Personal computing discussed
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ludi wrote:While there is certainly nothing wrong with using the USB installation method, I'm a little confused on why you would be sweating the type of USB drive over differences of a few minutes. Usually the only reason to try and get the fastest installation time possible, even if it involves buying a ridiculously expensive USB drive, is if you are a system builder who is processing multiple machines, or a tester who restores clean copies after every benchmark run.
riviera74 wrote:I have found a site that shows me how to put Windows 7 onto a USB flash drive so that I can install it on my new system faster than using a DVD. The question I have is this: which USB flash drive should I use? I am torn between using an 8GB USB 2.0 drive or going straight to an 8GB USB 3.0 drive. I will be using an Asus P8Z77-V motherboard, which should allow me to boot to a USB flash drive. If there are any particular USB flash drives you recommend, please list them here. Thank you in advance.
DPete27 wrote:3) If you happened to get an upgrade disc and you're installing it on a clean/new hard drive, follow these instructions.
Arvald wrote:DPete27 wrote:3) If you happened to get an upgrade disc and you're installing it on a clean/new hard drive, follow these instructions.
Much easier is to download a fresh copy of Win7 SP1 from Digital River. I don't have the link handy here but I have it at home. They let you download a copy that lets you do reinstalls from an "upgrade" disk.
Welch wrote:Such a shame too, imagine installing it from 3.0 off a drive capable of those speeds
DPete27 wrote:1) You don't need to do it in DOS command line. You can just use the Microsoft USB/DVD Tool which is much simpler.
2) Both USB2.0/3.0 are noticeably faster than using an optical disc, but the difference between USB2.0 and USB3.0 isn't much IMO. (Disclaimer: I never sit in front of the computer with a stop watch while installing Windows) You will need an Ivy Bridge processor to use USB3.0 speeds on install since Sandy doesn't have native USB3.0 support. I assume you've got an IVB CPU since you're using a Z77 mobo.
3) If you happened to get an upgrade disc and you're installing it on a clean/new hard drive, follow these instructions.
Arvald wrote:riviera74 wrote:I have found a site that shows me how to put Windows 7 onto a USB flash drive so that I can install it on my new system faster than using a DVD. The question I have is this: which USB flash drive should I use? I am torn between using an 8GB USB 2.0 drive or going straight to an 8GB USB 3.0 drive. I will be using an Asus P8Z77-V motherboard, which should allow me to boot to a USB flash drive. If there are any particular USB flash drives you recommend, please list them here. Thank you in advance.
USB 2.0... this is from experience with trying both. USB 3.0 support is not native out of the box, i had issues booting from the device and getting the install to complete. Your board is newer and may not have that issue, but until confirmed I'd stick to USB 2.0 unless you have time to experiment.
The install is fast still with USB 2.0
Brand of drive was not important, just stick to one with decent transfer rates.
DPete27 wrote:I worded that incorrectly. IIRC, your product key is what determines if it's an "upgrade copy." I have the SP1 disc images that you're talking about, but I still have to do this workaround because my product key is from an upgrade disc. Definetly go with an SP1 disc image though, it saves you the time having to Windows Update SP1.
Forge wrote:DPete27 wrote:1) You don't need to do it in DOS command line. You can just use the Microsoft USB/DVD Tool which is much simpler.
2) Both USB2.0/3.0 are noticeably faster than using an optical disc, but the difference between USB2.0 and USB3.0 isn't much IMO. (Disclaimer: I never sit in front of the computer with a stop watch while installing Windows) You will need an Ivy Bridge processor to use USB3.0 speeds on install since Sandy doesn't have native USB3.0 support. I assume you've got an IVB CPU since you're using a Z77 mobo.
3) If you happened to get an upgrade disc and you're installing it on a clean/new hard drive, follow these instructions.
You are confused. Ivy Bridge supports PCIE 3.0 on compatible mobos, Sandy Bridge provides only PCIE 2.0. USB 2.0 vs. 3.0 support does not care about CPU at all.
Arvald wrote:I only have upgrade keys I used to update from Vista and WinXP. I have had no issues with them. I did a PC about 2 months ago for a friend with an upgrade key.
DPete27 wrote:Arvald wrote:I only have upgrade keys I used to update from Vista and WinXP. I have had no issues with them. I did a PC about 2 months ago for a friend with an upgrade key.
Keyword "update from Vista and XP." That's what an upgrade disc is meant for. However, if you use that upgrade key on a brand new hard drive, you'd get the problems I was talking about and that link is how to get around it.
Ryu Connor wrote: