"Operating system not found" Windows 7 message on start up

[DaHotFuzz]

I get this message starting up on one of my computers. I checked the BIOS, the harddrive is detected. So I know that's not the issue. Don't have any clue what's going on.

The only thing I can think of is that I installed Windows 7 Ultimate onto it from a friend's CD but I doubt that could have something to do with it...

Any suggestions?

[Vox]

Has it ever started up? Try the startup repair via the CD
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/products/features/startup-repair

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Vox:

Has it ever started up? Try the startup repair via the CD
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/products/features/startup-repair

I forgot to mention that I do not have the CD presently...

[Vox]

http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/
Download the one you need, if start up repair doesn't work, then format and start again. These ISOs will still require a valid cd-key.

Or you can use this site http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Vox:

http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/
Download the one you need, if start up repair doesn't work, then format and start again. These ISOs will still require a valid cd-key.

Alright, but how can I tell which one I need? The only thing I know for certain is it's Windows 7 Ultimate. I don't know which to choose.

Also, how big of a CD do I need?

[DaHotFuzz]

This sucks because I do not have the CD-key either.

[Vox]

The one that says
en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso
(Assuming you run 64bit)

If you don't have a cd-key you'll need to buy one, although you can still install for 30days grace period.

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Vox:

The one that says
en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso
(Assuming you run 64bit)

Can it be a USB? I'm assuming not.

[Vox]

You can use USB with this tool after downloading the ISO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Vox:

You can use USB with this tool after downloading the ISO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

Alright, thank you for the quick and helpful response. I'm going to try this and see where it goes. Will update as soon as possible.

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Vox:

You can use USB with this tool after downloading the ISO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

Just ran into a little issue. After clicking download on the ISO it says

"There is no subscription associated with your Microsoft account. Add a subscription to this account."

[Vox]

The ISO doesn't require a Microsoft account, it's a P2P download via torrent, the USB tool doesn't require an account either.

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Vox:

The ISO doesn't require a Microsoft account, it's a P2P download via torrent, the USB tool doesn't require an account either.

Okay, so I should just get uTorrent then do it?

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Vox:

The ISO doesn't require a Microsoft account, it's a P2P download via torrent, the USB tool doesn't require an account either.

I inserted the USB in the computer and it got to the part where it says "Windows is loading files..." then a black screen appeared with a larger than average cursor on it. The screen appears stuck. Do I have to let it wait or did I do something wrong?

[_I_]

in bios, make sure the boot order is set to the correct hdd/ssd first

[DaHotFuzz]

Opprinnelig skrevet av _I_:

in bios, make sure the boot order is set to the correct hdd/ssd first

If I'm booting from an external device (USB), then I should have external device as #1 correct? Does it matter what #2 and 3 are?