A 4 gb flash stick is large enough for the Installer or the Repair CD to be written to.
Here are alternate methods if Ultra ISO doesn't work following the exact steps I gave earlier:
USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create
YouTube - How to install Windows 7 from USB (WinToFlash)
OK, I've decided to focus on the USB route and I have a fresh 16GB stick, unused and ready to go. I had already tried the Hirens boot CD option (on USB) but couldn't get the computer to boot from USB. I followed the directions and thought I had it all set up right. I guess the only thing different was the USB stick wasn't formatted to FAT. Instead it was formatted to FAT32. Does that make a difference? Is FAT32 required on a drive/partition that size? I changed the boot order to 'Removable Devices' at the top of the order. Is there something wrong with my computer if it won't boot from any of the USB ports?
Maybe I need detailed, step-by-step instructions in what to do with the Recovery CD and USB stick now that I have it and I'm committed to going that route. I appreciate all the help so far. It's more than I ever expected. Really... much appreciated.
Do you have a Win7 installation DVD for your licensed version of Win7?
Or do you have Recovery disk(s) provided by manufacturer?
You said CD - is this the Repair CD for Win7? Repair CD - System Repair Disk
Please be specific as to what you have or ask questions to provide the answer, as this thread is pages of miscommunication with not enough feedback to help you properly.
I apologize. I listed earlier that it's a recovery disk provided by the manufacturer: Recovery but no EMS
The title is: Windows 7 Recovery Media for Windows 7 Products
If I had the installation CD then I'd be familiar with using that for doing a clean install like I used to do with my old HP. I did that quite frequently and always with success. It was such a great peace of mind knowing I had it at my disposal. Of course, I'm now also trying to cope with not having an optical drive.
Thank you for the PM. I'm going to work on that today. I'll report back with my results.
You can write Recov DVD ISO to flash stick using Ultra ISO trial version: On file tab Open ISO, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format first, then Write. Boot under USB or HD's.
If you can locate or borrow an install DVD, use the MS tool to write to flash or UltraISO method above.
Well, I got a hold of the Windows 7 Install DVD and burned it to USB, but I just can't seem to get my Asus laptop to boot from it. I have the appropriate order set in the BIOS but I always arrive at Windows Boot Manager and my options are:
1. Windows 7
2. Ramdisk boot options (Something like that - that came from Boyans)
I don't know if it's because of what I added with Boyans help or there's just something missing on this computer. I still blame the computer since I didn't have the Recovery option from the beginning, before anything was done.
How was the RAMDISK boot option added? What happened when you tried to boot it? I would reverse the process to get rid of it.
Are you accessing the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key by tapping the Asus' F8, ESC or DEL keys at bootup? Try setting it first to boot in BIOS setup. It may be listed under USB, removeable or HD's. It should register if it is plugged in.
If not, try another method mentioned for writing to the USB stick.
This is the advice I followed to add the RAMDISK option: Recovery but no EMS
It just gives me an option to repair boot up but nothing seems to be accomplished. But I appreciate all the time and effort boyans put into his advice. I'm not sure how to reverse the process as I wasn't even sure what I was doing in the first place. I was just copying and pasting as prompted. It was all way more advanced than what I've been familiar with.
Yes, I accessed via F2 I believe. It was labeled as "Removable Devices" and it's currently at the top.
In the Windows start menu search box type msconfig click the entry and at the boot tab, if there is a "RAMDISK" entry it can be deleted to remove the boot menu entry but this won't remove the actual addition you made using the boyans info.
Is the listing only "removeable Devices" or does it register the exact device to chooe to boot?
Unless the exact flash stick model show up on the BIOS Boot Order or one-time BIOS Boot Menu, it may not be bootable and registering. In that case try another method to write to stick.
I believe F2 enters BIOS setup. What is your model so we can give you the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key.
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