Installing Windows Vista/7 Via flash drive (Mussels Method)

[Velvet Wafer]

i personally like the WinSetup from USB method... after making a DOS bootable with HP Disk Format tool!
hasnt failed me once, since the people from TPU explained it to me!

[overclocking101]

will this work using a usb external hdd?? I dont have a 16gb flash drive and my dvd drive is all fecked up

[AsRock]

Cool, should work with a HDD too huh ?. If i partition enough space for the files to goto should be good to go.

Remember some thing like this with win98 were you could install of the HDD with added commands and stuff..

[Mussels]

it should work off a HDD too, so long as you get the boot order of the HDD's right (boot from the install drive, and after the first reboot swap the order back to the one the OS is now installed on)

[AsRock]

Originally Posted by Mussels

it should work off a HDD too, so long as you get the boot order of the HDD's right (boot from the install drive, and after the first reboot swap the order back to the one the OS is now installed on)

Just what i was thinking .

[overclocking101]

yep it does work! i tried it out before you guys commented and it works, only thing is I forgot partitioning it so the win 7 files are mixed in with my other folders but it sill boots and installs fine. Thank god! my orginal disk got all scratched up (kids ) but before hand I managed to rip the iso off it but when I try and burn it my dvdrw wont burn it right keeps giving errors, I think its time for a new rw drive.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by overclocking101

yep it does work! i tried it out before you guys commented and it works, only thing is I forgot partitioning it so the win 7 files are mixed in with my other folders but it sill boots and installs fine. Thank god! my orginal disk got all scratched up (kids ) but before hand I managed to rip the iso off it but when I try and burn it my dvdrw wont burn it right keeps giving errors, I think its time for a new rw drive.

was it LIGHTNING FAST install time?

[brandonwh64]

Mussels, do you know how to do this with XP as well? I would like to make a XP flash drive that its only intent in life is to install an OS

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Mussels, do you know how to do this with XP as well? I would like to make a XP flash drive that its only intent in life is to install an OS

my method doesnt work for XP, but i'm pretty sure the first post has a link to a program that works with XP (quote at bottom of post)

[overclocking101]

the install time literally cut more than half the time off compared to the standard cd method, thanks mussels! now i use my ehdd for my instal/repairs and it literally take less than 15 min. its like installing xp but a little faster!

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Mussels, do you know how to do this with XP as well? I would like to make a XP flash drive that its only intent in life is to install an OS

It can be done, but it's a bit more difficult, as the XP install resets the USB bus multiple times.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by overclocking101

the install time literally cut more than half the time off compared to the standard cd method, thanks mussels! now i use my ehdd for my instal/repairs and it literally take less than 15 min. its like installing xp but a little faster!

I know, how great is it to install an OS in <20 minutes? once you get drivers in and copy-pasta steam (in my case its on my second partition so it doesnt move) you can have an OS up to date and ready for gaming in less than 30 minutes.

Originally Posted by Wile E

It can be done, but it's a bit more difficult, as the XP install resets the USB bus multiple times.

yeah, exactly why its trickier. it resets the bus so the drive letters change, and XP doesnt like it. Vista/7 copy all files to the HDD in the first step, and it installs from there.

[mrigom]

found out for u guys please say thanks if u liked it

u need a xp sp2 or 3 non modified disk

read instructions carefully as follows in below links if u miss out even 1 step it wont work.

links below

http://www.eeeguides.com/2007/11/ins...usb-thumb.html

http://www.pctipsbox.com/installing-...b-flash-drive/

enjoy.

[AsRock]

Maybe you should list the flash drives you had luck with and the ones you did not. Why is i just tried 3 of mine and all fail one way or another.

Drives in question

Patriot XT 4GB ( see's it then skips it )
OCZ Rally 2 4GB ( Please use a bootable disk blah blah )
Transend USB 3.0 8GB ( hangs with a flashing line at top of the screen ).

About to try them in my other system if the reaction is different.

EDIT:
Other system
Patriot XT 4GB ( askes for bootable drive)
OCZ Rally 2 4GB (askes for bootable drive )
Transend USB 3.0 8GB ( hangs with a flashing line at top of the screen ).

[slyfox2151]

i have my windows install perminently on the first 4GB partition on my HDD, installs ways faster then from a DVD.... a little bit faster then a USB flash drive.

works just like a dual boot system... asks if i want to boot windows 7 or install windows 7 :P

[AsRock]

Seems like a edit button issue cannot change and save :|.. But anyways after doing that test very shortly after thought that was a bit to fast and then noticed that the command that Mussel posted was not working right for what ever as it's not copying all the files over :|....

[Mussels]

i actually found a new tool to automate the process, from microsoft themselves i think. uploading it to megaupload, since its too large to attach on the forum.


http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X8RCPPZD

[slyfox2151]

an alternative option to that,


open up your DVD/folder containing the windows files,
Press ALT and click tools, select folder options.
then click the View tab.
make sure "Show Hidden Files" is turned on.


press OK.

now all you need to do is COPY/Paste the files onto the device you want to boot from.
make sure the device is set to NTFS or FAT32 and ACTIVE partition.

open up Command Promt with admin mode. (hold CTRL + SHIFT when you open it)
now navigate to the device drive letter.. Lets call it D:
so you would type the following,
D:
cd D:/Boot
Bootsec.exe /NT60 D:




and your done, restart your PC and select the proper boot device.





for a proper guide go here: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-in...working-guide/

same instructions for Flash drives as it is for a HDD or even a SSD.

[micropage7]

Originally Posted by Mussels

legalities are unrelated here: this thread is not related to pirating copies of an OS, merely for how to install your OS that you already have via a flash drive

yeah it just a tutorial how if you wanna install it in netbook or tablet that doesnt have any optical drive and its kinda wasting buying external dvd drive. why dont you use your flashdisk to install it
about legallity i guess theres ok as long as you have the original os (buy that)

[RejZoR]

Bah, never bothered with these complicated guides. Just use program "WinToFlash", point to required sources and you're done in 3 clicks. Am using it for ages and is awesome.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by RejZoR

Bah, never bothered with these complicated guides. Just use program "WinToFlash", point to required sources and you're done in 3 clicks. Am using it for ages and is awesome.

my guide wasnt that complicated, you merely had to copy paste one line of text. the benefit was that it worked even if you didnt have admin rights, or couldnt see hidden files/folders for some reason.


as you said however, there are also tools out there that do it automagically these days.

[AsRock]

Originally Posted by Mussels

my guide wasnt that complicated, you merely had to copy paste one line of text. the benefit was that it worked even if you didnt have admin rights, or couldnt see hidden files/folders for some reason.


as you said however, there are also tools out there that do it automagically these days.

Which either that command don't work right in Vista or another DVD player i have is playing ass..

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by AsRock

Which either that command don't work right in Vista or another DVD player i have is playing ass..

true. thats why i linked to the new program a few posts back. the command isnt needed anymore.

[LifeOnMars]

Nice one Steveo, Installing windows 7 tonight again using this method as I have just got a cheap as chips HD 5870 and prefer a nice clean install after my previous Nvidia card.