13. I am having problems with installing Windows 7 from my DVD. I know I can install it from a flash drive, but don't know how to go about prepping a flash drive to be used this way. Can you explain?
A: Below are 2 methods for creating a bootable flash drive that you can install Windows 7 from. These methods also work for Windows Vista.
Important! Make sure the flash drive you use for this is at least 4GB in size. Anything smaller will not work.
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Method 1. Download and install
WinToFlash. Insert your Windows DVD into the drive and open WinToFlash. From the Task tab, select "Transfer Windows Vista/2008/7 setup to USB drive" and click Run. The defaults for USB Drive Type, Format type, and File system should all be ok. Change the "Vista Setup Files path" to the drive letter of your DVD (also ignore the fact that it says
Vista Setup..., as the utility also works with the Windows 7 DVD). Then pick the drive letter of the USB Flash drive (again, make sure it is at least a 4GB flash drive) you want to make bootable, click Run, and accept the license agreement. WinToFlash will then begin transferring the setup files from the DVD.
Method 2. This method is the same as above, but uses a different program, and requires a couple extra steps to complete. Download and install a copy of
UltraISO. Insert your Windows 7 DVD into your DVD drive and use UltraISO to create an ISO image of the disk. Once the image is created, open the image through UltraISO (the contents will appear in the top-right section of the UltraISO window). Click the Bootable menu, and select Write Disk Image. Make sure the Disk Drive drop down menu is pointing to the correct drive and click Write. Once the files are copied, restart your computer and boot from the flash drive. Windows 7 setup should begin loading to start the install process.
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Either one of these methods should work, but after running through each one many times, I found that method 2 has a much better chance of producing a bootable drive. Method 2 does take a bit longer to complete though.
If you are unable to boot from your newly set up flash drive, check your BIOS to ensure USB booting is enabled (almost all motherboards manufactured in the last 3-4 years should have this enabled in their BIOS by default). If it is, hit the key on your keyboard to bring up the boot menu (which allows you to pick a specific device to boot from). Some common keys for accessing the boot menu are:
Esc
F8
F12
If none of the 3 listed above bring up the menu, consult your motherboard manual to determine which key you need to use to make it appear.