Can you apply Windows XP to a bootable USB Flash Drive?

Can you apply Windows XP or previous version to a bootable USB Flash Drive? I was given a Dell Optiplex GX 270 and cannot get it to show a picture at all on either monitor I have or a small 15" TV with VGA. All lights come on, VGA connected, all disc drives open and close but no picture, no sounds, any help would be appreciated. Think it could be that it doesn't have an operating system on it and thought I would try that but want to know first if I can put Windows XP on a bootable flash drive with Rufus? If so, I have downloaded a file from microsoft.com labeled Windows XP and Office are Better Together. Only file I found when typing in Windows XP download from Microsoft. Any and all advice on this equipment would be great, Thank you ahead of time!!

Rustys said:

Is this something that just started happening.

Does it have a display card?
If so them remove and attach to the onboard and see if you get a display that way.

What color is the power light? Flashing?

Do you hear anything coming from the system?

Beeps pattern?


not really most systems that old cannot boot off a USB.

Just to clarify that you are not even getting the post screen or anything?

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Correct, I am not getting a post screen or anything. The voltage selector next to the power supply connector is set to 115, no peripherals attached only pcu cord and VGA to VGA connection on monitor. At first I was getting a orange light then it would turn green and stay on. Could open the disc drive but no picture still, though monitor would turn on when I powered up the PC. Now I press the power button and get one beep and then it flashes orange. Can power off and try again but same thing. Then a few times it wouldn't even power on when I tried to power it up. Let it rest a bit and still nothing. Flipped the voltage selector up to other setting and would try and power on then nothing. When I put the voltage switch back it sounded like it was releasing pressure like a compressor would do. Now that the voltage is back to 115 (according to online manual for this model this is where it is suppose to be set to) I held the power button down for about 2 to 3 seconds and now it is giving me one beep still, and the power button will light up green for about one second then turn orange and flash on and off about every 2 seconds.

And there is no display card. Granted I know nothing about these but looks as if it has 2 x8 slots that are empty. What would I need to get to put here? (Please be specific as mentioned, I do not know much about these Dell Optiplex much less an older generation of them.

I did clean the PC it was a little dusty, removed the RAM and cleaned then put back. Disconnected psu form mobo and reconnected after cleaning. That is pretty much everything I have done besides switching out cords out in case one was faulty. (Power cord with same specs as original power cord, and VGA to VGA cord.

PeterOz said:

Can we have the service tag number - 7 digit.

Can you give the link you used. Microsoft do not have XP downloads any more.
The only download for Windows XP and Office are Better Together is a word document

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