Format

• 1). Plug in your USB drive and click on "My Computer." Right click the USB drive and pick "Format" in the context menu. Choose "FAT 32" or "NFTS." NFTS provides better security, but for this purpose you may choose either.
  
  
• 2). Click "Start" and your PC will format the drive.
  
  
• 3). Download and install one of these free utilities alternatively: WinToFlash or WinSetupFromUSB, then follow the brief instructions for formatting.
  
  

Copy Boot Files

• 1). Stick with WinToFlash or WinSetupFromUSB after they format your USB drive, since they also make your USB drive bootable. Or download and install the free HP Drive Key Boot Utility to install the proper files.
  
  
• 2). Confirm your USB drive and XP installation disc are in the computer.
  
  
• 3). Run the utility of your choice and follow the brief instructions.
  
  

BIOS

• 1). For a few seconds after you boot your computer, you will see instructions on the screen that will tell you what key to press to enter the BIOS. Not every computer displays the same message. Look for words like "BIOS setup" or "setup" or "system configuration" and press the corresponding key to gain access.
  
  
• 2). Navigate to the menu for boot sequence. You may see an option that says, "USB Flash Drive" or "USB Storage." Pick that option, save the settings and exit.
  
  
• 3). If you don't see the USB drive option, and your flash drive is not inserted, exit the BIOS, insert your USB drive and reboot your computer. Navigate again to the BIOS boot sequence menu. If that option is still missing, your computer cannot boot from a flash drive.
  
  

XP Installation Files

• 1). If you've been using WinToFlash or WinSetupFromUSB, stick with them because they will move files from your XP installation disc to your flash drive. You can also download and install a free transferring program called Bart's PE Builder.
  
  
• 2). Make sure your USB drive and XP installation disc are inserted in your computer, and then follow the brief instructions of whichever utility you choose to run.
  
  
• 3). Bart's PE Builder gives you the option of attaching Windows applications to your XP installation. Or you can visit the site for a tool called Ninite, which, via your browser, can create a custom bundle installer for dozens of applications.
  
  
• 4). Copy any application installations to your USB drive.
  
  
• 5). With your USB drive plugged in, turn on your computer and follow the instructions for the XP installation.