Possible to install W7 from a flat?

[johnhc]

Some time ago, I ran across an article about installing Windows from a flat (HDD). Since I am running XP x64 and W7 x64 on two different partitions on the same machine, can I simply start (from my XP x64 System) Setup from the set of W7 files/folders and install it on the on another partition? Thanks for any comments. Enjoy, John.

Edited July 7, 2010 by johnhc

[cluberti]

Yes, you can copy the contents of the DVD to a HDD and run setup.exe from there. I would recommend using a USB key or the DVD if you can, but if you need to install from another partition (as long as the partition holding the extracted Win7 media isn't the destination partition you're attempting to install to), yes, you can do this.

[johnhc]

Yes, you can copy the contents of the DVD to a HDD and run setup.exe from there. I would recommend using a USB key or the DVD if you can, but if you need to install from another partition (as long as the partition holding the extracted Win7 media isn't the destination partition you're attempting to install to), yes, you can do this.

cluberti, thanks for your reply. Since I am doing most of my W7 preperation on my XP x64 system, I think it would be faster for me to just install from there. I will not be installing to the same partition as I am running on - figured that was a no-no. This saves me the trouble of creating an ISO and writing a DVD or USB and it should be faster. Thanks, John

[johnhc]

Today, I tried an install from my XP x64 running system by double clicking the Setup.exe file in my W7 folder (install from a flat). A window opened and copied some files then a dialog asking if I wanted to check compatibility or install. I clicked Install Now and quickly got the attached error message. Setup could not find out about my HDDs. Since all are under a RAID controller (RAID 5), I suspect a boot driver problem. I checked (using dism /Get-Drivers) and found the RAID drivers in the boot.wim (Index 2) and the Install.wim (Index 4, Ultimate). There are no OEM drivers in the boot.wim (Index 1). Do I need to inject my RAID drivers into Index 1 of boot.wim? Any other ideas on this error? Thanks, John.

[grabben]

Possible to create a installpartition on the systemdrive and being able to boot it ?

Copy the dvd to a lets say 2.7 GB partition and whenever i want to.. be able to boot the setup:)

[grabben]

Today, I tried an install from my XP x64 running system by double clicking the Setup.exe file in my W7 folder (install from a flat). A window opened and copied some files then a dialog asking if I wanted to check compatibility or install. I clicked Install Now and quickly got the attached error message. Setup could not find out about my HDDs. Since all are under a RAID controller (RAID 5), I suspect a boot driver problem. I checked (using dism /Get-Drivers) and found the RAID drivers in the boot.wim (Index 2) and the Install.wim (Index 4, Ultimate). There are no OEM drivers in the boot.wim (Index 1). Do I need to inject my RAID drivers into Index 1 of boot.wim? Any other ideas on this error? Thanks, John.

No i dont think you should have to inject drivers to Boot #1 since setup is Boot #2.. But hey im not sure since im pretty new to all this:).

Inject RAID Drivers for your motherboard into Boot #2 and see if that works.

[johnhc]

No i dont think you should have to inject drivers to Boot #1 since setup is Boot #2.. But hey im not sure since im pretty new to all this:).

Inject RAID Drivers for your motherboard into Boot #2 and see if that works.

grabben, thanks for your reply. I do have my RAID drivers injected into the boot #2 and install #4 images. I have done an install on HW (from DVD) before some time ago, but have changed much since then (but should not have changed drivers). This my first try from a flat. When it failed, I tried from a USB stick and DVD. They both failed with a BSOD (too fast to see code) on the first restart after Setup copied and expanded files. My image installs and runs fine on VMware Player, so I have some work to do to discover what is wrong. I do believe my flat install problem (screen shot above) is separate from my BSOD problem. I think boot #1 is the WinPE image and am wondering if it needs the RAID drivers to find my HDDs for a flat install. Thanks, John.

EDIT: Just finished another install on VMware Player with the latest ISO and all is fine. That probably means it is a driver problem since drivers are not tested under VM.

EDIT: Found solution via Google: "Virtual Disk Service" must be running. Mine was Disabled on my XP x64. Now Setup tells me that I need a driver (please see image). I have it injected into boot #2 and install #4 - will try boot #1.

Edited June 26, 2010 by johnhc

[johnhc]

After starting over with a fresh copy of the DVD files/folders, I was able to install from a USB stick. All other files (AutoUnattend.xml, $OEM$, etc) remained the same. When I tried from a flat, I got the same problem as shown in my last reply. Setup does not find my RAID driver even though I injected it into the boot.wim (#2). I also received a request to accept the license terms. It looks like it is not seeing my AutoUnattend (<AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>). I clearly do not understand something basic and hope someone can help. Thanks, John.