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Install from USB After Booting with WIM or VHD


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Go direct to new description including Windows 10

Install Windows 10 from USB After Booting with WIM or VHDX

https://msfn.org/board/topic/121446-install-from-usb-after-booting-with-pe/?do=findComment&comment=1155026

 

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Install of XP or Windows 7 from USB After Booting with 7 PE and

by using WinNTSetup2_x86.exe and Setup ISO file in Virtual drive


0. Use BOOT_USB.exe to prepare USB or HDD drive for booting with Grub4dos Menu and using 7 PE Boot Image file
- Info BOOT_USB - http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=24424
- Info Make_PE3 - http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=23931
1. Boot from USB or HDD with 7 PE loaded in RAMDISK - use Grub4dos Boot Menu and 7pe_x86_E.iso Boot Image file
2. Use R-mouse to Mount Windows Setup ISO in ImDisk virtual drive
- If needed first Install ImDisk driver by running imdiskinst.exe (also available in makebt folder)
3. Quick Format TargetDrive - use NTFS FileSystem
4. Run WinNTSetup2_x86.exe and prepare Target drive for Install of XP or Windows 7
Thanks to JFX - http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/149612-winntsetup-v2/
5. Reboot from Target Drive and Install XP or Windows 7

Instead of 7 PE you can use any other way of booting that allows you to Format and prepare your Target Drive.
You might decide e.g. to boot with Portable Windows XP IMG or with Windows 7 VHD from USB
In any case you can use WinNTSetup2_x86.exe to prepare your Target drive for Install of XP or Windows 7

See Tutorial file XP-W7-Setup.txt in IMG_XP\Help_Info folder

Info IMG_XP - http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=23553

Download - End of Support

The advantage is that you never boot from USB during XP Setup
and that makes everything much more reliable and you have full control of what you are doing.
Also using a single XP Setup ISO file mounted in ImDisk Virtual drive is much more reliable
than having a bunch of XP Setup files on USB.
Transfer of the ISO file to USB is much faster and easier to maintain.
Instead of USB-stick it is much better to use Portable 2.5 inch USB-harddisk e.g. Samsung S2
As easy to carry and connect, but much higher speed and more capacity.


================================================================================

old approach with useful info left here for reference

*** Install from USB AFTER Booting with PE ***

Install from USB without Booting from USB by using U_XP_SET

================================================================================

0. Introduction

Install of XP from USB involves:

  • Boot in 30 seconds with LiveXP Boot Image from RAMDISK loaded in few seconds from HD (preferred) or from USB in 5 minutes
  • Run USB_XP_Setup.exe and select and Quick Format your Target Drive on which you want to Install XP
  • Select your XP Setup Source folder and LiveXP Boot Image file and use GO to prepare Target Drive for Install of XP
  • Reboot Computer from Target Install Drive and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Proceed as usual with TXT-mode and Reboot for GUI-mode of Unattended XP Setup

To perform the above requires some preparation:

  • Prepare XP Setup Source Folder and Live XP Boot Image file as described in Tutorial in Sections 2 and 3
  • Use Make_USB.exe so that your USB-stick or USB-Harddisk contains XP Setup Source folder and U_XP_SET folder and LiveXP Boot Image file
  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe to Install LiveXP Boot Image file as boot option on C-BootDrive of Harddisk

For blank HDD you need to create first an Active Primary NTFS partition:

  • Use Make_USB.exe to make USB-stick having XP Setup Source and being bootable with LiveXP
  • Use BOOT_IMG.exe to make USB-stick also bootable with Parted Magic 4.6 (See Section 6)
  • After booting from USB-stick with Parted Magic from GRUB4DOS menu, you can create Primary NTFS partition using GParted
  • Reboot from USB-stick with LiveXP PE and Set Active the created Primary NTFS partition using Disk Management
    In LiveXP you must fix the MBR of your HDD using MBRFix.exe (in makebt folder),
    since Parted Magic will not create the required MBR bootcode to make drive bootable
    If your HDD is drive 0 then in cmd window opened at makebt folder run:
    MbrFix /drive 0 fixmbr
  • Run USB_XP_Setup.exe to Quick Format TargetDrive and prepare HDD for Install of XP
  • Reboot from HDD for Install of XP and continue as usual with TXT and GUI mode of XP Setup
    (change BIOS settings to boot from HDD if needed)

================================================================================

1. Install of XP using USB_XP_Setup.exe

The package U_XP_SET contains Folder USB_XP_Setup with 3 Programs, which you can Launch via PStart.exe Menu

  • Make_USB.exe can Copy your XP Source to USB-Drive and can make it Bootable with LiveXP for Emergency
  • BOOT_IMG.exe Copies WinBuilder LiveXP Boot Image file to C-Harddisk or USB-Drive
    and makes Entry for boot.ini Menu and GRUB4DOS menu.lst for Booting with LiveXP PE from RAMDISK.
    This is useful as Escape Boot Option in case Booting with Windows XP or XP Setup may fail,
    so that you can Repair your System or use Ghost for System Backup and System Restore.
  • USB_XP_Setup.exe can make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive usually C:
    and will specify in TXTSETUP.SIF where to find the FULL XP Source on partition 1 of USB-Stick.
    For all other cases of Install of XP e.g. from any Harddisk folder or Network Shared folder or from CD / DVD disk,
    then the XP Source is always Copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on Target Install-drive.


Before you Start to Install XP:

  • Prepare XP Source Folder and Live XP Boot Image File as described in Sections 2 and 3
  • Vista as OS requires to turn User Account Control OFF (only needed for the old Batch cmd Programs)
  • Run the SFX SelfExtractor U_XP_SET.exe and use Extract to the Root of your Workstation Harddisk
    In this way you will get on your Local Harddisk the folder U_XP_SET with PStart.exe to launch the 3 Programs
  • Copy Winbuilder\Workbench\Common\BootSDI\setupldr.bin and ramdisk.sys to USB_XP_Setup\makebt\srsp1 folder
  • Run Make_USB.exe and Select and use as Target Drive a FAST USB-stick (e.g. Corsair Flash Voyager 4-8 GB)
  • Use Format Stick button or HP Format Tool to format Target USB-stick with NTFS FileSystem (Fastest for FileCopy)
  • Select your XP Source Folder and LiveXP Boot Image File and Enable Copy of U_XP_SET Folder to Make your USB-stick
  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe to Copy WinBuilder LiveXP Boot Image file to C-BootDrive of Harddisk
    and make Entry for boot.ini Menu and GRUB4DOS menu.lst for Booting with LiveXP PE from RAMDISK.
    This is also useful as Escape Boot Option in case Booting with Windows XP or XP Setup may fail,
    so that you can Repair your System or use Ghost for System Backup and System Restore.

The XP Setup Procedure for Fresh Install of XP:

  • Connect USB-Stick having XP Source in partition 1 (Connect before Booting with LiveXP from HDD) or use any other XP Setup Source.
  • Remove All Other USB-Drives like CardReaders and USB-Harddisks
  • Reboot from C-Harddisk and Select to Boot from RAMDISK with LiveXP into PE Environment
  • Run USB_XP_Setup.exe and Quick Format with NTFS your Selected Target Install-Drive usually C:
  • Use GO to make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Target Install-Drive.
    First give XP Setup Source Path and give LiveXP RAM BootSDI IMAGE File.
    So in case when XP Setup fails, you have LiveXP as Escape Boot Option available on your Fresh Formatted Install Drive.
    XP Source not on USB-stick is always Copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on Target Install-drive.
  • If you Install on other than Active C-drive, then Use Disk Manager to Activate Install Drive Partition
  • Reboot Computer from Install Drive and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Proceed as usual with TXT-mode and GUI-mode of Unattended XP Setup
    In TXT-mode after FAST loading drivers the blue screen becomes black and
    then one needs to wait sufficiently until the blue screen with the Drive Partition List appears.
    Select the Install Partition usually C: and Auto proceed with FileCopy and Reboot for GUI-mode of XP Setup.
    WARNING
    Don't Delete the Install Partition, just Install on this previously in PE Quick Formatted NTFS Partition.
    Changing the Partitioning is a task which is done in LiveXP PE Environment with
    7Tools Partition Manager 2005 of Paragon ( Preferred ) or Acronis Disk Director 10.

The advantage of the present technique is that there are no changes needed in the BIOS Setting.
Booting for XP Setup occurs all the time as normal from the C-Install Drive if you Install on C-Drive.
Thus the USB-stick does not need to be bootable and it is not needed that the motherboard supports booting from USB.
In the case of total computer disaster it can still be handy to boot with LiveXP from USB-drive.

Another advantage is that you can use the FULL XP Source unchanged just as with Install from CD
and the $OEM$ folder is recognised and the [unattended] section of winnt.sif file is used as normal.
Moreover USB_XP_Setup.exe allows to Select from different XP Sources on USB-Drive to be used for XP Setup.
Supports the use of BTS DriverPacks located in OEM Folder in XP Source Folder on USB-Drive
http://driverpacks.net/downloads

Install XP from USB AFTER booting with PE does not make use of WINNT32.EXE
In fact the only thing I do is Create the XP BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT of only 12 MB on the Install Drive
by parsing dosnet.inf and to specify in TXTSETUP.SIF where to find the FULL XPSOURCE.
In this case the XP Setup Source Folder must be on USB-stick.
For all other cases of Install of XP e.g. from any Harddisk folder or Network Shared folder or from CD / DVD disk,
then the XP Source is always Copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on Target Install-drive.

Thanks to ilko_t I have learned how to use SetupSourcePath and SetupSourceDevice
to specify in TXTSETUP.SIF where to find the XP Source Folder, thus enabling
Alternative location of Setup files when installing from HD media
http://www.msfn.org/board/Alternative-loca...en-t119742.html

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TXT-mode XP Setup Error in case of Install of XP with Setup Source on USB-stick

TXT-mode Setup Memory/CD-Error means harddisk nr in SetupSourceDevice is incorrect
Solution:
- ReBoot with LiveXP Boot Image from RAMDISK, Run PStart and run again USB_XP_Setup.exe
- Now Select Copy XP Setup Source Folder to Target Drive folder $WIN_NT$.~LS
- Reboot Computer from Install Drive and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu

Possible causes of TXT-mode Setup Memory/CD-Error are:

- Change of Harddisk Numbering by BIOS due to Hardware Configuration Change on Reboot.
Try to disconnect ZIP-drive, Cardreader or use different USB-port.

- Change of Harddisk Numbering by BIOS due to connecting USB-drive AFTER Booting with PE or XP
XP Setup may fail - due to XP Source Harddisk Number Change on Reboot
In this case Reboot with LiveXP PE and USB-drive CONNECTED to Reset Harddisk Number
Run USB_XP_SETUP.cmd again to get correct SetupSourceDevice in TXTSETUP.SIF

- Inconsistent Harddisk Numbering by BIOS caused by Incompatible type of USB-stick - Intuix 8 GB

- Old BIOS versions, where harddisk number of USB-Drive and Install Drive are Reversed in TXT-Mode and GUI-Mode

You can Use Disk Manager Manually to determine Harddisk Numbers and
use Notepad to correct harddisk nr and XP SOURCE Folder in TXTSETUP.SIF

[setupData]
SetupSourcePath = "\XPPRO\"
SetupSourceDevice = \device\harddisk1\partition1

In this case change file %instdrive%\txtsetup.sif and %instdrive%\$WIN_NT$.~BT\txtsetup.sif

================================================================================

How to boot with LiveXP from Harddisk using extra option in boot.ini Menu was described by me in
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...21682&st=24
Combining this technique with the possibility to make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on C-Install-Drive
by parsing dosnet.inf and to specify in TXTSETUP.SIF the XP Source location on USB-stick
has resulted in this way of Install of XP from USB-stick AFTER booting with PE from C-Harddisk.

In LiveXP you can Connect to Network Drive using PENetwork Manager with
Path: \\ComputerName\ShareName
User: ComputerName\UserName
Pass: PassWord
It might be necessary to switch off the Firewall of the Network computer.

Network Shared Folders can also be used as Source folder in USB_XP_Setup.exe and Make_USB.exe

For Install of XP in a folder e.g. WIN51 next to existing WINDOWS folder or for Repair Install
you can use USB_XP_Setup.exe direct from HDD without booting first into PE Environment.

Repair Install using USB_XP_Setup.exe

  • XP Setup Source Folder can be on USB-stick or anywhere else.
  • Connect USB-stick having XP Source in partition 1
  • Remove All Other USB-Drives like CardReaders and USB-Harddisks
  • Reboot as NORMAL from C-Harddisk, so that BIOS Resets USB-drive number
  • Run USB_XP_SETUP.exe to make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive usually C:
  • Repair Install is enabled by Disabling [unattended] Section using ; in C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\winnt.sif file
  • Reboot Computer from Install Drive usually C: and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Select in TXT-mode Existing Windows for Repair and continue with GUI-mode of XP Setup

================================================================================

2. XP-Source Preparation

Take care that your XPSOURCE Folder is located on your Harddisk in a simple Path without SPACES.
Copy the Content of your Windows XP Setup CD to your XPSOURCE Folder on Harddisk

Slipstream ServicePack SP3 First Manually in your XP-SP2 Source (don't use here nLite).
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/S...ice_Pack_3.html
Siginet's RyanVM Integrator or nLite can then be used to Integrate Windows UpdatePacks in the XP-Source.
Preferred is using RyanVM Integrator 1.6 - http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?download
Or Alternatively use nLite to Integrate Windows UpdatePacks http://www.nliteos.com/

Windows XP UpdatePacks and Addons:
http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/
http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack-sp2.html
http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?addons
http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/

Supports the use of BTS DriverPacks located in OEM Folder on USB-Drive
http://driverpacks.net/downloads
For Install of XP on a modern system with SATA Drives it is needed to use DPsBase.exe
for Integrating in your XPSOURCE BTS DriverPack Massstorage with TXT Mode Enabled.
In that case a lot of Extra RAID SCSI and SATA Drivers (about 120 extra) are Integrated which appear in the
XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive and can prevent a lot of XP Install Boot Problems.
It will be useful to Add also Chipset, CPU and LAN DriverPack, which are small so that
the decompression at the beginning of GUI-mode of XP Setup does NOT take to much time.
Always first use RyanVM Integrator or nLite and then use DPsBase to Improve your XP-Source.
The program supplies a Customised presetup.cmd and changes the winnt.sif file for use of DriverPacks.

When you don't use nLite, you can copy the supplied $OEM$ folder to your XP Source folder.
Change $OEM$ folder to your needs for UserAccounts and Registry Tweaks and Adding Drivers.
CMDLINES.TXT is used for making UserAccounts and install of Registry Tweaks at T-12
Info see: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

PnP Drivers specified in winnt.sif can be added to $OEM$\$1\Drivers
http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/34/
TEXTMODE Drivers defined in winnt.sif and located in $OEM$\TEXTMODE folder of the XP Source
can be used instead of using F6 floppy for MassStorage Drivers.
The content of the $OEM$\TEXTMODE folder is copied by USB_XP_Setup.exe to XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT\$OEM$
See cdob and allanf in http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...5306&st=180

Smart Driver Backup 2.12 of Jaque is very useful to Backup your drivers before install of XP.
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=20555

The complete XP-Source can be copied by Make_USB.exe to USB-Drive.
Computation of Estimated XP Folder Size is used to prevent USB-stick overflow
and includes cmpnents + I386 + AMD64 + $OEM$ + OEM Folders.

Excluding LANG and WIN98X Folders from Copy to USB is the Default Setting
in Make_USB.exe Main Menu, which reduces the XP-Source on USB-Drive by 135 MB

================================================================================

3. LiveXP Boot Image File Preparation

Download LiveXP e.g. lx77rc2cxw.exe from folder Projects or lx77rc2cbw.exe from folder Portable
http://amalux.winbuilder.net/
Run the downloaded exe and extract to simple path without spaces e.g. extract to root of your local harddisk.

You can add a Ghost script (Ghost Plus!.script) which is very handy for System Backup and Restore.
Copy file Ghost Plus!.script from http://amalux.winbuilder.net/index.php?dir=MyScripts/Backup/
to <WinBuilder>\Projects\LiveXP\Apps\System folder

For making LiveXP Boot Image file you need original XP-SP2 or XP-SP3 Setup CD copied to folder in root of harddisk.
Use simple name without spaces for XP Setup Source folder and Switch Off your Firewall and AntiVirus protection.
The MassStorage DriverPack for support of SATA drives is automatically integrated in LiveXP made with WinBuilder.

In case of WinBuilder Errors use Button Clean Temporary Files in Advance.
On Success Save WinBuilder Settings with WB Manager useful later for Restore of Settings.

Run WinBuilder to make in 15 min your LiveXP_WIM.ISO or LiveXP_RAM.ISO Boot Image file in folder <WinBuilder>\ISO

Alternatively you may use BootSDI.img file made in folder <WinBuilder>\ISO\Ram\I386
ramdisk.sys and setupldr.bin of Windows Server 2003 SP1 must be in <WinBuilder>\Workbench\Common\BootSDI directory.
Activate Finish > Create Image > Boot SDI and Run WinBuilder.
You can Deactivate Emulation and Burn Image, since we don't need a CD for our purpose.
IMG-type files can be changed afterwards more easily by simply mounting them in Virtual Drive with R-mouse using ImDisk or with VDK.
 

  • Run makebt\Mount_IMG.cmd and Select to Mount your BootSDI.img file in a Virtual Drive using VDK
  • Copy your add-ons to your Virtual Drive in which you mounted BootSDI.img file
  • Use UnMount_IMG.cmd to Close the Virtual Drive and Save the Changes in your BootSDI.img file

FileName of IMG or ISO files for loading into RAMDISK, like LiveXP BootSDI.img file,
must be conform DOS 8.3 because otherwise in case of FAT or FAT32 Filesystem
you would get Error 14 (File Not Found).

Tutorial of amalux on how to create LiveXP Boot Image files using WinBuilder
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=4111


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4. Install of Drivers and Programs

Automatic Install of Drivers during XP Setup

1. Using 7-Zip Compressed DriverPacks located in OEM Folder on USB-Drive,
which are decompressed by presetup.cmd at beginning of GUI-mode of XP Setup.
http://driverpacks.net/downloads
For Install of XP on a modern system with SATA Drives it is needed to use DPsBase.exe
for Integrating in your XPSOURCE BTS DriverPack Massstorage with TXT Mode Enabled.
In that case a lot of Extra RAID SCSI and SATA Drivers (about 120 extra) are Integrated which appear in the
XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive and can prevent a lot of XP Install Boot Problems.
First use RyanVM Integrator and then use DPsBase to Improve your XP-Source.
The program supplies a Customised presetup.cmd and changes the winnt.sif file for use of DriverPacks.

2. Using DriverForge.v4.5.4.exe to Install from C:\Drivers at T-9 of GUI XP Setup (just for the last Reboot).
DriverForge.v4.5.4.exe made by kickarse http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=110783
At end of TXT-mode XP Setup the folder $OEM$\$1\Drivers is copied to C:\Drivers
and $OEM$\$1\Install\DriverForge.v4.5.4.exe is copied to C:\Install
When you don't use nLite, you can Copy the supplied USB_XP_Setup\$OEM$ folder to your XP Source folder.
For Auto Use of DriverForge at T-9 you can place uncompressed drivers (or folders) in Drivers of $OEM$
and then Uncomment two rules by removing ; in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\w_sif\winnt.sif file (see below).
You can also change driverforge.ini to your needs if you want to use drivers on a different location,
or you may even use the compressed DriverPacks.

[setupParams]
UserExecute = "%SystemDrive%\INSTALL\SetupPar.cmd"

Method 2 can be very fast because you can just use in Drivers your well known set of required drivers.
The ATI Catalyst Control Center can be Installed separately with other Apps After Setup has completed.

Smart Driver Backup 2.12 of Jaque is very useful to Backup your drivers before install of XP.
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...20555&st=69

================================================================================

Install of Programs After XP Setup has finished

It is handy to use the Office Integrator of Siginet and benners
to Integrate Service Packs and HotPacks before installing Office.
http://www.siginetsoftware.com/forum/
Download Office Integrator v1.1 Build 16
http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/inde...dons&id=213

The Folder usb_cfg_extra provides a script for Windows Post-Install Wizard (WPI) - http://wpiw.net/
WPI is very handy for the Automatic Install of Programs after Install of XP from USB.

Some Tweaks are done at best when XP Setup has completed e.g. the IE7_Tweaks and NoWallpaper
So I combine these tweaks with the Install of Apps using WPI
and launch WPI Manually AFTER logon and when the XP Desktop is ready.
As example a config.js script is provided in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\usb_cfg_extra\INSTALL_PRGS_WPI\WPIScripts

In WPI script there is the option to run SFC /purgecache which deletes the dll cache
by deleting the files in Folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache
This is a very simple way to reduce the WINDOWS Folder Size by 360 MB
The Result is a XP WINDOWS Folder Size on Harddisk of only 900 MB inclusive all Updates.

Install of XP from USB including Drivers with DriverForge and Post Install using WPI for the Apps
is realised Now within 30 minutes using USB-stick with NTFS Format.

================================================================================

5. Install Vista from USB

Procedure for Install of Vista or Windows 7 from USB-stick

  • Download and Extract U_XP_SET package making U_XP_SET folder on your Harddisk
  • Launch PStart.exe in U_XP_SET folder
  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe from PStart Menu to Install Windows PE 2.1 ISO
    as GRUB4DOS Boot Option in menu.lst Menu on Harddisk Boot Drive e.g. C:\
  • Reboot in 40 sec with Windows PE 2.1 ISO loaded by GRUB4DOS from HD into RAMDISK X:
  • Run Vista Setup from folder on USB-stick by using e.g. Free Commander in PE 2.1 Environment
  • Select and Format your Install Drive e.g. C:\
  • Proceed with Install of Vista from USB (Copy + Extract)
  • Disconnect USB-stick precisely at First Reboot (just at the BIOS Beep when the screen is black).
    Without Removal there is 10 min Extra Install time.
  • Proceed with Install of Vista - Totally in about 18 min

The present approach is Install of Vista from USB without booting from USB.
So you don't need BIOS USB Boot Support and you don't need to change BIOS Settings.
Moreover, Vista Setup Source can be located in a folder on USB-stick so that it does not interfere with other Setup Sources like folders with Vista x64 or Windows 7 Setup Source.

Thanks to jaclaz for Help with GRUB4DOS menu to boot with Windows PE 2.1 ISO file.

Thanks to allanf for making WinBuilder Project to make Windows PE 2.1 ISO having GUI interface
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7053
Download WAIK 1.1 Vista SP1 from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

Booting in 40 sec with pe21.iso loaded by GRUB4DOS from HD into RAMDISK X:
allows then to Launch Vista or Windows 7 Setup.exe from folder on USB-stick.
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=6800&st=37

Instead of Windows PE 2.1 we can also use VistaPE ISO,
but booting with VistaPE will take several minutes.
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=51

================================================================================

Windows PE 3.0 ISO Boot Image With PStart Menu for Portable Programs

Universal PE Booting from RAMDISK for Rescue and Install of XP or Windows 7

================================================================================

Making Windows PE 3.0 ISO using AIK for Windows 7

Requirements

  • The Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7
  • WLAN HotFix file Windows6.1-KB972831-x86.cab
  • Installed Windows 7 to supply files to improve Windows PE 3.0
  • Program Make_PE3.cmd to make in 2 min your pe3.iso Boot Image in folder C:\winpe3_x86

Step 1. The Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7

Download KB3AIK_EN.iso from HERE
Use ImgBurn or Nero to Burn the ISO Image on DVD
Install Windows AIK according to:

  • In case of Windows 7 Set User Account Control Off or use R-mouse Menu to Run as Administrator
  • Run STARTCD.EXE from the AIK DVD
  • In case of XP as OS - Install .NET Framework 2.0
  • In case of XP as OS - Install MSXML 6.0
  • Install Windows AIK

Download WLAN HotFix from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972831
Extract the HotFix to get file Windows6.1-KB972831-x86.cab
Copy your HotFix file to folder WinPE_OCs made in Windows AIK\Tools\PETools\x86 folder.
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\PETools\x86\WinPE_OCs\Windows6.1-KB972831-x86.cab


Step 2. Get Program Make_PE3.cmd to make pe3.iso

Download - End of Support

Run the SFX SelfExtractor Make_PE3.exe and use Extract to the Root of your Workstation Harddisk.

The folder Make_PE3\PE3_mod contains file WIN7_Files.txt and 4 folders:

  • PE3_add - Add your extra non-driver files in subfolder x86 structured as in Windows PE 3.0
  • PE3_reg - x86 subfolder contains 3 predefined Registry files with Windows 7 settings to improve the Registry of Windows PE 3.0
  • WIN7_add - Files needed from Installed Windows 7 are collected by the program in subfolder x86
  • WIN7_drivers - Add your Driver files e.g. for WLAN in folder x86 (recurse scanning allows subfolders with driver files)

The actual filelist used by the program to get files is the generated WIN7_add_files.txt copy in folder WIN7_add\x86
In case of 64-bits Operating System then everywhere folder amd64 is used instead of x86 so that 64-bits can have its own list of files.
For 64-bits Operating System you have to make similar registry files from your own Windows 7 Registry.


Step 3. Run Make_PE3.cmd as Administrator to Create Windows PE 3.0 ISO
pe3.iso of about 155 MB has been created in 2 minutes in folder C:\winpe3_x86

Working Directory Folder C:\winpe3_x86 is Created if it does not exist.
File winpe.wim remains unchanged and is copied as file boot.wim to folder C:\winpe3_x86\ISO\sources
The boot.wim file is mounted by imagex.exe in folder C:\winpe3_x86\mount
Files from WIN7_add\x86 and PE3_add\x86 are added to mount by xcopy.exe, Packages and Drivers are added by Dism.exe
The PE3 SYSTEM and SOFTWARE Registry files are improved with Windows 7 Settings using reg import
Then imagex.exe will Unmount and Commit changes in boot.wim
And finally oscdimg.exe will create the pe3.iso file in folder C:\winpe3_x86
Folders WIN7_add\x86 and AIK_Tools are generated and stay ready for future use.
WARNING:
In Windows 7 OS not using as Administrator results in Errors,
because using imagex.exe reg.exe and dism.exe is Not allowed by User Account Control.
If you made this mistake, you need before the next run to empty folder C:\winpe3_x86\mount


Step 4. Install pe3.iso as GRUB4DOS boot option on HDD or USB
Use BOOT_IMG.exe to Install pe3.iso of about 155 MB as GRUB4DOS boot option on HDD or USB
Copy folder PStart or U_XP_SET to Root of HDD or USB drive to provide PStart Menu for portable programs.

Download ppApps_Base!.exe from amalux for a nice collection of Portable Programs.
http://amalux.winbuilder.net/index.php?dir=Portable%2F
Add additional Portable Programs to folder Progs in folder PStart.
Use PStart > Edit > Add file to modify PStart Menu.


GRUB4DOS menu.lst entry

title Boot pe3.iso - ISOfind --set-root --ignore-floppies /pe3.isomap /pe3.iso (0xff)map --hookroot (0xff)chainloader (0xff)/BOOTMGR


Step 5. Reboot with pe3.iso from GRUB4DOS Menu on HDD or USB
Boot with 155 MB pe3.iso in 30 sec from HDD or in 4 min from USB-stick.

Use MultiRes from PStart PE3 System Menu to adjust the Screen Resolution to 1024 x 768 pixels
Using ImDisk Install allows to use mounting e.g. XP Setup ISO in a in a Virtual Drive
If desired, Run CmdHere to add Command Prompt Hereto the R-mouse context menu.


Step 6. Install of XP or Windows 7 AFTER booting with pe3.iso

  • If your XP Setup Source is an ISO file, then first install ImDisk driver so that you can mount the ISO in a virtual drive.
  • Use PStart > Edit > Add file to select imdiskinst.exe from U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt folder and Run to install ImDisk driver.
  • Then Launch Notepad from cmd window or from PStart Menu.
  • In Notepad Select File > Open to get the FileSelector which can be used as File Browser for All Files.
  • Then with R-mouse on the ISO file you can use the ImDisk context menu to mount the ISO in a Virtual Drive.

If your Setup Source is a folder on HDD or USB or a CD/DVD drive then you don't need to use ImDisk.

Launch USB_XP_Setup.exe from PStart Menu to prepare your Target drive for Install of XP.
Info USB_XP_Setup.exe of U_XP_SET package http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=21883

Launch NT6.X fast installer from PStart Menu to prepare your Target drive for Install of Windows 7.
Info NT6.X fast installer of fujianabc http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=10126


Mounting XPSETUP.ISO in ImDisk Virtual Drive
=
PE3_IMDK.png
=

Windows PE 3.0 with PStart Menu for Portable Programs and having Browse for Folder Support
=
PE3_GUI.png
=

Windows PE 3.0 with Partition Manager and Internet - Opera Portable and PENetwork.exe
=
PE3_WL.png
=

Windows PE 3.0 with PStart Menu for PE3 System and for Portable Programs
=
PE3_SYS.png
=

================================================================================

6. MultiBoot USB-drives prepared with Make_USB.exe

  • CD / DVD Content can be copied unchanged to Root of USB-stick by using the Add Extra Content Selector.
    This allows to use a well-tuned CD / DVD as Setup Source including Apps for Install of XP from USB.
    In this case you must Uncheck the Copy Checkbox of XP Setup Source Folder Selection so that this XP Source Selection is only used to have access to the XP BootFiles NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM and is NOT used as normal to Copy the XP Source to a Folder on Target Drive.
  • Support for Ultimate Boot CD - UBCD ISO booting via boot.ini Menu from GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu
    See Info of Icecube given in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\usb_cfg_extra folder.
    UBCD 5 - http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7312
  • Support for LiveXP minint was added to the BartPE group of Make_USB.exe
    Autodetect of modified ntdetect.com when placed in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt folder
  • Support for VistaPE on MultiBoot USB-stick was made, where you can use the Vista Add Extra Source Selector to Select your VistaPE\Target\VistaPE-Core Folder.
    VistaPE - http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=51
  • BOOT_IMG.exe can be used to Add Multiple BartPE type IMG or ISO files.
    LiveXP - BootSDI.img or BartPE.iso booting from RAMDISK must contain
    I386\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\RAMDISK.SYS file of Windows 2003 SP1
    In that case Win2k3 SP1 setupldr.bin is renamed as RMLD1 and
    patched for ramx1.sif file with the SetupData instead of winnt.sif
    The index in RMLDx can range from 1-9 for support of 9 different LiveXP Boot Image Files.
    http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...21682&st=24
  • BOOT_IMG.exe can be used to Add Multiple CD-ISO Images as Boot Option to GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu,
    where mapping of the ISO image to (hd32) or (0xff) is used.
    VistaPE and Windows PE 2.1 ISO are booting from RAMDISK this way.
    Other CD-ISO images when Installed on HD are copied first to RAM using the --mem option,
    so that Harddisk operations are allowed.
    In the case of Removable USB-stick the --mem option is NOT used in order to gain speed in all cases.
    Then the CD-ISO Files need to be contiguous (unfragmented), check and repair with wincontig:
    http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/map.htm
  • Parted Magic 4.0 of Patrick Verner and Icecube is a handy Partition Manager.
    Parted Magic can be booted with grub4dos iso emulation.
    http://partedmagic.com/documentation/124-g...so-booting.html
    Download pmagic-grub4dos-4.0.iso.zip from http://www.digitalincursion.net/partedmagic/
    Use latest BOOT_IMG.exe to Install pmagic-4.0.iso
    as GRUB4DOS Boot Option in menu.lst on your Harddisk or USB-stick.
    menu.lst
     
    title Boot pmagic-4.0.iso - ISO from RAMfind --set-root --ignore-floppies /pmagic-4.0.isomap --mem /pmagic-4.0.iso (0xff)map --hookroot (0xff)chainloader (0xff)

    After Booting with Parted Magic ISO from GRUB4DOS menu.lst on Harddisk, you can use GParted to change the partioning of your USB-stick e.g. to Create a second partition.

    In a similar way Booting from HD with LiveXP BootSDI.img into RAMDISK allows to use Acronis Disk Director 10 to create multiple partitions on USB-stick, without any need to use a filter driver as needed in regular Windows XP.

Guides on How to Make MultiBoot USB Drives:

Make_USB.exe is used to make MultiBoot USB-sticks
having NTLDR-type bootsector and boot.ini Menu plus GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu.

NTLDR + NTDETECT.COM and boot.ini are copied to the root of an USB-stick previously NTFS formatted with Format Stick procedure,
so that it is configured as a Harddisk having NTLDR-type BootSector.
BOOTMGR-type Bootsector made by Vista Disk Management will be changed to the compatible NTLDR-type Bootsector.
This is the way to make Bootable USB-stick with boot.ini Menu, where GRUB4DOS grldr can be launched from boot.ini Menu.

Booting is as:
MBR > BootSector > NTLDR > boot.ini > grldr > menu.lst
The Bootsector refers to NTLDR file in Root of USB-stick or Harddisk

Windows XP can be launched from any primary partition of any harddisk using arcpath in boot.ini Menu.
Windows Vista can be launched from any harddisk using chainload of bootmgr in menu.lst Menu of GRUB4DOS.

Make_USB.exe can also be used to Install LiveXP BootSDI.img as Boot option on e.g. 30 GB USB Harddisk Primary partition, previously Formatted with NTFS FileSystem using Windows XP or Vista Disk Management.

Guide for MultiBoot USB-stick with boot.ini Menu
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=20089

Important Info on making MultiBoot USB-drives was given by diddy in 2 Guides:

 

 

More Info on Booting with GRUB4DOS grldr with menu.lst Menu
http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/wiki/index...ub4dos_tutorial
grub4dos, .iso images and (hd32) or (0xFF) mapping
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5041

Install of Grub4dos MBR BootCode is used to make Bootable USB-sticks without the need of having XP Setup Source.
Booting is as: MBR > grldr > menu.lst

In this case Grub4dos grldr BootLoader can e.g. direct Boot CD ISO or DOS floppy images or chainload BOOTMGR of Vista or Windows 7 Setup Source.

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Make_USB_Grub4dos.png
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================================================================================

Format Stick using Make_USB.exe
An AutoIt3 Routine was created to Format USB-sticks with a Harddisk like structure and NTFS/FAT32/FAT FileSystem.
It can be used in Make_USB.exe with the Format Stick Button instead of using the HP Format Tool.
 

  • First 100 Sectors of USB-stick are erased quickly using dsfi.exe and file Erase_100.bin
  • MBR BootCode is obtained from XP file dmadmin.exe just as in MBRBatch.cmd made by jaclaz
    http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=3191
  • Partition Table entry is constructed from the USB-stick CHS geometry as derived from MBRWiz.exe /list
  • Partition is ending on Cylinder boundary to improve bootability as compared to HP Format Tool, which would give a CHS-LBA unbalanced partition.
  • CHS Knockout Patches and Dummy Second Partition are user selectable options to improve USB-stick bootability

 

CHS Knockout Patches can be applied to XP-MBR BootCode (HP Patch)
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=2246&st=15
and to FAT32 or NTFS BootSector to improve bootability as described by Clemens Fruhwirth and tested by cdob to be useful.
http://blog.clemens.endorphin.org/2007/12/...ndows_3170.html
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...1702&st=129
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...5306&st=215
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=8528

 

  • Apply HP Patch to USB-stick XP-MBR Code for CHS Knock-out
    Change at offset 0xCA 3 bytes - 0xB8 0x01 0x02 --> patched to 0xEB 0x1A 0x90
     
  • Apply 4x NOP Patch to FAT32 and NTFS BootSector for CHS Knock-out

    FAT32 boot sector ("MSDOS5.0" found at offset 0x03) :
    Change at offset 0xE6 - 4 bytes - 0x0F 0x82 0x4A 0x00 --> patched to 0x90 0x90 0x90 0x90

    NTFS boot sector ("NTFS" found at offset 0x03) :
    Change at offset 0xD9 - 4 bytes - 0x0F 0x82 0x3A 0x00 --> patched to 0x90 0x90 0x90 0x90

 

USB-sticks with Dummy Second Partition of about 8 MB (using 1 Cyl in case of n/255/63 geometry) can be generated to further improve bootability as described by online
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7512

The Format Stick routine was further improved for FAT and FAT32 FileSystem,
by patching after Format two important bytes which determine bootability of USB-stick.

 

  • MBR - Reset FAT FileSystem byte = 0E (LBA) at offset 0x1C2 in MBR, after format it was 06 (CHS) and not bootable
  • FAT BootSector - drive-id patch 0x80 at offset 0x24 , after format it was 00 and Not bootable
  • MBR - Reset FAT32 FileSystem byte = 0C (LBA) at offset 0x1C2 in MBR, after format it was 0B (CHS) and Not bootable
  • FAT32 Bootsector - drive-id patch 0x80 at offset 0x40 , after format it was 00 and Not bootable

FAT and FAT32 USB-stick are NOT bootable without patching these two critical bytes, and flashing cursor or Disk Error would be the result.
The problem is that Windows OS all the time tries to reset these bytes to NON-bootable value.
But this problem was overcome in the present procedure.

================================================================================

7. Make_IMG.exe - Make and Install Boot Image File - Type IMG or ISO

Supported are:

  • Make and Install 15 MB FreeDOS FAT12 Superfloppy IMG file from Source Folder containing kernel.sys
  • Make and Install 25 MB MS-DOS FAT16 Superfloppy IMG file from Source Folder containing IO.SYS
  • Make and Install 15 MB XP Recovery Console FAT12 IMG file Booting from RAMDISK and made from Windows XP Setup Source
  • Make and Install LiveXP / BartPE / UBCD4Win ISO or NTFS Compressed IMG Files Booting from RAMDISK (max 500 MB)
  • Install WinPE 2.1 or VistaPE ISO files Booting from RAMDISK
  • Install CD-ISO file e.g. ubcd50b12.iso or pmagic-4.0.iso or LiveXP_RAM.iso as boot option in GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu

Images are made from a Virtual Drive by using ImDisk virtual disk driver of Olof Lagerkvist
http://www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html
For using Make_IMG.exe it needs to install previously the ImDisk Driver with U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt\imdiskinst.exe
You will find the Image files made with Make_IMG.exe in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt\make_image folder.

For the XP Recovery Console a 15 MB FAT12 Superfloppy Image file is made, where the cmdcons folder is generated by parsing dosnet.inf of the Windows XP Setup Source.
Then cmdcons folder is renamed as i386 and ramdisk.sys of win2k3 is added instead of the original one.
In root of bootdrive we have setupldr.bin of win2k3 renamed as the bootloader RCLDR, which is patched for using rcons.sif as setup information instead of winnt.sif to allow MultiBoot Environment.
More Info: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=5316&st=60

I would like to thank jaclaz for making use of his CATCH22 folder.
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...20983&st=25
Adding the CATCH22 folder to the root of any HD-like device allows to use Recovery Console Superfloppy Boot Image without using admin password and to get unlimited access to any folder by connecting to CATCH22 instead of to WINDOWS folder and then using the command:

batch SETALLON


For the LiveXP / BartPE / UBCD4Win ISO or NTFS Compressed IMG Files Booting from RAMDISK, it is possible to migrate USB-stick to DriveLetter U: so that Shifting of other Drive Letters is prevented.
In root of boot drive we have Win2k3 SP1 setupldr.bin renamed as RMLD1 and patched for ramx1.sif file with the SetupData instead of winnt.sif
The index in RMLDx can range from 1-9 for support of 9 different LiveXP Boot Image Files.
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...21682&st=24

Install of Boot Image files is possble on Harddisk Boot Drive C: or on Bootable USB-stick made e.g. with Make_USB.exe by making boot entries in GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu and in some cases in XP boot.ini Menu as well.

The program will recognize the type of image and will generate the corresponding GRUB4DOS entry in menu.lst
The DOS Superfloppy Images including DOS-Apps are booting from RAM, which allows to boot with DOS from a NTFS Harddisk.
FreeDOS Superfloppy file BTFRDOS.img is in folder Downloads - http://wimb.winbuilder.net/downloads/

GRUB4DOS is updated to the latest version grub4dos-0.4.4-2009-06-11
which is also essential for booting the DOS Superfloppy Images using the generated menu.lst entries.
More Info on GRUB4DOS Menu entries for various types of Image files:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5041
http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/Grub4dos.htm

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Make_IMG.png
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================================================================================

Summary
After preparing your USB-stick with Make_USB.exe we have two cases,
each of them needs Booting from HD into RAMDISK with a compatible PE Boot Image.

  • Install of XP needs Booting with LiveXP - IMG allowing to format Install Drive with NTLDR type BootSector.
  • Install of Vista and Windows 7 need Booting with Windows PE 2 - ISO allowing to format Install Drive with BOOTMGR type BootSector.

Procedure - Install XP from USB-stick

 

  • Connect USB-stick and Run BOOT_IMG.exe
  • Install LiveXP IMG in boot.ini / GRUB4DOS Menu on Harddisk
  • HD Boot LiveXP into Ramdisk - Quick Format and Run USB_XP_Setup.exe
  • HD Reboot and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Keep USB-stick Connected Until AFTER Logon XP

 

Procedure - Install Vista or Windows 7 from USB-stick

 

  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe
  • Install Windows PE 2 ISO in GRUB4DOS Menu on Harddisk
  • HD Boot Windows PE 2 into Ramdisk - Start Vista Setup from USB
  • Precisely on First Reboot - Remove USB-stick

 

The present approach is Install from USB without booting from USB.
So you don't need BIOS USB Boot Support and you don't need to change BIOS Settings.
Moreover, Unchanged Setup Sources can be used and can be located in a folder on USB-stick so that they do not interfere with eachother.

================================================================================

LiveXP + U_XP_SET

LXP_U_XP_SET.jpg

=


=
Credits:
I would like to thank ilko_t for publishing his AutoIt3 Source of WinSetupFromUSB_0-1-1.au3
at MSFN Forum http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444
Parts of WinSetupFromUSB were used for Creating Make_USB.exe

================================================================================

From Tutorial at BootLand: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=5306

The original topic was started on July 29, 2008 and was closed at January 4, 2010
because it was often inaccessible due to overload (nr of pageviews was 132.698)

================================================================================

Edited by wimb
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  • 2 months later...

  • 1 month later...

  • AutoIt3 was used to create 3 New GUI Programs for U_XP_SET
    BOOT_IMG.exe Make_USB.exe and USB_XP_SETUP.exe
  • If you want to use a modified ntdetect.com then put it in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt\ folder
    The programs of U_XP_SET will use then this modified ntdetect.com instead of from your XP Source
  • WinBuilder U_XP_SET Script for LiveXP was made using MakeScript.exe of PedroLe15
  • Download Links and More Info in Updated Tutorial of Post #1

Credits:

I would like to thank ilko_t for publishing his AutoIt3 Source of WinSetupFromUSB_0-1-1.au3

at MSFN Forum http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444

Parts of WinSetupFromUSB were used for creating Make_USB.exe

Edited by wimb
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  • 4 weeks later...

**** PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package ****

Some USB-sticks e.g. INTUIX 8 GB get inconsequent harddisk number

for TXT-mode and GUI-mode of XP Setup as compared to the harddisk number

determined in LiveXP environment, mostly due to variable intervening of Cardreader Drives.

Such troublesome USB-sticks can result in TXT-mode Setup Memory/CD-Error,

which means harddisk nr in SetupSourceDevice in TXTSETUP.sif file is incorrect.

The problem is easily solved by using in USB_XP_Setup.exe

the Option - Copy XP Setup Source Folder to Target Drive

In that case the XP Setup Source on Target Install Drive is always easily found by XP Setup.

The Program USB_XP_Setup.exe was changed to use the Copy Option also when XP Source was on USB-stick.

migrate.inf for making USB-stick in XP Setup to have Drive Letter U: needed some change

and is made now also correct for case of Copy XP Source from USB-stick to Target Drive.

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  • 4 weeks later...

================================================================================

From Tutorial at BootLand: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=10138

================================================================================

*** Install from USB AFTER Booting with PE ***

Install from USB without Booting from USB by using U_XP_SET

================================================================================

0. Introduction

Install of XP from USB involves:

  • Boot in 30 seconds with LiveXP Boot Image from RAMDISK loaded in few seconds from HD (preferred) or from USB in 5 minutes
  • Run USB_XP_Setup.exe and select and Quick Format your Target Drive on which you want to Install XP
  • Select your XP Setup Source folder and LiveXP Boot Image file and use GO to prepare Target Drive for Install of XP
  • Reboot Computer from Target Install Drive and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Proceed as usual with TXT-mode and Reboot for GUI-mode of Unattended XP Setup

To perform the above requires some preparation:

  • Prepare XP Setup Source Folder and Live XP Boot Image file as described in Tutorial in Sections 2 and 3
  • Use Make_USB.exe so that your USB-stick or USB-Harddisk contains XP Setup Source folder and U_XP_SET folder and LiveXP Boot Image file
  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe to Install LiveXP Boot Image file as boot option on C-BootDrive of Harddisk

For blank HDD you need to create first an Active Primary NTFS partition:

  • Use Make_USB.exe to make USB-stick having XP Setup Source and being bootable with LiveXP
  • Use BOOT_IMG.exe to make USB-stick also bootable with Parted Magic 4.6 (See Section 6)
  • After booting from USB-stick with Parted Magic from GRUB4DOS menu, you can create Primary NTFS partition using GParted
  • Reboot from USB-stick with LiveXP PE and Set Active the created Primary NTFS partition using Disk Management
  • Run USB_XP_Setup.exe to Quick Format TargetDrive and prepare HDD for Install of XP
  • Reboot from HDD for Install of XP and continue as usual with TXT and GUI mode of XP Setup
    (change BIOS settings to boot from HDD if needed)

================================================================================

1. Install of XP using USB_XP_Setup.exe

The package U_XP_SET contains Folder USB_XP_Setup with 3 Programs, which you can Launch via PStart.exe Menu

  • Make_USB.exe can Copy your XP Source to USB-Drive and can make it Bootable with LiveXP for Emergency
  • BOOT_IMG.exe Copies WinBuilder LiveXP Boot Image file to C-Harddisk or USB-Drive
    and makes Entry for boot.ini Menu and GRUB4DOS menu.lst for Booting with LiveXP PE from RAMDISK.
    This is useful as Escape Boot Option in case Booting with Windows XP or XP Setup may fail,
    so that you can Repair your System or use Ghost for System Backup and System Restore.
  • USB_XP_Setup.exe can make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive usually C:
    and will specify in TXTSETUP.SIF where to find the FULL XP Source on partition 1 of USB-Stick.
    For all other cases of Install of XP e.g. from any Harddisk folder or Network Shared folder or from CD / DVD disk,
    then the XP Source is always Copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on Target Install-drive.

Direct Download - U-XP-SET - mirror - (Thanks to Siginet)

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Make_USB.pngPStart.png

=

BOOT_IMG.pngUSB_XP_Setup.png

=

Before you Start to Install XP:

  • Prepare XP Source Folder and Live XP Boot Image File as described in Sections 2 and 3
  • Vista as OS requires to turn User Account Control OFF (only needed for the old Batch cmd Programs)
  • Run the SFX SelfExtractor U_XP_SET.exe and use Extract to the Root of your Workstation Harddisk
    In this way you will get on your Local Harddisk the folder U_XP_SET with PStart.exe to launch the 3 Programs
  • Copy Winbuilder\Workbench\Common\BootSDI\setupldr.bin and ramdisk.sys to USB_XP_Setup\makebt\srsp1 folder
  • Run Make_USB.exe and Select and use as Target Drive a FAST USB-stick (e.g. Corsair Flash Voyager 4-8 GB)
  • Use Format Stick button or HP Format Tool to format Target USB-stick with NTFS FileSystem (Fastest for FileCopy)
  • Select your XP Source Folder and LiveXP Boot Image File and Enable Copy of U_XP_SET Folder to Make your USB-stick
  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe to Copy WinBuilder LiveXP Boot Image file to C-BootDrive of Harddisk
    and make Entry for boot.ini Menu and GRUB4DOS menu.lst for Booting with LiveXP PE from RAMDISK.
    This is also useful as Escape Boot Option in case Booting with Windows XP or XP Setup may fail,
    so that you can Repair your System or use Ghost for System Backup and System Restore.

The XP Setup Procedure for Fresh Install of XP:

  • Connect USB-Stick having XP Source in partition 1 (Connect before Booting with LiveXP from HDD) or use any other XP Setup Source.
  • Remove All Other USB-Drives like CardReaders and USB-Harddisks
  • Reboot from C-Harddisk and Select to Boot from RAMDISK with LiveXP into PE Environment
  • Run USB_XP_Setup.exe and Quick Format with NTFS your Selected Target Install-Drive usually C:
  • Use GO to make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Target Install-Drive.
    First give XP Setup Source Path and give LiveXP RAM BootSDI IMAGE File.
    So in case when XP Setup fails, you have LiveXP as Escape Boot Option available on your Fresh Formatted Install Drive.
    XP Source not on USB-stick is always Copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on Target Install-drive.
  • If you Install on other than Active C-drive, then Use Disk Manager to Activate Install Drive Partition
  • Reboot Computer from Install Drive and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Proceed as usual with TXT-mode and GUI-mode of Unattended XP Setup
    In TXT-mode after FAST loading drivers the blue screen becomes black and
    then one needs to wait sufficiently until the blue screen with the Drive Partition List appears.
    Select the Install Partition usually C: and Auto proceed with FileCopy and Reboot for GUI-mode of XP Setup.
    WARNING
    Don't Delete the Install Partition, just Install on this previously in PE Quick Formatted NTFS Partition.
    Changing the Partitioning is a task which is done in LiveXP PE Environment with
    7Tools Partition Manager 2005 of Paragon ( Preferred ) or Acronis Disk Director 10.

The advantage of the present technique is that there are no changes needed in the BIOS Setting.

Booting for XP Setup occurs all the time as normal from the C-Install Drive if you Install on C-Drive.

Thus the USB-stick does not need to be bootable and it is not needed that the motherboard supports booting from USB.

In the case of total computer disaster it can still be handy to boot with LiveXP from USB-drive.

Another advantage is that you can use the FULL XP Source unchanged just as with Install from CD

and the $OEM$ folder is recognised and the [unattended] section of winnt.sif file is used as normal.

Moreover USB_XP_Setup.exe allows to Select from different XP Sources on USB-Drive to be used for XP Setup.

Supports the use of BTS DriverPacks located in OEM Folder in XP Source Folder on USB-Drive

http://driverpacks.net/downloads

Install XP from USB AFTER booting with PE does not make use of WINNT32.EXE

In fact the only thing I do is Create the XP BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT of only 12 MB on the Install Drive

by parsing dosnet.inf and to specify in TXTSETUP.SIF where to find the FULL XPSOURCE.

In this case the XP Setup Source Folder must be on USB-stick.

For all other cases of Install of XP e.g. from any Harddisk folder or Network Shared folder or from CD / DVD disk,

then the XP Source is always Copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on Target Install-drive.

Thanks to ilko_t I have learned how to use SetupSourcePath and SetupSourceDevice

to specify in TXTSETUP.SIF where to find the XP Source Folder, thus enabling

Alternative location of Setup files when installing from HD media

http://www.msfn.org/board/Alternative-loca...en-t119742.html

================================================================================

TXT-mode XP Setup Error in case of Install of XP with Setup Source on USB-stick

TXT-mode Setup Memory/CD-Error means harddisk nr in SetupSourceDevice is incorrect

Solution:

- ReBoot with LiveXP Boot Image from RAMDISK, Run PStart and run again USB_XP_Setup.exe

- Now Select Copy XP Setup Source Folder to Target Drive folder $WIN_NT$.~LS

- Reboot Computer from Install Drive and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu

Possible causes of TXT-mode Setup Memory/CD-Error are:

- Change of Harddisk Numbering by BIOS due to Hardware Configuration Change on Reboot.

Try to disconnect ZIP-drive, Cardreader or use different USB-port.

- Change of Harddisk Numbering by BIOS due to connecting USB-drive AFTER Booting with PE or XP

XP Setup may fail - due to XP Source Harddisk Number Change on Reboot

In this case Reboot with LiveXP PE and USB-drive CONNECTED to Reset Harddisk Number

Run USB_XP_SETUP.cmd again to get correct SetupSourceDevice in TXTSETUP.SIF

- Inconsistent Harddisk Numbering by BIOS caused by Incompatible type of USB-stick - Intuix 8 GB

- Old BIOS versions, where harddisk number of USB-Drive and Install Drive are Reversed in TXT-Mode and GUI-Mode

You can Use Disk Manager Manually to determine Harddisk Numbers and

use Notepad to correct harddisk nr and XP SOURCE Folder in TXTSETUP.SIF

[setupData]

SetupSourcePath = "\XPPRO\"

SetupSourceDevice = \device\harddisk1\partition1

In this case change file %instdrive%\txtsetup.sif and %instdrive%\$WIN_NT$.~BT\txtsetup.sif

================================================================================

How to boot with LiveXP from Harddisk using extra option in boot.ini Menu was described by me in

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...21682&st=24

Combining this technique with the possibility to make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on C-Install-Drive

by parsing dosnet.inf and to specify in TXTSETUP.SIF the XP Source location on USB-stick

has resulted in this way of Install of XP from USB-stick AFTER booting with PE from C-Harddisk.

In LiveXP you can Connect to Network Drive using PENetwork Manager with

Path: \\ComputerName\ShareName

User: ComputerName\UserName

Pass: PassWord

It might be necessary to switch off the Firewall of the Network computer.

Network Shared Folders can also be used as Source folder in USB_XP_Setup.exe and Make_USB.exe

For Install of XP in a folder e.g. WIN51 next to existing WINDOWS folder or for Repair Install

you can use USB_XP_Setup.exe direct from HDD without booting first into PE Environment.

Repair Install using USB_XP_Setup.exe

  • XP Setup Source Folder can be on USB-stick or anywhere else.
  • Connect USB-stick having XP Source in partition 1
  • Remove All Other USB-Drives like CardReaders and USB-Harddisks
  • Reboot as NORMAL from C-Harddisk, so that BIOS Resets USB-drive number
  • Run USB_XP_SETUP.exe to make XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive usually C:
  • Repair Install is enabled by Disabling [unattended] Section using ; in C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\winnt.sif file
  • Reboot Computer from Install Drive usually C: and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Select in TXT-mode Existing Windows for Repair and continue with GUI-mode of XP Setup

================================================================================

2. XP-Source Preparation

Take care that your XPSOURCE Folder is located on your Harddisk in a simple Path without SPACES.

Copy the Content of your Windows XP Setup CD to your XPSOURCE Folder on Harddisk

Slipstream ServicePack SP3 First Manually in your XP-SP2 Source (don't use here nLite).

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/S...ice_Pack_3.html

Siginet's RyanVM Integrator or nLite can then be used to Integrate Windows UpdatePacks in the XP-Source.

Preferred is using RyanVM Integrator 1.6 - http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?download

Or Alternatively use nLite to Integrate Windows UpdatePacks http://www.nliteos.com/

Windows XP UpdatePacks and Addons:

http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/

http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack-sp2.html

http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?addons

http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/

Supports the use of BTS DriverPacks located in OEM Folder on USB-Drive

http://driverpacks.net/downloads

For Install of XP on a modern system with SATA Drives it is needed to use DPsBase.exe

for Integrating in your XPSOURCE BTS DriverPack Massstorage with TXT Mode Enabled.

In that case a lot of Extra RAID SCSI and SATA Drivers (about 120 extra) are Integrated which appear in the

XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive and can prevent a lot of XP Install Boot Problems.

It will be useful to Add also Chipset, CPU and LAN DriverPack, which are small so that

the decompression at the beginning of GUI-mode of XP Setup does NOT take to much time.

Always first use RyanVM Integrator or nLite and then use DPsBase to Improve your XP-Source.

The program supplies a Customised presetup.cmd and changes the winnt.sif file for use of DriverPacks.

When you don't use nLite, you can copy the supplied $OEM$ folder to your XP Source folder.

Change $OEM$ folder to your needs for UserAccounts and Registry Tweaks and Adding Drivers.

CMDLINES.TXT is used for making UserAccounts and install of Registry Tweaks at T-12

Info see: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

PnP Drivers specified in winnt.sif can be added to $OEM$\$1\Drivers

http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/34/

TEXTMODE Drivers defined in winnt.sif and located in $OEM$\TEXTMODE folder of the XP Source

can be used instead of using F6 floppy for MassStorage Drivers.

The content of the $OEM$\TEXTMODE folder is copied by USB_XP_Setup.exe to XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT\$OEM$

See cdob and allanf in http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...5306&st=180

Smart Driver Backup 2.12 of Jaque is very useful to Backup your drivers before install of XP.

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=20555

The complete XP-Source can be copied by Make_USB.exe to USB-Drive.

Computation of Estimated XP Folder Size is used to prevent USB-stick overflow

and includes cmpnents + I386 + AMD64 + $OEM$ + OEM Folders.

Excluding LANG and WIN98X Folders from Copy to USB is the Default Setting

in Make_USB.exe Main Menu, which reduces the XP-Source on USB-Drive by 135 MB

================================================================================

3. LiveXP Boot Image File Preparation

Download LiveXP e.g. lx77rc2cxw.exe from folder Projects or lx77rc2cbw.exe from folder Portable

http://amalux.winbuilder.net/

Run the downloaded exe and extract to simple path without spaces e.g. extract to root of your local harddisk.

You can add a Ghost script (Ghost Plus!.script) which is very handy for System Backup and Restore.

Copy file Ghost Plus!.script from http://amalux.winbuilder.net/index.php?dir=MyScripts/Backup/

to <WinBuilder>\Projects\LiveXP\Apps\System folder

For making LiveXP Boot Image file you need original XP-SP2 or XP-SP3 Setup CD copied to folder in root of harddisk.

Use simple name without spaces for XP Setup Source folder and Switch Off your Firewall and AntiVirus protection.

The MassStorage DriverPack for support of SATA drives is automatically integrated in LiveXP made with WinBuilder.

In case of WinBuilder Errors use Button Clean Temporary Files in Advance.

On Success Save WinBuilder Settings with WB Manager useful later for Restore of Settings.

Run WinBuilder to make in 15 min your LiveXP_WIM.ISO or LiveXP_RAM.ISO Boot Image file in folder <WinBuilder>\ISO

Alternatively you may use BootSDI.img file made in folder <WinBuilder>\ISO\Ram\I386

ramdisk.sys and setupldr.bin of Windows Server 2003 SP1 must be in <WinBuilder>\Workbench\Common\BootSDI directory.

Activate Finish > Create Image > Boot SDI and Run WinBuilder.

You can Deactivate Emulation and Burn Image, since we don't need a CD for our purpose.

IMG-type files can be changed afterwards more easily by simply mounting them in Virtual Drive with R-mouse using ImDisk or with VDK.

  • Run makebt\Mount_IMG.cmd and Select to Mount your BootSDI.img file in a Virtual Drive using VDK
  • Copy your add-ons to your Virtual Drive in which you mounted BootSDI.img file
  • Use UnMount_IMG.cmd to Close the Virtual Drive and Save the Changes in your BootSDI.img file

FileName of IMG or ISO files for loading into RAMDISK, like LiveXP BootSDI.img file,

must be conform DOS 8.3 because otherwise in case of FAT or FAT32 Filesystem

you would get Error 14 (File Not Found).

Tutorial of amalux on how to create LiveXP Boot Image files using WinBuilder

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=4111

================================================================================

4. Install of Drivers and Programs

Automatic Install of Drivers during XP Setup

1. Using 7-Zip Compressed DriverPacks located in OEM Folder on USB-Drive,

which are decompressed by presetup.cmd at beginning of GUI-mode of XP Setup.

http://driverpacks.net/downloads

For Install of XP on a modern system with SATA Drives it is needed to use DPsBase.exe

for Integrating in your XPSOURCE BTS DriverPack Massstorage with TXT Mode Enabled.

In that case a lot of Extra RAID SCSI and SATA Drivers (about 120 extra) are Integrated which appear in the

XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on Install-Drive and can prevent a lot of XP Install Boot Problems.

First use RyanVM Integrator and then use DPsBase to Improve your XP-Source.

The program supplies a Customised presetup.cmd and changes the winnt.sif file for use of DriverPacks.

2. Using DriverForge.v4.5.4.exe to Install from C:\Drivers at T-9 of GUI XP Setup (just for the last Reboot).

DriverForge.v4.5.4.exe made by kickarse http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=110783

At end of TXT-mode XP Setup the folder $OEM$\$1\Drivers is copied to C:\Drivers

and $OEM$\$1\Install\DriverForge.v4.5.4.exe is copied to C:\Install

When you don't use nLite, you can Copy the supplied USB_XP_Setup\$OEM$ folder to your XP Source folder.

For Auto Use of DriverForge at T-9 you can place uncompressed drivers (or folders) in Drivers of $OEM$

and then Uncomment two rules by removing ; in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\w_sif\winnt.sif file (see below).

You can also change driverforge.ini to your needs if you want to use drivers on a different location,

or you may even use the compressed DriverPacks.

[setupParams]

UserExecute = "%SystemDrive%\INSTALL\SetupPar.cmd"

Method 2 can be very fast because you can just use in Drivers your well known set of required drivers.

The ATI Catalyst Control Center can be Installed separately with other Apps After Setup has completed.

Smart Driver Backup 2.12 of Jaque is very useful to Backup your drivers before install of XP.

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...20555&st=69

================================================================================

Install of Programs After XP Setup has finished

It is handy to use the Office Integrator of Siginet and benners

to Integrate Service Packs and HotPacks before installing Office.

http://www.siginetsoftware.com/forum/

Download Office Integrator v1.1 Build 16

http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/inde...dons&id=213

The Folder usb_cfg_extra provides a script for Windows Post-Install Wizard (WPI) - http://wpiw.net/

WPI is very handy for the Automatic Install of Programs after Install of XP from USB.

Some Tweaks are done at best when XP Setup has completed e.g. the IE7_Tweaks and NoWallpaper

So I combine these tweaks with the Install of Apps using WPI

and launch WPI Manually AFTER logon and when the XP Desktop is ready.

As example a config.js script is provided in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\usb_cfg_extra\INSTALL_PRGS_WPI\WPIScripts

In WPI script there is the option to run SFC /purgecache which deletes the dll cache

by deleting the files in Folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache

This is a very simple way to reduce the WINDOWS Folder Size by 360 MB

The Result is a XP WINDOWS Folder Size on Harddisk of only 900 MB inclusive all Updates.

Install of XP from USB including Drivers with DriverForge and Post Install using WPI for the Apps

is realised Now within 30 minutes using USB-stick with NTFS Format.

================================================================================

5. Install Vista from USB

Procedure for Install of Vista or Windows 7 from USB-stick

  • Download and Extract U_XP_SET package making U_XP_SET folder on your Harddisk
  • Launch PStart.exe in U_XP_SET folder
  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe from PStart Menu to Install Windows PE 2.1 ISO
    as GRUB4DOS Boot Option in menu.lst Menu on Harddisk Boot Drive e.g. C:\
  • Reboot in 40 sec with Windows PE 2.1 ISO loaded by GRUB4DOS from HD into RAMDISK X:
  • Run Vista Setup from folder on USB-stick by using e.g. Free Commander in PE 2.1 Environment
  • Select and Format your Install Drive e.g. C:\
  • Proceed with Install of Vista from USB (Copy + Extract)
  • Disconnect USB-stick precisely at First Reboot (just at the BIOS Beep when the screen is black).
    Without Removal there is 10 min Extra Install time.
  • Proceed with Install of Vista - Totally in about 18 min

The present approach is Install of Vista from USB without booting from USB.

So you don't need BIOS USB Boot Support and you don't need to change BIOS Settings.

Moreover, Vista Setup Source can be located in a folder on USB-stick so that it does not interfere with other Setup Sources like folders with Vista x64 or Windows 7 Setup Source.

Thanks to jaclaz for Help with GRUB4DOS menu to boot with Windows PE 2.1 ISO file.

Thanks to allanf for making WinBuilder Project to make Windows PE 2.1 ISO having GUI interface

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7053

Download WAIK 1.1 Vista SP1 from

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

Booting in 40 sec with pe21.iso loaded by GRUB4DOS from HD into RAMDISK X:

allows then to Launch Vista or Windows 7 Setup.exe from folder on USB-stick.

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=6800&st=37

Instead of Windows PE 2.1 we can also use VistaPE ISO,

but booting with VistaPE will take several minutes.

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=51

================================================================================

6. MultiBoot USB-drives prepared with Make_USB.exe

  • CD / DVD Content can be copied unchanged to Root of USB-stick by using the Add Extra Content Selector.
    This allows to use a well-tuned CD / DVD as Setup Source including Apps for Install of XP from USB.
    In this case you must Uncheck the Copy Checkbox of XP Setup Source Folder Selection so that this XP Source Selection is only used to have access to the XP BootFiles NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM and is NOT used as normal to Copy the XP Source to a Folder on Target Drive.
  • Support for Ultimate Boot CD - UBCD ISO booting via boot.ini Menu from GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu
    See Info of Icecube given in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\usb_cfg_extra folder.
    UBCD 5 - http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7312
  • Support for LiveXP minint was added to the BartPE group of Make_USB.exe
    Autodetect of modified ntdetect.com when placed in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt folder
  • Support for VistaPE on MultiBoot USB-stick was made, where you can use the Vista Add Extra Source Selector to Select your VistaPE\Target\VistaPE-Core Folder.
    VistaPE - http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=51
  • BOOT_IMG.exe can be used to Add Multiple BartPE type IMG or ISO files.
    LiveXP - BootSDI.img or BartPE.iso booting from RAMDISK must contain
    I386\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\RAMDISK.SYS file of Windows 2003 SP1
    In that case Win2k3 SP1 setupldr.bin is renamed as RMLD1 and
    patched for ramx1.sif file with the SetupData instead of winnt.sif
    The index in RMLDx can range from 1-9 for support of 9 different LiveXP Boot Image Files.
    http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...21682&st=24
  • BOOT_IMG.exe can be used to Add Multiple CD-ISO Images as Boot Option to GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu,
    where mapping of the ISO image to (hd32) or (0xff) is used.
    VistaPE and Windows PE 2.1 ISO are booting from RAMDISK this way.
    Other CD-ISO images when Installed on HD are copied first to RAM using the --mem option,
    so that Harddisk operations are allowed.
    In the case of Removable USB-stick the --mem option is NOT used in order to gain speed in all cases.
    Then the CD-ISO Files need to be contiguous (unfragmented), check and repair with wincontig:
    http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/map.htm
  • Parted Magic 4.0 of Patrick Verner and Icecube is a handy Partition Manager.
    Parted Magic can be booted with grub4dos iso emulation.
    http://partedmagic.com/documentation/124-g...so-booting.html
    Download pmagic-grub4dos-4.0.iso.zip from http://www.digitalincursion.net/partedmagic/
    Use latest BOOT_IMG.exe to Install pmagic-4.0.iso
    as GRUB4DOS Boot Option in menu.lst on your Harddisk or USB-stick.
    menu.lst
    title Boot pmagic-4.0.iso - ISO from RAM
    find --set-root --ignore-floppies /pmagic-4.0.iso
    map --mem /pmagic-4.0.iso (0xff)
    map --hook
    root (0xff)
    chainloader (0xff)


    After Booting with Parted Magic ISO from GRUB4DOS menu.lst on Harddisk, you can use GParted to change the partioning of your USB-stick e.g. to Create a second partition.
    In a similar way Booting from HD with LiveXP BootSDI.img into RAMDISK allows to use Acronis Disk Director 10 to create multiple partitions on USB-stick, without any need to use a filter driver as needed in regular Windows XP.

Guides on How to Make MultiBoot USB Drives:

Make_USB.exe is used to make MultiBoot USB-sticks

having NTLDR-type bootsector and boot.ini Menu plus GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu.

NTLDR + NTDETECT.COM and boot.ini are copied to the root of an USB-stick previously NTFS formatted with Format Stick procedure,

so that it is configured as a Harddisk having NTLDR-type BootSector.

BOOTMGR-type Bootsector made by Vista Disk Management will be changed to the compatible NTLDR-type Bootsector.

This is the way to make Bootable USB-stick with boot.ini Menu, where GRUB4DOS grldr can be launched from boot.ini Menu.

Booting is as:

MBR > BootSector > NTLDR > boot.ini > grldr > menu.lst

The Bootsector refers to NTLDR file in Root of USB-stick or Harddisk

Windows XP can be launched from any primary partition of any harddisk using arcpath in boot.ini Menu.

Windows Vista can be launched from any harddisk using chainload of bootmgr in menu.lst Menu of GRUB4DOS.

Make_USB.exe can also be used to Install LiveXP BootSDI.img as Boot option on e.g. 30 GB USB Harddisk Primary partition, previously Formatted with NTFS FileSystem using Windows XP or Vista Disk Management.

Guide for MultiBoot USB-stick with boot.ini Menu

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=20089

Important Info on making MultiBoot USB-drives was given by diddy in 2 Guides:

More Info on Booting with GRUB4DOS grldr with menu.lst Menu

http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/wiki/index...ub4dos_tutorial

grub4dos, .iso images and (hd32) or (0xFF) mapping

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5041

Install of Grub4dos MBR BootCode is used to make Bootable USB-sticks without the need of having XP Setup Source.

Booting is as: MBR > grldr > menu.lst

In this case Grub4dos grldr BootLoader can e.g. direct Boot CD ISO or DOS floppy images or chainload BOOTMGR of Vista or Windows 7 Setup Source.

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Make_USB_Grub4dos.png

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================================================================================

Format Stick using Make_USB.exe

An AutoIt3 Routine was created to Format USB-sticks with a Harddisk like structure and NTFS/FAT32/FAT FileSystem.

It can be used in Make_USB.exe with the Format Stick Button instead of using the HP Format Tool.

  • First 100 Sectors of USB-stick are erased quickly using dsfi.exe and file Erase_100.bin
  • MBR BootCode is obtained from XP file dmadmin.exe just as in MBRBatch.cmd made by jaclaz
    http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=3191
  • Partition Table entry is constructed from the USB-stick CHS geometry as derived from MBRWiz.exe /list
  • Partition is ending on Cylinder boundary to improve bootability as compared to HP Format Tool, which would give a CHS-LBA unbalanced partition.
  • CHS Knockout Patches and Dummy Second Partition are user selectable options to improve USB-stick bootability

CHS Knockout Patches can be applied to XP-MBR BootCode (HP Patch)

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=2246&st=15

and to FAT32 or NTFS BootSector to improve bootability as described by Clemens Fruhwirth and tested by cdob to be useful.

http://blog.clemens.endorphin.org/2007/12/...ndows_3170.html

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...1702&st=129

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...5306&st=215

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=8528

  • Apply HP Patch to USB-stick XP-MBR Code for CHS Knock-out
    Change at offset 0xCA 3 bytes - 0xB8 0x01 0x02 --> patched to 0xEB 0x1A 0x90
  • Apply 4x NOP Patch to FAT32 and NTFS BootSector for CHS Knock-out
    FAT32 boot sector ("MSDOS5.0" found at offset 0x03) :
    Change at offset 0xE6 - 4 bytes - 0x0F 0x82 0x4A 0x00 --> patched to 0x90 0x90 0x90 0x90
    NTFS boot sector ("NTFS" found at offset 0x03) :
    Change at offset 0xD9 - 4 bytes - 0x0F 0x82 0x3A 0x00 --> patched to 0x90 0x90 0x90 0x90

USB-sticks with Dummy Second Partition of about 8 MB (using 1 Cyl in case of n/255/63 geometry) can be generated to further improve bootability as described by online

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7512

The Format Stick routine was further improved for FAT and FAT32 FileSystem,

by patching after Format two important bytes which determine bootability of USB-stick.

  • MBR - Reset FAT FileSystem byte = 0E (LBA) at offset 0x1C2 in MBR, after format it was 06 (CHS) and not bootable
  • FAT BootSector - drive-id patch 0x80 at offset 0x24 , after format it was 00 and Not bootable
  • MBR - Reset FAT32 FileSystem byte = 0C (LBA) at offset 0x1C2 in MBR, after format it was 0B (CHS) and Not bootable
  • FAT32 Bootsector - drive-id patch 0x80 at offset 0x40 , after format it was 00 and Not bootable

FAT and FAT32 USB-stick are NOT bootable without patching these two critical bytes, and flashing cursor or Disk Error would be the result.

The problem is that Windows OS all the time tries to reset these bytes to NON-bootable value.

But this problem was overcome in the present procedure.

================================================================================

7. Make_IMG.exe - Make and Install Boot Image File - Type IMG or ISO

Supported are:

  • Make and Install 15 MB FreeDOS FAT12 Superfloppy IMG file from Source Folder containing kernel.sys
  • Make and Install 25 MB MS-DOS FAT16 Superfloppy IMG file from Source Folder containing IO.SYS
  • Make and Install 15 MB XP Recovery Console FAT12 IMG file Booting from RAMDISK and made from Windows XP Setup Source
  • Make and Install LiveXP / BartPE / UBCD4Win ISO or NTFS Compressed IMG Files Booting from RAMDISK (max 500 MB)
  • Install WinPE 2.1 or VistaPE ISO files Booting from RAMDISK
  • Install CD-ISO file e.g. ubcd50b12.iso or pmagic-4.0.iso or LiveXP_RAM.iso as boot option in GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu

Images are made from a Virtual Drive by using ImDisk virtual disk driver of Olof Lagerkvist

http://www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html

For using Make_IMG.exe it needs to install previously the ImDisk Driver with U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt\imdiskinst.exe

You will find the Image files made with Make_IMG.exe in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\makebt\make_image folder.

For the XP Recovery Console a 15 MB FAT12 Superfloppy Image file is made, where the cmdcons folder is generated by parsing dosnet.inf of the Windows XP Setup Source.

Then cmdcons folder is renamed as i386 and ramdisk.sys of win2k3 is added instead of the original one.

In root of bootdrive we have setupldr.bin of win2k3 renamed as the bootloader RCLDR, which is patched for using rcons.sif as setup information instead of winnt.sif to allow MultiBoot Environment.

More Info: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=5316&st=60

I would like to thank jaclaz for making use of his CATCH22 folder.

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...20983&st=25

Adding the CATCH22 folder to the root of any HD-like device allows to use Recovery Console Superfloppy Boot Image without using admin password and to get unlimited access to any folder by connecting to CATCH22 instead of to WINDOWS folder and then using the command:

batch SETALLON

For the LiveXP / BartPE / UBCD4Win ISO or NTFS Compressed IMG Files Booting from RAMDISK, it is possible to migrate USB-stick to DriveLetter U: so that Shifting of other Drive Letters is prevented.

In root of boot drive we have Win2k3 SP1 setupldr.bin renamed as RMLD1 and patched for ramx1.sif file with the SetupData instead of winnt.sif

The index in RMLDx can range from 1-9 for support of 9 different LiveXP Boot Image Files.

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...21682&st=24

Install of Boot Image files is possble on Harddisk Boot Drive C: or on Bootable USB-stick made e.g. with Make_USB.exe by making boot entries in GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu and in some cases in XP boot.ini Menu as well.

The program will recognize the type of image and will generate the corresponding GRUB4DOS entry in menu.lst

The DOS Superfloppy Images including DOS-Apps are booting from RAM, which allows to boot with DOS from a NTFS Harddisk.

FreeDOS Superfloppy file BTFRDOS.img is in folder Downloads - http://wimb.winbuilder.net/downloads/

GRUB4DOS is updated to the latest version grub4dos-0.4.4-2009-06-11

which is also essential for booting the DOS Superfloppy Images using the generated menu.lst entries.

More Info on GRUB4DOS Menu entries for various types of Image files:

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5041

http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/Grub4dos.htm

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Make_IMG.png

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================================================================================

Summary

After preparing your USB-stick with Make_USB.exe we have two cases,

each of them needs Booting from HD into RAMDISK with a compatible PE Boot Image.

  • Install of XP needs Booting with LiveXP - IMG allowing to format Install Drive with NTLDR type BootSector.
  • Install of Vista and Windows 7 need Booting with Windows PE 2 - ISO allowing to format Install Drive with BOOTMGR type BootSector.

Procedure - Install XP from USB-stick

  • Connect USB-stick and Run BOOT_IMG.exe
  • Install LiveXP IMG in boot.ini / GRUB4DOS Menu on Harddisk
  • HD Boot LiveXP into Ramdisk - Quick Format and Run USB_XP_Setup.exe
  • HD Reboot and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Keep USB-stick Connected Until AFTER Logon XP

Procedure - Install Vista or Windows 7 from USB-stick

  • Run BOOT_IMG.exe
  • Install Windows PE 2 ISO in GRUB4DOS Menu on Harddisk
  • HD Boot Windows PE 2 into Ramdisk - Start Vista Setup from USB
  • Precisely on First Reboot - Remove USB-stick

The present approach is Install from USB without booting from USB.

So you don't need BIOS USB Boot Support and you don't need to change BIOS Settings.

Moreover, Unchanged Setup Sources can be used and can be located in a folder on USB-stick so that they do not interfere with eachother.

================================================================================

LiveXP + U_XP_SET

LXP_U_XP_SET.jpg

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Program Direct Download - U-XP-SET - mirror

Live XP Script Download - U-XP-SET Script - mirror

Browse Folder Downloads - http://wimb.winbuilder.net/downloads/ - mirror - (Thanks to Siginet)

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Credits:

I would like to thank ilko_t for publishing his AutoIt3 Source of WinSetupFromUSB_0-1-1.au3

at MSFN Forum http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444

Parts of WinSetupFromUSB were used for Creating Make_USB.exe

================================================================================

Edited by wimb
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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

Changes in Make_USB.exe

  • CD / DVD Content can be copied unchanged to Root of USB-stick by using the Add Extra Content Selector.
    This allows to use a well-tuned CD / DVD as Setup Source including Apps for Install of XP from USB.
    In this case you must Uncheck the Copy Checkbox of XP Setup Source Folder Selection so that this XP Source Selection is only used to have access to the XP BootFiles NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM and is NOT used as normal to Copy the XP Source to a Folder on Target Drive.
  • Support for VistaPE on MultiBoot USB-stick was made, where you can use the Vista Add Extra Source Selector to Select your VistaPE\Target\VistaPE-Core Folder.
  • USB-stick Boot problem for booting with LiveXP BootSDI.img was solved, which could occur when Make_USB.exe was used in Vista OS Environment.
  • Tool Tips associated with a GUI control buttons was extended and improved.

- Size of U_XP_Setup.script was reduced in view of keeping the LiveXP BootSDI.img file as small as possible.

- SetupSourceChanger and ConversionFilesFinder of Siginet were Added to U_XP_SET package.

Thanks to Siginet for Sharing these handy Tools to modify your XP Setup Source on USB-stick.

This allows to easily change the files which make the difference in various versions of XP.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=129049

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  • 2 weeks later...

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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

Changes in Make_USB.exe

  • Improvement of Check for NTLDR BootSector Valid for MultiBoot USB-stick with boot.ini Menu
  • Support for Ultimate Boot CD - UBCD ISO booting via boot.ini Menu from GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu
    See Info given in U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\usb_cfg_extra folder.
    Thanks to ilko for making grub4dos menus for ubcd411 booting as ISO from USB-stick
    http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=4486&st=11
    Thanks to Icecube for making UBCD 5.0 beta 11 with Extra grub4dos Menu available.
    Now UBCD 5.0 beta 11 can be used booting as ISO from MultiBoot USB-stick made with Make_USB.exe
    http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...6119&st=100

I would like to express my gratitude to everybody who has contributed and inspired me in realising this project

as referred to in the Credits and Bookmark files in the U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup\Help_Info folder. :)

Their knowledge and experimental results published on MSFN, CD, Boot Land, RyanVM, Siginet Software,

DriverPacks, Ultimate Boot CD, UBCD4Win and AutoIt Forums have always been of GREAT VALUE to me. :)

EDIT 14 feb 2009:

For a MultiBoot USB-stick the UBCD 5.0 beta 11 ISO with Extra GRUB4DOS Menu is booting via boot.ini Menu and GRUB4DOS grldr using menu.lst Menu.

Usually booting with grub4dos iso emulation makes use of chainloader for booting the ISO.

In this case for some options of SYSLINUX Menu e.g. HDD > Wiping > Killdisk would give Invalid Opcode.

title UBCD 5.0 beta 11 - Boot ISO - SYSLINUX Menu
find --set-root /ubcd50b11-grub4dos.iso
map /ubcd50b11-grub4dos.iso (hd32)
map --hook
root (hd32)
chainloader (hd32)

In the case of UBCD 5.0 beta 11 when using the Extra GRUB4DOS Menu then all boot options are Valid.

Thus it seems better to Direct boot with the GRUB4DOS Menu of UBCD 5.0 beta 11 by using the configfile as

title UBCD 5.0 beta 11 - Direct GRUB4DOS Menu
find --set-root /ubcd50b11-grub4dos.iso
map /ubcd50b11-grub4dos.iso (hd32)
map --hook
root (hd32)
configfile /ubcd/menus/grub4dos/main.lst

The Parted Magic Entry of pmagic\boot\grub\menu.lst requires for the kernel an extra parameter to indicate the correct path of the UBCD ISO by adding: iso_location=/ubcd50b11-grub4dos.iso

Without further changing the xdelta patched ISO, one can do this at run time as described by Icecube:

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...6119&st=109

If you use grub4dos iso emulation, it is normal that Parted Magic entry doesn't work.

If you use it, press e at the Parted Magic entry that you want to boot and add iso_location=/ubcd50b11-grub4dos.iso

(change to the correct path of the UBCD iso) to the end of the kernel line.

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Edited by wimb
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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

Changes in Make_USB.exe and USB_XP_Setup

  • Fixed : effect of double quotes in dosnet.inf file as made by nLite causing BSOD 0x0000006B -
    due to files system32\ntdll.dll and system32\smss.exe were missing in C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT XP Setup BootFolder.

Thanks to magic12kenneth for reporting the BSOD 6B Error and thanks to ilko for indicating the cause and solution to the problem.

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Edited by wimb
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  • 2 weeks later...

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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

Changes in BOOT_IMG.exe - Make_USB.exe and USB_XP_Setup

  • Fixed : Improvement for making GRUB4DOS Menu Entries taking possible Hidden Partitions into account.
  • Changed : WARNING instead of ERROR Message for Missing WINNT32.EXE due to nLite Manual Setup Removal.
    Allows to Continue and make use of Copy Existing XP Setup BootFolder to Target Drive Option instead of Parsing DOSNET.INF
  • Added : New Program BOOT_ISO.exe for Install of ISO File as GRUB4DOS Boot Option in menu.lst Menu on Harddisk or USB-Drive.
    Enables to Boot with VistaPE or Windows PE 2.1 ISO into RAMDISK via boot.ini Menu and GRUB4DOS grldr with menu.lst Menu.
    Enables to Boot with CD-ISO files from RAM using GRUB4DOS Menu,
    suitable for UBCD - Acronis - Paragon HD manager or LiveXP_RAM ISO Files

Thanks to jaclaz for Help with GRUB4DOS menu to boot with Windows PE 2.1 ISO file.

Thanks to allanf for making WinBuilder Project to make Windows PE 2.1 ISO having GUI interface

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7053

Download WAIK 1.1 Vista SP1 from

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

Booting in 40 sec with pe21.iso loaded by GRUB4DOS from HD into RAMDISK X:

allows then to Launch Vista or Windows 7 Setup.exe from folder on USB-stick.

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...=6800&st=37

Procedure for Install of Vista or Windows 7 from USB-stick

  • Download and Extract U_XP_SET package making U_XP_SET folder on your Harddisk
  • Launch PStart.exe in U_XP_SET folder
  • Run BOOT_ISO.exe from PStart Menu to Install Windows PE 2.1 ISO
    as GRUB4DOS Boot Option in menu.lst Menu on Harddisk Boot Drive e.g. C:\
  • Reboot in 40 sec with Windows PE 2.1 ISO loaded by GRUB4DOS from HD into RAMDISK X:
  • Run Vista Setup from folder on USB-stick by using e.g. Free Commander in PE 2.1 Environment
  • Select and Format your Install Drive e.g. C:\
  • Proceed with Install of Vista from USB (Copy + Extract)
  • Disconnect USB-stick precisely at First Reboot (just at the BIOS Beep when the screen is black).
    Without Removal there is 10 min Extra Install time.
  • Proceed with Install of Vista - Totally in about 18 min

The present approach is Install of Vista from USB without booting from USB.

So you don't need BIOS USB Boot Support and you don't need to change BIOS Settings.

Moreover, Vista Setup Source can be located in a folder on USB-stick so that it does not interfere with other Setup Sources like folders with Vista x64 or Windows 7 Setup Source.

Instead of Windows PE 2.1 we can also use VistaPE ISO,

but booting with VistaPE will take several minutes.

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=51

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BOOT_ISO.png

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Edited by wimb
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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

Summary

After preparing your USB-stick with Make_USB.exe we have two cases,

each of them needs Booting from HD into RAMDISK with a compatible PE Boot Image.

  • XP needs Booting with LiveXP - IMG allowing to format Install Drive with NTLDR type BootSector.
  • Vista and Windows 7 need Booting with Windows PE 2 - ISO allowing to format Install Drive with BOOTMGR type BootSector.

Procedure - Install XP from USB-stick

  • Connect USB-stick and Run BOOT_IMG.exe
  • Install LiveXP IMG in boot.ini / GRUB4DOS Menu on Harddisk
  • HD Boot LiveXP into Ramdisk - Quick Format your Install Drive and Run USB_XP_Setup.exe
  • HD Reboot and Select XP Setup from boot.ini Menu
  • Keep USB-stick Connected Until AFTER Logon XP

Procedure - Install Vista or Windows 7 from USB-stick

  • Run BOOT_ISO.exe
  • Install Windows PE 2 ISO in GRUB4DOS Menu on Harddisk
  • HD Boot Windows PE 2 into Ramdisk - Start Vista Setup from USB
  • Precisely on First Reboot - Remove USB-stick

The present approach is Install from USB without booting from USB. ;)

So you don't need BIOS USB Boot Support and you don't need to change BIOS Settings.

Moreover, Unchanged Setup Sources can be used and can be located in a folder on USB-stick so that they do not interfere with eachother.

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Edited by wimb
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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

  • Changed : FORMAT Button was made in USB_XP_Setup.exe
    which allows to Quick Format Selected Target Drive for Install of XP.
    Format of Target Drive can be used in LiveXP or Windows PE 2 Environment AFTER Booting from RAMDISK.
    Booting with Windows PE 2.1 ISO and then using Format would result in BOOTMGR-type BootSector, which is recognised and proposed for Change in NTLDR-type BootSector necessary for Install of XP.
  • Changed : USB_XP_Setup.exe and Make_USB.exe
    Instead of LiveXP BootSDI.img one can Select now also to Add Windows PE 2.1 ISO file as RAMDISK Boot Option as being made with WinBuilder Project of allanf
    http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7053

Comparison of LiveXP BootSDI.img IMG with Windows PE 2.1 ISO

migrate.inf made in Windows PE 2.1 Environment

does NOT make USB-stick getting Preferred Drive Letter U: in XP Setup.

LiveXP provides handy Disk Management (viewing partitioning) which we miss in Windows PE 2.1

So in these respects LiveXP is preferred, but Windows PE 2.1 can be used as PE Environment

for Install of XP - Launch Vista or Windows 7 Setup, whereas LiveXP can only be used to prepare Target Drive for Install of XP.

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pe21_uxp.jpg

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Edited by wimb
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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

  • Changed : GRUB4DOS Updated to latest Version grub4dos-0.4.4-2009-03-07
    GRUB4DOS Boot Problem was possible with previous version grub4dos-0.4.4-2009-03-04 when Installed in Vista bootmgr Menu.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

  • Update : GRUB4DOS Updated to latest Version grub4dos-0.4.4
  • Changed : (0xff) is used in GRUB4DOS menu.lst entries for mapping of ISO images instead of (hd32)
  • Changed : BOOT_ISO.exe - In case of Removable Device, the --mem option is NOT used for CD-ISO GRUB4DOS entries in order to gain speed in Booting e.g. ubcd50b12.iso from USB-stick ( thanks to ktp )
  • Update : The Tutorial of post #1 was improved and updated

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Edited by wimb
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  • 2 weeks later...

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PROGRAM UPDATE - U_XP_SET Package - Install XP from USB

An AutoIt3 Routine was created to Format USB-sticks with a Harddisk like structure and NTFS/FAT32/FAT FileSystem.

It can be used in Make_USB.exe with the Format Stick Button instead of using the HP Format Tool.

  • First 100 Sectors of USB-stick are erased quickly using dsfi.exe and file Erase_100.bin
  • MBR BootCode is obtained from XP file dmadmin.exe just as in MBRBatch.cmd made by jaclaz
    http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=3191
    The HP Patch can be applied to MBR BootCode to improve bootability.
  • Partition Table entry is constructed from the USB-stick CHS geometry as derived from MBRWiz.exe /list
  • Partition is ending on Cylinder boundary to improve bootability as compared to HP Format Tool,
    which would give a CHS-LBA unbalanced partition.
  • USB-sticks with Second Partition of about 40 MB (using 5 Cyl in case of n/255/63 geometry) can be generated
    to further improve bootability as described by online
    http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7512
    For testing purpose one needs to use in this case Make_USB_2.exe from U_XP_SET\USB_XP_Setup folder.

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Thanks to jaclaz for stimulating me to write this format routine in AutoIt3.

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Make_USB.png

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