USB Stick wont boot...

[Hitman]

Hey, I'm trying to get my USB stick/flash stick to boot... but it wont. I've put Windows 7 into it (copied all of the files over, as if it was the disc). I've changed the bios so boot "removable device" first, but it doesn't boot, Windows Vista just loads... :S

Any help? I think the problem is something to do with the files, but I'm not sure... help would be great.

[Recursion]

You need to make it bootable.

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/

[Tomm]

Open up an administrative command prompt and type the drive letter of your pen drive followed by a :

Then type "cd boot" (without quotes).

Type: "BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 X:" where X is the drive letter of your pen drive.

[Hitman]

Yeah, tried from step 5 to 7... gives me an error. It tells me that I can't do it because it's x64 Windows 7, and I'm running x84 Windows Vista... I'll get the exact error message in a second.

Tomm, following your exact instructions gives me this:


C:\Users\Tom>H: cd boot

H:\>BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:
'BOOTSECT.EXE' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

H:\>

(Ran as admin)]


C:\Windows\system32>E: CD BOOT

E:\>CD BOOT

E:\boot>BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:
This version of E:\boot\bootsect.exe is not compatible with the version of Windo
ws you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you n
eed a x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the
software publisher.

E:\boot>

Is the thing about it not being x64...

[Tomm]

You need to press return after typing your drive letter followed by the colon. Then enter the second command - not all in one command.


Yeah, tried from step 5 to 7... gives me an error. It tells me that I can't do it because it's x64 Windows 7, and I'm running x84 Windows Vista... I'll get the exact error message in a second.

Tomm, following your exact instructions gives me this:



(Ran as admin)

[Hitman]

You need to press return after typing your drive letter followed by the colon. Then enter the second command - not all in one command.
Done that this time, gives the compatibility error (above). :( I'm running 32bit vista, so I guess that's why... my CPU is 64bit able... I'm unsure of what I do now. :S

Edit: I guess I need a 32bit version of BOOTSECT.EXE?Edit 2: Got a 32 bit version of bootsect, worked! Updated it... so lets see if it boots!

[Hitman]

Can't edit... it successfully does it but it still doesn't boot.


Updated FAT32 filesystem bootcode. The update may be unreliable since the
volume could not be locked during the update:
Access is denied.

[Tomm]

The pen drive needs to be formatted as NTFS not FAT32.

[Hitman]

The pen drive needs to be formatted as NTFS not FAT32.
OK, I've re-done everything that it says to here (http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/). Word for word... managed to get the bootsect.exe to work (using a 32bit version). It did it successfully... but still, when I start the PC it doesn't boot... and I did the bios settings so that the removable device boots first.