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There are two partitions on my hard disk, one is Linux Mint and one is newly formatted. (a simplification)

I have Windows XP installation disks and iso files, however my optical drive isn't working.

I would like to create a USB flash drive to install Windows from so I can dual boot.

How can I do this from Linux?

I've tried using UNetBootin and it didn't work. I've heard that older versions may work, but not sure which.

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This isn't necessarily using Linux, but if UNetBootin isn't working, you can still place the ISO on the USB device, extract it to expose the files, setup a boot disk (floppies?) to allow for the USB drivers to see the USB device, and do an install from the device. I have had problems with UNetBootin when my USB device is too large for the older hardware I was trying to use with it. (I generally find that the 4 gigs and lower are ok). Of course if you have a Linux box, you could setup PXE boot to do the Windows install via network. – vgoff Nov 11 '12 at 3:03
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This looks more like a Question for Super User. – darnir Nov 11 '12 at 5:55
If this is a question for Super User it should be migrated, no? I don't see why it was down voted then closed! – Annan Nov 13 '12 at 14:49
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@Annan I'm not totally sure why it was considered off-topic, but the good news is this has already been asked on Super User – Michael Mrozek♦ Nov 13 '12 at 15:11

closed as off topic by jasonwryan, Mat, Renan, Caleb, Chris Down Nov 13 '12 at 12:29

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1 Answer

up vote -3 down vote

You could install a copy of puppy linux in that space. Then install virtualbox to puppy. install xp as a vm then you can have puppy run from the console to save cpu. This can be done by running virtual box in headless mode.

xp also does not do well when you change the hardware. This would remove that complication.

puppy linux is a super light version of linux @ puppylinux.org

there are other distros that could work such as slax (easier as you can download with virtual box installed) or even damn small linux (under 50mb)

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-1: he wants to dual-boot Linux and XP, not to run XP in a VM. – Renan Nov 11 '12 at 3:44
xp would run as a vm under a separate install with a striped copy of linux to allow xp to run. that would be a dual boot. – Joe Nov 11 '12 at 3:47
This simplifies the whole thing as windows can be a pain to do anything other than a stranded install with. – Joe Nov 11 '12 at 3:48
Unfortunately I need I physical windows installation so this wouldn't work. – Annan Nov 11 '12 at 14:41

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