Formatting Windows Vista And Installing Windows Xp
How to CLEAN Install Windows Vista directly from Hard drive – NO DVD or USB needed!! For example, you have a netbook or desktop that you want to install Windows Vista onto, but can’t use DVD or USB for whatever reason (or don't want to, like me). This method will allow you to boot and install Windows directly from the hard drive. This guide involves plugging the hard drive into another working computer, preparing the hard drive, placing it back in the system, and installing Windows as usual.
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This guide is for Windows Vista only, though the guide for Windows 7 and 8 is extremely similar. Check out my Windows 7 and Windows 8 guide if that applies to you. Using Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 open CMD as Administrator (Windows key + R, type CMD, hit Enter) Enter the following commands, (replace X with what applies to your hard drive): diskpart list disk select disk X list partition select partition X active exit X:bootbootsect.exe /nt60 X: (See picture for example) Exit and shutdown. Note: If you’re working on a 32-bit system, and you want to install 64-bit Windows, you may get problems trying to run the last command (X:bootbootsect.exe /nt60 X:). Solutions: Use a computer with a 64-bit version of Windows OR A little trick that worked for me: If you have a 32-bit Windows Vista disc, you can copy bootsect.exe from that and replace the 64-bit one (bootbootsect.exe).
Place the hard drive back into the target machine. Make sure that the BIOS is configured to boot from the hard drive. If you did everything correctly, you should see “Windows is loading files” screen and setup will load (really fast, too, because it's loading from the hard drive). This step is extremely important.
If you skip this step, you will get the “A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing” error. When you see the “Windows is loading files” screen, hold the left CTRL button. This will force a repair command prompt console. (See picture for example) When this comes up, type the following: del C:bootbcd bcdedit /createstore C:sourcessetup Install Windows as usual (but don’t format your drive this time in the installer – otherwise it will erase the Windows Vista setup files too!).
Hi Steven, I have a Gateway GT5676 that had a Vista 32/64 disc & I had the store install the 32 ver.Last year I upgraded to Win 7 32. I just experienced a bad infection that has caused me to reinstall Win 7. My question is – can I go all the way back to vista and install the 64 version instead and then upgrade to Win 7 64?
I have the original disk from Gateway (32/64) in the original sleeve with some numbers on it, that’s all I was given with the PC, plus I have the original Win 7 upgrade disks in 32 & 64.Your instructable on Vista indicates that I should be able to do that. Am I wrong?Thanks for any help you can provide. First - thanks - works a treat. I've refurbished an older lap top with no recovery disks and a second hand hard drive and it runs like a dream now.Only issue I had was using the hotkeys and enter to open CMD as administrator.
Formatting Windows Vista And Installing Windows Xp Free
On my 'host' machine it opens with restricted rights so it confused me for a moment (got it right third time). But all I did was click on the start globe, type cmd in the search box and CMD comes up as the first result. Right click on it and select 'run as administrator' and it's no longer an issue.Thanks again.