I feel that the time is coming that I need to refresh my Windows OS install. Perhaps on my kids' computers as well, so I am going to be proactive and get it set up in advance, while everything is working properly.
The clear consensus is that a USB procedure is preferable, but it has never worked successfully for me. As I remember, I usually get partially through the process, maybe even 99.9% there, and receive an error message like: "Something is screwed up and I am giving up. Buh-bye"
Can someone point me to the cleanest and most reliable procedure, preferably one that you have personally used successfully?
Google search produces a hodge-podge of results that do not give me confidence.
I have a couple of good, large, empty USB drives and valid Windows 7 discs.
Theoretically, I would also like to know how to do Windows XP, 98, 3.1, etc, in case I get around to building my retro rig.
I also have DOS 6.22 and a couple of external USB 3.5" floppy drives, if I ever get that far!
[WTB][WTT] Does anybody have a working beige 5.25" floppy drive that they don't want any more?
Lastly, I have had similar troubles with Ubuntu Linux. In the past, I have had successful, long-term dual-boot Windows/Ubuntu setups which I enjoyed and appreciated, but after my last upgrade from XP to 7, I have not had an installation last more than a few days/weeks before becoming corrupted except on my laptop. I have a clean, tested, dedicated hard drive (albeit an older, smaller one that I removed from regular service) on which to install the OS.
Thanks for your help, and pointing me in the right direction.