Installation error: "CD/DVD drive device driver is missing."

No, the ISO was fine.  I followed the instructions you gave me to create  the ISO, but it still didn't work.

I've learned that the only way for me to install Windows 7 on my system would be the following:

Remove the hard drive and put it into a different computer that had an internal optical drive (or install an internal optical drive on the new system, but... I digress).

Once in a different computer, I could install it from disk, and when it asked me to reboot the system, I would simply turn the system off, then plug the hard drive into the new computer.  Let the new system boot, and viola... Windows 7.

This methodology was described to me by my systems guy at work, who just did the same thing (with the same problems) last week.

I... however... was in too big of a hurry and went ahead and bought a copy of Windows 10 instead (which installed perfectly).

Anyone want a copy of Windows 7?

Phillip

It is likely possible the .ISO file is corrupt.

One thing you could try before downloading another copy of Windows 7 is use the following to create a bootable copy:

If your computer is UEFI based, these are normally systems that come pre-loaded with Windows 8 or later, you will need to prepare the ISO file for such a configuration or you will receive an error message during setup. The thumbdrive needs to be formatted as FAT32 and use the GPT partitioning scheme. To do this, you need to use Rufus, a small tool you can download for free.

Rufus - credit: Pete Batard/Akeo

After you have installed Rufus:

• Launch it
• Select ISO Image
• Point to the Windows 10 ISO file
• Check off Create a bootable disk using
• Select GPT partitioning for EUFI firmware as the Partition scheme
• Choose FAT32 NOT NTFS as the File system
• Make sure your USB thumbdrive in the Device list box
• Click Start
• Close when complete

Hi Philip , have a nice day..!

You cannot install Windows from the ISO file by directly copy it to USB.

U must copy the ISO file to USB by using  some Tools

Pl. Follow the following steps 2 solve ur problem then let me know.

1. Using ur old computer download & install  Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.

            https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

2.  Copy the ISO file into ur old computer

3.  Double click Windows USB/DVD Download Tool icon[ it wil b on  ur desktop]

4.  In the SOURCE FILE box, type the name and path of your Windows ISO file, or click             BROWSE and select the file from the OPEN dialog box. Click NEXT.
5. Select USB DEVICE to create a copy on a USB flash drive .

 6. select your USB device in the drop-down list and click BEGIN COPYING.

7. When your Windows ISO file is copied to your USB drive, now u can plug it into ur new computer then u can install.

[in ur new computer’s system setup make first boot device as USB & second as hard drive ]

Good Luck..!

How did you format the flash stick?

If you didn't use the Media Creation Tool  to automate formatting the stick then I'd do it over.

For a UEFI BIOS the stick must be booted as a UEFI Device.  Delete all partitions to clear the disk.

I used all of Microsoft's tools and have explored every thread related to this issue online.

I believe the issue is that my computer simply does not allow me to install Windows 7 (without quite a bit of time-consuming hacking of the process...).

In the interest of time, I purchased and downloaded Windows 10 and am now using that on my new system.  

This means:  I have wasted my money on Window 7, and I will likely not be able to use some of the necessary programs for work.

Yay!  Microsoft!

Phillip