DVD since it worked, but you can do it with a usb stick as well) since Windows came pre-installed and I didnt have a disk. Used the license key from the sticker that came on the laptop when I installed it again.

Just google how to create the install disk from Windows and you should be good to go.

If you already have the disk with windows on it though, why not just borrow a drive for long enough to install it? Or just buy an external one like someone mentioned. Lots less trouble.

RedCelica

What do you use the computer for? Have you considered Linux? www.ubuntu.com or www.fedoraproject.org are both great alternatives to windoze, and you dont have to worry about viruses or malware.

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/

If you must keep Windoze, you can make your CD image into an ISO file using an ISO burner (use a friend's computer or something) and then make a bootable ISO Image of your windows install.

Here's how to make a bootable USB: https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Not Sure

Have you done any troubleshooting on your broken cd drive? Usually they're not broken, they just need a driver update.

vader1

Have you toyed with the idea of doing a system restore to a previous date?