CD/DVD device driver missing on 7 Starter install

[erictaargus]

Alright, about a month ago, my Windows 7 Starter went dead on my Toshiba NB250 netbook. At first I thought it was a HDD issue. I tried using downloaded 7 recovery tools to no avail, and for some reason, whatever took out the OS, took the factory installed recovery partition with it..

After a few days, I was sick of waiting for the recovery media to arrive, so I tried Installing Ubuntu Netbook 10.10. It worked, so I assume the HDD is fine.

The recovery media is on dvds, so it's useless to me (for some reason my BIOS doesn't support a boot from an external dvd drive).

I got an iso of windows 7 starter. I've seen a ton of threads and responses where people say that the iso may be corrupted due to a bad download. Mine's fine, because it installs and runs in VirtualBox no problem.

I used the microsoft USB startup creation tool through my virtualbox installation. Thing is, whenever I try an install, I get a message saying there is a missing cd/dvd device driver. The thing has no cd/dvd drive, so I don't know what that's about.

I tried copying the iso contents onto another piece of media, and did not make that bootable. I tried an install from my bootable usb, and then plugged in the usb of files. Nothing.

I found this download on cnet, because I read about some guy who was messing around with his drivers to get an install to work. The cnet download was apparently only for vista, and when I put on my non-bootable media, and tried to install it when Windows asked for it, the installation told me that something was up with the drivers. Something to the tune of "contact the manufacturer for the newest software".

I guess that's about it. Let me know if you need any more information, and thanks in advance for the help.

ps. I'd rather not spend any money, as I've seen a few threads where people solve their problem buy buying a bunch of new pieces of hardware. Oh and my HDD is currently formatted in ext4 format, due to the linux. If this is the problem, please let me know, and sorry for not mentioning it earlier.

In conclusion, tl;dr

 

[gregrocker]

Write the ISO to USB flash stick using UltraISO trial version, which always works for me:

On FIle tab Open ISO
On Bootable tab Write Disk Image
Format
Write.

Boot under USB or HD. Wipe the HD first before trying install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

If error repeats download another Starter ISO or check HASH on existing to make sure it's complete.

If the Recov disk is an ISO you can also try writing it to USB using UltraISO.

 

[erictaargus]

OK, I'll wipe the hdd and try again.

Edit: my netbook doesn't have an ssd, I have an actual hdd

Another edit: I just thought of something: when I managed the successful install of the iso on the virtual machine, I used the iso file, not the usb pendrive. Could there have been a problem with the writing process (I'm using the <windows 7 usb.dvd download tool> to write the usb)

 

[theog]

Alright,
After a few days, I was sick of waiting for the recovery media to arrive, so I tried Installing Ubuntu Netbook 10.10. It worked, so I assume the HDD is fine.

In conclusion, tl;dr

All Linux code must be deleted.As you have had linux on the HD you need do a Clean all & full format.
Try a full clean & full format in command prompt.
1) Boot DVD & Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)
2) Boot DVD, & http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/682-command-prompt-startup.html
(for command prompt)

Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT fs=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html?ltr=U

 

[gregrocker]

Sometimes it takes several tries using different methods to get a bootable flash installer.

I suggested UltraISO because it always works for me.

Theog suggested another manual method. A third option would be Win2Flash: YouTube - How to install Windows 7 from USB (WinToFlash)

One of those should do it.