unable to boot win 7 in bios via usb drive

  • Hi there and welcome to PC Help Forum (PCHF), a more effective way to get the Tech Support you need!
    We have Experts in all areas of Tech, including Malware Removal, Crash Fixing and BSOD's , Microsoft Windows, Computer DIY and PC Hardware, Networking, Gaming, Tablets and iPads, General and Specific Software Support and so much more.

    Why not Click Here To Sign Up and start enjoying great FREE Tech Support.

    This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
Status
Not open for further replies.
W

wombat

PCHF Member
Nov 5, 2022
18
0
50
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
 
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wombat
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.
 
Bruce said:
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.
Click to expand...
I know I need to have BIOS open from USB but Im not sure how to do that. That is my issue
 
wombat said:
I know I need to have BIOS open from USB but Im not sure how to do that. That is my issue
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wombat
What verison of windows 7 do you have?

Ventoy

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.
www.ventoy.net www.ventoy.net
 
  • Like
Reactions: wombat
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wombat
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.
 
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
 

Attachments

  • Bootable Win 7 usb.JPG
    Bootable Win 7 usb.JPG
    51.1 KB Views: 7
  • Like
Reactions: wombat
Hello. This is a follow up to my post on Nov. 5. Big thanks to Bruce and Peteroz for their comments.
It took longer than expected to get access to Window's Media creation tool and life's hurdles delayed my reply on that thread before it closed.

I was successful copying the Win 7 program disc to my usb. All of the Win 7 program files are present as per photo posted in prior thread. The issue is that even though I tried F8 while booting my computer, it is not reading the usb but going into bios. I tried to direct Bios to boot from USB but am not sure if done properly.

My motherboard is : Asus maximus VI hero LGA 1150. I believe PeterOz asked about it to help guide me if I cant boot from USB.

Looking for some advice or tips to have my "new" computer which is OS free to read my USB and use it to install as the OS.

Thank you.


​

 
Why not install and use Windows 10 and or 11 and not unsecure no longer patched operating system?

wombat said:
blu ray drive that I can not open or unlock.
Click to expand...
What have you tried?
Have you confirmed that the drive is connected via power?
Make and model?

Have you tried the mechanical release button?

Is this a prefabricated system or someone built this?

wombat said:
It sounds like a helicopter running per roommate.
Click to expand...
Maybe clean the system and check to make sure that the fans are not hitting anything.
 
Bruce said:
by what method did you use?
simply can't copy and paste.
need to create a bootable USB stick.
Click to expand...
I dragged and dropped the files from Win 7 disc to my usb. The result matches the attachment in the above reply from Peteroz's post.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom