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Need help installing windows from USB, PLEASE!!

Natel689
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Hi all, I'm in need of some help. I'll start with a little backstory (I'll try to keep it short) and then tell you what's going on.

So, my HDD in my desktop took a dive (ironically after updating windows, I was still on 7 at the time). Well I went out and bought a new SSD and installed it in my PC. 
Well, the biggest issue for me is how to get windows on this. I don't like the idea of the sites that sell them for $20 and taking a risk on having them crash after a month or so. 
I did find out that my college offers them through Dreamspark for free though. However, they only offer:

Windows Embedded Standard 7
And
Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro with Update

I decided to go with 8.1 after finding out that 7 isn't able to upgrade to windows 10. And because I was not figuring out how to download them and install them correctly from Dreamspark.
So I went to YouTube (of course) and was happy to see that Linus had a video through NCIX Tech Tip for installing 8.1 on a USB drive and thought that I should be able to follow those instructions and since dreamspark gave me a key code I would just be able to use that.

So here's the problem: Without the USB inserted, I get "Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot deice and press a key" (photo attached below, 2nd one). So, I turn the power off, insert the USB and then turn it back on. I went into the BIOS and selected to boot from the USB and then I get a blank screen with an underscore character blinking repeatedly (photo attached below, 1st one). I have tried hitting every key on the keyboard during this and I have even left it like that overnight while I slept to see if it just needed time but nothing has worked.

I really need my PC working again as I start a very busy next 8 weeks this Tuesday. (new job and 3 accelerated summer courses).

I REALLY appreciate any help you can give me!

THANKS SO MUCH!


Pic2.jpgPic1.jpg

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You can upgrade to windows 10 from 7, so I don't know where you heard that you can't.

 

One other place you can look is the microsoft software swap on reddit (google it) for cheaper windows OS keys including for windows 10.

 

Also, you can install your original OS since all you've changed is the hard drive and that isn't going to void the product key.

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Right but I don't know the product key since I haven't gotten it pulled from the corrupted HDD yet. I will be taking that in and another old HDD that I want to salvage and transfer to an external HDD but I can't do that for a little while. 

And this is where I found that I can't update from it (from Microsoft directly). Maybe it's because it's an Embedded Standard 7?

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/commercialize/service/mobile/upgrade-windows-embedded-devices-to-windows-10?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

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Do you still have your old HDD?

Yes, then plug that back in. pound F8 and head into repair. Go to system restore and restore before you ran the update. Better yet, go back a few days earlier, Let the restore do its job and restart when finish. If it's successful, you'll head back into Windows. Now, check and make sure your Win7 is activated, if yes, then download the Windows 10 setup tool and download the correct ISO edition of Windows 10 for your OS. Once done, mount and run setup. Let it run and when it's all done, do a data migration from HDD to SSD, by using the included SSD migration software.

Windows embedded isn't for everyday use, they're designed for Kiosk or ATMs.

 

 

 

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15 minutes ago, NumLock21 said:

Windows update should not physically destroy the HDD. Unplug SSD and just plug in HDD.

I have done that. I unplugged it and tried plugging it back in and I still get the same results. It says "S.M.A.R.T status bad" and will not let me go any further. I can't do anything to get past it.

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40 minutes ago, Natel689 said:

I have done that. I unplugged it and tried plugging it back in and I still get the same results. It says "S.M.A.R.T status bad" and will not let me go any further. I can't do anything to get past it.

OK, so your HDD is dying. It should let you bypass by pressing F1

 

 

 

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1 minute ago, Natel689 said:

That's what I thought but I've tried and it won't let me. I've tried hitting every single key on the keyboard and it wouldn't work.

Try boot override or temporary disable HDD SMART.

 

 

 

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