Does anyone know if this is possible or what trouble I might have? I'm looking to install Windows 7 on my desktop and netbook, and my optical drive is failing on the desktop so I don't trust it for the install. I've copied the install files onto my ipod using my work computer. I don't really have another suitable USB device, except an external HDD. Really I could use either the iPod or HDD if they'll work, but I don't want to wipe either of them.

If I boot to a drive with the install files in the root directory and other data in folders, should Windows install properly? If not, is there another way to do this without first wiping the drive? If none of the above, would formatting the ipod and then loading it with the install files work?

Any thoughts would be helpful.

Plan C is pick up a USB DVD R/W that I can use w/ both PCs, but I'd rather not shell out for it.