Install Wndows 7 in a windows xp system without cd or usb

[Thomatra]

Hallo,

I have a netbook with windows xp pro 32-bit installed on it. plus i have windows 7 lite edition that i want to install on my netbook. ofcourse there is no cd drive. Now... i know there is a way to install it from a usb but i want to try and go one step further. I want to create a partition in the hard drive that will contain the install of the windows 7 and use it every time i need to format my netbook. (Just like HP machines....)
So far i know that i need to make a 4GB primary partition in FAT32 system, of my disk and to make bootable i have to go to the disk management and choose (make partition active). Every one says that this option will make my 4GB partition bootable. what i believe is that if i make this move, without making sure that the setup files of the windows 7 in the 4GB partition are goiong to work for sure, and restart my netbook it will never start again and i will be forced to install windows 7 from a usb disk.
So what i am asking is: if somebody can confirm that im right so far and what i have to do with the setup files in the 4GB partition to make sure that i will be able to start the setup of the windows 7 will booting my netbook.

Thanks in advance

 

[Bill2]

1) See this tut.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/58455-recovery-partition-create.html

But this is not a customised partition like the oem's provide (with drivers and apps that get installed during recovery), its just the contents of the win7 dvd.

2) IMO, it makes far more sense to install windows and all the drivers and apps, then image the system. Then you can restore the image everytime you feel like reinstalling. You can use free macrium or acronis or whatever.

 

[theog]

You can download a desktop installer from your Retailers website.

 

[Thomatra]

First of all thenks a lot... that was a fast answer.

I will propably try it.
I knew i had this option but i read in some forum that there is a possibility to not be able to use ever again my USB for any other job. It will remain for ever as a windows installer. I didnt believe because i think that i can format it again and just continue using it as a usb.
as a result i think i will take my chances with the usb installation and create the image recovery after. is there any known thread for this???

Thanks again

 

[theog]

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


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html?ltr=S
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/648-restore-backup-user-system-files.html

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Thomatra, welcome to Seven Forums!


I'm aware this isn't what you want but there is another way to do a clean install of Windows 7 from the XP desktop without the use of bootable media of any kind, using only an ISO; have a look at this tutorial at the link below.

Clean Install Windows 7 from the Windows XP Desktop

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[gregrocker]

You can reformat a Win7 USB installer as often as you want until it wears out.

Easiest method is to write the Win7 ISO (extracted with ImgBurn) to stick using this handy tool with Win7 in the dropdown menu: Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux

Follow these steps to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

Then store a Win7 image backup externally which is safer in case of HD failure and which will reimage your HD in 20 minutes using DVD/Repair CD with stored image

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You would have to use something like 7-Zip to extract the Windows ISO, ImgBurn doesn't extract; it's all outlined in this tutorial at the link below.

ISO - Disk Image File : Extract to the Desktop

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[DeaconFrost]

I would get a legit version of Windows 7, and then make the flash drive installer. In over 100 installs, I don't think I've used a disc yet for Windows 7.