Windows 7: old computer new installation

tapuz · 18 May 2014

a friend of mine has a toshiba satellite 1905-s301 laptop, originally had windows xp installed on it.
the hard disk crashed, therfore another reason to install another operating system.

the problem is, the above model doesn't allow booting from a usb port. the cd reader doesnt read, therfore making it a big challenge "how" to install another operating system.

any ideas would be appreciated.

thanks

Layback Bear · 18 May 2014

If you can't use USB or CD/DVD drive I know of no way to install Windows.

As old as the laptop is I doubt it has the hardware to handle Windows 7.
It came new with Norton 2002.

http://support.toshiba.com/support/s...mTOCLink=false

linnemeyerhere · 18 May 2014

Cheap external usb DVD drive. Or load OS to the target HDD via another computer with drivers for the lappy?

tapuz · 18 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by linnemeyerhere

Cheap external usb DVD drive.

tried that, its the same problem, it will not let it boot from there, we tried the disk in another computer, no problem. we assumed it recognizes it as a usb, not a disk, and therefore unbootable.

maybe there is a way to install through a working computer on the hard disk, then to connect the hard disk?

what you wrote:
Or load OS to the target HDD via another computer with drivers for the lappy?
how would one do that?

linnemeyerhere · 18 May 2014

That looks to be your only option is use the target drive in another computer and load the OS and drivers to it then install to the lappy......good luck.

tapuz · 18 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by linnemeyerhere

That looks to be your only option is use the target drive in another computer and load the OS and drivers to it then install to the lappy......good luck.

great, how would i do that?
if i connect via usb connection, the installation would not allow it

linnemeyerhere · 18 May 2014

I'm looking through our SF tutorials for a situation like this to aid in a step by step and not finding. I wonder if the issue could be getting the laptops drivers installed? To me you should be able to use another lappy of even a desktop and remove or unplug it's hdd's and then hook yours up and install away including your driver disk for your laptop. But as I've never done this I'm not sure I want you to invest all this effort till we check things out and get a second opinion.
Have you checked to see if the laptop is powerful enough to run W7 well?

linnemeyerhere · 18 May 2014

Looking quickly at Toshiba's site for this lappy I'm not seeing even Vista supported for updated drivers.

You may be asking too much from this machine and it's limited processor and ram!

derekimo · 18 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by linnemeyerhere

To me you should be able to use another lappy of even a desktop and remove or unplug it's hdd's and then hook yours up and install away including your driver disk for your laptop.

In line with that kind of thinking, maybe option two of this tutorial would help,

Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer

Kari · 18 May 2014

Quote: Originally Posted by tapuz

Quote: Originally Posted by linnemeyerhere

That looks to be your only option is use the target drive in another computer and load the OS and drivers to it then install to the lappy......good luck.

great, how would i do that?
if i connect via usb connection, the installation would not allow it

Warning

I've done this and know it works. However, as it is rather unorthodox method, I will take no responsibility. If you decide to try, it's your own risk.

You need another laptop for this (a desktop is OK, too, if it accepts and can use the HDD intended for your old Toshiba as a system disk):

Remove the (first) HDD from the second laptop, connect the HDD you want to use on the old Toshiba
Boot normally from Windows install media, install Windows
When Windows boots to desktop first time after the installation, generalize Windows as told in Method One in this tutorial: Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer
Remove the HDD from the second laptop, reconnect its original HDD
Connect the HDD to your old Toshiba laptop
Boot

Kari