How do you make a USB drive bootable so I can load W7 on a netbook?

falze

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i tried putting all the files on to the usb drive however, the system doesnt boot from the usb drive! how do i make it so its bootable. thanks in advance
 

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wished it worked in 7, SUSE for that matter though

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Laptop: Compaq C700
^^ Ugg, that's clunky too
So instead do this: (even less complicated) :D

You will need HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 (be warned many google links for the HP tool are DEAD)
You can find it Here!
and Bootme.zip

1. Run "HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool"
2. Select your Thumb Drive as Device
3. Select FAT as File system
4. Volume name "Windows 7" :p
5. Select Quick Format
6. Select Create a DOS startup disk
7. unzip the bootme.zip and point "Using DOS system files located at" to the unzipped folder with files inside
8. Start Format
Ta-Da
Sorted!
PS You wont see any files on the usbstick as they are in the boot sector

(you can also optionally do a second "format" using NTFS- don't worry "all data on drive will be lost" does NOT include the boot sector files.

There you go-My first How to... for WSF.
Cheers ALL
 

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That's how I do it and I think it's the easiest and fastest way :

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Step 1. Format the USB Flash Disk




Run CMD (elevated) and type:
  1. diskpart
  2. list disk (*now find your USB disk number, you'll find it by its size)
  3. select disk 1 (*if your USB is disk 1)
  4. clean
  5. create partition primary
  6. select partition 1 (*this is 1, no matter what number is your USB disk)
  7. active
  8. format fs=fat32 (or ntfs, works with both)
  9. assign
  10. 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:\
You're done. Works perfectly.You'll make the fastest install ever.
 

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Limneos, I do agree that the CMD method is the most efficient (quickest keystrokes)
But, you still have to remember or reference to those commands! (and the CMD DOS may be a little overwhelming for some)

The method I listed means just DL'ing and saving those two files once (say to folder USB Boot);
Then anytime you want to make a USB bootable, you just run the HP utillity. and you're done - no remembering steps or which drive is your USB
Very Easy!

Eis Igian
 

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Aggreed, I guess I forget not everyone has some expertise..

But it's just a few lines,plus no need for software. And the commands you have to type have some followable logic..like...

select disk, select partition , make active.

done.

not hard to remember.

Anyway, I posted this because I used many methods and most of them didn't work for me...some worked for XP only, some for Vista only...some not at all.

And in the method I describe, you will notice there is not an extra step to "make the usb bootable", once you've marked it as active, copying the DVD does the trick, cause it contains the boot record files itself ;)
 

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i know people who are scared because the pitch blackness and no sense of GUI (they panic....)...

hmm this should be a tutorial...

anyone??

or should i give it a shot??

but it shouldnt be that hard to make it a script...
as for me i always have my cmd open...lol
just for the wizmo program....
 

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love my wacom pen and pressure sensitivity...
wished it worked in 7, SUSE for that matter though
Good one Limneos!
 

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Thanks echrada....

Actually, no matter which method u use, I would suggest having a couple of usb sticks for your several Windows installations, they're very cheap lately. The installation time is much...much faster. I started using USB just for a few netbooks I had to setup. Now I don't use DVDs anymore for installations!
 

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2x1GB Kinsgston DDR2 800MHz
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Nvidia 8500GT
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Sony Bravia 42"
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LINKW 2222
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Standard Intel
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Some cheap one
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Microsoft Intellimouse something
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That's how I do it and I think it's the easiest and fastest way :


Step 1. Format the USB Flash Disk



Run CMD (elevated) and type:
  1. diskpart
  2. list disk (*now find your USB disk number, you'll find it by its size)
  3. select disk 1 (*if your USB is disk 1)
  4. clean
  5. create partition primary
  6. select partition 1 (*this is 1, no matter what number is your USB disk)
  7. active
  8. format fs=fat32 (or ntfs, works with both)
  9. assign
  10. 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:\
You're done. Works perfectly.You'll make the fastest install ever.

nice work thank you

cheers brad
 

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booting xp32 2x dual pci-e digital tv tuners
xp pro v 1xusb2 digital tv tuner
vista ultimate 64
win7 64 win8 64
That's how I do it and I think it's the easiest and fastest way :

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

Step 1. Format the USB Flash Disk




Run CMD (elevated) and type:
  1. diskpart
  2. list disk (*now find your USB disk number, you'll find it by its size)
  3. select disk 1 (*if your USB is disk 1)
  4. clean
  5. create partition primary
  6. select partition 1 (*this is 1, no matter what number is your USB disk)
  7. active
  8. format fs=fat32 (or ntfs, works with both)
  9. assign
  10. 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:\
You're done. Works perfectly.You'll make the fastest install ever.

This method is the best in my opionion and what i use for all laptop installs.
 

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I actually really enjoy working in the command line window.
I changed the text color to a bright green on the black background, changed the default size if the window, use a nice fancy font, but mostly I still love using commands and switches.
I know in today's super Gooie world that most folks don't even know what the CMD window is or how to do anything in it and I think that's a shame. Everyone should retain the basic knowledge of command line interface, it's extremely useful when things go sideways in Gooie.
 

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hi the links provided in above posts state that larger than 4 gig drives wont work but i just did it with a 32 gig drive and it works great

4 GB USB thumbdrive (NOT MORE THAN 4GB! Booting from USB flash devices isn’t supported on devices bigger than 4GB. Smaller USB sticks won’t work either since W7 won’t fit on them!)

cheers brad
 

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PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
my own build
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xp/vista/win7/win8/10 tech preview
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GA-MA790FXT-UD5P
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nvidia 9500 gt
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on board
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T231H / X243H ACER
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1980/1080
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Hitachi 500 samsung1terabyte wd 750
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550 watt
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cooler master
Cooling
stock
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microsoft
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logitech
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20000 dl 1020 ul exetel
Other Info
booting xp32 2x dual pci-e digital tv tuners
xp pro v 1xusb2 digital tv tuner
vista ultimate 64
win7 64 win8 64
I have done it with 8GB, 32GB split in 5 partitions with multiple installations...all of them worked great.
 

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How can you make the changes of font, color etc to CMD?

EDIT: i want inverted, white with black text.
 

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Advent Roma Laptop
OS
Windows 7 Enterprise SP1 x64 Windows 8 Enterprise RTM x64
CPU
Mobile DualCore Intel Pentium T4400, 2200 MHz (11 x 200)
Motherboard
Advent Roma (Intel Cantiga GL40)
Memory
4028 MB (DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M
Sound Card
Realtek ALC662 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor [NoDB]
Screen Resolution
1366x768
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TOSHIBA MK5065GSX ATA Device (500 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II)
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Mikomi 7 Button Laser Mouse w/DPi Switch
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Hello win7.

If you right-click on my pointed area and select properties, you get the font and layout options among others.
 

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My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 RC 7100 32bit/64bitIntel Core2Duo E4500 2.20 GHz2x1GB Kinsgston DDR2 800MHzNvidia 8500GT
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ENIAC
OS
Windows 7 RC 7100 32bit/64bit
CPU
Intel Core2Duo E4500 2.20 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P5LD2-X/1333
Memory
2x1GB Kinsgston DDR2 800MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 8500GT
Sound Card
Onboard High Definition Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
Sony Bravia 42"
Case
LINKW 2222
Cooling
Standard Intel
Keyboard
Some cheap one
Mouse
Microsoft Intellimouse something
Internet Speed
24MBps ADSL
Hello win7.

If you right-click on my pointed area and select properties, you get the font and layout options among others.

Wow, I never noticed that. Cool tip.
 

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ok, so I've created my USB boot flash stick, so do I use ImgBurn to install the iso to the USB stick?

Will the computer recognise the USB stick on bootup and begin the installation?

Sorry to be so thick :o
 

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