Windows 7 won't install from USB drive

[70L34]

Hello all,

Recently the hard disk failed on my Asus desktop and I'm struggling with the fix. I installed a new Seagate 1TB SATA drive and used the Microsoft DVD/USB Download Tool to create a bootable Windows 7 32-bit Home Edition on a pen drive. This computer never came with a Win7 recovery disk so that's not an option for me. The BIOS recognizes the new hard disk and pen drive, and I have set the boot settings to: 1) pen drive; 2) hard disk. When I power up the computer, it runs through the 'ASUS' BIOS screen and stops at a black screen with a blinking white cursor in the upper LH corner. It hangs on this screen indefinitely and there's nothing I can do short of turning off the computer.

Any thoughts would be great. I have spent hours searching the forum but have not come up with a working solution.

 

[nukemaster]

You can try the X86 iso on a DVD. this should work for sure

http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

 

[smorizio]

in the bios see if the bios sees the pen drive as a hard drive if it does set the pen drive to boot first. if it wont in the bios see if there a boot device f key that you can hit when the laptop is power on to force it to boot from the usb stick. also on some newer mb you may have to turn off secure boot and or efi boot and set it to legacy boot. also look at your windows disk is it oem full version or upgrade?? upgrade disk may not be bootable also make sure it windows os disk and not ms word disk.

 

[70L34]

Thanks, unfortunately I don't have a DVD drive so the USB boot is my only option for now. I modified the USB settings in the BIOS so it recognizes the pen drive as a hard disk, so I was able to set the pen drive to boot first.

Pretty sure I downloaded the full Win7 Home Edition ISO...followed the steps in this link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/604187-legal-download-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html

 

[nukemaster]

Yeah those are the right iso images for sure.

Strange that it is not working. I have personally always used Universal USB Installer from pendrivelinux software even for Windows USB sticks. It may be worth a shot.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

Please note this DOES erase the flash drive.

 

[70L34]

Thanks - unfortunately that installer wouldn't recognize the iso. Good news is I was able to make the Windows USB/DVD installer work by downloading and creating it on a different laptop. I had originally used my work laptop which uses some encryption program on the USB drive. Appreciate all the help!!!