USB bootable Windows 7 ISO "non-system drive"

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Jack.Rabbit
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Joined: 9. Jun 2015, 18:02

USB bootable Windows 7 ISO "non-system drive"

Post by Jack.Rabbit »

I'm having trouble booting up virtualbox on my USB stick which has the Windows 7 64bit ISO. I'm getting a "Non-system disk press any key to reboot" after starting the virtual machine with the USB stick in the first boot slot.

(Macbook aluminum late 2008)

- I put the ISO onto the stick using the bootcamp wizard. (editing info file then replacing the original file after creating the iso)

- Then I created a windows 7 64 virtual drive profile using a youtube video (I'd put a link here but it won't allow me to post it)

- Next I created the virtual box boot file for the USB by following a guide provided by sysprobs (I'd put a link here but it won't allow me to post it)

And after booting, the virtual drive gives me the "non-system disk" message.

I can't create a DVD iso because my optical drive isn't working so USB seems to be my only option at this point.

Any suggestions?
Thanks guys!
noteirak
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Re: USB bootable Windows 7 ISO "non-system drive"

Post by noteirak »

Is the VM starting properly? do you see that error message in the VirtualBox window? If yes to both questions, seems like some specific config is required at bootcamp/osx level.
Not being knowledgable in both, I'll leave other help you further. A good first step would be to attach the zippped VM log & guest settings as described here.
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loukingjr
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Re: USB bootable Windows 7 ISO "non-system drive"

Post by loukingjr »

FWIW, the message "Non-system disk press any key to reboot" usually means someone tried to install Windows using an update disk as opposed to a full retail copy. Or you tried to image a Bootcamp partition that was on your Mac and it didn't go well. It sounds to me like you would have to try again. Go ahead and post the logs though as noteirak mentioned.
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Perryg
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Re: USB bootable Windows 7 ISO "non-system drive"

Post by Perryg »

I'm having trouble booting up virtualbox on my USB stick which has the Windows 7 64bit ISO
If we take the wording literally this would not be possible since VirtualBox can not boot USB by default.
ChipMcK
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Re: USB bootable Windows 7 ISO "non-system drive"

Post by ChipMcK »

Jack.Rabbit wrote:"Non-system disk press any key to reboot"
In the hey-day of DOS, that meant the disk/disc was not bootable - no boot sector present to initiate an Initial Program Load
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