USB install fails on T60 (win7 or vista)

[insomniac59]

I have a T60 with xp-pro that I've been using to attempt installing windows 7 from USB. I haven't bought a retail version yet, but have downloaded the win7 enterprise 90 day trial (both 32 and 64 bit).

The question of why - I know it has a DVD drive and the install works fine from there if I burn the iso files to disc. But the USB install fails at the infamous "cd/dvd drive device driver missing".

Then I tried copying my vista upgrade disk to usb which I got when I bought the T60. Again the usb fails at the missing driver error, while installing from the DVD works fine.

I don't need to install from USB, I'm just annoyed that it doesn't work. I've read that it could be a corrupted iso file, but this happens with both downloaded iso's and the vista upgrade DVD.

Is this a flakey flash drive? I only have one 4gb drive so I'd have to buy another to test that theory. Is it a T60 thing?

[billp117]

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=86878

Try this...it should fix your problem.

[insomniac59]

Thanks for the response - unfortunately that's the method I've been using to prep the usb drive and it doesn't work for my machine. It does boot...just doesn't get very far into the install process before it complains about the missing driver.

[tourist.Tam]

I had the same issue with installing W7 x86 on a X60 (missing driver):

Create twice the USB image on two different USB stick of over 4 Go each - failed;
Tried to use all the different USB ports - failed;
Tried to 3 different method to create the USB image - failed;
Tried another DVD image of W7 - failed;
Got another techy mate to check the process - failed;
Tried to install from the same USB image on two different Laptop (one Dell and one HP, both about a couple of years old and already running W7 x64 version) - success;
Tried to boot the machine and install via the network - failed;
Tried to install the x64 bit version - failed on the same error;

After about 36 strait hours of /preping/testing/installing I managed to install W7 via .... the DVD, the same disc I used to create the USB image.

Just for the sake of validating your stick you could try the install on another machine (if you have this opportunity).

I have not been able to conclude much from the experience, other than the simplest solution is probably the best solution, but as Les Shadoks put it: 'Why do simple when one can do complicated? XD

Tam

PS: Couple of link which I have used to understand what needed to be done in order to get the USB image: How To: Install Windows 7 from a USB Key! from maximumpc.com and How To Boot And Install Windows 7 From USB Flash Drive (using MBRWizard) from maketecheasier.com

[insomniac59]

Thanks Tam....relieved to hear I'm not the only one.

Interestingly, I've never had a problem before experimenting with live linux usb drives created with unetbootin on my T60.

[billp117]

My suggested solution requires Vista or Windows 7 to prep the thumb drive.

Sorry...I believe it will not work with XP.

[insomniac59]

Yes, I am using a windows 7 computer for the diskpart method (i'm aware flash drives don't appear in xp's diskpart). I have used the microsoft tool as well.

I have solved my problem by purchasing a different 4gb drive. The PNY drive I bought yesterday will run the install to completion. The one I couldn't get to work was a Sandisk Cruzer (Not a Cruzer Micro, which I've had good luck with but can't find any locally in 4gb).