Laptop with no DVD drive

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 61
    7 HP & ULT
       #1

    Laptop with no DVD drive


    Hi all--

    As the title says, my laptop's DVD drive seems to have failed. I'd like to clean install W7 from my portable HDD, but since I can't boot from USB, was womdering what options I might have. Right now, I'm wondering if I can install to a partition from within my Vista partition. Is that possible? It seems to me that when I previously installed Vista, that the reboots would be a factor.
    Any insight is appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #2

    You can put the installation files on a thumb drive, or you could run Setup.exe from within Vista.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16,130
    7 X64
       #3

    Hi,

    You won't be able to run 64 bit setup from within a 32 bit system

    Otherwise, you can run 7 setup from within Vista, and point the installer at a partition you already made.


    If you want to install from boot - PLOP bootmanager will add usb boot capability for you.

    Easiest is to install the free Easybcd 2.0 - and click Install PLOP.

    Get Easy free from here:

    EasyBCD 2.0 Beta Builds - The NeoSmart Forums

    Hope it helps.


    Fuentes said:
    Hi all--

    As the title says, my laptop's DVD drive seems to have failed. I'd like to clean install W7 from my portable HDD, but since I can't boot from USB, was womdering what options I might have. Right now, I'm wondering if I can install to a partition from within my Vista partition. Is that possible? It seems to me that when I previously installed Vista, that the reboots would be a factor.
    Any insight is appreciated.
      My Computers

  4.    #4

    Restarts are not an issue when you run Win7 installer from your Vista to overwrite itself since files are copied and expanded before any restart. You can choose either an in-place Upgrade which saves your programs, files and settings and installs Win7 underneath, or you can do a cleaner Custom install which overwrites your Vista or installs to another partition, and places all Vista files in a windows.old folder for later distribution (then delete it).

    You can also plug in a USB flash stick, format it primary in Disk Management, then copy the Win7 files into the root. This will then boot if you choose it under Hard Drives in your boot menu. THe advantage of this bootable approach is that you can use Custom>Advanced drive tools to wipe and format your hard drive, and you can install 64 bit which cannot be installed from a 32 bit environment.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 16,130
    7 X64
       #5

    You can install windows fine from an external USB HD.

    Just need usb boot capability. No need for a flash drive.
      My Computers

  6.    #6

    SIW2 said:
    You can install windows fine from an external USB HD.

    Just need usb boot capability. No need for a flash drive.
    Nice to know why I could never get my external to boot installer.

    He could also run the files from the external if he didn't want to boot?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 16,130
    7 X64
       #7

    It is similar to using a flash. Create a partition on the HD, mark it Active, copy the entire contents of the 7 dvd/iso to that partition.
      My Computers

  8.    #8

    SIW2 said:
    It is similar to using a flash. Create a partition on the HD, mark it Active, copy the entire contents of the 7 dvd/iso to that partition.
    but you still need the PLOP boot manager to boot it?

    Can I shrink my 320g external with files still on it, then copy into new primary/active part my 7 files and boot?

    OK think I'm gettin the picture now: you need the PLOP to tell it which external partition to boot?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,130
    7 X64
       #9

    Instruct the Bios to boot from USB.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 61
    7 HP & ULT
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Ahhhh...thanks everyone. These are the insightful answers I'm seeking.

    I want to install to a different partition, so that if anything goes horribly wrong, I won't be completely fouled up. If I do choose to install from USB to a separate partition, will W7 automatically create a boot manager so that I can choose which partition to boot from? That's my primary concern...at the moment.

    I'm also curious as to how W7 can overwrite the Vista partition while installing itself...on the same Vista partition. But I'm sure these are just old DOS fears.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:39.
Find Us