Installing Win7 from USB (bootsect.exe)

[Joe 90]

Afternoon,

I'm wanting to upgrade our home PC from 32bit vista to 64 bit Win7. Unfortunately I've not got any blank DVDs so wanted to run an install from USB disk. I got to the bootsect part of the process to assign the bootcode and it would appear that it wont run due to compatibility issues, obviously from the 32 > 64 bit move

G:\boot>BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 K:
This version of G:\boot\bootsect.exe is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need a x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the
software publisher.

any ideas on a work-around?

[Blighter]

Apparently it isn't possible...

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/11/03/workaround-to-upgrade-from-32-bit-x86-to-64-bit-x64-windows-7-operating-system/

The only way to install x64-based Windows 7 on existing 32-bit Windows installation (or vice versa to downgrade from 64-bit to 32-bit OS), is to do a clean install, which indicated by “Custom (advanced)” installation during set up Windows 7 installation wizard.

[Zico]

Could I hijack this thread slightly and ask where I can get a good guide to doing a clean install of Windows 7 via USB.

I'm planning to format my father's Samsung NC10 later this year and put on Windows 7 Home Premium in replacement of XP Home.

[Joe 90]

I've used this set of instructions a few times; http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/

Guess I'll have to download a 32 bit version then!!

[Stan_Lite]

I've successfully used the above guide on a number of occasions.

[Zico]

Cheers!

[Joe 90]

after all that I find Vista home premium can't be upgraded to Win 7 Pro. MSDN doesn't have another version of vista on :(

not happy with MS.

[Zico]

Wouldn't you be best off with a clean install?

You can install an upgrade version of Windows 7 using a similar tricks to previous upgrade versions (don't enter key the first time and then install over the top the second time).

**Edit**
Haven't used this guide (just a quick google):
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

**Edit**
Ignore my post, just realised that you're using MSDN.

[Joe 90]

I know a clean install is best for this kind of thing but its just a simple home PC, with none of my installation disks within 80miles!
An upgrade worked well for my PC last year so I thought it'd be convenient now. I've not got the time or patience to go through the clean install process.

[killerkebab]

You can install Win7 from USB? I thought you had to use NTFS with Win7, but you have to have FAT to boot to the USB... or am I thinking of something else entirely?

[Joe 90]

you have to format the USB device as NTFS but yes, you can do it via usb.