How to: Install Vista from USB memorystick

1) Download the Drivers << - click me
2) Download WLAN driver that works << - Click me too!
3) Download VLite << - Click me three
4) Make a VLITE Vista (here is a guide: http://www.msfn.org/board/Tutorial-Buil ... 14957.html )
5) Insert your memory stick (4-8gb preferrably)
6) Format the memory stick to NTFS (use quick format, since we are lazy and dont bother with chkdisk)
7) Copy the VLite vista on to the memory stick
8) Press [windowsbutton] + [r] , so the run dialog opens. Enter "CMD" and press [enter] (no quotes around CMD of course!).
9) Now that you are in the command window, go to the memory stick.. Type f: , where f is your memorystick (you have to check this in "My Computer").
10) Enter the "boot" folder by typing "cd boot" [enter]
11) let's make a bootsector Type "bootsect /nt60 f:" [enter] << IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO THIS ON THE MEMORYSTICK AND NOT A WRONG DRIVE!

If you get an error on step 11, do it again like so:
bootsect /nt60 f: /force << IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO THIS ON THE MEMORYSTICK AND NOT A WRONG DRIVE!

Now your memorystick is as good as it gets.
So, let's copy over the drivers too.

12) Make a /src/ folder and extract the drivers there in logical folders.
eg. like /src/wlan , etc.

13) Reboot the Aspire One and enter the BIOS (F2).
14) Deactivate "D2D Recovery" under "Main".
15) Set it up to boot from your memorystick
16) Choose exit and "exit saving changes".

After you have installed Vista, you will have to:
* Deactivate search indexing
* Deactivate SWAP
* Deactivate visual themes (you dont have to, but I did it)
* Deactivate system restore

I would not do this mod without atleast 1Gb ram, preferrably 1.5Gb (incl onboard).
Why did I disable indexing, swap, etc? Well, SSD's have limited writing cycles....

One could also get a fast SD card and fit it in the left slot and enable swap for that card (so one never runs out of system memory).

 

LARGE NOTE!!!
I had to get the LAN (wired) drivers from windowsupdate, so it's important you have a WIFI network availible while doing this!!

 

Is it necessary to format to ntfs??

 

I used this. Really easy and automates most of the hard stuff

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=4900

 

Thanx for the guide! I've been walking around in the dark for a week about this!

 

This wont work on my AAO A150! My USB is on H: , but when i'm typing H: and then cd boot, it just says error! What to do?! Please help me!

 

you type this exactly as written
H:
[press enter]

now type
cd \boot

[press enter]

hoope that helps
Rory

 

Rory:

Thanks, but it does not work! WHY?!

 

When I boot to it my aa1 comes up with

(Ok, unable to post the odd characters.. they are like dollar signs, upside-down 'Y's etc, about 10-15 characters)

I press any key and it just boots like normal after that.

Any ideas why? Formattd to NTFS, follwed all the instructions to the letter, im pretty good with things like this and had help from some mates but no one knows what to do! :S

Thanks!

 

Ok, i went out and bought a new memory stick (was using ipod mini before) and thought it would work but now I get "invalid or damaged bootable partition". Wth? I duno what to do :S

EDIT: I tthought id add, althought after typign 'bootsect /nt60 f:' in CMD (using d: not f: in my case), command says it was succesful but the volume could not be locked. Not sure what that means?

 

I fixed it.. woo. Apparently my usb stick (Kingston DataTraveler 4gb, the one that slides) is not bootable. SO I gave up. But then by coincidence the same night I read something I thought was irrelivant but it worked.

So, for future referance, right clicked it in my computer > properties > hardware > properties > Policies > changed to optimized for performance and that was it!

 

isnt that only for winxp?? does it also work for vista?

 

I know it's and old thread, but if you experience problems.. Use the /force

eg: bootsect /nt60 x: /force

(where x: is your source and target drive!).
I am now currently making a new guide.. this guide includes step by step for converting the 8gb SSD AA1 to internal SATA 250gb hd and W7 .
Hope it all goes well, lol..