Solved Installing Windows 7 from External HDD

[Bare Foot Kid]

It didn't get "corrupted" that happened because you marked the C: as the Active partition, active is the flag WinRE uses to 'know' where to (re)create a new set of System boot files, when you mark a partition as active you have to run the startup repairs to finish the process.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

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[SlasherIT]

I can't run a startup repair from the DVD... Could you show me how to make add the system repair utility to my 4GB USB?

(I have 2 other computers that are running Windows 7 32 bit, am typing from one of them.)

Slasher

 

[theog]

You could use this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/58455-recovery-partition-create.html
If do make sure you backup ext drive.

6) When Windows is installed, delete partition, When you have your replacement DVD Drive.

your DVD Drive Will need to be working.

 

[theog]

I can't run a startup repair from the DVD... Could you show me how to make add the system repair utility to my 4GB USB?

(I have 2 other computers that are running Windows 7 32 bit, am typing from one of them.)

Slasher

You can not a USB Pendrive for Startup Repair.

 

[SlasherIT]

@theog - I didn't see that part that said to delete when you have your replacement dvd drive, you must have edited the post recently...

Can't be possible, I'm sure I could run a System Repair from a USB. That's because you can do so if you have the full Windows 7 on your USB, you will be able to do a startup repair. I can't fit the full Windows 7 on my USB...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

It didn't get "corrupted" that happened because you marked the C: as the Active partition, active is the flag WinRE uses to 'know' where to (re)create a new set of System boot files, when you mark a partition as active you have to run the startup repairs to finish the process.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

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Have a look at Option Two #2 to see how to mark a partition Inactive then mark the C: active again and that should sort the issue.

DISKPART : At PC Startup

 

[SlasherIT]

But I can't run the System Repair from my DVD... Can you tell me how I can offload it to a USB?

Slasher

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you have the bootable Windows 7 installation media, why don't you put that on the USB stick and use that to do the install?

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create


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@theog WinRE won't boot from a USB stick?

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[SlasherIT]

The 4GB USB stick can only hold 3.7GB... The Windows 7 install media takes 3.8GB.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

The ISO from MS Technet is 3.09GB, what do you have an "all in one" ISO?

click to enlarge

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[SlasherIT]

Yes, I have the all-in-one with SP1... Hmmm... Can I ask you something? Would it be ok if I downloaded the Windows 7 Home Premium 64 strictly, put it on my USB, formatted everything on my laptop, and install?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Yes, it has to be the EXACT same version you have the activation key for.

   Note

Windows 7 / Vista is version specific and not bit-rate specific, i.e. a Home Premium COA Windows activation key will activate either the 32-bit or the 64-bit Windows Home Premium Operating System.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key​

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[SlasherIT]

I know that . Bare Foot Kid... Thanks. I'm going to download it, and put it on the USB. Is it necessary to use the tool or can I just copy all its contents into the USB?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I would guess use of the took so it will be bootable.

 

[SlasherIT]

Alright I'll use the tool . Thanks for teaching me this stuff... Learning more things by the day...

 

[theog]

@theog WinRE won't boot from a USB stick?

Hi Ted

You can not use a USB Pendrive to do a startup Repair, as startup repair will find the MBR on the Pendrive & not the HD.
Therefore will not detect a problem.

Self tested & MS kb934540.
Windows Vista or Windows 7 no longer starts, and the Startup Repair tool does not fix the problem

Ray.

 

[SlasherIT]

Oh well, doesn't matter, just going to re-install Windows 7 again, for the third time . How can I add the 4GB partition back to C: during setup?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Alright I'll use the tool . Thanks for teaching me this stuff... Learning more things by the day...

My pleasure mate, keep coming back, it works if you work it.

@theog WinRE won't boot from a USB stick?

Hi Ted

You can not use a USB Pendrive to do a startup Repair, as startup repair will find the MBR on the Pendrive & not the HD.
Therefore will not detect a problem.

Self tested & MS kb934540.
Windows Vista or Windows 7 no longer starts, and the Startup Repair tool does not fix the problem

Ray.

Hello Ray.

Thanks for the info my friend, I've "not yet" fooled with installers/WinRE from a USB stick.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Oh well, doesn't matter, just going to re-install Windows 7 again, for the third time . How can I add the 4GB partition back to C: during setup?

I'd do a wipe secure erase of the entire HDD first.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information



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[SlasherIT]

Would the secure erase with diskpart integrate all the partitions together?