Win 7 re-install after re-format

[duanomatic]

I reformatted the hard drive to a completely blank state by removing it and using a SATA/USB adapter and another laptop. Now when I put in the reformatted hard drive and Win 7 premium .iso file on disk, it won't even recognize the hard drive when it asks where to install windows? What have I done?!?!

 

[Darren Kitchin]

You need to boot from the iso, from USB most likely in this case or a DVD. Then it needs to be installed onto the drive, however I would recommend reformmating and setting up any partition(s) during the windows installer as it will use the most up to date File System drivers which may be relevant (you didnt supply any info on the laptop so for all I know it could be windows XP reformatted to FAT32).

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool
that is the official microsoft USB tool to place a Windows ISO on and turn into a boot device (the boot order will need to be defined in the BIOS for USB over HDD, or you will need to open the boot menu as the POST ends).