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How to make a DVD of that student-only Windows 7 you bought for $29.99
To start with, make sure your downloaded Windows 7 files (the 'expandedSetup' directory) is unzipped into C:\ -- it'll make things easier later.
1. Download this tool -- alternatively you can obtain the official pack from Microsoft, but that's a whole darn gigabyte.
2. Unzip and move oscdimg.exe to your System32 directory (likely to be C:\Windows\System32)
3. Open an elevated command prompt. In Vista you do this by typing 'cmd' into your 'Start Menu' and hitting ctrl+shift+enter. In XP, just type 'cmd' into the Run dialogue (Windows Key+R or from your Start Menu).
4. Type (or copy and paste) the following into your command prompt (this will vary a little, depending on where you've put your expandedSetup folder):
oscdimg.exe -u2 -b"C:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com" -h "C:\expandedSetup" C:\WIN7.ISO
5. Ta'da! You've got a burnable ISO!
All you need to finish the job is a good burning application like ImgBurn, CDBurnerXP, or InfraRecorder. For this particular task I'd recommend ImgBurn - then just right click the ISO file and start the burn from your context menu. Or launch ImgBurn and choose "write image file to disc" -- your choice!
No DVD burner? If you have a 4GB USB flash drive handy, check out this app!
Big thanks to Brian Wasylkoski, who was kind enough to let me harass him while he went through this process at the University of Manitoba. --Lee.
Comments
134
Subscribe to commentsRickyOct 23rd 2009 4:18AM
This looks pretty straightforward but I'm having some trouble getting started. I have 3 files. The first is called "Win7-HP-Retail-en-us-x86" and the others are "setup1.box" and "setup2.box. Not sure where the "expandedSetup directory" the article refers to is.
Sebastian AnthonyOct 23rd 2009 7:36AM
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/10/23/how-to-create-and-make-bootable-windows-7-iso-from-exe-plus-setup1-box-and-setup2-box-files/
This seems to cover it -- though I can't promise anything :)
DaxOct 23rd 2009 2:14PM
Ricky you need to 2click Win7-HP-Retail-en-us-x86 first and wait for it to get unpacked, then you will see expandedSetup.
MangOct 23rd 2009 6:57AM
when i run through these steps i keep getting
error: could not delete existing file "ubC:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com"
error 123: the filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
and my file is placed at C:\expandedSetup
anyone know what the problem is?
Sebastian AnthonyOct 23rd 2009 7:37AM
You might have the same issue as the guy above -- did you extract the original three files? (I linked a guide above, might help.)
Or maybe you typed the command wrong?
MangOct 23rd 2009 3:23PM
i figured it out. i used a different command line i found on a windows 7 forum and it worked just fine.
oscdimg -bC:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com -h -u2 -m -lWIN_EN_DVD C:\expandedSetup\ C:\7.iso
Jeff ROct 23rd 2009 7:31PM
I had the same problem, make sure there are no spaces in the folder name that you have your files in. I had mine labeled "Windows 7" and I got the errors, I changed it to 'Windows7" and edited the string i put in the cmd prompt and it works!
HunterA3Oct 23rd 2009 8:19AM
I'm getting the same thing as Mang. I think the arguments are causing the issue. Perhaps it's because he's using the RC of Windows 7 already? I suspect that's my problem.
Sebastian AnthonyOct 23rd 2009 8:39AM
Could be that you do in fact need the Windows 7 version of oscdimg, as linked by someone else further up? That would suck though, as that pack is 1.4GB...!
PX1000Oct 23rd 2009 10:05AM
With a burnable ISO, will I be able to do a clean install of Windows 7?
LeftyOct 23rd 2009 11:22AM
Having problems getting this to go. I've tried every method in each guide that has been posted. But still a no go. Depending on the guide I get a different error. With the one on downloadsquad I get the 123 error, "couldn't delete etfsboot.exe.
I have already upgraded to the released windows 7, but kept all the files I downloaded. Have the expandedsetup folder in C:. Downloaded both files. Will have to download the 1.7 gig iso from micro to get it going?
THanks
LeftyOct 23rd 2009 12:34PM
It has to be something to do with Windows 7. Copied all the files over to the XP machine and used the guide and commands on http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/aedb1245-f8f9-42ec-9a0c-1aa932363bbb and it worked.
aps3001Oct 23rd 2009 12:27PM
Same here...have tried every method in this chain...I'm running Windows 7 Release Candidate and trying to make the ISO using Win 7 Pro 64 bit. Keep getting the same error as Mang
error: could not delete existing file "ubC:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com"
error 123: the filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect
Tried the 1.7 GB official pack from Windows as well...didn't work.
Might be worth telling DigitalRiver that they NEED to post ISO's....enough requests and they might even respond!
aps3001Oct 23rd 2009 12:34PM
Guys ...got it workling for Win 7 RC!!
1. As in the post, paste oscdimg.exe to your System32 directory
2. Make sure your expandedsetup folder is in C:
3. Use
Oscdimg.exe -u2 -bC:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com -h C:\expandedSetup C:\Win7.iso
You have an ISO!
Sebastian AnthonyOct 23rd 2009 12:35PM
Hooray!
LeftyOct 23rd 2009 12:37PM
I get an error.
Can not open boot sector file etfsboot.com
and error 2:
can not find specified file.
LeftyOct 23rd 2009 12:42PM
Ahh got it going. Unpacked everything again.
Went to start typed in run and hit clt+shift+enter copied and pasted
Oscdimg.exe -u2 -bC:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com -h C:\expandedSetup C:\Win7.iso
like you said and got it going!
Thanks!
Sebastian AnthonyOct 23rd 2009 12:44PM
Yeah, the elevation thing can be a bit tricky -- you can also add 'cmd' to your Start menu, and right click->run as administrator (I tihnk).
XP's a bit more convenient for things like this -- but apparently less secure... (though that's another topic for another time... :)
William McLendonDec 10th 2009 4:23PM
Well I did the same thing and said it was creating the iso but after it said final image file is how ever many bytes and then says finished but I look in my c drive and there is no win7.iso file there what is the deal ?
grasshopperOct 23rd 2009 1:16PM
I am about to sign up for the download. I want 32-bit now, but I think I will want to upgrade to 64-bit in a month or two. I know I'm allowed to do that, but apparently the download is for one or the other only. Instead of getting the DVD (which I assume will have both versions), can I download 32-bit now, then use someone else's 64-bit with my key later? Is there a better/simpler way?
Thanks.