Hi Ilko



Yes that is the orphan file that is generated in C:\ I ran it again to confirm. I think when this happens, there is no migrate.inf on my USB. When I install using this USB I noticed the USB was getting drive letter E: (first available after C: and D: (2 hard drives)). I thought it should be U: but I didn't care as it seemed to work anyway (except for disappering files).

Now when I run WinSetupFromUSB from default C:\ the USB gets migrate.inf (with "\DosDevices\U:") in ~BT folder. In text mode the USB gets correct drive letter U: and everything appears to work as it should.

It's good to know this should be relatively easy to fix. Looking forward to v 0.2.

-QED

Frist at all, THX!!!!!!! is program is great.

But... i got a problem, (hd 0,0) /$win_nt$.~bt/setupldr.bin error 15: file not found

This message from after the choose the frist instalation option.

I see where is the problem, i got a unattended win xp instalation, with a $OEM$ folder and compressed drivers instalation in this folder, when the WinSetup program copy the files to usb in the folder $WIN_NT$.~BT is only 3 files: migrate.inf - rdummy.sy_ - WINNT.SIF and a subfolder system32 whitout no files in there, just the folder.

I solved the problem do it this, take a clear windows install version, in the Winsetup choose Fixed and Copy setup boot files only and then copy the $WIN_NT$.~BT to the installation with problem. Then boot right this way.

I see the problem, with a clear windows version, in the Winsetup choose Fixed and Copy setup boot files only the program copy 131 files, almost everything in the $WIN_NT$.~BT. In the unattended windows version, the WinSetup copy just 13 files, and the $WIN_NT$.~BT there is just 3 files (migrate.inf - rdummy.sy_ - WINNT.SIF) and 1 folder (system32 and this folder is empty)

Sorry for my english, i hope you understand me.

Hey there,

I decided to scrap the idea of installing XP on my external Sata HD. So instead of dual-booting I am installing XP on my internal HD only and removing my Vista installation.

I go to the first part and it shows me the partitions of my internal HD. Since it is a Dell I got 4 partitions shown(instead of the the 3 i had been using C,D,E). I think this is some reserved partition of only 55mb size. So XP installation assigns this C and my actual C drive where i want to install is given D. So I install on D and first part completes.

Now when i select the second part i am getting missing hal.dll error. I can find $winnt$.inf and hal.dll from Grubdos on (hd1,1) but the second part keeps giving the error.

Is this a problem because in WinSetupUSB i gave the bootini settings disk:0,partition:1 since i thought that would be my C drive. but in first part of XP setup there was that extra partition which was assigned C.

This is my boot.ini on my USB. From the FAQ it says to amend it but i dont know how as grub says hal.dll is in (hd1,1).

Thanks for reporting
Please let me have a look at the log files, the latest one is in WinSetupFromUSB\WinSetupFromUSB.log and the older ones are archived in WinSetupFromUSB\backup\$date$-$time$-log.cab
I would need all these log files. Please put them in a zip file and either upload it on a file sharing server such as http://www.mediafire.com/ , or attach it to your next post if size is small enough.
Please add DOSNET.INF from your unattended windows\I386 folder too, the problem is most likely in parsing it.


You should be using partition 2 in your case, no matter that the first partition is hidden, it's still partition 1 and windows goes on partition 2.
Forget about C,D etc., those are not number of partitions and are used rather for user's convenience, than describing exactly your partitioning.

Simply change partition(1) to partition(2) in both lines and "hd 0 part 1" to "hd 0 part 2".
BTW for grub4dos numbering partition numbers start from 0, so (hd1,1) means second hard disk (USB is first), second partition.
In Windows disk numbering starts from 0 too, but partition numbers from 1. harddisk1\partition2 means second hard disk, second partition. ARC path for that would be rdisk(1)partition(2).
If you hold the mouse over partition or disk boxes in the GUI part of this information is displayed.

Ya thanks. I got it working. So I am using XP now.

There is the file with the log's

Winsetup Log's

Winsetup log's Backup server




If you need something else, let me know

Thanks

It was another unforeseen contents of dosnet.inf, changed the procedure which is parsing it and now should be less sensitive to funny contents of directories section.
Please try this version, just download the file and place it in WinSetupFromUSB directory, use it to launch the program:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?hdmtejok5yt

Please let me know if everything works fine. Will include the update in 0.2.

BTW what version of nLite the source was prepared with?

The version of nlite is 1.4.9.1

And i test the program............you are THE BEST, problem solved, boot fine, works fine.

Now the challenge is.... install xp, from the usb stick to usb stick, i read this thing can do, but the method is so problematic and just i quit that, but i see you can do a program for that if you want do it, obviously.

And i think the program need a traslation, i you wanna i help you to translate to spanish.

Well one more time, THX!!!!! you are great!!

Well, NO.

The challenge has already been solved for Installing XP ON USB stick FROM another media.

It could work from USB stick to USB stick?

Why don't you simply try?

There are two distinct semi/fully automated methods, linked here:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...c=6110&st=5

Since you can translate to Spanish, most probably you can understand a bit of Italian, these pages might be of interest to you:
http://www.etechs.it/howto-installare-winxp-su-disco-usbphp/
http://www.etechs.it/installare-xp-su-usb-...no-reloadedphp/
http://www.etechs.it/installare-windows-xp...a-usb-di-nuovo/

jaclaz

P.S.:Please note that I learned just yesterday about the existance of the XP3SD program, so it is currently UNTESTED by me.

Hi Ilko, all,


Well, just to report that I did finally post there: Grub4DOS problems with P4P800 (Error 17), as I'd like to now boot an ISO from the USB key, which (only?) Grub4DOS seems to be able to do - however, mapping to (hd32) doesn't result with anything on the old Grub4DOS that I'm trying to use.. Other than that, so far I haven't experienced other problems with the older Grub4DOS (or WinSetupFromUSB in general)...

Thanks again for the great work !!

Hi! its me again

Well i got a little problem, i found a iso image with a multiboot system for a different windows version, like 98, ME, 2000, and Xp. Then i think maybe can integrate this iso multisystem, but i can't, the thing is the format of file boot it's not recognized by the program.

So, the question is, can be done with a new version of winsetup?

This is the tree directory of multisystem iso.

ISO IMAGE
-------------2PS4 (this is the files for the boot of win2000 Sp4)

-------------CDSH (this is the folder with the boot files of the iso multisystem)
---------------------CDSHELL.INI (this is the file for the boot of iso)

-------------PVS3(this is the folder for the boot of winxp sp3)

-------------SOURCES(this is the folder with the other win version like 95, 98, Me)

-------------TOOLS (this folder contains files with information like serial number)


I upload a file with the important folders, please checked and let me know if is possible, thanks!!

You should remove your links, please read board rules.

As for what you want to accomplish- the program already can put up to 10 different Windows 2000/2003/XP sources on the USB disk.
But you do need to run the program 10 times- giving path to each source you have.

If you want to stay on the safe side- use unmodified sources, or at least not like those, which were modified to fit all in a multi-boot DVD.

Links removed.

@yocarim

Be VERY, VERY aware of Rule #1:
http://www.msfn.org/board/Forum-Rules-Updated-Re-t18408.html


jaclaz

Whenever I start the program i get AutoIt error Line -1: Error: Variable must be of type "Object" it used to work then i redid my system(HDD died), and after the reinstall of xp sp3 i get this error. The log from winsetupusb is blank....

Check if Windows Management Instrumentation service is running. Enable it if it's disabled.
The programs makes a few WMI queries to obtain USB information.

wmi service is running, just checked....

Try if you can run this VBS script. It makes a list of your services and their status. Since it's using WMI as well, it may not start.
If it does start, please attach here C:\ServiceList\OnlyOnRequest\services.txt

If it does not start, hmm, maybe a screenshot of your services?

The only way I can reproduce this error on my side is to stop WMI service, however, there might be other dependent services or unregistered dll files- you may try dial-a-fix and re-register everything, it does not harm, although I'd prefer to find out why exactly WMI fails.

the script wont run, tried dial-a-fix and reregistered, still no go...guess i removed something in nlite thats needed....wmi is started and running....i cant start the wmi performance adapter service though

Yep.
Can you post your nLite settings, lastsession.ini?

here it is....and i thought i had it well tested in a VM....

Cannot spot anything. I wish I could help you...

edit: have look in event viewer if the are any errors, which might give a clue, if it's working.

thanks for the help....i guess i'll just have to remake my install and not take out so much in nlite

Hello,

I am n00b please forgive if stupid question... I did try searching here for answer but did not come up with anything. Please point me if I missed, thank you!

I am preparing a USB stick with WinSetupFromUSB with GUI 0.1.1, to install XP Home on an ASUS Eee PC 1000 which was pre-supplied with Linux. I have removed Linux and deleted all partitions on the SSD so it is ready now to accept XP Home.

I have followed all instructions in WinSetupFromUSB Readme.txt file (I believe) correctly, and have reached the finish without error message.

But now there is a pop-up box at the end which is confusing. (paraphrase) The pop-up box requests to leave the USB stick plugged in and to restart three times? I am not sure what that means. If I follow those instructions will it not try to install XP Home on my SOURCE (preparation) PC?

Does this message really mean to now unplug the USB stick from SOURCE PC, and to plug it in to the TARGET PC. Then boot to begin the install of XP from USB stick, and to follow the three restarts without unplugging it from the TARGET PC?

Again sorry if this is really stupid question but this prompt at the end of the preparation step has confused me.

Thank you very much for your patience and regards,

--appyface

Correct
It means when you connect USB disk to the target computer, you have to start from USB 3 times, apparently keeping the USB disk plugged in:
1. Text mode part of Setup
2. GUI mode part
3. First start of Windows

A few things which may help:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid...6715&page=2
http://www.nliteos.com/faq.html#Q26

Possible cause of the problem:
http://www.msfn.org/board/nLite-XP-Pro-sli...-S-t119487.html

Please let me know if there is a result.

Thanks for this! Ide controller failed on my server, no way to install windows, this got xp x64 installed perfectly. Wasn't sure if it would work with x64, but no problem! Faster than from cd or dvd too, I'm going to use usb install from now on.

Hi there...

Just tried WinSetupFromUSB and noticed I can't use my BartPE, as there is no folder "programs" but "Programme" as I'm using a german Source. The GUI denies to add this source to the Stick because of the wrong named folder

Thanks for the feedback
Keep in mind that with any versions different than XP i386 SP2 or SP3, Text mode setup will delete some of the compressed files and if you are doing a new install, you'd have to synchronize source files first, folders I386 and AMD64.


There is no support for now for non English versions. Rename temporarily Programme to Programs, let it copy everything to the USB disk, then rename that folder back to it's original name.
If Programme is the only difference I can make it in the next version, it's easy.

I saw that note about replacing files ect in the ls folder.. but I actually didn't have to do anything. When I ran it, I didn't see any warning messages. When it finished, I tried a qemu boot, it did all 3 boots, so I stuck it in my server and installed! I did change the 2nd entry in boot.ini to partition 0/0/0/1 from 0/0/1/1 but not sure if I needed to do that. Also on 3rd reboot I switched boot devices from the flash drive to hd and booted normally from my sata hd. It's a full install and working perfectly, I can't find any missing files ect. I may try it with vista next, I imagine I'll have to modify things there. Oh and this was a new install, what would I have to synchronize if I needed to? Files on the flash drive vs files in the source?

I was thinking along those same lines...maybe a problem with SP3 slipstream.....gonna dig out my orig. disk and slipstream manually and see what happens

that was it!! i manually slipstreamed sp3 and winsetupfromusb runs fine! thanks for all your help!

Deletion occurs during Text mode of setup, some of the compressed files. You may manually sync the folders- look at FAQ #5
http://www.msfn.org/board/FAQs-t116766.html

Alternatively you may want to use the program again- it will notice the present installation and ask you whether you want to delete it, sync it, or create a new source folders, renaming the old ones (and patching the necessary files against the new names). The latter is used to prepare up to 10 different Windows sources on the USB disk.




BTW- did you try to repair WMI first?

yeah i did and it didnt fix the problem

I think I've got it now. I haven't tried a 2nd install from the flash drive yet, so did not notice missing files. Now I understand I'll have to resynchronize the files before using it a 2nd time.

i'm using winsetupfromusb 0.1 Alpha and i'm getting the "Insert CD" error, can you please help me?

Use the latest version, this has been fixed...

I have been trying to add a .sif file to my USB without success. Am I correct in assuming the .sif file needs to be in the original iso before using winsetupfromusb? If so I will have to find a way to edit the iso image itself, unfortunately. Placing the .sif file in the USB created from winsetupfromusb doesn't seem to do anything even when I put it in the same folder as winnt.exe.

Any help would be appreciated!

valkyrie80, the program do not use ISO as a source, it uses directory on your hard disk, mounted ISO or a CD.

I guess you are using mounted in a virtual CD ISO file. You can extract the contents of this ISO to your hard disk and use this directory as a source.
As for the .sif file, I guess again you mean winnt.sif. You can amend it BEFORE using the program. Change it in the directory where you extracted the ISO file and then run the program.

If my guesses are not correct- please provide details, team's crystal ball is for repair and the taro cards set was stolen

ilko-

Thank you for the quick response. I can only guess that the boredom created by waiting for every question on this messageboard has contributed to your sarcastic demeanor. Fortunately, I found a solution with nlite and do not require further assistance.

You are welcome

As for the reason for the joke, which you did not take as such- it's the number of questions, surely not only here, asked without any details in a pretty confusing way, thus making the answering part to guess, ask further, apparently spending own time on that, interpret what the question could mean and so on.
Is it really hard to be informative when asking for help?

Thanks for the explanation, ilko, but the fact is that you did get enough information, you just didn't know how to use it. You act all confused about my mention of an ISO yet how else would I use an iso for these purposes other than to mount it? You then go further to act all confused about my mention of a sif file despite my added mention of winnt.exe. What other sif file could I mean that would have a relation to winnt.exe? If you don't know enough about a topic to answer the questions properly then don't bother. People will appreciate a well thought out answer more than a quick joke.

If you want to relate winnt.exe (correct is winnt32.exe for this environment), the file parsed is dosnet.inf.

winnt.sif is used by winnt32.exe only if /unattended:MyUnattendedFile.ext switch is used.

Since usb_prepare8.cmd (looong ago) winnt32.exe is not used at all.
Winnt.sif is expected on different locations depending what media Setup is performed from, for HD-like media in our case, it's read from ~BT folder.

Winnt.sif is read during (text mode) setup process first by setupldr.bin, next by setupdd.sys.
Winnt(32).exe does not play role at all, it's used only to prepare a hard disk so Setup can start with the text part, and is not used in any way during Text or GUI mode parts.
The .sif file, sitting next to winnt(32).exe is supposed to be dosnet.inf.

In my first reply I answered you accurately, guessing what you exactly mean, ignoring all the technical stuff you obviously don't know, did you miss these parts?

If you expected more, here it is- if you want to amend winnt.sif AFTER the program, then do so with the one in ~BT folder, but be careful not to delete the entries added already, as some of them are critical for the process. Do not add unattended section as well, another important part.
This is the reason I do not prefer winnt.sif to be touched after the program, unless one REALLY know what he/she is doing.

There are people, using directory with XP ISO file as source, complaining that it "doesn't work". After a few posts, it's now clear you are not among them.
There are experienced people, using other .sif file- txtsetup.sif to add drivers or even programs, which location on HD-like media install is confusing, it's now clear you are not among them.

Ask precisely- you'll get precise answers, don't let the other party guess, there could be number of possibilities, which you may not be aware of.
This is what people providing help would appreciate, a well thought out question leads to a precise answer, which is not time consuming at all:


Don't you like this better? Is it easier to answer, without a any guessing involved?

People will also appreciate a less aggressive way to address other members, and expecially when addressing developers that share their knowledge and programs and also spend their time helping members with the problems they may have.

For the record, ilko's joke is quite common, and derives from my "standard reply #32":
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=2587

jaclaz

USB Boot works fine and the Windows installation routine begins, but i cant select a harddrive where i want to install my win XP because windows installation didnt find any other harddrive then my usb stick. I opened grub commandline. root only gives me my USB Stick back. What can i do to fix this problem? Im using HP tx2650eg and integrated driver packages with nlite in my windows installation.

Pls help me and sorry for my bad english.

What drivers did you integrate?
Is any OS installed at the moment on it, Vista?
What exactly did you type in grub4dos command prompt? It should be root ( followed by TAB key.
Do you have in BIOS option for SATA mode- native, IDE compatible or AHCI off?

TACHE!!! I wish more people would take more time with their messages and critique them. It would make for far less interpretation and make it WAY MORE convenient to respond. Instead of having to guess what it is that people are requesting (and/or saying). I really try hard to make my messages readable so others can read them and understand WHAT is being said. I go so far as to reread my messages at least twice (if not a bunch more times like especially when I am tired) for readability, because I really have bad English and I know this. So I take the extra time to critique my messages, I even go so far as to use WORD or some other word processor. I just wish other people would give the same courtesy to others especially when it comes to requesting advice from those who VOLUNTEER their time.

----------------------

Now for another matter, is there some way to add a user developed script to the WinSetupFromUSB program so as to include other files and folders outside of the usual &OEM&, COMPONENTS, I386, etc., etc; that the program (WinSetupFromUSB) uses to make the bootable USB? Because I am having a problem of knowing when the $WIN_NT$.~LS renames to WIN_NT.LS and back again. This tends to make for messy scripts to try to compensate and impossible in certain conditions like when I have multiple reboots to install drivers and access scripts from the USB, during the GUI (user account phase, I don't know what this is called but it would be during the RunOnceEx phase). Cause I have noticed that this folder ($WIN_NT$.~LS) changes at certain times during the install and has broken my scripts on a number of occasions. Anyway the only cure I see is being able to add this user generated script so that other folders and/or files can be added to the bootable USB on an alternate directory that is outside of the usual directories (like $WIN_NT$.~LS and $WIN_NT$.~BS) that is created on the bootable USB.

Thanks so much for your time,

Craig

PS. Oh btw, I forgot to mention that I am still installing XP SP 3 onto a Vista Machine (XP being the secondary OS on an ulternate partition).

@Cooldown

Which Windows Operating System and Service Pack are you installing with your integrated drivers? I agree with Iko_T more information is needed, before an answer can be perscribed.

Hi. I made boot-able my transcend 8gb usb pen drive. I formatted it as FAT32. I tried to install my windows xp professional service pack2, but it works only at the first step. It doesn’t permit me to complete the installation with the 2nd and 3d step. I choose 2nd and 3d step when it boots from the usb pen drive, but it begin the installation again. Some suggest pls.
Thanks!

This guide is really cool...

though i made some changes on it..... like i edited the WINNT.sif

i deleted most all of of the unattended configurations ..cause it bypass some steps of installations... and also deleted the $OEM$ cause the configuration is not good.. so i decide to not include it....

and one more thing....

why in my boot.ini show 4 OS menus:



maybe there's something wrong on. binifix4.cmd

Hi,

Have a look at this post, it's a summary what actually is happening:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...st&p=797585

~BT and ~LS folders are renamed at T-9, the last possible place before end of GUI mode. They are renamed back upon first login.
You can put any script, using the various options you have BEFORE SetupParams (T-9), when ~LS/~BT names are intact. You may also add your script or launch it by ren_fold.cmd, before the renaming occurs. Or use presetup.cmd if that early stage suits you.
If you need to launch a script during first logon, you can add it to undoren.cmd or make it launch by the same, after the renaming part in it.
In all scripts USB drive letter is already found for you.

http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/13/

If I add our stuff, the timeline would look like:

»Text-mode Setup

1. Loads Drivers
2. Copies files required for Setup to the Hard Disk
3. Copies the contents of your $OEM$ folders to the Hard Disk <--- this is done by presetup.cmd because we have to remove unattended section in winnt.sif
4. Reboots the PC...

» GUI-mode Setup

0. Presetup.cmd is launched
1. DetachedProgram executes from winnt.sif at T-39 stage
2. Installs Devices
3. Installs Network
4. Installs Start Menu Items
5. Registers Components
6. svcpack.inf executes at T-13 minute stage
7. cmdlines.txt executes at T-12 minute stage
8. SetupParams executes from winnt.sif at T-9 minute stage <----ren_fold.cmd is launched renaming ~BT and ~LS in order to avoid 10.
9. Saves Settings
10. Deletes temporary files then reboots...

» First Logon

1. Windows logs you in and loads personal settings
2. Both GUIRunOnce from winnt.sif and RunOnceEX executes at the same time <----undoren.cmd is launched to rename back ~BT and ~LS folders
3. Desktop and Taskbar loads

Note: What presetup.cmd does:
1) merges the removed unattended section from winnt.sif to \windows\system32\$winnt$.inf
2) If oempreinstall=1 is found in winnt.sif, copies $oem$ folders
3) If OemPnPDriversPath is found spdrvscn32/64.exe is launched to add those paths in registry, details
4) launches binifix.cmd to fix boot.ini on the target hard disk from rdisk(Z) to rdisk(Z-1)

In vers. 0.2, which is nearly ready, ~BT and ~LS folders will not be renamed anymore, instead, $winnt$.inf is changed by binifix.cmd to msdosinitiated=0 thus at T-1 Setup does not delete ~LS and ~BT folders and we do not need to rename them to avoid that.
0.2 was delayed until figure out how to amend $winnt$.inf on x64 windows from 32bit environment, but luckily this is now resolved with the help of this excellent info:
http://blogs.sepago.de/nicholas/2008/03/13...on-windows-x64/

I hope knowing more how all this works, will let you add whatever you want to the USB stick.

Can you post your menu.lst and winsetup.lst in root of the USB disk?
As I get it you select Second part of setup, but actually the first part (Text mode) is launched instead, right?


The program does not add anything extra to winnt.sif, except a few required lines. If you used the earlier versions- they use unattended.txt if found in your I386 folder AND if winnt.sif was not found.
The program does not add anything to $OEM$ as well, it's copied unmodified from your source.
As for the boot.ini- if you do a few installations one after another, Setup reads the existing boot.ini and add it's contents to the new boot.ini, hence the duplicate lines.
The last line is to be able to perform repair install from USB or Recovery console if started from USB to be able to see your installation. Without it neither will happen.

Sorry if this has already been answered, but I can run WinSetupFromUSB multiple times to get multiple XP editions on 1 USB drive, correct?