Hello,

The easiest thing to do is transfer the setup files for you CD-R/RW onto flash media and install from that media inserted into your EEE notebook or copy it off and onto a folder on your EEE's hard drive.

If you do not have any flash media you will need to get some as this is the way to move files on and off your subNotebook until you're on your home network and can access shared folders or drives.

If you have a SSD, then I'd install from the flash media and save the space on your SSD.

After you have installed the external drive, attach the USB cable, or when prompted to do so. Then allow Windows to add new hardware and point it to your installation files on the hard drive or flash media.

This is a basic technique with subNotebooks that don't have a DVD/CD bay or floppy for that mattter.

The trend now is to establish flash media as the defacto storage media. When I was at Office Depot the other day, they had a fish bowl at the checkout filled with 1GB SD cards for pretty cheap, under 10 bucks. I have three 2GB cards I use just for this purpose.

Once you have your subNotebook on the Internet, you can add external devices and let Windows search the Internet for installation files. MS has a huge repository of installation files it can access too, those can be slightly out of date depending on just how new your external device is.

If you get stuck let me know with the details of what failed you and how. I'll help you get through this so you can get onto your wireless router. Then it will be a cake walk to access the external drive. Or you can enable Sharing on your PC's DVD drive and add that in your Network Places. Once you've done this you can access and install the media or any program from your Shared PC DVD drive.

Any questions? just use the comment box below to ask away.

Regards,
Worldvet