Windows 7 - Can't make ISO File or Boot Disc to INSTALL it, HELP?!

[NJPCViking]

Hi Everybody. I am having a nightmare trying to install a Windows 7 image to my wifes computer, here's the deal & problem(s)? I am trying to install Windows 7 from an ISO file. For information, my USB drive is 8gb in size, and the new drive is an SSD Drive, although I do not think that comes into play. I have used the BIOS to set the boot orders (USB, CD, Floppy, etc..so that's not an issue. The same problems occur if I burn DVD's, I've tried both, USB and DVD's. I have followed and tried multiple instructions from forums, google, etc.. to no avail. I found a program called Rufus, and tried to make a boot disc with that. It requires an ISO file of a DD (whatever that is?) file to work. It formats the USB fine, however when I go to copy and/or burn the ISO file, it will not allow it, stating the Windows File (install.wim?) is larger than 2gb in size and cannot be copied due to a windows issue or limitation. And, of course, if I burn it as a data file, I do not get the boot files necessary. And, to put the boot files to the drive from Rufus, it makes you format it first, so I can't burn the Windows files, then make a boot disc. I have also tried the Windows utility (Windows 7 USB DVD Download tool, and that seems to execute just fine, but the drive will not boot up when I utilize their tool. I lost my Windows 7 disc, so I can't use that, but I have Windows VISTA home premium but that will not boot as well? (I am suspect this might be an upgrade version, but I thought it should still boot?! I have made DOS boot discs and they fire the PC right up, but then when I try to utilize the Windows stuff of course, it tells me I cannot use those commands with a DoS boot. I have also used NERO Burn to make a boot disc, but as I stated, that gives me the 2gb file size error & limitation. I am completely at wits end here. So, now I am asking for your expertise and help, my biggest issue is how can I get the darn system to boot so I can install my Windows 7 system? I'm starting back at square one - anyone have anything they can share or help me to figure this out? This is the BEST forum, I've found anyway for Windows issues, so I am hopeful you can help me?! Thanks! You would make my wife VERY happy, she has been without a PC for 6 days now.

 

[pbcopter]

Hi and welcome.

You should not need to copy anything to the USB drive once Rufus has run. Select the button circled in red in the image below and point to the ISO file of Windows 7. Then select start to make the bootable USB.

 

[NJPCViking]

Red button on Rufus

Yes, that is exactly what I have been doing! I hit the red button, go to the iso image, select it, hit OK and then it churns & burns (I suspect extracts the ISO and burns the startup files to the USB), but it does not work.

I have tried this no less than three times, and everytime the PC says, No Boot files, F1 to retry or F2 for the boot sequence menu (or something to that effect).

Anyone have any other ideas? Like I said if I make a DOS boot disc, it boots fine?! I'll check my Rufus settings against your post pbcopter, just to be sure, but I've had no success. I even downloaded a 2nd copy of rufus to try?!

Help??