Step 1: Format the Drive The steps here are to use the command line to format the disk properly using the diskpart utility. [Be warned: this will erase everything on your drive. Be careful.] • Plug in your USB Flash Drive • Open a command prompt as administrator (Right click on Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator” • Find the drive number of your USB Drive by typing the following into the Command Prompt window: diskpart list disk The number of your USB drive will listed.

You’ll need this for the next step. I’ll assume that the USB flash drive is disk 1. • Format the drive by typing the next instructions into the same window. Replace the number “1” with the number of your disk below. Select disk 1 clean create partition primary select partition 1 active format fs=NTFS assign exit When that is done you’ll have a formatted USB flash drive ready to be made bootable. Step 2: Make the Drive Bootable Next we’ll use the bootsect utility that comes on the Vista or Windows 7 disk to make the flash drive bootable.

I downloded the usb_boot_prep_xp.zip, and I was probably to extract with the password techrena.net, but it comes back with error: “CRC failed in the encrypted file usb_prep8 PeToUSB.ini. Corrupt file or wrong password.”. Scribd is the world's largest social reading and publishing site.

In the same command window that you were using in Step 1: • Insert your Windows Vista / 7 DVD into your drive. • Change directory to the DVD’s boot directory where bootsect lives: d: cd d: boot • Use bootsect to set the USB as a bootable NTFS drive prepared for a Vista/7 image. I’m assuming that your USB flash drive has been labeled disk G: by the computer: bootsect /nt60 g: • You can now close the command prompt window, we’re done here. I got thru step 1 with one small problem – in 'create partition primary' you have to add size=3800 (which would be 3.8GB) or whatever is right for your stick. Without 'size' you get an error.

But step 2 does not work at all. The cd command does not seem to do anything, at least there is no reaction.

Refresh and try again. Stealth Marketing Warren Buffett and the Business of Life. Jay abraham.

The bootsect or bootsect.exe produces an error 'bootsect.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.' I am puzzled because this is a completely legal command. So I am stuck.

Any push would be appreciated. Dark Prince, I would suggest you run the 64bit in a virtual partition. Install VirtualBox (I found this to be the best performing) on your Vista. You can install W7 directly from the downloaded ISO file – takes 35 minutes (no need for a DVD or USB). Performance is very good (I allocated 1.4GB of my 3GBRAM to the virtual partition) and you can switch between W7 and Vista with 1 click.

You just have to give Superfetch a few minutes to reorder it's files for Vista after you started VirtualBox. That's why I keep the virtual partition running all day because once the system settles down, performance is good on both sides (host and guest).. I want to put both Win7 plus all my other apps and files on a Data Traveler 100 USB stick for travel. In this case would I format a bootable partition for Win7 and a separate partition for my apps/files? Can I use Disk Management utility to do the partition/format, then follow above steps to make the Win7 partiton bootable?

I am told that multiple O.S. Can be stored and booted from same USB with a boot manager, but I don't think I need that since I just want Win7 plus my apps/files so two partitions should be fine – one bootable, one not. NTFS format both?. I want to put both Win7 plus all my other apps and files on a Data Traveler 100 USB stick for travel. In this case would I format a bootable partition for Win7 and a separate partition for my apps/files? Can I use Disk Management utility to do the partition/format, then follow above steps to make the Win7 partiton bootable?

I am told that multiple O.S. Can be stored and booted from same USB with a boot manager, but I don't think I need that since I just want Win7 plus my apps/files so two partitions should be fine – one bootable, one not. NTFS format both?. Also remember that you need to enable boot from USB drive in your BIOS. This can be tricky since an old BIOS may not be ready to recognize USB, so check for BIOS updates (try your manufacturers support page for your computer via 1)serial or 2)model; at Intel downloads you can check using your motherboard model; get motherboard and BIO's ID and version numbers using Belarc Advisor freeware. Also tricky is that many bios view flash USB as a hard drive, so you may need to look at your hard drive listings under Boot tab in BIOS to see if it recognizes your flash there. If so, set it as first boot, or look in the temporary F10 settings (on some mobos) which let you choose boot-up devices on a one-time basis..