Windows 7 Ultimate disk won't boot

[Exreaver]

Hi, i've been checking everywhere for some info and my problem doesn't seem like anyone elses. i just recently repartitioned my hdd usuing gnome partitioner and reformated to unformated to install windows 7. I've set my boot menu to boot off the disk drive, but when i put the windows 7 disk in it says to insert a bootable disk. any help would be much appreciated!

 

[DocBrown]

You need to set your Bios to boot from the CD/DVD first

 

[Exreaver]

Well, i went into the boot menu and made sure that it boots off of my usb dvd drive first. is that what u mean?

 

[DocBrown]

Where did you get your win7 DVD ? Are you sure it is a bootable DVD ? Do you get a prompt to " Press any key to Boot from CD/DVD " ?

 

[scoopeeedoo]

Certainly, but not obliged; you may also F12 at boot screen to access boot options...
Maybe you choosed the wrong device in the bios, i've installed with an usb stick once and i did that mistake, it's not so clear... Easy to mix up...

Edit : if i remind wel, the good device was "usb-hdd"

Edit 2 : Oops, "usb dvd drive"... not he same case, so... Of course you choose "usb-cdrom"...
Also check the bios if usb functions are enabled...

 

[Exreaver]

i'm positive it is or rather was bootable, because i've installed it on this comp before, i'm just trying to reinstall it. its a windows 7 ultimate 32bit cd genuine

Edit: when everything is loaded up the screen goes as follows: PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-E61: Exiting PXE ROM
No bootable device-- insert boot disk and press any key

 

[Bill2]

I've just had a bad day with dvd drives, so posting this. Just make a bootable flash drive, dump the contents of the dvd into the drive, boot from the drive and install windows.

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

 

[gregrocker]

Are you using a bootable USB DVD drive that has booted DVD's before, or is it perhaps a CD drive?

I second the flash stick idea for you: Install UltraISO trial version, on File tab Open ISO, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB- HD using one-time Boot Menu key.

Reinstalling Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

 

[Exreaver]

yes, this dvd drive has booted different cds and dvds before, thats how i originally installed windows 7 on my comp via dvd drive. what i don't get is why it won't boot the disk, its booting my gnome and partition magic disks but not my windows 7 disk. I have also just created a iso of the windows 7 disk and tried to burn it on another dvd to see if it'll work but that isn't doing it either. i haven't tried the usb drive yet, cuz i need to go out and get a big enough one.

 

[gregrocker]

Partition Magic is not compatible with Win7 and should not be used. Use free Partition Wizard bootable CD.

Try burning another DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed. Try booting by setting DVD drive first to boot in BIOS setup, then try using the one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

You can try wiping the HD using PW CD on Disk tab which should autostart, then 7 DVD should autostart as well.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello mate, here's additional information on the complete wipe / clean install process.

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, then boot the Windows 7 installation media to use Step One of this tutorial at the first link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you don't want to wipe the entire HDD, you can do a partition-specific wipe of the Windows partition using the Partition Wizard Bootable Disk (PWBD) have a look at Option Three in the tutorial at this link below.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD