Howto Install Windows XP On a USB Flash Or Pen Drive

You can install Windows XP on a USB pen so that you can troubleshoot problem or take your office with you. From the article:

All it takes is a minor error in the Windows Registry or a virus infection, and your operating system can become unbootable. But with a properly configured USB flash drive on hand, you’ll always have a compatible replacement no further away than your pocket or keychain. In addition, the flash drive can also provide a secure browser and virus scanner, and lets you take your favorite DVD burning and Office software with you wherever you may go

All that’s needed is a bootable USB Flash drive with at least 256 MB of storage capacity and a Windows Setup CD. Using the program Bart PE Builder (Freeware), you can install Windows XP on the flash drive, along with other software as needed (and as available space permits)…

Boot Windows From USB Pen Drive
Boot Windows From USB Pen Drive

=> Read more at: Tom’s hardware site

You can do the same thing with Linux and USB pen drive.

Repair the master boot record (MBR) on Windows NTFS partition

Windows NT /2000/XP or Windows server comes with NTFS partition. However some time you are not able to boot from Windows XP/2003 NTFS boot partition due to some reasons such as corrupted MBR or Linux installation problem.

You need to use FIXMBR to fix the master boot record (MBR) on Windows NTFS partition. However, the fixmbr command is only available when you are using the Recovery Console.

Procedure

a) Set BIOS to boot from CD/DVD

b) Inset your Windows setup CD

c) When prompted select Recovery Console option

d) Now go to C:\WINNT or C:\WINDOWS

e) Next type following command:

fixmbr \Device\HardDisk0

f) But how did I obtained the device \Device\HardDisk0 name? The device (drive) on which you want to write a new master boot record can be obtained from the output of the map command. Type following command:

map
fixmbr \Device\HardDisk0

g) Type exit to restart system

exit

h) Remove CD and boot from hard disk.

References