What is network boot?

[kelvin1704]

I just bought a Sony Notebook without a internal CD Rom..

it only allows either to install Windows XP through CD ROM with iLINK or Network boot.

does network boot able to let us install Windows? or run recovery?

 

[kelvin1704]

anyone familiar with network boot?

 

[nageov3t]

we use it at work all the time.

basically, it connects to a server over a lan and the server takes care of installing the OS. it's much faster than a CD install and you can do neat things like auto-patching and automatically setting IP's, but it's not practical for a home user.

 

[Spikesoldier]

yep loki8481 summed it up pretty much

but at my work, we use a boot cd utility and install an image over the network.

 

[JackMDS]

Network Boot might mean few things.

The most common is a capacity to boot a computer with empty Hard Drive into a Network and install the OS and the software through the Network.

You can build a Generic MS Network Boot on a floppy or CD-ROM.

If the OS and software are stored as files that were build Acronis Trueimage or Symantec Ghost they both have Network Boot capacity that can be generated from the programs.

:sun:

 

[kelvin1704]

can someone guide me how to prepare for a network boot?


I do have extra PCs at home and network hub.

 

[JackMDS]

It is not clear why you want to build a Network, and need a Network Boot.

WinXP original CD is Bootable, and most Sony Laptop can be Boot from CD-ROM.

Installation through Network is usually done when an Image of the OS and software was prepared ahead to install the same on many computers or on large Network when you want to avoid a person going to the Network computer that is in other location.

It is not clear why you want to do Network Boot and build a Network.

However you want Boot Disk? Have it with good health:
Bart's Network Boot Disk.

:sun:

 

[kelvin1704]

well, u see SONY likes to be proprietary business...

the Vaio X505 can only install Windows XP either in Network Boot or iLINK capable CDROM. The problem is, I dun have the CDROM and its very expensive if i buy SONY ILINK!

 

[JackMDS]

In order to star doing any thing a computer has to boot.

Some special computers have a Network boot in ROM and they can boot into the Network just by switching them On.

Regular computers usually use. IDE, Floppy, USB, CD_ROM, etc. If your Sony was equipped with the capacity to boot into Network from it own hardware (which I doubt) It should be in the manual.

If the Vaio can boot through normal media (IDE, Floppy, USB, CD_ROM,) you can prepare the media to boot into Network, the principle and the software are available in the Bart Boot Site that is in my previous post.

:sun:

 

[AnotherGuy]

man just tell a friend to make u a copy of win xp disc and give u the Key... y go through all that trouble