unable to boot win 7 in bios via usb drive

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  • wombat
    PCHF Member
    • Nov 2022
    • 18

    #1

    unable to boot win 7 in bios via usb drive

    I have used desktop that is new to me with no OS and a blu ray drive that I can not open or unlock.
    i tried recently to install win 7 in bios via usb with no luck.
    Im not sure what Im doing so any tips or suggestions would be awesome. In Bios, how do I get computer to read and open from my Win 7 USB drive?

    It would be great to get this desktop running as my old one is from 2006 and dying. It sounds like a helicopter running per roommate.

    Thank you
  • Bruce
    PCHF Moderator
    • Oct 2017
    • 10702

    #2
    Installing Windows is not done via BIOS.
    get Windows on a USB stick or DVD, sound like you have Win7 already on a USB, how did you get it there?

    hopefully you used the Windows Media Creation Tool.

    with the usb stick connected, reboot the PC and it should boot from USB first, if not, then go into BIOS to change the boot order.

    i take it you have the Win7 product key?
    Whether or not you’ll be able to use this key again depends on how you purchased the original PC.

    Comment

    • wombat
      PCHF Member
      • Nov 2022
      • 18

      #3
      I have the WIn 7 disc and product key. Since I cant use it in the “new” desktop due to blu ray drive issues. I downloaded all of the disc’s files to my usb.
      The desktop was obtained from a private party.

      Thank you for your reply.

      Comment

      • wombat
        PCHF Member
        • Nov 2022
        • 18

        #4
        Originally posted by Bruce
        Installing Windows is not done via BIOS.
        get Windows on a USB stick or DVD, sound like you have Win7 already on a USB, how did you get it there?

        hopefully you used the Windows Media Creation Tool.

        with the usb stick connected, reboot the PC and it should boot from USB first, if not, then go into BIOS to change the boot order.

        i take it you have the Win7 product key?
        Whether or not you’ll be able to use this key again depends on how you purchased the original PC.
        I know I need to have BIOS open from USB but Im not sure how to do that. That is my issue

        Comment

        • wombat
          PCHF Member
          • Nov 2022
          • 18

          #5
          Originally posted by wombat
          I know I need to have BIOS open from USB but Im not sure how to do that. That is my issue
          PS I did not use the Windows media creation tool to download the WIn 7 disc to my usb. I will try that if my old computer allows it due to space and age.

          Comment

          • Bruce
            PCHF Moderator
            • Oct 2017
            • 10702

            #6
            does this ‘old’ PC boot into any Windows version now?

            you simply can’t copy the CD contents straight to a USB and then use that USB stick to boot the PC to install Windows.

            it would be best to use a PC that already is working fine, and use that to download the Windows Media Creation Tool, which in turn downloads a bootable image of Windows to the USB stick.

            but just doing some Googling - Win7 is not available via the WMCT and trying to find a trustworthy download ISO is potentially dangerous.

            alternatively, you could use some software like Rufus or PowerISO that converts a DVD to a bootable USB stick.

            Comment

            • Bruce
              PCHF Moderator
              • Oct 2017
              • 10702

              #7
              @wombat - where we at?

              Comment

              • wombat
                PCHF Member
                • Nov 2022
                • 18

                #8
                SInce my original computer has win 7, I can not download WMCT. I thought the local library would let me download the software but no luck.
                I looked at Rufus and could not figure out how to download it.
                Two days ago I looked at and sent an email to poweriso for help. No reply yet. I guess I can just buy their software and see if it works for and if not request a refund. i may just do that tomorrow, once I get a couple of projects done.
                Alternatively, I guess I could buy a new disc drive for the “new” machine to potentially read my win 7 disc?
                Im in new area and dont know very many people and I work remotely. My son’s friend might be an option to download the software if Im unable to do so.

                thank you Bruce for your follow up.

                Comment

                • Bruce
                  PCHF Moderator
                  • Oct 2017
                  • 10702

                  #9
                  either getting an external DVD unit for the PC would be good or using your son’s friends PC even better.
                  a DVD unit will come in handy sometimes so not a complete waste of money.
                  get the friend to use WMCT to create the bootable USB stick.

                  there should be other alternatives to Rufus or PowerISO, that are free.
                  I got PowerISO about 15 years ago (maybe more!!!) and simply haven’t had the need to look elsewhere.
                  maybe the posse can help on that front - @PeterOz @Pyro @Bastet @Malnutrition

                  but you can bypass the need to get this sort of software if the friend can create the stick for you!

                  Comment

                  • Pyro
                    PCHF Member
                    • Jan 2019
                    • 1189

                    #10
                    My vote’s on the Media Creation Tool, always my first go to - never had a reason to use anything different.

                    You could also pick up a USB CD drive, I use these instead of having built-in ones.

                    Comment

                    • Malnutrition
                      PCHF Moderator
                      • Jul 2016
                      • 7045

                      #11
                      What verison of windows 7 do you have?


                      Ventoy is an open source tool to create bootable USB drive for ISO files. With ventoy, you don't need to format the disk again and again, you just need to copy the iso file to the USB drive and boot it.

                      Comment

                      • PeterOz
                        PCHF Technical Response Team
                        • Mar 2021
                        • 4191

                        #12
                        Ok Ventoy can work same as Rufus
                        You say you cannot download rufus why?
                        Can you download anything?
                        Is the computer you are using now to talk to us a desktop or a laptop.

                        Comment

                        • Bastet
                          PCHF Member
                          • Aug 2016
                          • 1515

                          #13
                          Why do you believe you need to boot into the BIOS to install Windows 7? You may need to access the BIOS to manually change the boot order but usually the pc has a key which is pressed as soon as the pc is turned on to reach the temp boot menu - usually F8 on older Windows.
                          You can also purchase or borrow a USB CD drive.

                          Comment

                          • PeterOz
                            PCHF Technical Response Team
                            • Mar 2021
                            • 4191

                            #14
                            ok when you copy files from the dvd to the usb
                            You need to open the dvd and copy the files - Do not right click and copy dvd.
                            Double click on the dvd
                            when it opens copy the nine (9) files to the usb
                            Put this into the computer and as Goddess Bastet says when you start the computer it should show you a splash screen that says how to enter the bios
                            or how to enter the temp boot menu
                            If you cannot find how to boot from usb you will have to give us the make and model of the motherboard.
                            I formatted a usb drive as ntfs (standard now days)
                            Copied the files as I mentioned and booted to the install for win 7
                            Attached is a pic of how your usb should look when you open it

                            Comment

                            • Rustys
                              PCHF Member
                              • Jul 2016
                              • 7862

                              #15
                              User has been here and chosen not to update the thread closed

                              Comment

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