Windows 7 Professional = :D

[dj2gnar]

So, I decided to do some partitioning work in Karmic and made a ~60gb free space (out of a 100gb storage partition that i temporarily moved files off of). I used the Microsoft USB/DVD Tool and a 16gb Sandisk flash drive along with my Windows 7 disk (this was done on my ThinkPad in XP Professional). It took roughly 20 minutes to install, and of course it wiped out my grub (I'll fix it later). I can say without a doubt that it's the best version of Windows I've ever installed, and I've installed just about all of 'em. No driver problems, no BSODs, no BS. The GUI is really, really slick. Aero works beautifully. System idles at around 5-10% cpu usage and 30% memory usage (~650mb), 41 processes. All hardware works (including webcam, audio, internal mic, wifi, etc). Installed the vista synaptics driver, works great. I let Windows find my printer (a Deskjet 6800 series, wireless), and it located drivers and installed without a hitch.

Don't get me wrong, I still love Ubuntu, but...wow, just wow...I've been using Windows for 16 years, Microsoft finally got it right with Windows 7.

[pseudo]

Never installed windows from a USB... does this tool come with windows 7 now or is it something you have downloaded and if so, where from?

[SilverZero]

Never installed windows from a USB... does this tool come with windows 7 now or is it something you have downloaded and if so, where from?

Here's one method:
http://ultimatemini.blogspot.com/2009/0 ... tting.html

It should work with a retail version. I'm sure there are other methods as well, but this is the one I've been using ever since I got the RC a few months ago. It's quite simple.

[thitiv]

I've done the USB installation many, many times.
Basically, you use hard drive partition manager (such as Windows Vista's diskpart.exe) to make the primary partition of the USB drive "active".
Then format the drive to either FAT32 or NTFS and copy every on the installation DVD onto the drive.
Next, you press F12 while booting up to tell the BIOS to boot from the USB drive.

[pseudo]

Thanks guys... I only have access to Linux at the moment, but can do those things with fdisk no probs.

When putting a Linux cd on a USB key you need to install grub or similar to the MBR... does hitting F12 do away with this or is this not necessary because windows does not need a bootloader to run? Or is it because the BIOS sees the USB key as an installation DVD when selected?

[thitiv]

@pseudo, I haven't needed to install any bootloader onto the USB key. I just make the partition active, then copy *everything* from Win 7 installation DVD image to the root of the USB key. I believe this is made possible because of modern BIOS's (like recent ones on the S10). Mine is version 14CN51WW dated 11/19/2008, by the way.

[SilverZero]

Thanks guys... I only have access to Linux at the moment, but can do those things with fdisk no probs.

When putting a Linux cd on a USB key you need to install grub or similar to the MBR... does hitting F12 do away with this or is this not necessary because windows does not need a bootloader to run? Or is it because the BIOS sees the USB key as an installation DVD when selected?

Windows has its own bootloader (used to be NTLDR, but Win7 has a new boot system). It's just more integrated, you never have to install it separately. Depending on the method you use to prepare your boot USB key, there are usually steps that specifically prepare it to be bootable.

[dj2gnar]

+1 to what everyone said.

I made an .ISO and used the USB/DVD Tool straight from Microsoft. The tool from Microsoft doesn't do any special magic or anything, it essentially does what thitiv said. As long as the partition is formatted NTFS or FAT32, set to active and all of the files from the install DVD are there, it'll boot just fine. It installs very quickly too.

[robetjems]

Hello Everyone,

I have installed Windows 7 before 15 days and it's just amazing.Here I am sharing some experience of Windows 7.

Strengths:
So far it seems to be doing the business with the same speed as XP. Intuitive interface and navigation, uncluttered and easy to follow instructions and very nice to look at too!

Weaknesses:
Not found any yet.

Overall Evaluation:
So far so good, maybe the next worthy evolution of XP?

[pseudo]

Well that was LONG... I had no previous windows install and no external optical drive - this little S10e being my only computer at present

I don't want to put anyone off because I seem to be the only one experiencing problems here, but I tried:

1. formatting my USB key FAT32, flagging the partition as bootable, loop mounting the .iso and copying _everything_ across... no joy

2. unetbootin - both the linux version and then the windows version with wine... no joy

both times, the files were there, but the thing wouldn't boot.

I then installed Win XP as a virtual machine (yeah, it took ages!) and tried:

3. unetbootin - still no!

4. the windows USB tool - couldn't install it on my virtual machine due to not having .net framework and other unmet dependancies

5. UltraISO - suggested here: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/showthread.php?t=7850 - JOY

I finally have a USB key that will boot me into the Windows 7 installer...

I will let you know how it goes, wish me luck