7-Ult 64 Install

[seawolf67]

Done all of that. Even with no hard drive attached, the CD will not boot. The infamous "insert system disk" system message appears.

DC

 

[gregrocker]

How were you able to wipe the HD if the disk won't boot?

How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD -

If this doesn't work, use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen.

If you still can't boot a DVD, use free Partition Wizard bootable CD which will autostart, wipe the HD from Disk tab, then the Win7 DVD should autostart.

 

[seawolf67]

I used the Segate setup disk, booted from it.
Boot menu gives the operating system incompatibility msg.
Even with NO hard drive installed (no power or SATA connection) the DVD won't boot.

DC

 

[gregrocker]

What is the result booting from a known-bootable Win7 flash stick installer?

Boot it in another computer to make sure it works.

How about using a flash drive?

DC

Bill2 suggested this earlier and linked the manual method to format USB stick.

The method I use is to install UltraISO trial version, on File tab open ISO (extract it from DVD using ImgBurn if needed), on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD's using one-time BIOS Boot Menu.