Is there a way to install/upgrade Win 7 from XP Without a DVD drive?

The title says it all. I suppose one could replace the CD drive with a DVD drive. Is there a way to do it with only a CD to boot from?

Before any upgrade or clean install it is a good idea to run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:
Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Official Microsoft Download Center

This will warn you about most hardware and software incompatibilities before proceeding.

You can download your licensed version and write to flash stick from Steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which will also help you get and keep a perfect install.

If you had to install from XP you could download the ISO, unzip the files using a program like 7zip, then run the Setup file, directing the install to overwrite C partition. However this is hardly a Clean Install.

Afterwards all of your files including the install files and ISO will be in a file in C called windows.old to retrieve, then you can delete it when you're sure you have everything using Disk Cleanup.

Be sure to make a Repair CD - System Repair Disk so you have bootable repair media. It would be best to have the flash stick installer to get the cleanest install and have the repair media in one.

I copied the win 7 files to a usb drive and did a full install. Works okay.

Did you boot the stick to do the cleanest install, deleting all partitions using the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7/8 of Clean Install Windows 7

If not post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image so we can look at the partitioning and possibly make suggestions.

Or you can do it over following these same steps which assure you'll get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Works fine. No problems.