Zotac Z Box

AMDX23800+ · 13 Nov 2010 at 13:06

Hi,
Just got a Z Box, but for some reason never realised when ordering it that it wouldnt come with a cd/dvd drive...

How can I install windows onto it?

I tried putting all the contents of my windows 7 cd onto a memory card and putting the memory into the Z box, then booting, but it doesn't seem to boot up the windows installation properly :S.

Any ideas on how I can do it? will i have to buy an external dvd drive?

Thanks

Cookeh · 13 Nov 2010 at 13:13

Issue with external DVD-Drive is that most need software installed

AMDX23800+ · 13 Nov 2010 at 13:15

how can i do it then?

i thought it would boot from the memory card :S

Cookeh · 13 Nov 2010 at 13:18

I would have thought so too.
Im not familiar with the Z-Box, but is there a an e-SATA port? Could hook up a standard DVD drive to that, set it to primary boot device and then you *should* be able to install an OS.

mrteabag · 13 Nov 2010 at 13:40

Do you have a usb stick around ?
Link

AMDX23800+ · 13 Nov 2010 at 15:20

Yes it has an e-sata port, but i dont have a drive lying around, and how would i power the drive?

I dont have a usb stick but have a memory card?

That tool seems to use the ISO?
problem there is that my image is not ISO, its UTF

AMDX23800+ · 13 Nov 2010 at 15:32

It's weird...the memory card comes up in the boot menu but it doesn't load up the installation screen for some reason :S.

I swapped the hard drive into my laptop, installed windows 7 from the cd, then swapped the hard drive back, and it gets to the start up screen where it's loading up and then a blue screen comes up and the computer turns off, and the startup recovery thing fails to repair it automatically

AMDX23800+ · 13 Nov 2010 at 15:48

Also, it says CMOS Checksum Bad at the BIOS startup,and I have to hit F2 to continue :S, any ideas?

Cookeh · 13 Nov 2010 at 15:53

Lemme see.
Use the one from your current PC

Power it off PC of off main PC.

Anewbe4u · 13 Nov 2010 at 16:09

Google how to install Windows from a Memory stick or get an external Dvd drive?

Just seen you don't have a stick, ah.

AMDX23800+ · 13 Nov 2010 at 16:40

My current PC has IDE drives :'(
(its been a while since i upgraded!) aha

AMDX23800+ · 13 Nov 2010 at 16:41

I can borrow a memory stick to try it?

I just have a feeling it's gonna do the same as the memory card does :/

AMDX23800+ · 20 Nov 2010 at 14:27

Used a program to format the memory card into a bootable disk in the end, then copied the windows 7 disk onto it!
WOrked

However im still getting the CMOS Checksum Bad error, how can I solve this?

Cookeh · 20 Nov 2010 at 15:20

Good to hear.
And no idea, Im not big on CMOS issues!

RJC · 20 Nov 2010 at 15:21

Does the date and time need resetting when this appears, wonder if the CMOS back-up battery is flat.

MeatLoaf · 20 Nov 2010 at 15:38

Cookeh said:
Issue with external DVD-Drive is that most need software installed

Nah, plug in extermal USB DVD drive and choose it as the boot drive

MeatLoaf · 20 Nov 2010 at 15:39

AMDX23800+ said:
My current PC has IDE drives :'(
(its been a while since i upgraded!) aha

Get a cheapo 5.25 enclosure for it and hook it up to usb

AMDX23800+ · 21 Nov 2010 at 23:33

Windows is sorted now lads, via memory card!

just trying to get rid of the cmos error :S

naa date and time are fine :S

EniGmA1981 · 22 Nov 2010 at 05:43

Date and time wouldn't reset with a flat battery unless the mains was switched off too would they?

Try that, power off, unplug from the mains, press the power button to discharge any residual juice in the psu, wait about a minute then plug in and power on and go straight into the bios.

If it's forgotten the date etc then you need a new battery

RJC · 22 Nov 2010 at 08:25

EniGmA1981 said:
Date and time wouldn't reset with a flat battery unless the mains was switched off too would they?

Usually does, as far as I am aware Windows looks at the BIOS for the time ect, then it can update through the web.