Installation Question - Drive Partitioning

[BigFanWin7]

There was a time when I had Windows 7 and absolutely adored it.
For certain reasons I tried to go back but fail epically (yes, I'm a teenager!) and now I have two active drive partitions and it's still looking for Windows Seven's bootmgr.w/e and now I need either one of four questions answers so I can get back on my new computer. [(BTW, I am starting to hate the way I need to tweak things.)]

The questions are:

• If I install windows seven on my usb flash drive (which I tweaked to make the computer look at it like a USBHDD,) will it wipe out the OS on my grandpa's computer?
• How can I make BIOS look-up and process boot.ini instead?
• How can I run the Windows Vista install off my FlashHD [as I call it. ]Is it even possible?
• Would it work better or, once again, is it possible to install Vista on my flash drive and use it to run on my grandpa's computer.

My computer is an Acer AspireOne [I will deservingly accept flaming due to my poorness and poor sense of choice].

Internal Hard Drive Size: 160 GB;
RAM: 1GB;
Screen Size: 10.x"; //I think 10.1...
Processor: Intel Atom 1.6Ghz;

Any help will be great even if it doesn't completely solve the problem. The last question being solved would be most helpful and convenient due to the fact that I wanted to go back.

I already tried putting the vista install .iso on the FlashHD and a message came up which has escaped my memory and then the bootmgr message came up and the first message doesn't come up now. I'm thinking maybe the .iso might have the wrong name or does it matter? [I know another question...]

 

[Kari]

Questions 1, 3 and 4: Windows 7 cannot boot from an USB flashdrive. I`ve heard, remember reading it somewhere, that XP was possible to install on an USB stick. Never tried.

You could try VirtualPC and install Windows7 on a virtual machine on your grandpa's computer. Read more here.

Good luck,

Kari

 

[iseeuu]

I have two active drive partitions and it's still looking for Windows Seven's bootmgr.w/e

Hey, welcome to Windows 7 Forum, and I was a teenager once. I loved learning by doing and trying new things was a thrill. I don't have all the answers for you, but if you use the Windows 7 DVD to repair your OS, it should restore your bootmanager.

The questions are:

• If I install windows seven on my usb flash drive (which I tweaked to make the computer look at it like a USBHDD,) will it wipe out the OS on my grandpa's computer?
• How can I make BIOS look-up and process boot.ini instead?
• How can I run the Windows Vista install off my FlashHD [as I call it. ]Is it even possible?
• Would it work better or, once again, is it possible to install Vista on my flash drive and use it to run on my grandpa's computer.

1) Installing an OS on your flash drive, if that is indeed possible, will delete everything currently on the flash drive. It won't change any of the data on the internal hard drive.
2) I am not sure what you are asking, but if your motherboard supports it, pressing "F12" will open a boot menu and allow you to select a boot device.
3) Do not know, maybe more details?
4) This is just my opinion, but your 160GB internal hard drive is large enough for your Vista and 7 and even more, if you wish. I don't believe a flash drive would work 'better'.

As far as your choice of computer, if I understand your comment, we use what we have. If you look at my specs, I'm still using a Socket 939 processor with 2GB of RAM. Seems ancient compared to the quad core systems of today. No shame there!

Robert

 

[Kari]

Installing an OS on your flash drive, if that is indeed possible, will delete everything currently on the flash drive. It won't change any of the data on the internal hard drive.

Do you think it is possible? I mean, I have portable Ubuntu and a PE-kit on stick, but Windows 7 on stick? Could be interesting to find more information.

 

[Snufffed]

There was a time when I had Windows 7 and absolutely adored it.
For certain reasons I tried to go back but fail epically (yes, I'm a teenager!) and now I have two active drive partitions and it's still looking for Windows Seven's bootmgr.w/eand now I need either one of four questions answers so I can get back on my new computer. [(BTW, I am starting to hate the way I need to tweak things.)]


The questions are:

• If I install windows seven on my usb flash drive (which I tweaked to make the computer look at it like a USBHDD,) will it wipe out the OS on my grandpa's computer? NO
• How can I make BIOS look-up and process boot.ini instead? Win7 has not boot.ini
• How can I run the Windows Vista install off my FlashHD [as I call it. ]Is it even possible? YES
• Would it work better or, once again, is it possible to install Vista on my flash drive and use it to run on my grandpa's computer. YES

My computer is an Acer AspireOne [I will deservingly accept flaming due to my poorness and poor sense of choice].EXCELLENT CHOICE I love ACERS

Internal Hard Drive Size: 160 GB;
RAM: 1GB;
Screen Size: 10.x"; //I think 10.1...
Processor: Intel Atom 1.6Ghz;

Any help will be great even if it doesn't completely solve the problem. The last question being solved would be most helpful and convenient due to the fact that I wanted to go back.

I already tried putting the vista install .iso on the FlashHD and a message came up which has escaped my memory and then the bootmgr message came up and the first message doesn't come up now. I'm thinking maybe the .iso might have the wrong name or does it matter? [I know another question...]

Now what I would recommend is.
1. shrink the partition where your granddaughters OS is installed.
2. Make the 2 visible partitions about 50GB ea. you can also shrink the hidden partition. so ea you and GD have 50GB to use.
3. while logged in to XP(GD's OS) insert the Win7 or Vista DVD and when ask, go to CUSTOM, when ask say clean install, install in the new partition that you made.

 

[BigFanWin7]

Quote: Originally Posted by iseeuu
Installing an OS on your flash drive, if that is indeed possible, will delete everything currently on the flash drive. It won't change any of the data on the internal hard drive.


Do you think it is possible? I mean, I have portable Ubuntu and a PE-kit on stick, but Windows 7 on stick? Could be interesting to find more information.

I don't really care if it's XP, 7, Vista [stated in order of what I want] on it but I don't really have a Disc drive and The flash drive is my only choice.

 

[BigFanWin7]

Now what I would recommend is.
1. shrink the partition where your granddaughters OS is installed.
2. Make the 2 visible partitions about 50GB ea. you can also shrink the hidden partition. so ea you and GD have 50GB to use.
3. while logged in to XP(GD's OS) insert the Win7 or Vista DVD and when ask, go to CUSTOM, when ask say clean install, install in the new partition that you made.

Well, actually, I have XP on a second hard drive already on my acer. Boot.ini is XP's startup routine. In response to the answer of question two.

I don't want the OS on my grandpa's computer, I need to tranfser it to my acer which is in it's digital coma.

 

[Snufffed]

Once you have tne new OS (Vista or Win7) installed. the last you will do is
reboot, and the new OS will be the first thing it will boot too after that.

to make sure your GD gets her OS every time.... go tp start -> type
msconfig (wait for popup) move to BOOT then click your GD os and click default... that will move so XP (GDs OS will boot first).
when you want to boot, wait for the boot sequence to show use the ARROW key and move down to win7 or Vista. click enter and your online with your own OS.

Vista or Win7 needs a min of 20GB to work

 

[Kari]

Have you read this?

 

[BigFanWin7]

Once you have tne new OS (Vista or Win7) installed. the last you will do is
reboot, and the new OS will be the first thing it will boot too after that.

to make sure your GD gets her OS every time.... go tp start -> type
msconfig (wait for popup) move to BOOT then click your GD os and click default... that will move so XP (GDs OS will boot first).
when you want to boot, wait for the boot sequence to show use the ARROW key and move down to win7 or Vista. click enter and your online with your own OS.

Vista or Win7 needs a min of 20GB to work

Are we still talking about my grandpa's computer, if not (and we shouldn't be) how am I getting the files to my acer (and in what format,betc.)

 

[iseeuu]

Well, actually, I have XP on a second hard drive already on my acer. Boot.ini is XP's startup routine. In response to the answer of question two.

I don't want the OS on my grandpa's computer, I need to tranfser it to my acer which is in it's digital coma.

OK, The light is getting brighter! If you would please, describe what OS, partitions, and or hard drive space are on your grandpa's computer. Then describe what we have to work with on your Acer, what OS, what kind of hard drive room, if any. You say you only have a flash drive available for the Acer? What OS do you want on the Acer?

Robert

 

[Snufffed]

Install ACRONIS v 12. True Image. on the GDs computer.
make a RESTORE image of Win7. then verify the image is 100% correct.
2. copy the image made with Acronis to external HDD.
3. move the external HDD to your ACER
4. remove/uninstall ACRONis from the GD's computer.
5. FORMAT the partition where copy of Win7 from the GD's computer.
This should put the GD's computer back 100% to what it was.

6. install Acronis on ACER.
7. open acronis and search for the backup. (win7.tib).
then you can simply tell Acronis to install win7.tib to Acer C:\
8. Acronis will say I have to REBOOT to do this.... click OK
when Acronis is finished. your Acer will boot into Win7.

This is the same method that almost every computer shop will install -clone the HDD.

 

[BigFanWin7]

Have you read this?

That's good and it seems to be legit.
If it works kudos to you.

Sorry to the people who have posted since, I sort of haven't been reading because I'm waiting for the W7 iso file.

 

[BigFanWin7]

OK, The light is getting brighter! If you would please, describe what OS, partitions, and or hard drive space are on your grandpa's computer. Then describe what we have to work with on your Acer, what OS, what kind of hard drive room, if any. You say you only have a flash drive available for the Acer? What OS do you want on the Acer?

Robert

I would really like Vista but I don't know if the solution I was given for seven would work. If you think it will I will try it.

 

[iseeuu]

I would really like Vista but I don't know if the solution I was given for seven would work. If you think it will I will try it.

I think I see more of what you are looking at here after Googleing Aspire1. You have no floppy, CD, DVD, only the flash drive. How big is it?

So you will need to use the DVD on Grandpa's PC to transfer stuff to the aspire. You have three choices 1) create a home network to link the PC and the Aspire (needs a $40 router switch), 2) make your own external usb hard drive (buy a hard drive and a cheap usb case to put it in) then use USB to transfer the stuff, 3) use the flash drive if it is big enough.

What ever you decide to do, here is a link that might help you install the OS of your choice:

Included are more links to help you with your research.

 

[chuckr]

There was a time when I had Windows 7 and absolutely adored it.
For certain reasons I tried to go back but fail epically (yes, I'm a teenager!) and now I have two active drive partitions and it's still looking for Windows Seven's bootmgr.w/eand now I need either one of four questions answers so I can get back on my new computer. [(BTW, I am starting to hate the way I need to tweak things.)]

The questions are:

• If I install windows seven on my usb flash drive (which I tweaked to make the computer look at it like a USBHDD,) will it wipe out the OS on my grandpa's computer?
• How can I make BIOS look-up and process boot.ini instead?
• How can I run the Windows Vista install off my FlashHD [as I call it. ]Is it even possible?
• Would it work better or, once again, is it possible to install Vista on my flash drive and use it to run on my grandpa's computer.

My computer is an Acer AspireOne [I will deservingly accept flaming due to my poorness and poor sense of choice].

Internal Hard Drive Size: 160 GB;
RAM: 1GB;
Screen Size: 10.x"; //I think 10.1...
Processor: Intel Atom 1.6Ghz;

Any help will be great even if it doesn't completely solve the problem. The last question being solved would be most helpful and convenient due to the fact that I wanted to go back.

I already tried putting the vista install .iso on the FlashHD and a message came up which has escaped my memory and then the bootmgr message came up and the first message doesn't come up now. I'm thinking maybe the .iso might have the wrong name or does it matter? [I know another question...]

**********************************************
Here's another version:
1. You cannot install windows 7 -TO- any USB or Firewire device.
I have done XP Pro, but Win 7 won't.

2. The BIOS does not look-up and does not process boot.ini.
The BIOS will boot from the specified external device and initiate CPU activity from that device:
MBR on HDD/USB_stick_disk, etc, or from boot-sector on CD/DVD.
Mine also does MBR on SD-card. Don't know about MMC, CF, or the others.

3. You've been given links on how to install Windows 7 FROM USB stick.
The tutorial here appears to work (as far as I took it to):
The USB stick did boot, showed install screen, etc.
I took it as far as clicking on my various partitions, but never initiating the actual install.
Don't know anything about Vista.

4. Don't know anything about Vista, or, any particulars about 'grandpas' computer.

Your post began with Win7, asked questions about Vista, and never stated what 'the problem' is...
We know you mentioned Windows 7, XP, and Vista.
(I think you missed DOS and Microsoft Bob...)

If you're going to mention error messages, be precise as to exactly what they are.

 

[Snufffed]

I would really like Vista but I don't know if the solution I was given for seven would work. If you think it will I will try it.

Seems this thread is getting NO WHERE.
The original request seems to be misdirected.
Would you again list in order exactly what you want to try or do.
In reference to your Acer, Model ?, specs, reason is my Acer(s),
the oldest has CD-DVD and 1 USB port, my newest has 5 USB Ports, CD-DVD, also what OS is installed.
It seems your trying to make a very simple procedure extremely complex.
lets start over and
1. specs on Acer
2. what do you want to do?
3. almost any OS can be installed from USB. if you know how to do it,
4. the main thing is SET the BIOS as to how you want BOOT options.

 

[iseeuu]

Would you again list in order exactly what you want to try or do.

Snuffy; Based on his posts, our teenage computer tech apprentice has an ASUS Aspire One Netbook with a 160GB hard drive, partitioned with XP and 7, that will not boot to either OS. The big problem with fixing this is the Aspire One has no floppy, no CD, no DVD so how would one install an OS from a DVD? Hopefully, he can copy the install files to his flash drive and boot to it. Still, with out something, even DOS, how will he get to the setup.exe to start it? Another cheap option for him is a USB floppy with a bootable DOS disk. With that, he should be able to boot to DOS and find and start the setup.exe on his flash drive.

A more expensive solution is an external USB DVD. Not as cheap. Simple to use.

I think he is on the right track as he is looking at the "install from USB / flash" tutorials here on 7 Forums. Hope it works for him.

Robert

 

[Night Hawk]

I think our new friend has been going around in clrcles since once the 7 iso image is downloaded that can be made into a usb key. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

The problem on the netbook with two installations not working is seeing those removed in order to repartition if a single primary for one OS is desired. A usb key made from the GParted live iso would allow booting, if booting is supported from a usb key?, live from that long enough to see that done before the usb key is reformatted and made into the 7 key.

The 7 iso can simply be downloaded to a folder on one machine while the UltraISO tool itself would need to be installed on the system the iso is downloaded to long enough to prepare the one or more usb keys. UltraISO can easily be removed afterwards!

 

[iseeuu]

A usb key made from the GParted live iso would allow booting, if booting is supported from a usb key?

Yes, the Aspire One BIOS supports booting to the flash drive. I believe ASUS intended to use the flash drive in this way.

I am asking because with the DVD install one has the option to delete existing partitions in order to install a new OS in the empty space. Is it that this is not possible to do installing by setup.exe that one needs gparted to prepare the hard drive?

Robert