Install windows from usb and delete the old vista

[sefika]

Hi,
I have a sony vaio in which the cd-rom stopped working so I need to install from USB or from a mounted image.
I prepared my 4G usb pen with Win7 files and started install. Then it tells me that I can only change partitions when installing windows7 from cd. (This was when I tried to install from within the Win7 running environment, the usb doesn't boot from bios for some reason)

Let me explain a bit more, this my current partitions:
C: - old vista - system,active,primary
D: - data - primary
E: - win7 - boot,page file, crush dump, logical drive

Because I can't run my Win7 usb pen drive from bios my plan was to install win7 from vista environment than after win7 was installed, to install again win7 on the C drive - then delete the E drive.
This would have got me to a nice clean install with C letter of win7 and having a normal computer with 1 OS - Win7 on c.

So, I tried also to delete the files of vista on C when I run my win7 on e but it tells that they are protected or so.. I though of just trying to make another install on C of win7 but then again I will have the windows vista files there left and probably will not be able to delete them after wards.

Long story - hope I was clear.

Please pros - any help appreciated. (damm - if only my CD rom was working..)

Tnx,
Sefi

 

[Bill2]

Am not sure I understand completely but do the following:

1) Boot into vista, then go into Disk management and format the win7 partition.

2) Copy your win7 install files from the usb drive to your vista partition. Then run setup.exe from there.

Did i get you right?

 

[Thorsen]

I think this is due to the drive being protected because it is listed in the boot record. Since the C\Vista was the first one on the comp, it would make sense that you cant delete it.

When you boot up, do you have a selection screen with both Vista and Windows7?

Post Screenshot here of Disk Management. (in tutorial below)

Post here first and get more advice then see if changing it to point to only windows7 and see if that fixes it.

Follow advice in these Tutorials for how to change to Boot record.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2668-partition-volume-delete.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html



Also, you might be able to boot from usb anyway. In the BIOS, you should have a "boot from usb devices" option that you can enable/disable.
Can you post what Bios make/version you are running? the usb wont automatically be in the boot-order menu if this is disabled.

If you dont understand something or if something in the tut's doesn't match, ask. i dont know everything, but there are lots of people on this forum who know alot about the boot record and problems with installs.

 

[sefika]

ok - succeeded thnx!

 

[Thorsen]

! its working? excellent glad you got it going. and thanks for posting back.