I have no hard drive - Can I run Windows 7?

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WoodyWoodsta

New member
Local time
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Location
Umzumbe, KZN, South Africa
Hi there,

I have a laptop which has everything except for a hard drive. It has no operating system (obviously) or anything that allows it to boot except for the BIOS. I also have a normal PC (which has a hard drive :D... and an operating system :D:D). A network connection is available between both.

My question is...

Can I run my laptop and install an operating system on the laptop (or for the laptop) somehow using the network between my laptop and the PC. I have heard of Windows Terminal Server or services or something like that (according to wikipedia it's changed to Remote Desktop Services).

Would this work? If yes, how would I go about doing such a thing?

If it wouldn't, what other way could I use to solving my dilemma? :shock:


Thanks so much!!

(P.S I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this thread in...)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate X86Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sahara LE1N
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X86
CPU
Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)
Motherboard
SiS M661MX
Memory
1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Sound Card
Realtek ALC203 @ SiS 7012 Audio Device
Screen Resolution
1024 X 768
Hard Drives
HTS421240H9AT00 ATA Device (40 GB, 4200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Case
Plastic ;)
Keyboard
Laptop
Mouse
ISAT 3D 1000DPI
Internet Speed
4Mb/sec
Just done some research and my laptop can be called a diskless node and can perform network booting (exactly exactly what I want). Any body know how to do this?

Thanks in advance
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate X86Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sahara LE1N
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X86
CPU
Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)
Motherboard
SiS M661MX
Memory
1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Sound Card
Realtek ALC203 @ SiS 7012 Audio Device
Screen Resolution
1024 X 768
Hard Drives
HTS421240H9AT00 ATA Device (40 GB, 4200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Case
Plastic ;)
Keyboard
Laptop
Mouse
ISAT 3D 1000DPI
Internet Speed
4Mb/sec
WoodyWoodsta said:
Hi there,

I have a laptop which has everything except for a hard drive. It has no operating system (obviously) or anything that allows it to boot except for the BIOS. I also have a normal PC (which has a hard drive :D... and an operating system :D:D). A network connection is available between both.

My question is...

Can I run my laptop and install an operating system on the laptop (or for the laptop) somehow using the network between my laptop and the PC. I have heard of Windows Terminal Server or services or something like that (according to wikipedia it's changed to Remote Desktop Services).

Would this work? If yes, how would I go about doing such a thing?

If it wouldn't, what other way could I use to solving my dilemma? :shock:


Thanks so much!!

(P.S I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this thread in...)
Click to expand...

You in theory can but it will be more trouble, less reliable, more work and probably more money than buying a cheap HDD.

I would recommend you buy a cheap a cheap 40GB+ HDD instead because it will make your life so much easier.

I'm not an expert on this subject but I believe remote boot also requires a specialised server to boot from and not just any old PC.

Oli
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow...Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz4GB DDR3Nvidia 9400m
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Apple MacBook 5,1
OS
Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
Memory
4GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 9400m
Monitor(s) Displays
13.3" Internal + 22" DVI + 21.5" USB
Screen Resolution
1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
Hard Drives
Internal SATA 2.5" 500GB (395GB Mac HFS+, 105GB Windows NTFS)
2.48TB RAID consisting of 5 disks (HFS+)
Case
Aluminium Unibody
Keyboard
Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
Mouse
Apple Magic Mouse
Internet Speed
6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
Other Info
Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
If you are Ok with running a fresh OS (i.e. no customizations) everytime, you can get Ubuntu it runs from a CD: Ubuntu homepage | Ubuntu
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win7 Home Premium 64xIntel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with ...4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800MhzNVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS G60-RBBX05
OS
Win7 Home Premium 64x
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with Extreme Turbo)
Memory
4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Monitor(s) Displays
16" LED Backlit
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768 on laptop 1600x1050 max res on 22" external mon
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD / 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm
PSU
6-cell Lithium ion { lasts 1.5 hours }
Case
ASUS G60 Laptop
Keyboard
Chicklet type back-lit (white light) keyboard
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse 3200dpi and 1000 reports per minute
Internet Speed
Comcast 8.60mb/s up - 3.11mb/s down
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
General mid-budget gaming Comp. Low batterylife - High FrameRates - currently overheating problems :(

2nd Rig: Case: Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3
CPU: AMD FX-6200 Zambezi 3.8GHz (4.1GHz Turbo)
Heatsink: COOLER MASTER V8 CPU Cooler
RAM: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1866 (PC3 15000)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 2

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win7 Home Premium 64xIntel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with ...4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800MhzNVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS G60-RBBX05
OS
Win7 Home Premium 64x
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with Extreme Turbo)
Memory
4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Monitor(s) Displays
16" LED Backlit
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768 on laptop 1600x1050 max res on 22" external mon
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD / 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm
PSU
6-cell Lithium ion { lasts 1.5 hours }
Case
ASUS G60 Laptop
Keyboard
Chicklet type back-lit (white light) keyboard
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse 3200dpi and 1000 reports per minute
Internet Speed
Comcast 8.60mb/s up - 3.11mb/s down
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
General mid-budget gaming Comp. Low batterylife - High FrameRates - currently overheating problems :(

2nd Rig: Case: Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3
CPU: AMD FX-6200 Zambezi 3.8GHz (4.1GHz Turbo)
Heatsink: COOLER MASTER V8 CPU Cooler
RAM: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1866 (PC3 15000)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 2
osholt said:
WoodyWoodsta said:
Hi there,

I have a laptop which has everything except for a hard drive. It has no operating system (obviously) or anything that allows it to boot except for the BIOS. I also have a normal PC (which has a hard drive :D... and an operating system :D:D). A network connection is available between both.

My question is...

Can I run my laptop and install an operating system on the laptop (or for the laptop) somehow using the network between my laptop and the PC. I have heard of Windows Terminal Server or services or something like that (according to wikipedia it's changed to Remote Desktop Services).

Would this work? If yes, how would I go about doing such a thing?

If it wouldn't, what other way could I use to solving my dilemma? :shock:


Thanks so much!!

(P.S I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this thread in...)
Click to expand...

You in theory can but it will be more trouble, less reliable, more work and probably more money than buying a cheap HDD.

I would recommend you buy a cheap a cheap 40GB+ HDD instead because it will make your life so much easier.

I'm not an expert on this subject but I believe remote boot also requires a specialised server to boot from and not just any old PC.

Oli
Click to expand...

Yea I'm sure its hellish complicated. Is there any way to boot the operating system from a USB storage device? Once i get the operating system running then I can use Remote Desktop Services...

I live in South Africa so buying anything hardware related cheap is a nightmare!!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate X86Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sahara LE1N
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X86
CPU
Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)
Motherboard
SiS M661MX
Memory
1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Sound Card
Realtek ALC203 @ SiS 7012 Audio Device
Screen Resolution
1024 X 768
Hard Drives
HTS421240H9AT00 ATA Device (40 GB, 4200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Case
Plastic ;)
Keyboard
Laptop
Mouse
ISAT 3D 1000DPI
Internet Speed
4Mb/sec

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate X86Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sahara LE1N
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X86
CPU
Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)
Motherboard
SiS M661MX
Memory
1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Sound Card
Realtek ALC203 @ SiS 7012 Audio Device
Screen Resolution
1024 X 768
Hard Drives
HTS421240H9AT00 ATA Device (40 GB, 4200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Case
Plastic ;)
Keyboard
Laptop
Mouse
ISAT 3D 1000DPI
Internet Speed
4Mb/sec
:) ok well as for my other post on how to setup a diskless node, it says you will need to create a bootstrap for the program to launch the OS remotely. this will need a linux distro and Ubuntu is one of the easiest to start with.....

good luck though. I dont think you can install a HDD in it as it is not designed as such. Is it? is there a place for the HDD?

Maybe you can use an external HDD and boot from that?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win7 Home Premium 64xIntel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with ...4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800MhzNVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS G60-RBBX05
OS
Win7 Home Premium 64x
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with Extreme Turbo)
Memory
4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Monitor(s) Displays
16" LED Backlit
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768 on laptop 1600x1050 max res on 22" external mon
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD / 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm
PSU
6-cell Lithium ion { lasts 1.5 hours }
Case
ASUS G60 Laptop
Keyboard
Chicklet type back-lit (white light) keyboard
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse 3200dpi and 1000 reports per minute
Internet Speed
Comcast 8.60mb/s up - 3.11mb/s down
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
General mid-budget gaming Comp. Low batterylife - High FrameRates - currently overheating problems :(

2nd Rig: Case: Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3
CPU: AMD FX-6200 Zambezi 3.8GHz (4.1GHz Turbo)
Heatsink: COOLER MASTER V8 CPU Cooler
RAM: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1866 (PC3 15000)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 2
WoodyWoodsta said:
Thorsen said:
If you are Ok with running a fresh OS (i.e. no customizations) everytime, you can get Ubuntu it runs from a CD: Ubuntu homepage | Ubuntu
Click to expand...

Uh... No (thanks for suggesting anyway)
Click to expand...

You could run a version of Linux on a small USB Pen Drive.

This would allow you to have a fully functional operating system.

The only way to go in your situation is Linux really, whether it be on a pen drive or as a remote OS (which is still massively complicated).

Oli
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow...Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz4GB DDR3Nvidia 9400m
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Apple MacBook 5,1
OS
Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
Memory
4GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 9400m
Monitor(s) Displays
13.3" Internal + 22" DVI + 21.5" USB
Screen Resolution
1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
Hard Drives
Internal SATA 2.5" 500GB (395GB Mac HFS+, 105GB Windows NTFS)
2.48TB RAID consisting of 5 disks (HFS+)
Case
Aluminium Unibody
Keyboard
Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
Mouse
Apple Magic Mouse
Internet Speed
6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
Other Info
Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win7 Home Premium 64xIntel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with ...4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800MhzNVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS G60-RBBX05
OS
Win7 Home Premium 64x
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 / 2.13 GHz (2.29 with Extreme Turbo)
Memory
4 GB PC-6400 Hyundai (2X2) at 800Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Monitor(s) Displays
16" LED Backlit
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768 on laptop 1600x1050 max res on 22" external mon
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD / 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm
PSU
6-cell Lithium ion { lasts 1.5 hours }
Case
ASUS G60 Laptop
Keyboard
Chicklet type back-lit (white light) keyboard
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse 3200dpi and 1000 reports per minute
Internet Speed
Comcast 8.60mb/s up - 3.11mb/s down
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
General mid-budget gaming Comp. Low batterylife - High FrameRates - currently overheating problems :(

2nd Rig: Case: Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3
CPU: AMD FX-6200 Zambezi 3.8GHz (4.1GHz Turbo)
Heatsink: COOLER MASTER V8 CPU Cooler
RAM: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1866 (PC3 15000)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 2
Hi guys,

Just found out today that my motherboard on the lappy that I was going to use is kooked. Thanks so much for the support anyway!!!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate X86Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sahara LE1N
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X86
CPU
Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)
Motherboard
SiS M661MX
Memory
1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Sound Card
Realtek ALC203 @ SiS 7012 Audio Device
Screen Resolution
1024 X 768
Hard Drives
HTS421240H9AT00 ATA Device (40 GB, 4200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Case
Plastic ;)
Keyboard
Laptop
Mouse
ISAT 3D 1000DPI
Internet Speed
4Mb/sec
WoodyWoodsta said:
Hi guys,

Just found out today that my motherboard on the lappy that I was going to use is kooked. Thanks so much for the support anyway!!!
Click to expand...

Unlucky :p.

I wish you the best of luck with getting a new/fixed/replacement/other PC.

Oli
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow...Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz4GB DDR3Nvidia 9400m
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Apple MacBook 5,1
OS
Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
Memory
4GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 9400m
Monitor(s) Displays
13.3" Internal + 22" DVI + 21.5" USB
Screen Resolution
1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
Hard Drives
Internal SATA 2.5" 500GB (395GB Mac HFS+, 105GB Windows NTFS)
2.48TB RAID consisting of 5 disks (HFS+)
Case
Aluminium Unibody
Keyboard
Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
Mouse
Apple Magic Mouse
Internet Speed
6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
Other Info
Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate X86Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sahara LE1N
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X86
CPU
Mobile Intel Celeron M 380, 1600 MHz (16 x 100)
Motherboard
SiS M661MX
Memory
1472 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
SiS 330 Mirage IGP
Sound Card
Realtek ALC203 @ SiS 7012 Audio Device
Screen Resolution
1024 X 768
Hard Drives
HTS421240H9AT00 ATA Device (40 GB, 4200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Case
Plastic ;)
Keyboard
Laptop
Mouse
ISAT 3D 1000DPI
Internet Speed
4Mb/sec
yes, but i think it would be slower tahn having a HDD

I think the best option is jist get a cheap HDD
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 760 @ 2.80GHz, 2DDR3 (3x4Gb)ATI Radeon HD 5750
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 760 @ 2.80GHz, 2
Motherboard
iMac 2011 Model
Memory
DDR3 (3x4Gb)
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD 5750
Monitor(s) Displays
27" imac
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1Tb
Keyboard
Apple Wireless
Mouse
Magic Mouse
Internet Speed
46Mbs
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