Is it possible to load Windows installation from an external DVD drive ?

[phan]

Hi there, has anybody ever managed to boot windows installation from an external cd/dvd reader ? I'm asking this because it's the only way i can install windows through Boot Camp, since my Macbook's internal combo-rw started to fail reading/burning cds.

Unfortunately, when Boot Camp asks for a windows cd in order to start installation and restarts, i get the grey boot screen and nothing else. After i hard-reset the Macbook, and pressing the Option key, there's no boot option other than the OSX partition. This is especially strange, because there's nothing wrong with the external drive, since it recognizes Mac OSX repair/restore discs (at startup).

My guess: is it possible that the option of using optical media through a USB interface is simply unavailable during PC-BIOS emulation while starting windows xp installation?

Thanks in advance,

[dimme]

It worked for me.
SR MBP

[Designer72]

Could you tell me what cd/dvd drive you are using that Windows will install from? I exchanged my internal MB Pro drive with a MCE hard drive and put my cd/dvd drive in an external enclosure. All programs keep trying to look for my internal drive and I can't install windows on anything because my drive won't load the install disc. I would be willing to buy another drive if I could load windows with it since that was the main reason I purchased the 2nd internal drive. I would love to be able to switch the default for the cd for my system as well. It's quite annoying! Any help?