Installation Question - Drive Partitioning

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  1. Posts : 12
    Nothing D:
       #1

    Installation Question - Drive Partitioning


    There was a time when I had Windows 7 and absolutely adored it.
    For certain reasons I tried to go back but fail epically (yes, I'm a teenager!) and now I have two active drive partitions and it's still looking for Windows Seven's bootmgr.w/eand now I need either one of four questions answers so I can get back on my new computer. [(BTW, I am starting to hate the way I need to tweak things.)]

    The questions are:
    • If I install windows seven on my usb flash drive (which I tweaked to make the computer look at it like a USBHDD,) will it wipe out the OS on my grandpa's computer?
    • How can I make BIOS look-up and process boot.ini instead?
    • How can I run the Windows Vista install off my FlashHD [as I call it. :P]Is it even possible?
    • Would it work better or, once again, is it possible to install Vista on my flash drive and use it to run on my grandpa's computer.
    My computer is an Acer AspireOne [I will deservingly accept flaming due to my poorness and poor sense of choice].

    Internal Hard Drive Size: 160 GB;
    RAM: 1GB;
    Screen Size: 10.x"; //I think 10.1...
    Processor: Intel Atom 1.6Ghz;

    Any help will be great even if it doesn't completely solve the problem. The last question being solved would be most helpful and convenient due to the fact that I wanted to go back.

    I already tried putting the vista install .iso on the FlashHD and a message came up which has escaped my memory and then the bootmgr message came up and the first message doesn't come up now. I'm thinking maybe the .iso might have the wrong name or does it matter? [I know another question...]
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #2

    Questions 1, 3 and 4: Windows 7 cannot boot from an USB flashdrive. I`ve heard, remember reading it somewhere, that XP was possible to install on an USB stick. Never tried.

    You could try VirtualPC and install Windows7 on a virtual machine on your grandpa's computer. Read more here.

    Good luck,

    Kari
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,736
    ...
       #3

    BigFanWin7 said:
    I have two active drive partitions and it's still looking for Windows Seven's bootmgr.w/e
    Hey, welcome to Windows 7 Forum, and I was a teenager once. I loved learning by doing and trying new things was a thrill. I don't have all the answers for you, but if you use the Windows 7 DVD to repair your OS, it should restore your bootmanager.

    BigFanWin7 said:
    The questions are:
    • If I install windows seven on my usb flash drive (which I tweaked to make the computer look at it like a USBHDD,) will it wipe out the OS on my grandpa's computer?
    • How can I make BIOS look-up and process boot.ini instead?
    • How can I run the Windows Vista install off my FlashHD [as I call it. :P]Is it even possible?
    • Would it work better or, once again, is it possible to install Vista on my flash drive and use it to run on my grandpa's computer.
    1) Installing an OS on your flash drive, if that is indeed possible, will delete everything currently on the flash drive. It won't change any of the data on the internal hard drive.
    2) I am not sure what you are asking, but if your motherboard supports it, pressing "F12" will open a boot menu and allow you to select a boot device.
    3) Do not know, maybe more details?
    4) This is just my opinion, but your 160GB internal hard drive is large enough for your Vista and 7 and even more, if you wish. I don't believe a flash drive would work 'better'.

    As far as your choice of computer, if I understand your comment, we use what we have. If you look at my specs, I'm still using a Socket 939 processor with 2GB of RAM. Seems ancient compared to the quad core systems of today. No shame there!

    Robert
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #4

    iseeuu said:
    Installing an OS on your flash drive, if that is indeed possible, will delete everything currently on the flash drive. It won't change any of the data on the internal hard drive.
    Do you think it is possible? I mean, I have portable Ubuntu and a PE-kit on stick, but Windows 7 on stick? Could be interesting to find more information.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,179
       #5

    BigFanWin7 said:
    There was a time when I had Windows 7 and absolutely adored it.
    For certain reasons I tried to go back but fail epically (yes, I'm a teenager!) and now I have two active drive partitions and it's still looking for Windows Seven's bootmgr.w/eand now I need either one of four questions answers so I can get back on my new computer. [(BTW, I am starting to hate the way I need to tweak things.)]


    The questions are:
    • If I install windows seven on my usb flash drive (which I tweaked to make the computer look at it like a USBHDD,) will it wipe out the OS on my grandpa's computer? NO
    • How can I make BIOS look-up and process boot.ini instead? Win7 has not boot.ini
    • How can I run the Windows Vista install off my FlashHD [as I call it. :P]Is it even possible? YES
    • Would it work better or, once again, is it possible to install Vista on my flash drive and use it to run on my grandpa's computer. YES
    My computer is an Acer AspireOne [I will deservingly accept flaming due to my poorness and poor sense of choice].EXCELLENT CHOICE I love ACERS

    Internal Hard Drive Size: 160 GB;
    RAM: 1GB;
    Screen Size: 10.x"; //I think 10.1...
    Processor: Intel Atom 1.6Ghz;

    Any help will be great even if it doesn't completely solve the problem. The last question being solved would be most helpful and convenient due to the fact that I wanted to go back.

    I already tried putting the vista install .iso on the FlashHD and a message came up which has escaped my memory and then the bootmgr message came up and the first message doesn't come up now. I'm thinking maybe the .iso might have the wrong name or does it matter? [I know another question...]
    Now what I would recommend is.
    1. shrink the partition where your granddaughters OS is installed.
    2. Make the 2 visible partitions about 50GB ea. you can also shrink the hidden partition. so ea you and GD have 50GB to use.
    3. while logged in to XP(GD's OS) insert the Win7 or Vista DVD and when ask, go to CUSTOM, when ask say clean install, install in the new partition that you made.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12
    Nothing D:
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Quote: Originally Posted by iseeuu
    Installing an OS on your flash drive, if that is indeed possible, will delete everything currently on the flash drive. It won't change any of the data on the internal hard drive.


    Do you think it is possible? I mean, I have portable Ubuntu and a PE-kit on stick, but Windows 7 on stick? Could be interesting to find more information.

    I don't really care if it's XP, 7, Vista [stated in order of what I want] on it but I don't really have a Disc drive and The flash drive is my only choice.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12
    Nothing D:
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Snuffy said:
    Now what I would recommend is.
    1. shrink the partition where your granddaughters OS is installed.
    2. Make the 2 visible partitions about 50GB ea. you can also shrink the hidden partition. so ea you and GD have 50GB to use.
    3. while logged in to XP(GD's OS) insert the Win7 or Vista DVD and when ask, go to CUSTOM, when ask say clean install, install in the new partition that you made.
    Well, actually, I have XP on a second hard drive already on my acer. Boot.ini is XP's startup routine. In response to the answer of question two.

    I don't want the OS on my grandpa's computer, I need to tranfser it to my acer which is in it's digital coma.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,179
       #8

    Once you have tne new OS (Vista or Win7) installed. the last you will do is
    reboot, and the new OS will be the first thing it will boot too after that.

    to make sure your GD gets her OS every time.... go tp start -> type
    msconfig (wait for popup) move to BOOT then click your GD os and click default... that will move so XP (GDs OS will boot first).
    when you want to boot, wait for the boot sequence to show use the ARROW key and move down to win7 or Vista. click enter and your online with your own OS.

    Vista or Win7 needs a min of 20GB to work
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #9

    Have you read this?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12
    Nothing D:
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Snuffy said:
    Once you have tne new OS (Vista or Win7) installed. the last you will do is
    reboot, and the new OS will be the first thing it will boot too after that.

    to make sure your GD gets her OS every time.... go tp start -> type
    msconfig (wait for popup) move to BOOT then click your GD os and click default... that will move so XP (GDs OS will boot first).
    when you want to boot, wait for the boot sequence to show use the ARROW key and move down to win7 or Vista. click enter and your online with your own OS.

    Vista or Win7 needs a min of 20GB to work
    Are we still talking about my grandpa's computer, if not (and we shouldn't be) how am I getting the files to my acer (and in what format,betc.)
      My Computer


 
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