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    Booting from USB drive

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by bigblackwolf, Jul 3, 2012.

  1. bigblackwolf

    bigblackwolf Notebook Enthusiast

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    As I not always have an external DVD drive with me, I wanted to make a bootable Windows installation or recovery on flash disk.
    First I thought about using the d-card reader, but that was not bootable.
    See my other post:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/674208-booting-sd-card.html

    As more people might be interested in booting from USB drive, I created a new post to describe my experience.
    I saw following websites describing the same procedure:
    USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create - Windows 7 Forums
    How Create a System Repair Disk in Windows 7 on a USB Drive

    However, this method did not work out for me. What worked is described here:
    How to create a Windows 7 System Recovery Disc or USB Drive – Free Computer Maintenance | Free PC Optimizer | Windows Optimizer | Speed Up Computer | Make Computer Faster | Senior Software
    Main difference is in step 8: copying a bootsect.exe file in the root directory.
    This was the only way for me to get a repair disc booting from USB drive.

    Anyone with the same experience or who can explain this?
     
    bigblackwolf, Jul 3, 2012
    #1
  2. BugOut Machine

    BugOut Machine Notebook Enthusiast

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    Nice tutorial!

    The purpose of that file is to modify the Master Boot Record. I have never needed it on my bootable media. A common issue that requires bootsect.exe is a result of people attempting to make a bootable USB on an x64 version of Windows and then trying to use it on an x86 system. I also read a strange thread refering to people being required to use bootsect.exe if they prepare the USB from a Digital River downloaded version of Windows. I have no idea why that would be the case though!
     
    BugOut Machine, Jul 5, 2012
    #2