How to install Windows 7 from USB flash drive

[Night Hawk]

Even with the disk used for seeing ubuntu installed you have one form of GParted seen for wiping the drive and seeing a fresh NTFS primary created for a nice clean 7 install. The rest is simply following the remaining steps in the guides written specifically for seeing 7 installed one way or another.

If you still wanted ubuntu on as well you would shrink that down if needed and move the root partition(system) back towards the rear of the drive allowing space for the new MS primary for 7. Once 7 is on you would then use the NeoGrub option in EasyBCD for adding an entry for the distro into the 7 boot loader.

Now if you only want to see 7 on and ubuntu gone the methods have already been discussed. You now simply have to decide which route to go. A dual boot or a 7 stand alone install? The information is there.

 

[cookie66]

Ok, I used the system repair disk to wipe the hard drive, and now there is no operating system on it. But I made the Windows 7 install USB with Wintoflash, but when I boot it, it just shows the _ blinking.

 

[Night Hawk]

That's where you went wrong! If you had followed the guide and went with the program there being UltraISO you would have seen working results! In fact with other usb install or live data recovery sticks made up I went for the full version of that having proved itself reliable.

This other one I haven't looked at to where that could have failed on you. With UltraISO however that will extract the setup files into a folder and then write then onto the flash drive in two easy steps for seeing the install key made up. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

The latest version of UltraISO is available at BIN to ISO converter, ISO CD image editor and creator - Ultraiso Download Page All you need is the shareware version for making up an install key anyways not the full features.

 

[gregrocker]

How are you booting the stick. Did you set it first to boot in BIOS setup, or are you using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key at bootup? How is the stick listed? Does anything happen before the cursor starts flashing?

Try the Ultra ISO method mentioned, as it always works for me. Download UltraISO trial version, on File tab Open ISO, then on Bootable tab "write image," on panel which opens use Format button, then Write button.

Do you only have a CD drive?

 

[Night Hawk]

You would likely need to use UltraISO on another machine since you don't already have Windows on at the moment. Once 7 was on however simply set the flash drive aside as an optional bootable repair device in case your optical should fail on you at some point and 7 won't start.

Leaving the hard drive set as default and selecting the flash drive from the F4, F8, or F12 boot device menu is typically the preferred option to save on going back and forth into the bios setup. Once the first restart is seen the installation finishes without interruption due to repeat trips there.

 

[eldinv]

That's where you went wrong! If you had followed the guide and went with the program there being UltraISO you would have seen working results! In fact with other usb install or live data recovery sticks made up I went for the full version of that having proved itself reliable.

This other one I haven't looked at to where that could have failed on you. With UltraISO however that will extract the setup files into a folder and then write then onto the flash drive in two easy steps for seeing the install key made up. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

The latest version of UltraISO is available at BIN to ISO converter, ISO CD image editor and creator - Ultraiso Download Page All you need is the shareware version for making up an install key anyways not the full features.

If done correctly, WintoFlash works fine. It might be a problem with booting from USB. In my PC, you must put the USB drive at the top of the boot sequence.

 

[Night Hawk]

That would be seen on the list of hard drives when highlighting and pressing the enter key while in the bios>boot section. You move the intended drive to the top to see that set as the default device.

The boot device menu option is seen on the first post screen to press the F key designated for that rather then even entering the bios setup to begin with. That saves you from making repeat trips into the bios itself by seeing the "one time only" type boot from the flash drive if the board supports that option.

Once the setup files are fully copied onto the main drive and the first restart is seen you are automatically booting from the hard drive already being the default drive. This works when the flash drive itself sees a good write there of course regardless of what program is used. The guide simply takes you the other steps for seeing 7 installed once you have the flash drive prepared.

 

[cookie66]

Sorry, not very smart with this stuff. I'm using UltraISO to write the ISO image to my USB right now, will keep you updated, and I'm crossing my fingers hoping it works.

 

[Night Hawk]

Remember to bring down the "Bootable" list of options from the menu bar. You'll see the flash drive listed when clicking on the write image option. If the image is good you shouldn't have any problems with it.

 

[cookie66]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I'm so happy! It worked! I'm typing this from my new Windows 7 laptop! Finally! Thanks a ton guys for helping me out on this, saved me a trip to the computer repair. Thanks!!

 

[Night Hawk]

Grrrrreat news for you! I've made up a few live sticks using the shareware version until actually ending up buying the full version for the program itself.

Generally you will see some great results with it and I'm sure you are relieved not to have to pay out just to see 7 running for you there!

Remember to burn a repair cd using the option for that in the Control Panel>Backup & Restore and hang onto the install key as well. Those can come in handy if you run into any problems for sure!

 

[gregrocker]

Congratulations! THink of all you've learned. You'll be teaching others soon.

Some tips:

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device.

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/70248-troubleshooting-msconfig.html

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Win7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[eldinv]

Welcome to the World of Windows 7!

Now create yourself an image, so you won't have to re-install again.

Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Forums

 

[Night Hawk]

Once you have a second drive available you can dedicate for backups and storage you can easily create a full system image with the option seen in 7 itself. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

If you decide you want the builtin method you can opt for a regualr shortcut. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/111674-create-system-image-shortcut-create.html

You would certainly want to get familiar with the recovery methods for restoring an image as well. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

(Actually I'm a bit overdue on the Oct. image here lately. )

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Glad to see you have it running and thanks for the update.