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    Quick Windows/No CD Drive question

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by DruePhoenix, Nov 6, 2011.

  1. DruePhoenix

    DruePhoenix Notebook Consultant

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    So I'm looking to prrrobably get a Sager without an optical drive, BUT some resellers do not preinstall Windows. Is my best bet to just get a cheap 25 dollar USB cd/dvd drive? Will it even work when I plug it in with no Windows?

    :confused:
     
    DruePhoenix, Nov 6, 2011
    #1
  2. Anthony@MALIBAL

    Anthony@MALIBAL Company Representative

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    What did you need it for? If you just want to install Windows, you can use a flash drive to do so. Follow this technet article to install from a flash drive:

    Use a USB Key to Install Windows 7?Even on a Netbook

    You can buy an external drive if you want, Windows will boot to it like any USB device (assuming you use the non-USB 3.0 ports)
     
    Anthony@MALIBAL, Nov 6, 2011
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  3. ownasaur

    ownasaur Notebook Consultant

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    ownasaur, Nov 6, 2011
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  4. MechanizedPug

    MechanizedPug Notebook Enthusiast

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    MechanizedPug, Nov 7, 2011
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  5. b0b1man

    b0b1man Notebook Deity

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    I have bought my SAMSUNG S084F USB drive just for that reason. Man, I love it. Its light, its small, its reliable, its fast, its cheap, looks sexy and its external!!! That means, get an extension cable, put it in my drawer, no sound to be heard of. Taking it with me when i re-install windowses on my friends' PCs (their opticals are all messed up), can use it with any netbook I want...

    Just get one.
     
    b0b1man, Nov 7, 2011
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  6. DruePhoenix

    DruePhoenix Notebook Consultant

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    So basically when I get my Windows Serial number, I can download it on my old laptop, pop it on that drive, and boot up the new "blank" lappy and install?

    Seems simple enough.

    I guess I need to buy a little USB drive

    unless a large External HDD would work! XD
     
    DruePhoenix, Nov 7, 2011
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  7. J.P.@XoticPC

    J.P.@XoticPC Company Representative

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    J.P.@XoticPC, Nov 7, 2011
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  8. Anthony@MALIBAL

    Anthony@MALIBAL Company Representative

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    Essentially, yep. You can use a full size external HDD, but you have to format it during turning it into a bootable installer. If you have a blank one or don't mind backing everything up to do a Windows install, then it should work fine. Otherwise, any 4GB flash drive should do the trick.
     
    Anthony@MALIBAL, Nov 7, 2011
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  9. DruePhoenix

    DruePhoenix Notebook Consultant

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    OK so my Malibal just arrived and I'm too excited to think straight.

    Could someone help me with a couple step by step bits, from where/what specifically to download and put on my usb drive, and then how to use that to boot/install onto my "blank" notebook?
     
    DruePhoenix, Nov 16, 2011
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  10. Anthony@MALIBAL

    Anthony@MALIBAL Company Representative

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    Ok, so you'll need another computer to do this on first. Get your Windows disk image ISO (or use the link provided by JP and get one). Go to the link below to download and run the Microsoft USB creator tool:

    http://images2.store.microsoft.com/prod/clustera/framework/w7udt/1.0/en-us/Windows7-USB-DVD-tool.exe

    Plug in a 4GB flash drive (or larger). Run the tool and follow the steps, provide it with your image. It will create a bootable disk.

    When done, plug the USB into your new machine (use one of the non USB 3.0 slots- aka, one of the ones that isn't blue). Turn on the machine and press F7 as it's booting. You should get a choice of what you want to boot from- choose the USB drive. From there, you just need to follow the Windows setup prompts.
     
    Anthony@MALIBAL, Nov 16, 2011
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  11. DruePhoenix

    DruePhoenix Notebook Consultant

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    Okay, seems simple enough. Oh I am excessively excited about this new computer :)
     
    DruePhoenix, Nov 16, 2011
    #11