No OS installed, need to do a factory restore.

you're trying to bootable usb on vista machine??? I think it has a 32 bits cpu... doesn't work!!

jmanwithplan said:

no, the dell inspiron One 2305 is windows 7 home premium 64 bit, I downloaded windows 7 home premium 64 bit SP1. I'm using a vista computer now to type on this forum.

How did you create bootable usb?? use the microsoft tool!!!!

jmanwithplan said:

I created it using command prompt. Now I'm reformatting to ntfs, so I can use the microsoft tool. It takes a while.

I thought the tool did everything itself... not sure

Please post if copying files went fine. and if it's active partition

if copying went fine and you're sure it's active. Try to boot from it on vista machine. Just to check if valid bootsector is there. If booting just reboot from harddisk and post results.

If not booting from usb so fails:

boot from vista install dvd (on vista machine). On first screen press SHIFT+F10
Now you get some command prompt

Code:

diskpart
list volume

Check the partition sizes. Now you know the drive letter of usb bootable partition. In this example I use Q

Code:

bootsect  /NT60  Q: /FORCE

Commands succeeds succesfully? Now try to reboot again on vista machine. Just to check it can boot.
Of course change Q with actual drive letter

Post results

jmanwithplan said:

I'm using vista right now to view the internet and this forum. I can't risk experimenting on it because its the only working computer I have.

After I plug the USB into the Dell Inspiron One 2305 I get Loading files, then starting windows. Then I get this error below

"*** STOP: 0x0000005c and then a bunch of 0's and random numbers and letters.

So it boots from usb... only a 5C occurs. Most of the time this an hardware error!!
Search the internet!!

It's safe to boot or even try to boot from usb. It doesn't damage your vista or other computer. But if you're so afraid.... try to boot from it from another computer. Or disconnect your vista harddisk temporary.

Once again... boot from in won't damage any files and disks!! as long as you don't click install