Windows 7: How do you get the install file to run right after POST?

calccrypto · 13 Nov 2010

Hopefully I haven't done anything illegal

Im trying to reinstall XP (I dont think OS matters) on my computer, but I dont have my disk with me. no one else seems to have it either. fortunately, i had copied my disk onto my harddrive a long time ago, and have an empty flashdrive, so i copied the files onto the flashdrive and tried to get it to run for me. my computer said boot error. How do i get it running? I really need to wipe my computer.

if there's no way, i will need to wait until after thanksgiving to wipe it, but i dont want to wait that long

Bare Foot Kid · 13 Nov 2010

Hello calccrypto.

If you mean wipe as in a secure erase (write zeroes to the entire Hard Disk Drive) then you can create a repair disk using Option Two in this tutorial that you can use to boot the PC so you can do Step One in this tutorial at the link below, be advised, this will over-write all data on the HDD.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Hopalong X · 13 Nov 2010

You will have to go into bios and change the boot order so the flash drive is first.

If your not sure how to do this go here enter OS, find and download manual. Easy.
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Then if you still have questions ask away.

Also as Doc has stated below if you made the Flash drive bootable.

DocBrown · 13 Nov 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by calccrypto

Hopefully I haven't done anything illegal

Im trying to reinstall XP (I dont think OS matters) on my computer, but I dont have my disk with me. no one else seems to have it either. fortunately, i had copied my disk onto my harddrive a long time ago, and have an empty flashdrive, so i copied the files onto the flashdrive and tried to get it to run for me. my computer said boot error. How do i get it running? I really need to wipe my computer.

if there's no way, i will need to wait until after thanksgiving to wipe it, but i dont want to wait that long

Did you just copy them ? Or did you make a bootable USB flash drive first & then copy them as per numerous tutorials? Does your Bios setup have the option to boot from a USB device ?

calccrypto · 14 Nov 2010

Im afraid i only copied the files into my flashdrive.

I know how to change the bios, and did to get my flashdrive boot, which resulted in the above "boot fail". im afraid i didnt format my flashdrive. do i need to?

DocBrown · 14 Nov 2010

Try this tutorial

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

calccrypto · 16 Nov 2010

Sorry i havent been able to respond sooner. for some reason, neither of the methods work. i tried formatting my flashdrive but diskpart gave me a paragraph of why it was unable to format. the windows 7 installation on a key drive program refused to read the iso i created with corel burn now

DocBrown · 16 Nov 2010

That's how I do it and I think it's the easiest and fastest way :
USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create
Step 1. Format the USB Flash Disk

Run CMD (elevated) and type:
diskpart
list disk (*now find your USB disk number, you'll find it by its size)
select disk 1 (*if your USB is disk 1)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1 (*this is 1, no matter what number is your USB disk)
active
format fs=fat32 (or ntfs, works with both)
assign
exit
Note: Don't type the things in parentheses above!!
Step 2. Copy Windows 7 or Vista's DVD content to the Flash Disk

Still on CMD, assuming your dvd is drive d: and your usb is drive e:
xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\

What exactly was the error you got ?

gregrocker · 16 Nov 2010

It is not nearly as easy to write the XP installer to a USB flash stick as with Windows 7. You'd be better off it if you have an ISO file (and not just copied files) to burn another CD using ImgBurn at 4x speed.

If you truly want to wipe your HD (and not just format, which doesn't overwrite anything) then use the tutorial in BareFootKid's post at top.

calccrypto · 16 Nov 2010

i just need to reformat. if i really needed a secure wipe, i can do it. i'll try the flash drive on saturday, when i have some time

Windows 7: How do you get the install file to run right after POST?

How do you get the install file to run right after POST? problems?