Help with clean Win 7 Pro install on HP laptop requested

[cgregory4]

Hello everyone,

My first post. I admit to avoiding Win 7 for years, being an old guy, and rather stuck on Win XP SP3.

However .... I'm getting into computer audio. So I bought an HP Folio 13-1020us for dedicated audio use. I also purchased a full version (DVD) of Win 7 Pro 64.

This forum is so full of helpful info, that I've printed probably 50 pages of reference material (mostly from 'Brink', 'Bare Foot Kid', and 'gregrocker' -- thanks guys!!) on how to do a clean install of the Win 7 Pro 64 on the laptop.

The laptop is quite small, with a 120GB SSD. The desired goal is a Win 7 Pro 64 install, along with a media player -- all dedicated to audio. The audio files are stored on an external 2TB drive.

The laptop came with Win 7 (not Pro 64) and a bunch of 'bloatware' -- is that the correct term?

The laptop has no DVD tray. So, I used my new desktop Win 7 Pro 64 to create a copy of the Win 7 Pro 64 DVD to a flash drive, using 'diskpart', 'clean', and 'create primary partition' on the flash drive, and then copying the DVD to the flash drive.

Sure enough, the flash drive contents are identical to the Win 7 Pro 64 installation DVD. My plan was to install the Win 7 Pro 64 from the flash drive, and, in the process, completely erase everything originally on the HP SSD -- original OS, partitions, and all the 'bloatware'. Then make a back-up ISO(?) in case of a crash.

I modified the HP start-up to allow the option to boot from the flash drive. It worked -- for about 3 screens. ;?)

I am stopped cold at a screen titled 'Select the driver to be installed.' Load driver message: 'A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now.'

I'm stumped. I assumed (yes, I know ;?) any needed driver would be on the 'perfectly copied' flash drive plugged into the USB port. The laptop obviously recognizes the installation copy on the flash drive, because it's trying to do the install. What am I missing -- other than a few brain cells from 'old-timer's disease?

Help! And thanks!

Greg

 

[essenbe]

Hello Greg and welcome to Seven Forums. The problem you are having is common to installing from flash drives, at least for me. Have you tried it more than once? I did an install last week and had the same message. Restarted with the same flash drive and it installed perfectly. If that does not work for you, download windows professional ISO from My Digital life and install Windows 7 USB/DVD tool and run the tool, select your USB drive and the installer will copy the ISO to the USB drive. If you have any further problems, let us know.

 

[cgregory4]

Thank you!

essenbe,

Thank you for your gracious reply. I tried several times with the flash drive and always hit the same wall. Your other recommendations are appreciated, but a step-by-step procedure is all I can wrap my feeble brain around.

If you, or someone else could outline a specific course of action, I can follow it. Otherwise, I'm at the point in my life that what is obvious to others, is impossible for me.

I can follow any specific set of instructions -- I just can't 'read between the lines. ;?)

Thank you again.

Greg

 

[AddRAM]

Do you have an iso program on your pc and what program are you using to burn the windows 7 files to the usb stick ?

Have you read this one ?

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

 

[essenbe]

AddRAM, I believe he did it the 'old fashioned' way. He used diskpart and copied the files from the installation DVD to the usb. He has no DVD drive.

 

[essenbe]

Greg, download the ISO of your version of Windows 7 here. Then follow this step by step tutorial. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html see if that helps.

 

[AddRAM]

I understood that. That could be part of the problem. There`s no reason to use diskpart on the flashdrive. IMO

Everything you need is in the link I posted.

You have to burn the files not copy them, as you state.

 

[essenbe]

I used to do it all the time and it works fine. I just got lazy and started doing it the easy way.

 

[AddRAM]

I use PowerISO, it even has a selection in the drop down menu to make a bootable USB drive. So Easy.

 

[cgregory4]

My sincere thanks to everyone. I'll try to 'muddle through' this, using your help.

 

[karlsnooks]

cgregory,
Appears that you are doing everything correctly.

I also always install from USB. I also use DiskPart to prepare the USB drive, then I just copy the DVD over to the USB stick.

I have run across defective USB sticks.

I use the Clean ALL which is going to mark any bad sectors as bad so that when you copy over to the USB stick, the bad sectors do not get used.

If you feel up to it, then here is how I prepare a USB:

PREPARE A UFD FOR USE (USB FLASH DRIVE)


Run CMD.EXE as administrator
WIN | type CMD.EXE | do NOT hit ENTER | CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER key combo |
ALT + y key combo

WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top

Type following commands and hit ENTER key after each command.
DISKPART starts the DiskPart program
LIST DISK shows numeral assigned to disks
note the numeral assigned to your usb stick
The numeral 2 will be used in this example
SELECT DISK 2
DETAIL DISK the info shown will confirm the correctness of your selection
CLEAN ALL the entire usb stick will be overwritten with zeros
This can take awhile if usb stick has large capacity.
Keep the faith-the DiskPart prompt will eventually return.
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY create a primary partition on the USB stick
FORMAT FS=NTFS format the partition
ACTIVE the partition can contain operating system startup files
ASSIGN the next available letter is assigned to the USB stick
EXIT exit from the DISKPART program
EXIT exit from the command shell



===========================================

After doing this, I then right-click on the drive in windows explorer, Properties,
Tools tab | Check Now button | checkmark both boxes | Start button

=================================================
=================================================
Here is how I put the ISO onto a USB. I've used both methods:

[FONT=&quot]PUT A WIN 7-COMPATIBLE ISO FILE ON BOOTABLE UFD[/FONT]​

1. Prepare UFD
2. Burn the ISO file to DVD by right-clicking on a ISO file and choosing Burn disc image or by using ImgBurn free iso image burner
3. Copy DVD to UFD

OR

1. Prepare UFD
2. Extract the ISO file to the UFD using 7-Zip
7-zip archiver pack-unpack wim,zip,tar,gzip,bzip2,xz,7z unpackonly arj,cab,chm,cpio,craffx,deb,dmg,fat,hfs,ISO,LZH,LZMA,MBR,MSI,NSIS,NTFS,RAR,RPM,UDF,VHD

 

[cgregory4]

Thank you

cgregory,
Appears that you are doing everything correctly.

I also always install from USB. I also use DiskPart to prepare the USB drive, then I just copy the DVD over to the USB stick.

I have run across defective USB sticks.

I use the Clean ALL which is going to mark any bad sectors as bad so that when you copy over to the USB stick, the bad sectors do not get used.

If you feel up to it, then here is how I prepare a USB:

PREPARE A UFD FOR USE (USB FLASH DRIVE)


Run CMD.EXE as administrator
WIN | type CMD.EXE | do NOT hit ENTER | CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER key combo |
ALT + y key combo

WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top

Type following commands and hit ENTER key after each command.
DISKPART starts the DiskPart program
LIST DISK shows numeral assigned to disks
note the numeral assigned to your usb stick
The numeral 2 will be used in this example
SELECT DISK 2
DETAIL DISK the info shown will confirm the correctness of your selection
CLEAN ALL the entire usb stick will be overwritten with zeros
This can take awhile if usb stick has large capacity.
Keep the faith-the DiskPart prompt will eventually return.
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY create a primary partition on the USB stick
FORMAT FS=NTFS format the partition
ACTIVE the partition can contain operating system startup files
ASSIGN the next available letter is assigned to the USB stick
EXIT exit from the DISKPART program
EXIT exit from the command shell


karlesnooks,

Thank you for your help. I did precisely everything you described, prior to this point in your helpful post. But, nothing you recommended after.
===========================================

After doing this, I then right-click on the drive in windows explorer, Properties,
Tools tab | Check Now button | checkmark both boxes | Start button

Is 'the drive' the flash drive with the Win 7 Pro 64 copy?
=================================================
=================================================
karlsnooks,
Maybe this is where my problem lies. Do I now use a different flash drive to

[FONT=&quot]"PUT A WIN 7-COMPATIBLE ISO FILE ON BOOTABLE UFD"?[/FONT]​

How do I use the two drives in concert? What is the ISO and why do I need it, when I have the original MS DVD copy. Sorry to be so clueless. Your help is very much appreciated!!

Here is how I put the ISO onto a USB. I've used both methods:

[FONT=&quot]PUT A WIN 7-COMPATIBLE ISO FILE ON BOOTABLE UFD[/FONT]​

1. Prepare UFD
2. Burn the ISO file to DVD by right-clicking on a ISO file and choosing Burn disc image or by using ImgBurn free iso image burner
3. Copy DVD to UFD

OR

1. Prepare UFD
2. Extract the ISO file to the UFD using 7-Zip
7-zip archiver pack-unpack wim,zip,tar,gzip,bzip2,xz,7z unpackonly arj,cab,chm,cpio,craffx,deb,dmg,fat,hfs,ISO,LZH,LZMA,MBR,MSI,NSIS,NTFS,RAR,RPM,UDF,VHD

Again, I'm thinking you are saying I need 2 flash drives prepared precisely as you outline in the top section. I just need to prepare the 2nd and copy the ISO file to it. Again, when I boot up to the flash drive, which flash drive do I use first? And, how do I know when to take the ISO out and place the INSTALL in? Thank you for your patience with me.

Greg

 

[gregrocker]

No, you don't need two flash sticks. You only need to start with Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 as was suggested yesterday and you'd already be up and running.

 

[karlsnooks]

Greg,
Now you've got me confused.

You only need one usb stick.
You prepare the usb stick.
Then, using 7-zip or by copying from a DVD, you put it onto the USB.

Which method do you prefer?

 

[cgregory4]

No, you don't need two flash sticks. You only need to start with Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 as was suggested yesterday and you'd already be up and running.

gregrocker,

It's tough to be old and dense.

First, allow me to thank you for all the help you give everyone on this forum, especially the 'truly ignorant' like me.

Yesterday, I printed out the 3 pages of your 'Clean Reinstall -- Factory OEM Windows 7', 3-15-2012, prior to this, my first post. I think I figured it did not apply to me since it didn't involve the flash drive copy I made from my Win 7 Pro 64 install DVD. I guess my confusion comes from not knowing what an ISO is? Does it do a complete install, without the use of the DVD I purchased? If so, that must be my 'fatal flaw' in my thinking. It leaves me wondering why I purchased the full Win 7 Pro 64 to begin with?

When I install using 'steps 1 and steps 2' I will do so into one partition?

And, should I make an 'image' of whatever is in the SSD partition immediately after the install, and store to a backup flash drive? If so what software do I use to precisely image the install? In the event of the SSD failure, would I simply copy the backup image to the new SSD?

Thank you,

Greg

 

[karlsnooks]

greg,
What you paid for was that 25 character product key.

the ISO file is a packed version of Win 7.

 

[gregrocker]

And we want to make sure you have a pristine copy of the latest official Win7 ISO with SP1, correctly written to flash stick. That's why to start with Steps 1 and 2 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

 

[cgregory4]

Greg,
Now you've got me confused.

You only need one usb stick.
You prepare the usb stick.
Then, using 7-zip or by copying from a DVD, you put it onto the USB.

Which method do you prefer?

karlsnooks,

I think I am making this harder than it needs to be -- probably because the term ISO is not familiar to me.

I think I did everything correctly in preparing the flash drive, per the first portion of your helpful post. BUT, then I simply copied the DVD contents to the flash drive. This gave me the 'driver not found' stonewall.

Instead I should have used the 'burn' command to get a good copy on the flash drive. That would get me the ISO that everyone seems to refer to, and I could install from the flash 'burned' copy. Is that correct? Thank you, once more.

Greg

 

[cgregory4]

Maybe I'm getting closer ;?)

gregrocker and karlsnooks,

OK guys, I'm starting to get it through my thick skull. I can't thank you both enough!!

One more thing, and I promise to go away for awhile.

Am I correct in thinking that I should make an 'image' of the SSD Win 7 OS immediately after installation, and store it as a backup on a flash drive or external hard drive. So when my SSD dies, I can just replace the SSD and copy the image to it, and be off and running? If so what software should I use to create the image?

Thank you, both, again.

Greg

 

[karlsnooks]

Yes and no.

After installing win 7:
1. install MSE (microsoft Security Essentials) link in my signature.
2. update your win 7 100%
3. install MS office if you use ms office.
4. update again.

Now finally you can make a system image backup using Win 7 Backup and Restore.

You will find that as you go along and when you know that you have a stable and solid system, that you want to make a new system image backup.

If at anytime you have questions, feel free to ask the questions.

karl