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I followed the instructions here, but
format fs=fat32 quick
did not work, it gave the following error:
Virtual Disk Service error:
The volume size is too big.
So I then tried just format quick which worked.
Now, will I be able to install Windows 7 properly if I copy the root contents of the Windows 7 install disc to this external drive and then boot off of it?
Gjon
Posted 2011-07-31T09:54:04.620
Reputation: 143
12
There is a fairly easy way to install Windows 7 from an external hard drive, and it takes less then 10 minutes to set up. You also don't need to switch to FAT32 to use this method.
First, format your disk as NTFS (quick format is fine, default sector size). Then, extract your Windows 7 disc/ISO to the hard drive. There is a utility included on the Windows 7 disc which allows you to mark the drive as bootable, located in the boot folder.
Once you're there, run BOOTSECT /NT60 X:, where X: is the letter of the external hard drive. Once that's done, you can just plug the drive into your computer, and you should be able to boot from it. Just FYI, the BOOTSECT tool updates the MBR for that drive's partition.
Alternatively, you could also just run the following command (from a command prompt or from the Run dialog, WinKey + R):
X:\boot\BOOTSECT /NT60 X:
Where, again, X: is the drive letter of your external hard drive. Once this is done, the hard drive has been marked as bootable, and if you try to boot your computer from it, the Windows 7 installation will be launched.
The reason they use FAT32 in that Technet article you posted is because those instructions were for a USB key. You can follow the DISKPART part of that guide to get your partitions prepared and setup, but do ensure that you format the drive using NTFS.
Breakthrough
Posted 2011-07-31T09:54:04.620
Reputation: 32 927
1
I'd check to make sure that the fs on the USB HDD is fat32. If it is, than you should have no problem continueing. If it isn't though, I'd suggest re-partitioning it into a smaller chunk and only using that bit (make sure it's boot flag is set).
Tarek Fadel
Posted 2011-07-31T09:54:04.620
Reputation: 435
1
I found how to boot Windows 7 on an external hard drive by using a program called PWBoot.
All you have to do is install Windows Vista or Windows 7 by connecting the drive on ata or ide. Then, after the installation is over, you boot into Windows and install the program PWBoot. From that moment on, your hard drive will be able to boot from a USB.
locoloco
Posted 2011-07-31T09:54:04.620
Reputation: 11
(1) If you’re going to recommend a third-party product, you should include contact information (e.g., a web site). (2) I don’t understand. The question asks, “How can I install Windows 7…?”, and the first step of your answer is “All you have to do is install Windows Vista or Windows 7…” Chicken? Egg? – Scott – 2013-03-27T22:26:25.527
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I think you may be running into a problem that dates back for 20 years: Having a FAT32 boot partition larger than 4GB. I can't say for Windows 7 since I don't use FAT32 any more, but it never worked up through Windows NT and Windows 2000.
They broke that limit with Windows 2000, however the setup program still was bound by it.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/138364
Those instructions look to me like they chose to format it as FAT32 due to the fact that many flash drives only work with FAT32. If you chose NTFS, my guess is that it should work for you.
KCotreau
Posted 2011-07-31T09:54:04.620
Reputation: 24 985
0
The problem you are having is that you cannot create a FAT32 drive larger than 32 GB within Windows. Windows versions since XP no longer support the creation of FAT32 partitions that are larger than 32GB. See this question which gives a couple of options on creating the partition and the Microsoft site which details the issue.
You either need to get a USB memory stick that is less than 32GB, repartition the external hard drive so that the first partition is less than 32GB or use some other tool to create the FAT32 partition (a Linux LiveCD or something).
The format quick option is likely formatting the drive as NTFS, see Breakthroughs answer for how to install using NTFS.
Mokubai
Posted 2011-07-31T09:54:04.620
Reputation: 64 434
This need be done in a cmd of administrator otherwise it fails with the following error: "Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects" – kroiz – 2013-01-04T21:16:27.433
You must also mark the external hard drive as active in order to boot from it. Otherwise the file 'Boot/BCD' will be unreadable and you'll get an error '0xc0000225.'
– Griffin – 2013-10-30T04:42:12.077I get the error
This tool can only be run on systems booted using a PC/AT BIOS. This system was booted using EFI or some other firmware type.when running the commandBOOTSECT /NT60 X:– ThreaT – 2014-06-01T18:09:07.493@ThreaT interesting, I assume then you have a UEFI computer and are using UEFI? EFI-based disks don't have an MBR, which is exactly what BOOTSECT adds - this question explains it in detail. To actually set the MBR in your case, you might want to use a different OS (like a USB key with Linux on it, and then create the startup disk from Linux), or possibly use a VM. Thanks for the heads up, let me know if and how you end up getting around the issue.
– Breakthrough – 2014-06-02T01:12:20.333