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I have a new computer which I built from scratch and I am trying to install a copy of Windows Vista on it. I am able to get to the BIOS and change the boot options which are as follows..

-Built-in EFI Shell -SATA: ST31000528AS

I have searched around for and everything I find says to boot from the CD rom. However, as you can see. That is not an option for me.

So I am wondering if there is another way around this? Is it possible to boot the Disk from the EFI Shell?

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

EDIT:

I have tried this.. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744321%28v=ws.10%29.aspx

UPDATE:

I managed to make my USB bootable via the BIOS and I have copied my windows Vista disk onto my USB via drag and drop. However I am still not able to get the windows install to start. Also I have tried booting it from the EFI shell using the following command..

blk6:
blk6:\> \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI

Still no luck..

SOLVED:

I wasn't ever able to boot using a DVD. So I ended up downloading a Windows 7 ISO and creating a bootable USB using this: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

Suggested by Karan... Thanks everyone for the help.

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Can you not boot from the USB? If you can then its the fastest way to install the Windows. – avirk Sep 27 '12 at 2:47
@avirk Yes I can.. I just copied my windows Vista Disk to a USB drive. I am booting using the USB, but no luck yet.. Still just a blinking cursor.. – japanFour Sep 27 '12 at 2:49
Which tool you have used to make it bootable? – avirk Sep 27 '12 at 2:49
I just dragged the files on to the USB stick. And then switch the boot order in the BIOS. Also I tried to boot if using EFI – japanFour Sep 27 '12 at 2:54
No you have to use the tool to make it bootable like WintoFlash or yumi. Just drag and drop will not make USB bootable. Also set the USB on the highest priority in the boot menu from the BIOS settings. – avirk Sep 27 '12 at 2:56
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1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote accepted

This TechNet article should help: Installing Windows to an EFI-Based Computer

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I have tried that with no luck.. I will post my error – japanFour Sep 27 '12 at 0:34
When trying that I get this error .. '\EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file – japanFour Sep 27 '12 at 0:37
Did you switch to the DVD drive first? As mentioned in the article, you need to first switch to Fs0: or whatever your DVD drive is, then issue the \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI command. If you don't know your DVD drive, try the map command and check the output - it should display the device mapping table. Also, have you tried booting via USB? Does inserting a USB drive and then entering the BIOS add to the boot options list? – Karan Sep 27 '12 at 0:40
I haven't tried USB. I am trying to use a Windows Vista CD.. I am assuming the disk drive doesn't show up as an option because there are no drivers installed.. Or is that a false assumption? – japanFour Sep 27 '12 at 0:40
Ok, try the map command first and see what it has to say. – Karan Sep 27 '12 at 0:43
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