Windows 7 installation riddle

IronHalik · 21 Feb 2010

Guys, Ive got a riddle for you.

I need to install windows 7 x64, but:

-Ive got no DVD drive
-No free hard drive that I can use as install media (well ive got but active partition has winXP on it :P so hard to boot install files from it)
-1 GB flash drive
-booting via PXE works but WindowsPE 2.0 (from How to Install Vista on a M200 without a CD Drive using TFTP | RyanTAdams.com) wont properly configue my network card (ipconfig turns out blank) so I cant access install files.
-Tried to update WindowsPE to 3.0 and it works, boots, logins into 'technician' PC but wont launch setup.exe (says that I need x64 OS).
-Tried using WinPE 3.0 x64 but that one wont boot. Crashes at startup.

I used updated TFTPD with built in WinPE files. I belive that if I could build a proper 64bit WinPE 3.0 from WAIK it would work. I just swapped .wim files and couple others from WAIK->TFTPD.

Any ideas? Maybe other istall methods - dividing install files into 4 parts and i could walk between PCs with my flash drive. Maybe other ideas? Maybe help with building WinPE 3.0. Dunno.

Im desperate!

IronHalik

PS. Ive spent whole night trying to figure that one out. When i solved one problem, another popped right up. So sorry if the post is hard to comprehend. And for misspelling.
Oh and I know that 4gb flash drive costs like 15 bucks but Im a student (and to make it more funny, computer science student) ;P

FZ21Z · 21 Feb 2010

Get a 4GB drive and follow this - USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

theog · 21 Feb 2010

FZ21Z said:

Get a 4GB drive and follow this - USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Follow FZ21Z good a advice.

Use a 8gb drive, than you can add any drivers you may need.

FZ21Z · 21 Feb 2010

theog said:

Follow FZ21Z good a advice.

Use a 8gb drive, than you can add any drivers you may need.

And theog being a guru, knows what he's talking about.

SIW2 · 21 Feb 2010

Hi,

D/L the win 7 x64 .iso in XP.

Extract the install.wim onto the XP drive.- you can use the free ( unregistered ) version of PowerIso, MagicIso, or Ultraiso .

Get a copy of imagex build 7000 upwards.

Use Imagex to apply the Edition you want from the install.wim onto the partition you already created for Win 7.

Assuming install.wim is on XP drive ( c: ) and 7 partition is ( d: ), if not use the appropriate drive letters. Also replace 3 with the Edition number you want (For x 64, 2 = Home Premium, 3=Professional, 4=Ultimate ). It should take 6 mins or so to Apply.

imagex /apply c:\install.wim 3 d:\New_Path

Then hit it with bcdboot, like this:

cd /d d:\windows \system32

bcdboot d:\windows

Restart - it will complete the install in 5 mins.

IronHalik · 21 Feb 2010

Thanks. Ive deployed the OS via image and it almost worked ;> Had prolems with setting bootsector properly from winXP so a went and bought 4gb flash drive and gonna install it the proper way ;>

Now the only problem is, microsoft USB tool tells me that the ISO image is not valid :/

FZ21Z · 21 Feb 2010

IronHalik said:

Now the only problem is, microsoft USB tool tells me that the ISO image is not valid :/

I suspect then that is why you're having issues. Where did you get it from?

SIW2 · 21 Feb 2010

You could boot the winpe 3 cd and run bcdboot command from there on the 7 partition.

You could also try this from x86 7000:
bcdboot7000.zip

There might be a problem with the .iso. The MS tool sometimes gives that as a false error.

Try this:WinToFlash - Install Windows from usb - Home page

WinToFlash : Make a Bootable USB Installer for Windows 7 - XP ...

D3ftOn3Z · 21 Feb 2010

IronHalik said:

Thanks. Ive deployed the OS via image and it almost worked ;> Had prolems with setting bootsector properly from winXP so a went and bought 4gb flash drive and gonna install it the proper way ;>

Now the only problem is, microsoft USB tool tells me that the ISO image is not valid :/

Hi, you may also want to try out this handy tool. Pretty much the same as Microsoft USB tool.:) This tool will help you to install Windows 7/XP/Vista from a usb. Works with all ISO files.

WinToFlash - Install Windows from usb - Home page

Download the file and extract it to your desktop.
Run the program "WinToFlash.exe" and follow the onscreen instructions.
Easy to follow instructions...

And here's a video tutorial Included. Credit goes to the respective owner at YouTube.

IronHalik · 21 Feb 2010

Nah, thats not the issue - its an torrented iso and the container isnt the same as used by microsoft store. Already found a workaround and Im trying it out right now. If it works, Ill link the solution here.

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