Run disk from portable disk drive

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  1. Posts : 4
    windows 10
       #1

    Run disk from portable disk drive


    Hi all,

    I've purchased a new laptop which has no disk drive, so, i brought a portable one...I'm now trying to install my Adobe mastersuite via my disk using the disk drive but I can't find how to run the disk!!

    It's all plugged in and makes the usual sounds etc so it is working? I just need to know how to run the disk from it if possible?

    Thanks in advance
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #2

    Ryantack89 said:
    Hi all,

    I've purchased a new laptop which has no disk drive, so, i brought a portable one...I'm now trying to install my Adobe mastersuite via my disk using the disk drive but I can't find how to run the disk!!

    It's all plugged in and makes the usual sounds etc so it is working? I just need to know how to run the disk from it if possible?

    Thanks in advance
    Hi there

    If there's no disk drive in the laptop you will need to boot some sort of external OS on the laptop.

    If you can boot from a USB slot then try booting a Linux live distro -- you'll also need to plug your extenal HDD to see if it's recognized.

    To install WINDOWS you'll need either to restore an image of a previous Windows install on to your HDD and then install the the HDD to the computer or install an HDD / SSD into the computer and install windows via the media creation tool - details in this forum -- do it from a USB stick rather than a physical DVD. To activate you'll need to purchase a key unless you have "upgradeable" copies of Windows.

    If you have a WINDOWS TO GO system that should just boot fine from external HDD - then run the adobe installer for your product.

    Once you've got WINDOWS booted then just click on the adobe install file.

    Unless you've got a previous upgradeable version of Windows (7 / 8 / 8.1 or even an old W10 system) you'll need to get a key for windows -- from the ms store if you downloaded Windows.

    I assume you mean that the laptop has no HDD at all --isn't like one of those diskless thin clients running something like Windows embedded from an internal chip on the mobo.

    Note -- Laptop HDD's are incredibly cheap these days (2.5 inch) and usually a doddle to install -- but I'd go for an SSD - at least 250 GB if your finance runs to it - they are so much better - even more so when you have a LESS powerful CPU.

    Get a USB2/3 ---> SATA adapter too while you are at it -- quite a useful bit of cable when playing around with external SSD's etc.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hey Jimbo,

    I'm not at all a techy type of person so I'm not overly sure what you mean I should do sorry!!! However, I at least can reply to one bit, the laptop indeed has no HDD at all, it's just a little HP laptop, brand new
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #4

    Hi there
    @Ryantack89

    The first thing then is to install an HDD or SSD into the laptop. You can get really cheap laptop HDD's from (I think you are in the UK) so amazon uk can deliver usually next day.

    something like this

    Toshiba MK3276GSX 320GB SATA 3GB/s 5400rpm 2.5 Inch Internal Hard Drive: Amazon.co.uk: Computers Accessories

    then download media creation tool from Microsoft and create the media on to a USB stick --follow the instructions on the screen after booting it.

    You'll need some sort of machine to download from -- hopefully you have access to another computer.

    If you don't have a computer you could try an Internet cafe - not sure in the UK where these allow you to plug in external devices after that malware scare recently but they should do.

    Once you've done those 2 things boot up the USB on your computer and follow the instructions on installing Windows.

    Once you've installed windows you can install your adobe application by running the adobe install from your external HDD -- should be an .exe or .msi file.

    can you post the type of HP laptop - that way one can see decent instructions on how to fit an HDD into it.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hey sorry Jimbo, I don't think I've been very clear, the laptop already has windows 10 on it and everything works perfectly fine...I also have a portable disk drive, I've plugged it in to the laptop, inserted the disk into the diskdrive but then nothing happens, nothing pops up on my screen to say to run the disk...so I just need to know how to run the disk?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,983
    Windows 10 x86 14383 Insider Pro and Core 10240
       #6

    Hi Ryan, Welcome to Tenforums.

    The only way people can help you fully is to give enough information so that we can understand what equipment and/or software you have problems with.

    Really, the Manufacturer, name and model number of the laptop and the manufacturer, model and number of the portable disk drive and details of the disk (and what should be stored on it) that you have inserted into the portable disk drive are must-haves. Otherwise we are guessing.

    Therefore you must be more specific. Click "My Profile" at the top of this Tenforums page, find the tab that says "System Spec" and fill in the blanks with as much information as possible. Then if you have further problems, all the information about your system will be available.

    You can search MSINFO32.exe (System info) for windows to help you with this:

    Run disk from portable disk drive-image.png
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    Folks - the OP is talking about trying to get an external CD/DVD ROM (Optical) Drive working. I'm guess "no hard drive" means it's a netbook with eMMC memory instead of a hard drive especially since they have HP Stream listed in their system specs. With the CD/DVD ROM Drive connected, please post a screenshot of disk management:

    Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of Windows 10 General Tips Tutorials

    The CD/DVD ROM drive may not be getting assigned a drive letter.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    hey navyLCDR thank you for making that clearer! Sorry guys...

    As requested here's the screenshot...

    Run disk from portable disk drive-image.png
      My Computer

  9.   My Computer


  10. Posts : 13,995
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       #10

    It is problematic in determining what is needed, there are 4 types of External USB drives, ODD [CD/DVD], HDD, Floppy and Zip. Then there's the portable USB cases that can accept 3.5" or 2.5" HDDs.

    The progress to Tablets and lighter and thinner Notebooks/Laptops has left out the Optical Disk Drive/ODD, makes relying on the ability of Win10 to download and create bootable/installable USB Thumb drives necessary.
      My Computers


 

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