Cant boot from Flash or DVD drive

So I'm trying to format my PC.
I can't boot from my USB flash drive or my DVD.



I've tried using my:

• Original Installation Disc which the PC is currently running (Vista x64 OEM)
• Windows 7 Technet Disc
• Fresh Ubuntu 9.1 (for testing purposes, also failed to boot)

I've tried:

• multiple discs each with a fresh download and burned .iso
• changing boot priority
• going through the Boot Menu to select the USB-FDD or CD-ROM options

But the computer boots right through each of the medias.


I can see that my USB and DVD-rom drive are both lighting up.. during before the screen launches to the big Windows Vista logo screen.


Can anybody suggest what I should do?



Thanks!

Will any other bootable CD or DVD boot correctly?

Try formatting flash stick primary FAT32 in Disk Management, copy DVD files over as they appear in DVD, now restart tap Boot Menu key and look for stick under HD's.

This is the most recommended method here: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Try runnin Win7 64 bit installer from your Vista 64 desktop. Then try copying files onto desktop and running Setup.

richc46 said:

Go to bios, (check computer manual) then set it to boot from DVD/CD. This will work.

You have to find out which key to push to get to bios, but usually it is either f12 or f2. You repeatedly press it during boot up. If you get to the splash screen, try again.

Yep, I changed the three priority options to CD-Rom (which is my dvd-rom drive)
And also did for the same for the USB-FDD when I was trying to boot off my flash drive.

But it sitll skipped right through.

gregrocker said:

Will any other bootable CD or DVD boot correctly?

Try formatting flash stick primary FAT32 in Disk Management, copy DVD files over as they appear in DVD, now restart tap Boot Menu key and look for stick under HD's.

This is the most recommended method here: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Try runnin Win7 64 bit installer from your Vista 64 desktop. Then try copying files onto desktop and running Setup.

No Bootable DVD or CD works.

I know that these two discs worked before:
Original OEM DVD of Vista x64
Ubuntu 9.1


But they also do not boot either.

gregrocker said:

Try formatting flash stick primary FAT32 in Disk Management, copy DVD files over as they appear in DVD, now restart tap Boot Menu key and look for stick under HD's.

Tried that, both for DVD and USB-FDD
No luck

gregrocker said:

This is the most recommended method here: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Yep that's the guide I used to make my Bootable USB (although it still didnt boot)

gregrocker said:

Try runnin Win7 64 bit installer from your Vista 64 desktop. Then try copying files onto desktop and running Setup.

That worked, however I want to format my partition during installation -- but the installer doesn't give you the option of that if you *don't* boot off of the DVD.

They only give you an option of "Upgrade" or "Custom"
Both of which do not give you an option of formatting.


Big thanks for replying guys, appreciate the help
If you have any other suggestions, do post! :)

Many have had to try multiple methods to get bootable flash installer.

Try copying files into root of Disk Mgmt. Primary formatted FAT32 stick, boot under HD's in Boot menu.

Next try Win2Flash. http://dottech.org/featured/9157

I would not let lack of boot formatting stop me from installing from Vista. It will not make a difference, and I'm a formatted clean install guy.

gregrocker said:

Many have had to try multiple methods to get bootable flash installer.

Try copying files into root of Disk Mgmt. Primary formatted FAT32 stick, boot under HD's in Boot menu.

Next try Win2Flash. How to: install Windows (any version from XP to Win7) from a USB/flash drive | | dotTech

I would not let lack of boot formatting stop me from installing from Vista. It will not make a difference, and I'm a formatted clean install guy.

Thanks for the suggestion greg

I ended up putting in Ubuntu 9.1
Let it add an entry and copy some files to the Hard Drive, which gave Ubuntu it's own boot option.

I then did a live cd from there, used gparted and formatted the drive..

After that, I rebooted and the PC immediately recognized the USB.



Thanks to Greg & richc46 for the help. Greatly appreciate it!

Was wondering if you were you running in ACHI mode.

Some motherboards will not boot from anything but HD if theres a bootable OS, regardless of wether you tell it to boot from CD 1st or not. goptta swap back to IDe first.

glad you got it worked out :)

Wishmaster said:

Was wondering if you were you running in ACHI mode.

Some motherboards will not boot from anything but HD if theres a bootable OS, regardless of wether you tell it to boot from CD 1st or not. goptta swap back to IDe first.

glad you got it worked out :)

Interesting, I'll take a look
Where would this ACHI and IDe option be located in the BIOS?

In bios under Integrated periphials --> sata mode .. at least mine is
Most should default to IDE however

I know my board will simply ignore booting a OS install disc if theres a active windows installation on the HD, even when i tell it boot from CD. i must switch to IDE mode

Unless the HD is empty .. then it will

Was just a thought after the fact :) seemed like a similair issue although not likely what was causing yours.

Wishmaster said:

In bios under Integrated periphials --> sata mode .. at least mine is
Most should default to IDE however

I know my board will simply ignore booting a OS install disc if theres a active windows installation on the HD, even when i tell it boot from CD. i must switch to IDE mode

Unless the HD is empty .. then it will

Was just a thought after the fact :) seemed like a similair issue although not likely what was causing yours.

I'll take a look


Thanks alot Wish :)