Missing Operating System-Can't boot from CD

[somuchdisco]

I just shipped my computer out of the UK. One of the HHDs my OS was RAID 0ed to broke. Obviously I got a missing operating system error from that. So then I deleted the RAID volume and changed my boot 1st priority to my DVD drive so i could reinstall Windows on the hdd that's still alive at least.
MISSING OPERATING SYSTEM
Ok, so I reset the CMOS for the hell of it, bring up the boot menu with f8. Still, it goes straight to missing operating system?
Help me magic computer wizards. I just waited 2 weeks to get my dvd drive shipped to me, and this is what I get. -_-

 

[Ztruker]

Are you sure the DVD you are trying to install from is good (bootable)? Can you check it on another computer?

You can download a legal copy with SP1 integrated from here: Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River.
Make sure you get the same version you have, Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate and 32 or 64 bit. Note that Basic or Starter is not available.

I recommend using ImgBurn at 4X speed (or the slowest available) to create the DVD from the downloaded .iso file.

You can do this on any computer capable of burning a DVD.

For techies or folks who work on computers: Create Windows 7 Universal ISO With All Editions Selection On Install with ei.cfg Removal Utility.
This will fit on a 6GB flash drive or can be burned to a DVD.

 

[somuchdisco]

Yeah, the DVD is fine. I've tried 2 other versions that ought to work loaded on to a flash drive as well as a recovery setup to be booted from it as well. The hdd I'm trying to install windows on has just been erased from the RAID utility, so my guess is that the MBR went with it. My guess now would be that I need to slave it to another machine to at least format a new partition in to it? I've installed Windows straight on to a RAW hdd before though, so I don't know... I don't have access to another machine to make the attempt anyhow.

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals, Boot into BIOS setup to see if there is an EFI Boot Disk in BIOS Boot order. If so remove it, set DVD drive first to boot. If EFI BIOS also set to Legacy BIOS. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO here.
How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DIS 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.