Help installing Windows on an SD Card in an EEE PC

[UrBaN]

Hey guys,

My EEE PC's SDD died, and I am now screwed. I can't replace it as it seems to be soldered onto the board (opened it up, couldn't find anything to remove/replace.)

So, because I can't install to the HDD, I have put in an 8GB SD card and will use that as the HDD - either this or throw the thing away.

So, I'm using an external USB 1.1 DVD-RW to install Windows XP Pro on an 8GB SD HC Card in my Asus EEE PC. Not something I'd ever thought I'd say, I assure you.

Anyway, the installation completed, but couldn't boot. Said that hal.dll was missing and needed to be replaced.

I'm doing a repair installation now, but given that this is a brand new SD card and that the Windows install sees it, surely it should simply work?

[Bladerunner]

Can you disable the SSD in the bios? Or at least disable it as a bootable device?

[UrBaN]

I can - doesnt make much difference though.

[Bladerunner]

Did you reinstall with it disabled?

[Hman]

I think you must disable it before installing to the SD. I vaguely remember reading a page on the web about it.

[Firestrm_ZA]

I'll just leave this here

[UrBaN]

Just to be clear, unfortunately using USBoot does NOT allow you to install windows directly onto an SDHC - it still must first be installed on the internal SSD.

Quote from their forum:

"the normal procedure would be to install XP on the devices internal mass storage device, then run USBoot phases I, II and usually III on it. The third phase will also accomplish the transfer to the USB device."
Bummer. Looks like we have no option but to install to SSD first and hose the Xandros installation

But my SSD is dead so...problem.

[Firestrm_ZA]

If possible back up the Flash drive and then use the same instructions but swap the SSD part with your Flash Drive.

[Firestrm_ZA]

or have a look here http://wiki.eeeuser.com/windowsxpusb

[UrBaN]

I can try that. Install on the Flash drive, then ghost it across to a like-size partition on the SD Card?

[garp]

Do you know anyone else with the same EEE PC? what about trying to make a ghost image, then ghosting the SD card.

PS are you sure its soldered to the board? I had a Pc the other day, which wasn't picking up its HDD. opened it up and on first thought, It also seemed like it was soldered... but it ended up having a stange tiny kinda connector.

[UrBaN]

Yup, it's soldered. I checked.