A required CD/DVD device driver is missing, usb installation

Anonymous
2011-05-22T12:56:14+00:00

I'm trying to install windows 7 on my freshly built pc by using a usb device (no cd drive as of yet). I followed this guide to do this: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/.

Whenever I try and boot the device on my new computer I get the "cd/dvd device driver missing..." error and a box for me to select drivers. I have tried changing the boot order in the BIOS but to no avail and I wanted to  change my sata ahci mode  but I couldn't find this option (american microtrends v1.6 bios).

I'd really appreciate it if somebody could help me solve this issue.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2011-05-22T14:58:26+00:00

Ok, I've actually solved this myself via the help of a thread on tom's hardware. I'll post it here for anyone else struggling with the same issue:

OK now is the truth. This is the solution.

I assume all of you is using USB drive to install.

When Windows is asking for driver, just click Cancel. You will be brought back to the welcome screen. At the welcome screen, remove your USB drive, insert it back to DIFFERENT USB PORT. Click Install Now again. The installation process will be like usual.

This problem happened to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to remain its detection to the USB drive. It lost the connection, and became confused, don't know where to find the USB drive it used to read before.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer will detect the USB drive back, and continue like usual.

Good luck and cheers! TQ.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-07T20:44:23+00:00

    A required CD/DVD device driver is missing, usb installation

    Good ideas but switching the USB port didn't work for me. I was trying to load an ISO image direct from MS from a 16Gb USB stick, which had been created using Microsoft's own Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool.

    After much messing around I managed to get the install to continue. I had a driver CD from the manufacturer of the laptop I was using (Novatech 2310) and it turns out I needed to load the USB drivers and nothing to do with the disk subsystem. Unfortunately I was not able to just select the CD and let the Windows install sort it out for me (no loading of drivers from subdirectories). I had to dig down the directory tree of the CD and try about 10-12 individual  device drivers one at a time for various IDE, SATA, system board and other system drivers before I loaded the USB drivers and the install continued (much to my relief!)

    Now as for having a meaningful error message...

    CD/DVD driver missing? Well it was able to browse the CD and boot from it.

    The ISO could also be burned to DVD and the DVD would boot without issue.

    Perhaps this was occurring because my USB stick was connected to a USB3 port that required drivers for Windows install to see it properly?

    Oh well, sorted now... thanks for the tips and pointers.

    EDIT for clarity - The USB ports on this laptop are USB3 - I'm sure that's where the problem lies as there are no suitable USB3 drivers in the Windows ISO build disk?

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-10-06T07:41:13+00:00

    THANKS!..I've been struggling with this for hours.

    NOTICE:

    I was able to use this trick with an external CD/DVD drive on a Netbook.  It was one of those with a Y USB connection(2 on one end and one on the other).  I just switched the two and it seems to be working.

    Thanks again for the post.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-05T14:49:47+00:00

    This method works perfectly. When you press cancel and it does not go to the welcome screen, click the exit button at the top right hand corner and  it will take you to the welcome screen. Then you can switch usb ports and it should work.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-10-02T16:19:39+00:00

    It worked, second try. I had to try two different usb ports to go! Funny microsoft :)

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