Install via mounting but don't want boot loader?

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  1. Posts : 16
    Windows XP SP3
       #1

    Install via mounting but don't want boot loader?


    I want to apologise in advance if this seems like a completely dumb question and I'm 99% sure it's not possible anyway, but it doesn't harm to ask.

    Is it possible to install Windows 7 (to a different hard drive/partition) by mounting the iso, but then not have it install a boot loader? Obviously you'd have to be using a pre-existing OS to be mounting the iso file, but I can't seem to think of a way for it to not install a boot loader.

    I know it's possible to install and then afterwards remove all the boot loader stuff, but it's just a hassle to boot into the DVDs and do all the rebuildbcd or fixmbr stuff.

    Also I am aware I could just burn the iso to DVD and install it from that in order to not get a bootloader, but I'd like to know if it's at all possible via mounting the iso.

    Thanks for any help.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,289
       #2

    bearbear said:
    I want to apologise in advance if this seems like a completely dumb question and I'm 99% sure it's not possible anyway, but it doesn't harm to ask.

    Is it possible to install Windows 7 (to a different hard drive/partition) by mounting the iso, but then not have it install a boot loader? Obviously you'd have to be using a pre-existing OS to be mounting the iso file, but I can't seem to think of a way for it to not install a boot loader.

    I know it's possible to install and then afterwards remove all the boot loader stuff, but it's just a hassle to boot into the DVDs and do all the rebuildbcd or fixmbr stuff.

    Also I am aware I could just burn the iso to DVD and install it from that in order to not get a bootloader, but I'd like to know if it's at all possible via mounting the iso.

    Thanks for any help.

    Hi Bearbear,

    The Windows installation requires access to the DVD during install so it wouldn't be able to use the software your using to mount the image, Windows Setup also always installs a boot-loader onto the first boot device configured in your BIOS but it detects other Operating Systems installed on other hard-drives and automaticaly creates boot entries for that Operating System

    Im making a tool to auto-utilize a USB device for installing Windows, Its probably the fastest and best method of installing Windows... Keep an eye out

    Steven
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16
    Windows XP SP3
    Thread Starter
       #3

    dmex said:
    ... it detects other Operating Systems installed on other hard-drives and automaticaly creates boot entries for that Operating System
    That's the bit I don't want it to do. Call me neurotic or whatever, but I don't want Windows 7 touching my current XP installation which has been solid as a rock for 5+ years.

    dmex said:
    Im making a tool to auto-utilize a USB device for installing Windows, Its probably the fastest and best method of installing Windows... Keep an eye out
    That does seem to be the best method of installing Windows 7, but unfortunately the largest USB stick I have is only 2GB

    I guess I'll have to remove the Windows 7 boot loader/entries after installation.

    Thanks for the help.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8,398
    ultimate 64 sp1
       #4

    ..or you could install from a separate real partition, as opposed to a virtually mounted one.

    ie copy all the install files onto f: (for example) to install onto c:, that'll work. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 16
    Windows XP SP3
    Thread Starter
       #5

    But that'd still mean I need to be in a pre-existing OS to access/run the files from that real partition, no?

    For example with 2 hard drives:

    HDD 1 (C:) has XP, I copy Win7 iso contents to an empty partition (G:) on HDD 2 but I want to install Win7 on another real empty partition on HDD 2 (F:).

    HDD 2 has no OS or any data, just empty partitions. If I disconnect HDD 1 (C:) so as the Win7 install doesn't add it to it's boot loader, there's no way to even run the setup files. If I leave HDD 1 connected, then it's no different from me installing Win 7 via virtually mounting the iso, the XP partition will still be added to the Win7 boot loader.

    Unless by some magic, copying the iso setup files to an empty partition makes that partition bootable, then I don't see how.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #6

    bearbear said:
    But that'd still mean I need to be in a pre-existing OS to access/run the files from that real partition, no?

    For example with 2 hard drives:

    HDD 1 (C:) has XP, I copy Win7 iso contents to an empty partition (G:) on HDD 2 but I want to install Win7 on another real empty partition on HDD 2 (F:).

    HDD 2 has no OS or any data, just empty partitions. If I disconnect HDD 1 (C:) so as the Win7 install doesn't add it to it's boot loader, there's no way to even run the setup files. If I leave HDD 1 connected, then it's no different from me installing Win 7 via virtually mounting the iso, the XP partition will still be added to the Win7 boot loader.
    bearbear

    Welcome to sf. You dont need as OS on the partition you drag the ISO to. Im in the middle of doing that now on a laptop. I dont understand why the preoccupation with the bootldr. could you tell us why and we might be able to help you more

    Ken
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 16
    Windows XP SP3
    Thread Starter
       #7

    zigzag3143 said:
    Welcome to sf.
    Thank you for the welcome :)

    zigzag3143 said:
    You dont need as OS on the partition you drag the ISO to.
    I'm aware of that, but then how will the setup files run? Put it another way, If you had a completely empty hard drive and you put the the iso contents onto a partition, how would you then install Windows 7 onto another partition (but same hard drive) from there? (Assuming no other hard drives are connected)

    zigzag3143 said:
    I dont understand why the preoccupation with the bootldr. could you tell us why and we might be able to help you more
    There is no grandiose reason, as I mentioned earlier, I just don't want Windows 7 to touch my current XP installation.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #8

    bearbear said:
    Thank you for the welcome :)


    I'm aware of that, but then how will the setup files run? Put it another way, If you had a completely empty hard drive and you put the the iso contents onto a partition, how would you then install Windows 7 onto another partition from there?


    There is no grandiose reason, as I mentioned earlier, I just don't want Windows 7 to touch my current XP installation.

    Thank you now i understand. when you first launch setup on the installer it copies enough of its own to a temp location and knows where it is. it continues doing the install untill it needs a reboot. During the reboot the installer know where to look for the rest of the files. thats all there is to it.

    Now i understand abt bootldr. do you want to dual boot xp and win 7? If you do it is going to have to set up a boot menu. it will also put the files needed for startup.

    If I understand you wan to install from hd2 into a second partition on hd1. completely do-able.

    Feel free to ask if you need more info

    Ken
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16
    Windows XP SP3
    Thread Starter
       #9

    zigzag3143 said:
    do you want to dual boot xp and win 7? If you do it is going to have to set up a boot menu. it will also put the files needed for startup.
    I don't want to dual boot, or more precisely I'd rather use my motherboard's F8 boot menu to pick which hard drive to boot, which negates the need of a boot loader/menu created by the Windows 7 installation.

    zigzag3143 said:
    If I understand you wan to install from hd2 into a second partition on hd1. completely do-able.
    No no, I want to install purely on the 2nd hard drive. The only reason why I mention I have a 1st hard drive is because this is where my XP installation is. The 2nd hard drive is completely empty, but has several partitions.

    Now according to mickey megabyte, I can copy the iso setup files onto a partition on the 2nd hard drive and then install onto the same hard drive as along as it's to another partition, which is fine.

    However my question now is, how would you run those setup files if I detach the hard drive with the XP installation on? As I mentioned above, unless copying the files over makes that partition bootable, I don't see how that would work.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #10

    bearbear said:
    I don't want to dual boot, or more precisely I'd rather use my motherboard's F8 boot menu to pick which hard drive to boot, which negates the need of a boot loader/menu created by the Windows 7 installation.


    No no, I want to install purely on the 2nd hard drive. The only reason why I mention I have a 1st hard drive is because this is where my XP installation is. The 2nd hard drive is completely empty, but has several partitions.

    Now according to mickey megabyte, I can copy the iso setup files onto a partition on the 2nd hard drive and then install onto the same hard drive as along as it's to another partition, which is fine. Absolutly true no problem

    However my question now is, how would you run those setup files if I detach the hard drive with the XP installation on? As I mentioned above, unless copying the files over makes that partition bootable, I don't see how that would work . Once it is installed it doesn't matter
    Install from hd onto hd2 fine. f8 to boot drive will work but is going to be a pain.

    Hope this helps

    Ken
      My Computer


 
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