How do I completely reset everything and install windows?

[3bbb7]

In drive options, it'll show all of those (as it lists all found partitions), though it won't have the labels (not like it matters in this case since you'll wipe 'em all).

It's safe to erase all of them, of course this will remove the automatic recovery options, but if you want a fresh, clean install that's part of the point.

After wiping, when you install Windows, as part of the installation process it'll rewrite the bootloader and do all the other technical junk needed for it to boot.

The only real concern is saving a copy of the driver installer for your internet method (wired/onboard/LAN, wireless, etc.) so after wiping you can get internet access in order to redownload what you need.

hey Im having some issues getting the usb installer working.

I use Universal USB installer and it installs great. I plug it into my laptop and hold shift and restart windows 8. This takes me to the blue menu with the option of launching from USB.
But with windows on the USB there is no option to boot from USB
However when I use the same program, universal usb installer to put mint on the usb it shows up perfectly fine. The option is there and it boots perfect.

I know the usb with windows installation on it is working , because I put it in my other computer and it loads up great. (windows 7 computer) It wont show on my windows 8 laptop though.......

I dont have a CD that can support a 3gb iso.
Can I use EasyBCD and put the ISO on the launch menu or something so then when I boot up i can go to windows 7 installer and then erase all my partitions? or will that not work

 

[Rydian]

I've never used any method other than CD/DVD for installing Windows.

 

[3bbb7]

I've never used any method other than CD/DVD for installing Windows.

ok im going to try putting it on my external harddrive and use easybcd to boot it from there.
Idk why windows doesnt detect the usb on launch

 

[Lacius]

I'm a little confused as to what you're trying to do. If you're trying to install Windows 7 using a bootable USB drive, you need to go into your BIOS settings to set your USB as #1 on your list of devices to boot from. Then when you reboot, it'll launch your bootable USB Windows installation drive instead of going to your hard drive.

 

[The Riolu]

You still want Windows?
You can use PlayOnLinux and Steam to play games on Linux, but hey, its what you prefer after all

Windows installs their generic drivers; as for actual manufacturer drivers, you can use the ones from the company that made your computer, or install the actual drivers according to which sound card/chipset/graphics card/etc. (that's more stable)

 

[3bbb7]

I'm a little confused as to what you're trying to do. If you're trying to install Windows 7 using a bootable USB drive, you need to go into your BIOS settings to set your USB as #1 on your list of devices to boot from. Then when you reboot, it'll launch your bootable USB Windows installation drive instead of going to your hard drive.

I did that but theres like 3 different usb settings. I put USB HDD on top, it still booted to windows 8
And boot from usb the windows 8 option works fine with linux mint on the USB, just not windows for some reason

 

[3bbb7]

You still want Windows?
You can use PlayOnLinux and Steam to play games on Linux, but hey, its what you prefer after all

Windows installs their generic drivers; as for actual manufacturer drivers, you can use the ones from the company that made your computer, or install the actual drivers according to which sound card/chipset/graphics card/etc. (that's more stable)

I dont want windows really. I'm only getting it for the game support. Like more games you can play than on linux. idk I barely even play games, I just really want to have it in case I need to use a program on windows. How fast would XP or Windows 7 run in vmware on linux using like photoshop or sony vegas?

 

[Lacius]

You're being ambiguous in how you're describing your problem. If you're trying to install Windows 7 onto a computer using a bootable flash drive, then you need to create a bootable Windows 7 USB flash drive following these simple instructions. Once you're done, you should be able to plug in your bootable flash drive and boot into it on a reboot. Then you can install Windows 7.

 

[3bbb7]

You're being ambiguous in how you're describing your problem. If you're trying to install Windows 7 onto a computer using a bootable flash drive, then you need to create a bootable Windows 7 USB flash drive following these simple instructions. Once you're done, you should be able to plug in your bootable flash drive and boot into it on a reboot. Then you can install Windows 7.

I have a bootable usb flashdrive with windows 7 on it. I know it works because I have tested it on my old computer (already running windows 7) and the installation comes up. But Windows 8 doesnt even adknowledge that the USB is in my computer when I try to boot it.

 

[3bbb7]

I will just end up installing linux right now. I dont need windows now. Plus I have windows 7 on another computer so if its reallllly necessary I can use that.
How easy is it to install windows dual boot w/ linux already installed? or just use vmware

 

[The Riolu]

I will just end up installing linux right now. I dont need windows now. Plus I have windows 7 on another computer so if its reallllly necessary I can use that.
How easy is it to install windows dual boot w/ linux already installed? or just use vmware

Install VirtualBox on Linux so you can use Windows.

 

[pokefloote]

I will just end up installing linux right now. I dont need windows now. Plus I have windows 7 on another computer so if its reallllly necessary I can use that.
How easy is it to install windows dual boot w/ linux already installed? or just use vmware

I had the same problem with my current laptop. It came with Windows 8, I wanted to wipe that and install Windows 7, but it wouldn't boot into a USB or even the DVD options.

See if there is some kind of "Safe Boot" option in the BIOS, and turn it off. That was preventing me from installing another OS, and after I disabled it, I was able to see the other bootable options that weren't listed before. There's some name for the setup (was it UEFI?) that uses 4 or 5 partitions for one OS, and then there's legacy which usually uses one, with a recovery partion on the side. Disabling safe boot will enable legacy installations, which is what you need for most Windows installations.

Of course it could be called something different than Safe Boot in your BIOS, I'm running a Samsung machine.

edit: I think this was already resolved in another thread in this section. Oh well, it's there if anyone else needs to know.

 

[3bbb7]

I had the same problem with my current laptop. It came with Windows 8, I wanted to wipe that and install Windows 7, but it wouldn't boot into a USB or even the DVD options.

See if there is some kind of "Safe Boot" option in the BIOS, and turn it off. That was preventing me from installing another OS, and after I disabled it, I was able to see the other bootable options that weren't listed before. There's some name for the setup (was it UEFI?) that uses 4 or 5 partitions for one OS, and then there's legacy which usually uses one, with a recovery partion on the side. Disabling safe boot will enable legacy installations, which is what you need for most Windows installations.

Of course it could be called something different than Safe Boot in your BIOS, I'm running a Samsung machine.

edit: I think this was already resolved in another thread in this section. Oh well, it's there if anyone else needs to know.

I solved my issue, and it was disabling UEFI. I went into bios settings and turned it off.