Making a bootable usb Windows 7 install?

LeperousDust · 25-05-2009, 23:04

I've got an x64 copy of the windows 7 RC, and i'm trying to make a bootable USB drive, but i'm finding that it doesn't seem to want to work since im running 32bit Vista, google is failing me but i'm hoping theres a way to make this work since i don't have any dvd to hand and i'd quite like to get this laptop out the way and working tonight!

Nothing EVER works the way you want it to when it comes to PC stuff, i've ran out of DVD's, my laptop is quickly failing me it seems as POST is taking a LOT longer than it ever used to, which i'm assuming might be a memory problem. The hard drive is making horrid clicking noises very rarely, and theres the ever lasting NVIDIA graphical glitch that rears its head every few days or so

divine · 25-05-2009, 23:16

I found a guide which formatted the USB via a simple command line within windows in minutes...

http://garyshortblog.wordpress.com/2...e-one-netbook/

Used that IIRC.

LeperousDust · 25-05-2009, 23:46

Yep tried that,. bootsect doesnt work, because i'm using an x64 win7 install, on x86 vista. Trying to find away around it, but doesn't seem to be anything out there, suggesting i'm probably fubared so will have to get some dvd's tomorrow i guess. Bah.

divine · 25-05-2009, 23:56

oh right, didn't realise it wouldn't work the same, though it seems somewhat illogical as really all vista is doing is shifting stuff about, i dont get why it won't play ball.

nevermind

LeperousDust · 26-05-2009, 01:28

Yeah afaik making it bootable has nothing to do with x64/86 just writing something "special" at the start of a table somewhere, haha with my vague terms and knowledge

Thats kinda why i was hoping i'd missed something obvious online... I could use the 32bit installer, but im taking this oppurtunity once and for all to get up to scratch with 64, don't know why i bother!

Mark · 26-05-2009, 01:40

Some machines just can't boot from USB sticks no matter how hard you try. There doesn't seem to be a pattern to it either.

Did you check the downloaded image wasn't damaged to start with?

LeperousDust · 26-05-2009, 02:00

My dell laptop isn't "old" and has every option i'd want there to boot from usb, i don't doubt it won't... I just can't make it possible, the bootsect command divine posted i've already tries throws an error at me, which is related to not being run on x64, the image should be fine, it mounts fine, and i'm sure it would burn alright which is what i'd do if i had a spare bloody dvd, i'm watchin iplayer now i've given up guess i'll have to do it tomorrow!

25-05-2009, 23:04	#1
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Making a bootable usb Windows 7 install? I've got an x64 copy of the windows 7 RC, and i'm trying to make a bootable USB drive, but i'm finding that it doesn't seem to want to work since im running 32bit Vista, google is failing me but i'm hoping theres a way to make this work since i don't have any dvd to hand and i'd quite like to get this laptop out the way and working tonight! Nothing EVER works the way you want it to when it comes to PC stuff, i've ran out of DVD's, my laptop is quickly failing me it seems as POST is taking a LOT longer than it ever used to, which i'm assuming might be a memory problem. The hard drive is making horrid clicking noises very rarely, and theres the ever lasting NVIDIA graphical glitch that rears its head every few days or so __________________

25-05-2009, 23:16	#2
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	I found a guide which formatted the USB via a simple command line within windows in minutes... http://garyshortblog.wordpress.com/2...e-one-netbook/ Used that IIRC. __________________

25-05-2009, 23:46	#3
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Yep tried that,. bootsect doesnt work, because i'm using an x64 win7 install, on x86 vista. Trying to find away around it, but doesn't seem to be anything out there, suggesting i'm probably fubared so will have to get some dvd's tomorrow i guess. Bah. __________________

25-05-2009, 23:56	#4
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	oh right, didn't realise it wouldn't work the same, though it seems somewhat illogical as really all vista is doing is shifting stuff about, i dont get why it won't play ball. nevermind __________________

26-05-2009, 01:28	#5
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Yeah afaik making it bootable has nothing to do with x64/86 just writing something "special" at the start of a table somewhere, haha with my vague terms and knowledge Thats kinda why i was hoping i'd missed something obvious online... I could use the 32bit installer, but im taking this oppurtunity once and for all to get up to scratch with 64, don't know why i bother! __________________

26-05-2009, 01:40	#6
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Some machines just can't boot from USB sticks no matter how hard you try. There doesn't seem to be a pattern to it either. Did you check the downloaded image wasn't damaged to start with?

26-05-2009, 02:00	#7
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	My dell laptop isn't "old" and has every option i'd want there to boot from usb, i don't doubt it won't... I just can't make it possible, the bootsect command divine posted i've already tries throws an error at me, which is related to not being run on x64, the image should be fine, it mounts fine, and i'm sure it would burn alright which is what i'd do if i had a spare bloody dvd, i'm watchin iplayer now i've given up guess i'll have to do it tomorrow! __________________

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