Nzxt h440 case help

[Shooting_Fire]

So I'm planning to buy the Nzxt h440 and I am wondering if a dvd drive would fit in or if there is a slot or space for it. If not, would that mean I wouldn't be able to installing my os? Whats the difference between a external drive and optical drive? Hope you guys can help me, thanks!

[KingLich]

There is no 5.25 bay for an internal optical drive.

 

You can install the OS from a flash drive (USB).

[TheDigitalRealm]

No, you wouldn't be able to fit a DVD/optical drive in that case, because it doesn't have any 5.25" drive bays. You would have to use an external optical drive, or create a Bootable USB stick to install your operating system.

Linus has a video walk-through on creating Bootable USB sticks. The downside being you'll need access to a laptop or PC with an optical drive in the first place.

I'd recommend buying an external optical drive. All it means is that it sits in an external enclosure and is made to sit on a desk outside your case.

[Shooting_Fire]

No, you wouldn't be able to fit a DVD/optical drive in that case, because it doesn't have any 5.25" drive bays. You would have to use an external optical drive, or create a Bootable USB stick to install your operating system.

Linus has a video walk-through on creating Bootable USB sticks. The downside being you'll need access to a laptop or PC with an optical drive in the first place.

I'd recommend buying an external optical drive. All it means is that it sits in an external enclosure and is made to sit on a desk outside your case.

So I chose to use the usb, I would go on to one of my families windows laptop and do what? I'm a noob :3. Also That would mean I use a usb and a optical hard drive right?

[KingLich]

So I chose to use the usb, I would go on to one of my families windows laptop and do what? I'm a noob :3. Also That would mean I use a usb and a optical hard drive right?

 

Try this: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/install-windows-8-usb.htm

 

Let us know if there's something you don't understand.

 

You theoretically don't need an optical drive at all.

[TheDigitalRealm]

So I chose to use the usb, I would go on to one of my families windows laptop and do what? I'm a noob :3. Also That would mean I use a usb and a optical hard drive right?

Here's the guide, it applies for Windows 8 too I believe. I'm on my phone so can't use the Url tool, just copy and paste.

[Shooting_Fire]

Here's the guide, it applies for Windows 8 too I believe. I'm on my phone so can't use the Url tool, just copy and paste.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aFJwiILbsdo

Hey guys sorry to piss you off a bit but I noticed I have a buffalo portable DVD drive, I'm guessing i wont need anything since I have this?

[TheDigitalRealm]

Hey guys sorry to piss you off a bit but I noticed I have a buffalo portable DVD drive, I'm guessing i wont need anything since I have this?

That should work fine. All you need to do is make sure your motherboard bios boot settings are set to the external DVD drive, you may need to play with the USB initialization settings (normally it's set to partial)

[Shooting_Fire]

That should work fine. All you need to do is make sure your motherboard bios boot settings are set to the external DVD drive, you may need to play with the USB initialization settings (normally it's set to partial)

Does that mean I have to have it connected forever? Or can't I install it to my hard drive?

[KingLich]

Does that mean I have to have it connected forever? Or can't I install it to my hard drive?

 

No, you only need it connected for the installation process. After that you'll boot off your hard drive.

 

You may want to read your motherboard manual first to know how to set boot priorities before getting started.

[Shooting_Fire]

No, you only need it connected for the installation process. After that you'll boot off your hard drive.

 

You may want to read your motherboard manual first to know how to set boot priorities before getting started.

Dvd drive you mean right?

[KingLich]

Dvd drive you mean right?

 

It works like this:

 

- Boot off DVD;

- Go through the first part of the Windows installation;

- Reboot (off hard drive);

- Finish Windows installation;

- You can now throw away your DVD drive because your PC will boot into Windows

 

To be able to boot off the external DVD drive you need to make sure you can boot from USB. This is a BIOS setting that depends on your motherboard (so read the manual!). After having that set you can either change boot priority or use the boot menu (usually F8, but read the motherboard manual!) to select the DVD drive. I suggest the boot menu so you don't have to change the priority back. After that, just do what the Windows installer tells you.

 

Edit: Plug the external DVD drive into a USB 2.0 if you can. I've seen lots of motherboards that won't boot from 3.0.

Edited June 10, 2014 by KingLich