Windows 7: Help, switching from Ubuntu to win7

Do you happen to have a free 4GB USB key lying around? You could use another computer and make that a bootable USB key and install Windows from that. Makes for a faster install anyway.

Did you unplug all but the target HD, and wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command? It doesn't sound like it since you discuss the HD boot order.

I would also physcially remove the floppy drive then make sure it's listing is gone from BIOS Boot order. Set DVD drive first to boot, unless you're trying flash stick install as also suggested.

Hi pparks

I did think about that but unfortunately USB is not an option in the "Boot from" menu.

Hi gregrocker

Yes, I even tried removing all HD's and put a spare 40gb HD that I have into there, but still the same problem, although you can specify to "Boot from DVD" in the bios setup, DVD is not listed in the "One Time Boot" option.

It reminds me of the old windows 3.1 and Dos when you had to have a CD/DVD driver as the first installed software otherwise you could do nothing without it.

Did you wipe the HD? Yes or No? Wipe the HD with Clean command then try booting installer.

Did you remove Floppy Drive which can interfere with booting DVD? Please reply to steps given so we don't have to repeat them if you want help here. The skipped step is often the one which fixes things.

Next extract the ISO using ImgBurn then write to stick using Universal USB Installer with Windows 7 in dropdown menu which is the easiest method. USB should show up after you format and plug in the stick for Windows 7 install

If this fails, test your HD using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, then test RAM - Test with Memtest86+ CD test.

Hi Again

Ok, I disconnected the FDD and rebooted with only the 2TB drive connected. The system immediately recognised the DVD and booted from there, so it appears, as suggested, that the FDD was preventing the boot from recognising the DVD.

I am installing win xp sp1 as I do not have the Windows 7 installer programme which I believe I would need to put Windows 7 onto a new HDD. I know that I can install Windows 7 onto a winxp drive as I did it last week on my laptop.

Just one more question if I may. Once I have Windows 7 installed and I reconnect the Ubuntu HD, how do I set the boot screen to give me the option of starting either of the two operating systems?

Since you have two HD's set Windows 7 to boot first in BIOS setup, after DVD drive.

THen when you plug back in Ubuntu boot it using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to avoid the use of GRUB bootloader which can corrupt Windows 7.

This is a lot cleaner method of Dual Booting.

If this doesn't work as you like, install EasyBCD to Windows 7 to add Linux from its tab

If you want to dual boot, you can use GRUB 2.0 start up ubuntu and if you have any windows OS(if it is installed) make sure to open up a terminal(in ubuntu) and sudo update-grub and reboot, you should now have a list of different OS'es.You can also format your HDD in ubuntu with GParted to set it up for a windows installation, delete/format the HDD and be sure to set the format to NTFS. If Ubuntu is on the HDD that you want to wipe, run a LiveCD/USB and be sure to enable USB/CD/DVD startup in the BIOS menu and follow the above step.P.S

Thanks everyone, that was all very helpfull and much appreciated.
Will now mark this topic as "Solved"