My Dell Mini Forum

TD99 · **Install Win 7 via USB in 4 easy steps -** 02-26-2009, 07:16 PM

After searching and trying about 20 different methods (some very complicated) found online over the past few weeks, I *finally* got my SanDisk Cruzer Micro (8GB) to boot into the Windows 7 Installer. And it was a simple process too! So I'm sharing it here in case anyone else is having similar issues:

1 - Using the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool v2.0.6*, I formatted the flash drive using FAT32 leaving all the boxes unchecked.

*Update: (Link no longer valid. Plus, based on the posts I've read, only v2.0.6 seems to work. Others versions, including newer ones, do not work for some weird reason. Therefore, use your friend Google to try and track down "HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool v2.0.6". Good luck!

2 - I mounted the Windows 7 Beta ISO using Virtual CloneDrive (free, www.slysoft.com).

3 - Then I copied the contents of the ISO (all of the Windows 7 files and folders) over to the SanDisk. That took about 7 minutes.

4 - Lastly, I renamed the file on the flash drive from "BOOTMGR" to "NTLDR".

That's it! I was able to finally boot off the SanDisk using my Dell Mini 9 and install Windows 7! It took about an hour, but it runs great. Then I followed the steps outlined here to install the necessary drivers (which wasn't many since Win7 detects just about everything, nice!).

Next up, going to try these SSD speed tweaks!

wolfhound0023 · 05-16-2009, 10:30 PM

thanks for the note about the HP USB Disk Storage program (need to use v2.0.6). Installing Windows 7 RC1 now on my Mini9 right now.

lysis · 05-17-2009, 11:36 AM

When I tried to boot from Windows 7 USB flash drive, I followed these four steps to a tee and have had no success. When I attempt to boot from this USB flash drive that is created, my Mini attempts to PXE boot - even when I press 0 and tell it to boot from the USB drive.

evapor8 · 05-17-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lysis

When I tried to boot from Windows 7 USB flash drive, I followed these four steps to a tee and have had no success. When I attempt to boot from this USB flash drive that is created, my Mini attempts to PXE boot - even when I press 0 and tell it to boot from the USB drive.

Try renaming the NTLDR file back to bootmgr.

Worked for me.

Chris

holmes4 · 05-17-2009, 01:05 PM

Then you did not successfully create a bootable USB drive.

lysis · 05-17-2009, 02:26 PM

I tried renaming the NTLDR file back to bootmgr and it is still attempting a PXE boot. What else can I try?

lysis · 05-17-2009, 03:52 PM

I think I'm going to just bite the bullet, go to Best Buy and suck up the $90 to get an external drive.

jor · 05-17-2009, 05:04 PM

Sorry, this worked on mini10 as well.

but as pointed in an earlier post, we have to use the earlier version of this program.

NokiaKevJ · 05-18-2009, 02:19 AM

how come this isn't working for me? at first i used the hp tool and got a pxe rom error. now i used the cmd method i getting a "remove disks or other media" error. what am i doing wrong? im using a 2gb sandisk cruzer with a 1.5gb vlite windows 7 (this only boots when i plug in the usb drive AFTER windows xp has been loaded), anyone have any ideas? cause i'm stuck.

NokiaKevJ · 05-18-2009, 02:26 AM

nvm guys i got it to work. turns out that i just changed the file back to BOOTMGR and it ran without a problem, im installling it right now, ill post what happens later.

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wolfhound0023 Member Posts: 44 Join Date: Mar 2009	05-16-2009, 10:30 PM thanks for the note about the HP USB Disk Storage program (need to use v2.0.6). Installing Windows 7 RC1 now on my Mini9 right now. Dell Inspiron Mini 9 - Alpine White, Super Talent 32GB SSD, Mushkin 2GB Ram, 16GB SDHC, 1.3MP Webcam, Apple Airport Extreme 802.11bgn, Mac OS X 10.5.6

lysis Junior Member Posts: 9 Join Date: May 2009	05-17-2009, 11:36 AM When I tried to boot from Windows 7 USB flash drive, I followed these four steps to a tee and have had no success. When I attempt to boot from this USB flash drive that is created, my Mini attempts to PXE boot - even when I press 0 and tell it to boot from the USB drive.

holmes4 Administrator Posts: 6,201 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Hampshire	05-17-2009, 01:05 PM Then you did not successfully create a bootable USB drive. Steve

lysis Junior Member Posts: 9 Join Date: May 2009	05-17-2009, 02:26 PM I tried renaming the NTLDR file back to bootmgr and it is still attempting a PXE boot. What else can I try?

lysis Junior Member Posts: 9 Join Date: May 2009	05-17-2009, 03:52 PM I think I'm going to just bite the bullet, go to Best Buy and suck up the $90 to get an external drive.

jor Senior Member Posts: 162 Join Date: Mar 2009	05-17-2009, 05:04 PM Sorry, this worked on mini10 as well. but as pointed in an earlier post, we have to use the earlier version of this program.

NokiaKevJ Junior Member Posts: 22 Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York City	05-18-2009, 02:19 AM how come this isn't working for me? at first i used the hp tool and got a pxe rom error. now i used the cmd method i getting a "remove disks or other media" error. what am i doing wrong? im using a 2gb sandisk cruzer with a 1.5gb vlite windows 7 (this only boots when i plug in the usb drive AFTER windows xp has been loaded), anyone have any ideas? cause i'm stuck.

NokiaKevJ Junior Member Posts: 22 Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York City	05-18-2009, 02:26 AM nvm guys i got it to work. turns out that i just changed the file back to BOOTMGR and it ran without a problem, im installling it right now, ill post what happens later.

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