Solved Trouble formatting a USB as a boot device. (Many many errors)

[AddRAM]

Key Code , Product Code same thing.

 

[Raindeux]

Sorry, wasn't trying to be rude, I just didnt know if there was a difference. Yes I can read it. Want me to spout it off?

Edit: Omg I picked Ultimate, does Prem stand for premium (On the bottom of my laptop)? Should I be downloading that one, not ultimate?

 

[tommyg562000]

Hey , just wanted to pop in and talk about the USB formatting problem you had. A really great utility for formatting stubborn USB drives is HP USB disk storage format tool. Just something for the future as it looks like you got everything situated now.

And yes, you should be downloading home premium not ultimate.

 

[F5ing]

And there's no need to post your key.

 

[Raindeux]

Hey , just wanted to pop in and talk about the USB formatting problem you had. A really great utility for formatting stubborn USB drives is HP USB disk storage format tool. Just something for the future as it looks like you got everything situated now.

And yes, you should be downloading home premium not ultimate.

Ok ty. I canceled the other download and chose the right option. And thanks, if I run into anymore errors I might rip my hair out. 45 minutes and I should be ready to extract

And there's no need to post your key.

Oh ok.

 

[gregrocker]

After helping with thousands of these since before Win7 release, the tools which work best are Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool which both burns DVD's or writes to Flash Stick. It works well if the ISO is fresh downloaded from Digital River or MS but can be picky otherwise about what it will write/burn.

Next best and easiest is Universal USB Installer writing to flash stick with Win7 in dropdown menu. I've never seen it fail.

 

[Raindeux]

After helping with thousands of these since before Win7 release, the tools which work best are Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool which both burns DVD's or writes to Flash Stick. It works well if the ISO is fresh downloaded from Digital River or MS but can be picky otherwise about what it will write/burn.

Next best and easiest is Universal USB Installer writing to flash stick with Win7 in dropdown menu. I've never seen it fail.

Is there one you would recommend over the other? Im currently fresh installing "Windows 7 Home Premium SP1-U ISO" from the link AddRAM provided. Thats the one my laptop had before it crashed. And someone said the key written on the bottom of my laptop might not work. Is that right? Seems weird it'd be written there and not be usable.

Im looking for the most user friendly option, written in as easily comprehendable terms as possible lol xD!

 

[F5ing]

Yes, the key will work...

 

[gregrocker]

Did you see my post earlier here:

Everything you need is here: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Please read it over and ask back any questions. This is the way to get a perfect clean reinstall and includes everything you'll need.

 

[Raindeux]

Did you see my post earlier here:

Everything you need is here: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Please read it over and ask back any questions. This is the way to get a perfect clean reinstall and includes everything you'll need.

I read it and I have a question already. It said to delete all partitions not needed. Well I only have one option. Disk 0 Partition 1. But there's this message saying "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The disk may fail soon. If other hard disks are available, install Windows to another location." It will still let me download there if I wish to. Does this mean my hard drive is defective, or soon to be? Or should I just ignore the message?

Edit: Wait was I supposed to delete that partition and let setup create a new one? Im confused again


EDIT 2: Already got an error.
"Windows cannot install required files. make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code 0x80070037"

I downloaded the windows ISO file. And then used that universal USB installer program to format the USB for me with windows 7 in the drop down menu. Was i supposed to extract the files first or something or what? :\

 

[Raindeux]

Is anybody there?

I keep getting that error in my last post. Is my hard drive broke?

 

[F5ing]

Do you know how to get in to your computer's BIOS? When the machine is first started or rebooted you'll see some text on the screen that'll let you know what key you've got to press to access the BIOS (could be ESC, F2, DEL, or other key). Somewhere in your BIOS screens you'll likely to run across a way to test your hard drive. Run that if it's available. When done, make sure not to change any settings in there, unless you know what you're doing.

 

[Raindeux]

Do you know how to get in to your computer's BIOS? When the machine is first started or rebooted you'll see some text on the screen that'll let you know what key you've got to press to access the BIOS (could be ESC, F2, DEL, or other key). Somewhere in your BIOS screens you'll likely to run across a way to test your hard drive. Run that if it's available. When done, make sure not to change any settings in there, unless you know what you're doing.

Yes, I'll try that after this. Im not sure how to check my hard drive though but I can get into it. After that first error a pop up comes up that says "Windows cannot access the installation sources. verify that the installation sources are accessible, and restart the installation."

What does that mean? My usb isnt accessible?

Edit: I started a Diagnostics test. is that what you meant?

It found a problem:

"Msg: Error code 2000-0146.
Msg: Hard Drive 0 - self test log contains previous error(s)
The given error code and message can be used by Technical Support to help diagnose the problem.
Do you want to continue testing?
Yes or No or Retry"

 

[Raindeux]

That means my hard drive is broken doesnt it?...wow all that time spent and my hard drive was broken anyways.

 

[F5ing]

Doesn't really look too good, but....

Do you know what brand hard drive it is?

 

[F5ing]

Check this link out: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=DSN_300428&isLegacy=true

First step mentions removing and reinstalling the hard drive and rerunning the test (remove cables and then reconnect).

 

[Raindeux]

Check this link out: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=DSN_300428&isLegacy=true

First step mentions removing and reinstalling the hard drive and rerunning the test (remove cables and then reconnect).

Its a Toshiba 640gig 5400 rpm hard drive. I've taken the laptop apart and taken the hard drive out before, when it first stopped working. Could this mean I didn't re-install it back correctly? It also only has 3 screws, I'm not sure what happened to the 4th one but its gone now, it was gone before the hard drive stopped working. Hmm i guess I should take it apart and see what I find. I'm starting to think the drive is broken. At least I know how to swipe hard drives perfectly now lmao!

Thank you everyone who helped. but I'm almost positive this thing is toast now.

 

[F5ing]

Look, you've done it before. Remove and replace like you've done before, and re-test:

Make sure to remove all power, wired and battery, then press the power button for about 10 seconds or so to ensure complete discharge. Also beware of static charges. Then go to it. It's worth a shot...

 

[joodoo]

Is the partition marked "Active"?
Open a command prompt as administrator >
Type:
diskpart > enter
list disk > enter
select disk * > enter (*= USB drive}
clean > enter
format > enter
create partition primary > enter
select partition 1 > enter
active > enter
assign > enter
exit > enter
Extract the files from the .ISO to the USB device.
Should be bootable (works for me).

Breezy

Everything there worked except the format stage, which is odd.

I am so sorry to have botched the order of commands. I have edited my original post.
Please forgive my hastily typed instructions.

 

[gregrocker]

After reinstalling the HD run the self-test again to see if it clears up. If not you likely have a failing HD.

You can test the HD by running it's maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which can also repair a failing HD.

For Toshiba I would download Seagate Seatools, burn to CD using Windows Image Burner, then run the full test. If it passes the test, use the utility on the disk to wipe the HD and retry install.