Installing Windows 7 from External HDD

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

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 - 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 said:

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

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

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

Slasher

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

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

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

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

click to enlarge