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Have you tried to install Windows 7 from a USB flash drive as described by Greg's original post? How did it work?
Why go through all these hassles when unetbootin can handle everything for you, sounds highly inefficient. But then, Greg Shultz posts have mostlybeen about working with whats there in the OS by default and not 3rd party code. I respect and value his perspective, but in this case, it is just the case of pushing it too far.
There are cases where a network install is not possible, or at least desired. I have a policy at home that when installing any OS that automatically connects to the network, I unplug it from the network until the OS is installed, proper IP settings are configured, and an anti-virus is set up and configured.
You don't have to use USB or any other locally mounted media for installation, and it's good to have the Unetbootin option (along with others), but don't criticize others for persuing other options.
You don't have to use USB or any other locally mounted media for installation, and it's good to have the Unetbootin option (along with others), but don't criticize others for persuing other options.
Followed Greg's instructions to the letter and successfully installed 32 & 64 bit Win 7 RC versions on 2 notebooks, a Dell Inspiron and an Advent.
Installation process was exactly like CD/DVD only quicker. Prior to installing, I also copied my usual software installation files on to the USB stick(Adobe Reader, Anti Virus, etc), saved time on downloading and CD changes.
Installation process was exactly like CD/DVD only quicker. Prior to installing, I also copied my usual software installation files on to the USB stick(Adobe Reader, Anti Virus, etc), saved time on downloading and CD changes.
From this excellent guide I use the bootable flash drive to restore Windows Home Server Backup to a netbook. It took awhile to get the drivers organised correctly.
Can you use diskpart in Windows 7 RC to prepare the flash disk?
Harry
Harry
Short answer = yes. look at my other post. Works with either ISO - Vista or Win7.
Regards.
Regards.
Yes Windows7 function works well the same I guess as Vista.
All tasks were performed in Windows XP Pro and Boot to USB verified on a Dell Precision 650.
This works for either Vista Bootable USB install or Win7 Bootable Install - You still have to have valid OS keys
======================
FORMAT USB FLASH DRIVE TO NTFS
======================
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\User>format /?
Formats a disk for use with Windows XP.
FORMAT volume [/FS:file-system] [/V:label] [/A:size] [/C] [/X]
FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/F:size]
FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/T:tracks /N:sectors]
FORMAT volume [/V:label]
FORMAT volume
volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
/FS:filesystem Specifies the type of the file system (FAT, FAT32, or NTFS).
/V:label Specifies the volume label.
/Q Performs a quick format.
/C NTFS only: Files created on the new volume will be compressed
by default.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary. All opened
handles to the volume would no longer be valid.
/A:size Overrides the default allocation unit size. Default settings
are strongly recommended for general use.
NTFS supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K.
FAT supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,
(128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).
FAT32 supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,
(128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).
Note that the FAT and FAT32 files systems impose the
following restrictions on the number of clusters on a volume:
FAT: Number of clusters = 65526
FAT32: 65526 Number of clusters
================================================
[Bootsect.exe updates the master boot code for hard disk partitions in order to
switch between BOOTMGR and NTLDR. You can use this tool to restore the boot
sector on your computer.]
F :\boot\bootsect.exe /nt60 H "M:\Vista Ultimate x86\Vista.x86\BOOT\BOOTSECT.EXE"
bootsect {/help|/nt60|/nt52} {SYS|ALL|
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copy the Extracted files from the ISO image to the USB Flash drive
Software eject the USB Flash drive.
The Now bootable install for Vista is available for use.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This works for either Vista Bootable USB install or Win7 Bootable Install - You still have to have valid OS keys
======================
FORMAT USB FLASH DRIVE TO NTFS
======================
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\User>format /?
Formats a disk for use with Windows XP.
FORMAT volume [/FS:file-system] [/V:label] [/A:size] [/C] [/X]
FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/F:size]
FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/T:tracks /N:sectors]
FORMAT volume [/V:label]
FORMAT volume
volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
/FS:filesystem Specifies the type of the file system (FAT, FAT32, or NTFS).
/V:label Specifies the volume label.
/Q Performs a quick format.
/C NTFS only: Files created on the new volume will be compressed
by default.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary. All opened
handles to the volume would no longer be valid.
/A:size Overrides the default allocation unit size. Default settings
are strongly recommended for general use.
NTFS supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K.
FAT supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,
(128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).
FAT32 supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,
(128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).
Note that the FAT and FAT32 files systems impose the
following restrictions on the number of clusters on a volume:
FAT: Number of clusters = 65526
FAT32: 65526 Number of clusters
================================================
[Bootsect.exe updates the master boot code for hard disk partitions in order to
switch between BOOTMGR and NTLDR. You can use this tool to restore the boot
sector on your computer.]
F :\boot\bootsect.exe /nt60 H "M:\Vista Ultimate x86\Vista.x86\BOOT\BOOTSECT.EXE"
bootsect {/help|/nt60|/nt52} {SYS|ALL|
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copy the Extracted files from the ISO image to the USB Flash drive
Software eject the USB Flash drive.
The Now bootable install for Vista is available for use.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FAT32 is less forgiving than NTFS for disconnection during disk writes. FAT32 uses 2 copies of the File Allocation Table, originally to provide redundancy for the file system structure within the partition. The problem with having only 2 copies is that if one is damaged, how do you know which one has the correct information?
NTFS uses a transactional file system involving the Master File Table that finishes changes to the disk before a "commit" of those changes is issued, making the already written changes to the drive "active". This allows a roll back to the previous state of the file system before the uncommitted file transactions occured.
NTFS uses a transactional file system involving the Master File Table that finishes changes to the disk before a "commit" of those changes is issued, making the already written changes to the drive "active". This allows a roll back to the previous state of the file system before the uncommitted file transactions occured.
I though NTFS uses file journalling - every access to any file means a USB write occurs. This means rapid wear of USB devices as Flash memory only has a finite number of read-erase-write cycles before it wears out?
Further to the discussion of using NTFS on a USB Flash Drive, I have been unable to successfully format a 64GB flash drive to NTFS using Vista. THe format always fails. I can format the device to FAT32 and exFAT, but not NTFS. I have used all available utilities to attempt this. The error is always vague and uninformative: "Format failed". Anybody know how to do this? please let me know.
...a different flash drive?
While I recommend using FAT32, NTFS should work fine...
While I recommend using FAT32, NTFS should work fine...
I have an installation flash drive for win 7 using Fat 32 and an installation drive for XP Pro using NTFS. Both will autorun in Vista and both will boot in Vista and XP. I have used Boot IT! for the drives (both are Lexars) to flip the removable media bit. (Both drives worked the same before and after the flip, but now show up as fixed drives). The Utility does not work on SanDisk.
DiskPart scripts are VERY unreliable. Diskpart often does not do what you tell it and the command fails.
Try scripting and put it in a loop. It will fail every so often. I think the OS puts a 'lock' on the drive at intervals and it you happen to try to run diskpart at that same time it will fail.
Diskpart really needs a 'retry' option built in as the error handling is really clumsy. You can detect a fail but it is difficult to know where it failed.
I ALWAYS repeat any DISKPART script at least twice if it starts with a CLEAN or FORMAT. I have learnt the hard way!
Try scripting and put it in a loop. It will fail every so often. I think the OS puts a 'lock' on the drive at intervals and it you happen to try to run diskpart at that same time it will fail.
Diskpart really needs a 'retry' option built in as the error handling is really clumsy. You can detect a fail but it is difficult to know where it failed.
I ALWAYS repeat any DISKPART script at least twice if it starts with a CLEAN or FORMAT. I have learnt the hard way!
syntax at the end of the .cmd file. It should let you know if a problem has occured.
I've been using W7 and I have tried several times on different USB drives to get an error message. I haven't had any problems so far. I've even had the drive open in explorer when running the batch.
Contents of USBdrv.txt
sel dis 1
cle
cre par pri
for FS=Fat32 quick
act
ass
Command to run the .cmd which is placed in the root directory.
diskpart /s c:\USBdrv.txt
pause
Output with a pause to check for errors:
C:\>diskpart /s c:\USBdrv.txt
Microsoft DiskPart version 6.1.7100
Copyright (C) 1999-2008 Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: W7RC
Disk 1 is now the selected disk.
DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk.
DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.
100 percent completed
DiskPart successfully formatted the volume.
DiskPart marked the current partition as active.
DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.
C:\>pause
Press any key to continue . . .
I notice that if you run the command a couple of times on the same disk that "assign" will keep incrementing the drive letters before going back to the original. If you don't use the assign syntax it will allocate the original drive letter when you select Computer.
I've been using W7 and I have tried several times on different USB drives to get an error message. I haven't had any problems so far. I've even had the drive open in explorer when running the batch.
Contents of USBdrv.txt
sel dis 1
cle
cre par pri
for FS=Fat32 quick
act
ass
Command to run the .cmd which is placed in the root directory.
diskpart /s c:\USBdrv.txt
pause
Output with a pause to check for errors:
C:\>diskpart /s c:\USBdrv.txt
Microsoft DiskPart version 6.1.7100
Copyright (C) 1999-2008 Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: W7RC
Disk 1 is now the selected disk.
DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk.
DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.
100 percent completed
DiskPart successfully formatted the volume.
DiskPart marked the current partition as active.
DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.
C:\>pause
Press any key to continue . . .
I notice that if you run the command a couple of times on the same disk that "assign" will keep incrementing the drive letters before going back to the original. If you don't use the assign syntax it will allocate the original drive letter when you select Computer.
If you are using XP then this won't work, as stated above.
Download release version of RMPrepUSB 1.9.75 from http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7739 (or latest Beta from the last post in this thread).
This will wipe, partition and format and make WinPE v2 bootable any USB drive and you can tick a box to copy the Install DVD contents to the USB drive too.
One click on the Prepare button and it's done!
Download release version of RMPrepUSB 1.9.75 from http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7739 (or latest Beta from the last post in this thread).
This will wipe, partition and format and make WinPE v2 bootable any USB drive and you can tick a box to copy the Install DVD contents to the USB drive too.
One click on the Prepare button and it's done!
Actually all I did for XP was "bootsect /nt52 (drive letter)" using the Win7 Source. Worked great.
First create script below, call it what ever...
---Start---
@ECHO OFF
rem ==========================================
:MAIN
TITLE MAIN MENU
cls
mode con: cols=86 lines=15
@echo.
@echo.
@echo.
@echo (D)iskpart USB Drive - Set USB FLASH DRIVE bootable (FAT32)
@echo (E)xit
@echo.
Set /P letter="Enter the letter in parenthesis above: "
if /I %letter%== D goto diskpart32
if /I %letter%== E goto END
goto MAIN
rem ============================================
:DISKPART32
TITLE DISKPART FAT32
cls
start /wait DISKPART /s D:\command\fat32.txt
goto END
:END
exit
---END----
Next, create a text document, in this case FAT32.txt and place the following inside:
---Start---
select disk 1
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
active
format fs=FAT32
assign
exit
---end---
There you have it...scripted DISKPART, assuming Disk 1 is your USB drive.
You can check by doing DISKPART > LIST DISK
Enjoy everyone
JL
---Start---
@ECHO OFF
rem ==========================================
:MAIN
TITLE MAIN MENU
cls
mode con: cols=86 lines=15
@echo.
@echo.
@echo.
@echo (D)iskpart USB Drive - Set USB FLASH DRIVE bootable (FAT32)
@echo (E)xit
@echo.
Set /P letter="Enter the letter in parenthesis above: "
if /I %letter%== D goto diskpart32
if /I %letter%== E goto END
goto MAIN
rem ============================================
:DISKPART32
TITLE DISKPART FAT32
cls
start /wait DISKPART /s D:\command\fat32.txt
goto END
:END
exit
---END----
Next, create a text document, in this case FAT32.txt and place the following inside:
---Start---
select disk 1
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
active
format fs=FAT32
assign
exit
---end---
There you have it...scripted DISKPART, assuming Disk 1 is your USB drive.
You can check by doing DISKPART > LIST DISK
Enjoy everyone
JL
On systems with SATA disks when booting under WinPE v2 or V3, the disk numbering can be random.
Disk 1 is not always the same disk each time you boot! If you have two SATA disks trying booting to Vista 10 times and looking at their numbering in Disk Manager (or diskpart).
So doing a CLEAN on disk 1 may have unexpected results!
Not all systems seem to be affected but many Intel systems/BIOSes are, setting HDD mode to Legacy or Native can change the behaviour.
This is a known issue in WinPE and is why in WinPE v3 MS introduced the SELECT DISK SYSTEM and SELECT DISK NEXT commands.
Disk 1 is not always the same disk each time you boot! If you have two SATA disks trying booting to Vista 10 times and looking at their numbering in Disk Manager (or diskpart).
So doing a CLEAN on disk 1 may have unexpected results!
Not all systems seem to be affected but many Intel systems/BIOSes are, setting HDD mode to Legacy or Native can change the behaviour.
This is a known issue in WinPE and is why in WinPE v3 MS introduced the SELECT DISK SYSTEM and SELECT DISK NEXT commands.
From what I see on the net you need a way for DiskPart to first "See" the flash drive before you can do anything. I've not found a way to address this. Apparently there is a new "removable" bit set on flash drives. My Win7 Pro diskpart sees the partition as type removable but does not list the drive its on. I suspect many will have this same issue.
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