Solved Format and clean Win7 install from hard drive?

[sagerj]

I'm going to do a complete format and clean install of Windows 7 Starter on my ASUS EEE PC 1015-PEM. It's now running 7 Ultimate. I did not back up the recovery partition when I put Ultimate on it (completely spaced.. smh,) have no external optical drive handy, USB not recognizing any flash drive I try, and refuse to pay ASUS $50 for a recovery DVD of drivers, programs, and OS I already paid them for.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

I was going to use these ^^ awesome tutorials with a bootable flash drive of the iso I've downloaded but as I mentioned above, USB is giving me problems. Do I have any options left to do the format and clean Win7 install? Can this be done from the HDD as opposed to a bootable CD/DVD or USB?

 

[SIW2]

Yes. You will need to extract the contents of the iso onto another partition.

Get your nic drivers from asus site also, just in case win7 built in ones don't work.Plonk them onto the same partition as above.


http://www.helpjet.net/files-Asus-Eee-PC-1015PEM.html#ANetwork

 

[sagerj]

Are there any tutorials like the two I posted except using the hard drive. Unfortunately I've only formatted and/or recovered hard drives in the past using pre-made recovery partitions and recovery programs/managers. Since I've never done it from scratch like this, i'd need step by step instructions.

For example, in my computer it shows a C and D drive with 100GB each. I'm not even sure if the netbook has one hard drive with those two partitions or if it just has two HDDs. THEN, obviously I would need a slightly different course of actions, given which of those two options is actually correct. :/

 

[SIW2]

Will have to answer this tomorrow. Very late here now.

It isn't difficult, you just need the installation iso, which I assume you have already downloaded?

 

[skyred5]

If you mentioned that you don't have external CD-drive, and your USB ports aren't working, I very much doubt how you can reformat it within windows 7 itself.

You have most, if not all the tools required to perform a reformat. Now all that's left is to perform the reformat from an external source(CD-rom, USB flash drive).

 

[gregrocker]

If you have a flash stick then download the 32 bit Home Premium here: Win7 Home Premium x86 SP1 English Official ISO download

Run the eicfg removal tool on the ISO file to unlock all versions.

Then write the ISO to flash stick using tool in Step 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which should not be a problem. But if it is use UltraISO Software To Create Bootable USB Flash Drive.

You should then get a menu to choose your licensed version when you boot into the installer. If not delete the ei.cfg file from Sources folder on flash stick.

Then follow the tutorial steps if you want to get and keep a perfect install for as long as you do.
http://lifehacker.com/5438005/eicfg...-use-any-product-key-with-your-windows-7-disc

 

[sagerj]

Thank you very much SIW2. While I do appreciate the replies, the last two posters neglected the USB issue. I cannot trust the USB to work through the full install. Therefore I'll wait for your next reply. Thanks again, SIW2.

 

[gregrocker]

How is it neglecting the USB issue to assure you have good install media which resolves about half these failures ?

Talk about ungrateful...

 

[sagerj]

"Talk about ungrateful..." I purposely wrote "While I do appreciate the replies" to avoid sounding ungrateful. I honestly appreciate it.

Can you explain to me how doing the steps of your tutorial and (assuming) successfully creating the install media on a USB stick will help resolve about half of the issues? Is it because the USB should work fine since it's being booted from before the OS loads?

Hopefully that will render the misunderstanding moot. Again, please don't think I'm being rude. This was not my intent. I'm very sorry I came off as ungrateful. :/

 

[gregrocker]

Yes. Just follow the steps as thousands have before and youll have a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 to the exact extent you do.

There are special tools required to make the flash stick which are provided. I also gave you a custom steps to do this as well as a backup method so don't know why you would throw them back in my face. The flash stick is always the best method and can always be made to work.

If you cannot get stick to show up in then make sure USB is enabled in BIOS or try a other PC.

Once it's formatted correctly look in BIOS one-time boot menu under USB, Removable or Hard Drives. You may need to expand a listing to see it.

If necessary Make sure USB is fully enabled in BIOS setup.

 

[sagerj]

Thank you very much. While searching I noticed people have regular issues getting the Eee PC's BIOS to boot what they want it to, so wish me luck.

What's the name and genre of the band? I'm an avid metal fan, if it happens to be that.

 

[SIW2]

If you can boot from usb, that is fine.

If you can't, then it is not difficult to install directly from your hard drive.

 

[sagerj]

Install went fine. When I type the network key in for the WLAN it tells me the key is incorrect. This makes absolutely no sense to me as I know it is correct. Can this relate at all to drivers?

 

[gregrocker]

If it shows your network to choose then the driver is already there. You can try updating it from the PC maker's or Wireless Adapter's Support Downloads webpage but I doubt that would affect it. Sounds like the key is being typed incorrectly. This is almost always an incorrect character. Triple check.

You can also plug in by wire to connect that way until Windows Updates delivers all your latest drivers and patches. You may need to run the blue link below first to have it auto-load your Ethernet driver when you plug in the cable.

Once you connect enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)
then Check for Updates, install all Important and Optional Updates except for Bing, with reboots, going back to Check for Updates after each requested reboot until no more are offered. Then check Device Manager for any missing drivers to import. We can help if you need it.

You're doing fine. Take your time setting up your desktop and installing programs to check performance between each one, referring frequently to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to benefit from all the tricks and tips that have worked best here since Win7 beta.

 

[sagerj]

I ran the Ethernet and thankfully it's connected. Windows update is running along so hopefully that fixes it. Although as you mentioned I doubt that'll fix the network key issue either. I copy and pasted the pw from the router config page to no avail. What an odd problem.

 

[sagerj]

One of the windows updates was for a "Ralink 802.11n." This isn't even the same brand as the driver I tried installing from ASUS. Nevertheless, after the reboot nothing obviously visible about the wireless adapter changed except that it took the password this time. Go figure.

Anyway, I'm throwing many thanks back in your face.
It's much appreciated.

 

[gregrocker]

Are there any drivers still missing with an ! in Device Manager?

Did you run all Important and Optional Windows Updates except Bing?

How is overall performance?

 

[sagerj]

Nothing has an ! in device manager, but that can't be right as I haven't installed some drivers. The built in webcam for example.

Windows update has finished all rounds of updates. For whatever reason, the Bing desktop never showed up at all.

The performance as far as speed and responsiveness is back to new/great.

Now for the next problem. Today, out of nowhere, the wireless adapter icon in notifications showed the "wifi bars" with the spinning blue loading circle on it for a bit. After, the LAN icon shows up with the red X through it. No wireless bars icon at all. I can try wireless driver from ASUS again. Any other idea about why this would happen randomly?

Also, can you take a look here under wireless for me please. The driver versions and sizes jump around and don't seem to follow and correct sequence. Can you lend some advice for which one(s) I should be installing?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download Eee PC 1015PEM

EDIT: I just checked and noticed the wireless adapter under network adapters in device manager is gone. I only see the LAN/Ethernet adapter.

 

[gregrocker]

Do you know which model wireless adapter you have? Check for Updates again and if Windows Update doesn't deliver one under Important or Optional Updates, then download and install the latest for your model device. If you're unsure you can trace Hardware Identification or just try to install the latest of each model until you find the correct one.

Once installed if the wireless has problems rightclick the five bar icon in System Tray, run Troubleshooter for Wireless.

 

[Kaktussoft]

In device manager expand "Video adapters". Is it still listed as standard vga?