The "making-the-stick-part" seems to go just fine. However, when I put in in the computer I want to install onto, it goes straight to the second part, and the second part does not work; it immediately error-messages me. I've tried all the options available from boot.ini. I've also tested it on a second computer, and the same thing happens. What might be the cause of this?

What version of the program did you use?

Using 0.2.2 on WinXpProSp3. I'm using the HP format-option by the way, and a 2GB stick.

Please attach WinSetupFromUSB.log file, found in program directory.

Here it is. Had to compress it.

From what I see you have selected to prepare Recovery Console/Boot files only.
In this case you should be going to first part directly. What's the error message you are getting?

Check in folder BACKUP. Compress all CAB files into a zip archive and upload it here.

See my previous post. I prepared to USB for a full installation and uploaded the logfile.

It seems grub4dos MBR is present, but for some reason is failing to launch grldr, which is grub4dos loader.

Open up command prompt, CD to \winsetupfromusb\files\grub4dos\

and type:

Do you recognize your USB stick by its size? If not- change hd2 to hd1. When you recognize your USB stick issue:

replacing hd(2 with whatever number you found your USB stick at.
Please post the output of the last command and check if stick boots fine now.

I had to put in 3 instead of 2; that made it work. Windows now installed. One file was missing from the installation, but it worked just fine anyways. I'm at work right now, so I can't post the output, but your feedback was what it took, though. Thanks.

it happened to me too

but i did it with 2

its installing so far, thanks

Here is 0.2.3-test version:
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-e5aef115.html

Ok I did this and all I get from the first output is:


So I changed (hd2) to (hd1) and then (hd3) and I still get the same.

I also tried the new test version you just posted and I get it with that too....

Please attach with your next post WinSetupFromUSB.log file, found in program's directory.
What type/model is your USB stick?
What operating system are you running all this under?

PNY Mini Attache 16GB
Windows 7 x64

Did you open CMD with admin rights when you issued the command above?

Try formatting in NTFS, unplug any unnecessary USB disks and do not plug them until you finish preparing your USB stick.
If still no luck- try the version below:
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-ec54f0ab.html

C:\Users\Matt\Desktop\WinSetupUSB\files\grub4dos>grubinst -v (hd1,0)
Start sector: 0x3F
Image type: NTFS
Install mode
grubinst: Write error

EDIT: Having had a look around the forums here I found this thread:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=133164

But I still have problems....I put them in that thread.

1. When using command prompt and every other tool mentioned below open it with administrator rights. Do you know how?
2. Null the first sectors on the USB:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...st&p=852517
3. Unplug and replug your USB stick after every write operation, using safely remove hardware icon
4. Format USB stick manually in NTFS using HPUSBFW.EXE in \WinSetupFromUSB\files\tools\. Keep in mind about admin rights.
5. Replug USB stick.
6. Close any windows explorer instances opened and any other program which may be accessing the USB stick. Disable antivirus program if you have such.
7. In CMD go to \WinSetupFromUSB\files\grub4dos\
8. Type replacing H: with the drive letter of the USB stick
9. Immediately after that issue assuming you have only 1 internal hard disk and no other USB disks plugged in.
10. If you see "write error" run fsutil again and grubinst right after it.
11. If still no luck- run fsutil again, but after it put grub4dos MBR-
12. If you succeed run WinSetupFromUSB (the test version above) and check only these 2 options:
-syslinux boot sector (ignore the warning about syslinux and NTFS)
-test in QEMU
13. Do you see grub4dos command prompt in QEMU?
14 If yes- close QEMU and put XP setup files or whatever you wanted to put on the USB stick. You should be good to go.

Will try that and report back...thank...back soon...

Greetings again. I tried installing to another machine; a HP Mini Note 2133 (2GB-version). It went slowly (FAT32) but surely (~100min) and Windows got installed just fine without errors. However, I cannot boot the installation without booting it through the stick. I've tried recovery console from the stick, logging onto the installed windows, then using fixmbr and fixboot, but to no avail. I have three partitions on the disk, one blank, one with xp and one backup-partition preinstalled from HP. In windows, the windows-partition is marked as "boot" and "system." Any ideas? And yes, I've changed the boot-sequence in bios back to internal hard drive.

@$hitblast

Quick comparison of speed- Fat32 vs FAT16 vs NTFS:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=125116

About booting- post a screenshot of Disk Management console showing all partitions. If my guess is right your Windows partition is logical, whereas it should be primary and set active.

Ok back with a report.....




IT WORKS!!!!!

I zeroed the flash drive as posted above and did everything in that thread. Thanks ilko_t

Yes, it just needed to be made active. It now works. Thanks alot ilko.

Happy both of you made it

Yes. Props to you, ilko.

Indeed...thanks for all your help. I now carry my flash drive around with me with all the versions of Windows on.