Easy2Boot Development Discussion

Hi

As long as there is only ONE folder of /ISO containing choose_an_iso it should work.

If you have multiple choose_an_iso files then it won't work.

If you only have the one choose_an_iso file in the whole system then you will need to debug.

Boot to E2B main menu

Press P and enter password  (default is easy2boot)

Press C to get to command console

Type Find

This should list the partitions that can be seen by grub4dos.

hd0 will be the boot drive

hd1 will be the internal hdd

hd2 will be the 2nd drive (may be 2nd USB pen or 2nd internal hdd)

You can list the files in each one using

ls (hd0,0)/

ls (hd0,1)/

ls (hd1,0)/

etc.

Let me know what you find. 

Of course, you realise both USB drives need to be connected at boot time in order for the 2nd one to be detected...?

Hi,

Exactly as you said. I was having ISO folder (&choose_an_iso) on my C drive (primary laptop hardisk partition), also another on my D drive (logical partition of my laptop internal HDD). Hence the ISO folder on my pendrive ws not getting detected, neither the ISO folder on my external HDD. Only when I disabled the detection of the C drive and D drive (by changing ISO folder name or removing choose_an_iso marker file from the folder), only then did the pendrive (and same test I tried on external HDD) ISO folder get detected. So multiple ISO folders on different drive was the one creating the problem for the pendrive ISO folder detection.

So now booting from a 32gb E2B pendrive, I have been able to get the spare 8gb pendrive to show all the ISO files, but when I load the Win 7 iso I get the infamous "Browse for CD drive driver message", even though this is a spare 8gb pendrive and not a HDD.

Just a small point:

Before I used Easy2boot procedure, I had used RMPrepUSB on my external HDD and had tried to boot WIN7 32, WIN7 64, WIn8.0 32, WIN8.0 64, WIn8.1 32 bit, WIN 8.1 64 bit, all from the external HDD. I followed the Addendum Technique (of How to boot from USB pendrive) from Tutorial 43, by mounting boot.wim using WAIK command prompt and injecting the boot.wim with mysetup.cmd and winpeshl.ini and then finally unmounting and using oscdimg to rebuild the ISO file (let me call them WAIK rebuild ISOes). With this technique I was able to get all the above ISO files to work properly on my external USB HDD without the "Browse for CD drive driver message" error.

So coming back to the present issue, since I had these WAIK rebuild ISO files, I copied these ISO to the 8gb pendrive hoping they would work as they had been working on the USB HDD, but alas they reach to the point where the loadiso.cmd windows pops-up and then says no install.wim found....Please press enter, which when I do so it will reboot my laptop.

So neither the Original Win 7 iso (unmodified) works nor the Waik modified rebuild ISO works. The first gives "Browse for CD drive driver message" error and the second gives install.wim not found.

Also the Win 8.0 iso loads up and reaches to the point : "Windows cannot read the <ProductKey> setting from the unattend answer file.

Let me clarify, both these issues of Win 7 and Win 8 not working are when I try to use the INSTALL WINDOWS VISTA/7/8 FROM AN ISO code  method with the ISO files on the spare 8gb pendrive. 

In the Easy2boot method with the ISO files present in the 32gb pendrive alongwith the E2B files and folder (ie everything present in the same pendrive everything works perfectly as stated in your Tutorial 72.

As my 32gb E2B pendrive had become full, and I had a spare 8gb pendrive, I had hoped to use this 8gb pendrive just as a storage for extra ISO files and using the INSTALL WINDOWS VISTA/7/8 FROM AN ISO code  method to boot the ISO files from the 8gb pendrive.

But as I explained above I am facing the above mentioned specific issues with Win 7 and Win 8 iso files.

The au.xml file is for vista/win7. 

Win8 needs a different xml file with a product key entry (see au8.xml) and you will need a different menu. If your Win8 ISO needs a product key then it will have to be added to the au8.xml - so make a copy of it (e.g. au8me.xml) and add in your required product key.

So that explains the win8 problem.

For both you should see the LOADISO.cmd console window run to load the ISO. Do you see this?

Make sure you only have the boot e2b drive with e2b files - any other drive should not have the e2b folders.

Is the \autounattend.xml file correct and isoname.cmd ? Check it after trying an install (but don't boot to e2b or it will clear the files).

Hi

Will give a try the WIn 8 solution of providing a key in the au8me.xml which i will add to the firadisk folder.

But I was wondering, when we use the normal E2B method of just putting the iso file inside the \_ISO\WINDOWS\WIN8 folder and when we load the win 8 iso there is an option of choosing NOT TO PUT any key (which is due to the NO KEY (choose a version to install).xml file), right?

Now with the method which I am trying to use ie INSTALL WINDOWS VISTA/7/8 FROM AN ISO code  method with the ISO files on the spare 8gb pendrive, is there some way by which I can avoid putting any key, say like No Key option. Basically why I am asking this is because I would like to have all options available to install any edition of win8 when I reach to the install windows screen. If I put the key in au8me.xml than I am initially restricting my choice of installing win 8 to the one edition for which I put the key. Say If I put win8 pro key in the au8me.xml file initially than I will only be able to install Win8 Pro and will not get the option to install Win 8 Enterprise version or any other version which is available on my Win 8 iso.

If I copy the NO Key (choose a version to install).xml file into the _ISO folder of my 8gb nonbootable non E2B pendrive (ie just the NO Key (choose a version to install).xml and the Win8 iso are present in the _ISO folder on the 8gb non E2B pendrive, will it work, ie Will I be able to install Win 8 without the key or do I have to modify any where else the code to be able to get the required result.

As far as i know, by default Win8\8.1 will ask for a key when you start the install.  The e2b autounattend.xml will bypass this option by using a key for a specific edition (only showing that edition for install).  If you use the "no key" method, it will ask for a key before the editions are shown as there is no key.  The way i get around this is by editing the ei.cfg inside the sources dir.  With Win8, you can use :

[EditionID]

[Channel]
OEM
[VL]
0

and you can substitute OEM for VL or Retail.

With 8.1, you use the same method, but must specify an editionid to bypass the key.   The catch22 is your iso will be locked to the edition in editionid.

It depends on the version, e.g. Enterprise Eval 8.1 does not need a key.

Hi

Will give a try the WIn 8 solution of providing a key in the au8me.xml which i will add to the firadisk folder.

 

But I was wondering, when we use the normal E2B method of just putting the iso file inside the \_ISO\WINDOWS\WIN8 folder and when we load the win 8 iso there is an option of choosing NOT TO PUT any key (which is due to the NO KEY (choose a version to install).xml file), right?

 

Now with the method which I am trying to use ie INSTALL WINDOWS VISTA/7/8 FROM AN ISO code  method with the ISO files on the spare 8gb pendrive, is there some way by which I can avoid putting any key, say like No Key option. Basically why I am asking this is because I would like to have all options available to install any edition of win8 when I reach to the install windows screen. If I put the key in au8me.xml than I am initially restricting my choice of installing win 8 to the one edition for which I put the key. Say If I put win8 pro key in the au8me.xml file initially than I will only be able to install Win8 Pro and will not get the option to install Win 8 Enterprise version or any other version which is available on my Win 8 iso.

If I copy the NO Key (choose a version to install).xml file into the _ISO folder of my 8gb nonbootable non E2B pendrive (ie just the NO Key (choose a version to install).xml and the Win8 iso are present in the _ISO folder on the 8gb non E2B pendrive, will it work, ie Will I be able to install Win 8 without the key or do I have to modify any where else the code to be able to get the required result.

There is nothing to stop you having a different menu for each xml file. You could have a au8mePro.xml, au8core.xml,  au7meBasic.xml, au7mePro.xml,  au7meUlt.xml  and different menus for each.

alternatively, you could ask the user by adding some code at the start of the menu...

echo 8P = 8Pro

echo 8C = 8Core

echo 8N = 8 No Key

etc

set /p ask=Please enter your choice : 

if /i "%ask%"=="8P" set AU=au8mePro.xml

if /i "%ask%"=="8C" set AU=au8meCore.xml

if /i "%ask%"=="NK" set AU=auNK.xml

etc.

Then in the rest of the code, instead of 

()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/au.xml

use

()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/%AU%

Your 2nd 8GB drive should ONLY contain \ISO folder with the isos and choose_an_iso file - not any autounattend.xml or unattend.xml or any other xml files.

Hi

Just finished trying using au8me.xml with enterprise key in it and it allowed me only enterprise edition. So i could not access other editions. But I was wondering what exactly is triggering/activating the NO KEY (choose a version to install).xml which is present in the _ISO\WIndows|Win8 folder in the Easy2boot method. Because it is this NO KEY (choose a version to install).xml allows me to use all editions in Win8.1 iso. One gets a screen with 3 options to choose from. Option 1: Insert a key, Option2: No Key and Option3:Sample Win8 Pro.

So I was wondeirng if I could get all these 3 options with the method which I am trying.

Also just saw your above post and was wondering about this line of code

if /i "%ask%"=="NK" set AU=auNK.xml

Do I keep the key code blank in this auNK.xml? and if so will this give me to choose all editions of windows8.1?

Hope I am not making this confusing for you.

The auNK.xml should be a copy of the NO KEY (choose a version to install).xml file but kept in the \_ISO\e2b\firadisk folder.

Some Win8 ISOs must have a key defined in the xml file - so for these you need a copy of the au8.xml file with the product key pre-defined.

The Sample.xml is just an xml with a pre-defined key. It is for users who also want to add other parameters (e.g. automate the install).

What you seem to be asking for is to be able to have the \_ISO\Windows\xxxx folders on any drive in the system and to choose between the different drives.

I am not prepared to add that code for you just for your special case as it greatly complicates the code and adds extra questions for the user which 99.9% of people will not need or understand.

If you have lots of ISOs then use a E2B USB HDD plus your spare 8GB removable drive.

Hi

Thanks once again for the auNK.xml file which is the exact file (code) I wanted.

I have been able to boot from my 32gb E2B bootable pendrive , then use the Code :INSTALL WINDOWS VISTA/7/8 FROM AN ISO code  method to detect the Win 8.1 32 bit AIO iso which is present in the 8gb pendrive. Subsequently with the auNK.xml code in place , I was able to choose NK=No Key and hence was able to get all the Win 8.1 editions available for me to choose from.

When I try doing the same above method for Win 8.1 64 bit, I land up getting the "Browse for CD drive driver error". The Win 8.1 64 bit file is on the 8gb nonbootable non E2B pendrive. Have attached a snapshot of LOADISO.cmd console window where it is stating that no \SOURCES\INSTALL.WIM file found.

On the 10th line of the LOADISO.cmd console window it says that it is looking for \_ISO\WIN8164.CMD , Not sure, but is it failing after this stage and hence \SOURCES\INSTALL.WIM file not found . Is this why I am getting "Browse for CD drive error"

Hoping to get your valuable input into this, thankxs once again

Check your code around the isoname lines in your grub4dos menu - are you sure it says ISO and not _ISO ???

write ()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/ISONAME.CMD SET MYISO=\\iso\\%ask%.iso\r\n

Hi

The Code I am using is this. Please let me know if it is okay

 

title WINDOWS 8/8.1 INSTALLATION FROM ANY ISO - Boot from any Windows ISO to install Windows\nThis menu allows you to type in the name of any Windows ISO file and boot from it
# find the ISO folder by looking for a marker file
debug off
find --set-root /_ISO/choose_an_iso
clear
echo
# list all files in the /_ISO folder so the user can see them
ls ()/_ISO/
echo 8P = 8Pro
echo 8C = 8Core
echo 8E = 8ENT
echo NK = 8NoKey
set /p ask=Please enter your choice :
if /i "%ask%"=="8P" set AU=auWin8Pro.xml
if /i "%ask%"=="8C" set AU=auWin8Core.xml
if /i "%ask%"=="8E" set AU=auWin8ent.xml
if /i "%ask%"=="NK" set AU=auNK.xml
# Ask user which iso they want (name is converted to uppercase as /u is specified)
set /p /u ask=Enter iso filename WITH NO .ISO EXTENSION (e.g. Win7Pro32 ) :  
if "%ask%"=="" echo No iso file specified! && configfile /menu.lst
clear
# check if user entered a valid filename with no ISO extension!
ls /_ISO/%ask%.iso || echo Cannot find /_ISO/%ask%.iso !!! && pause --wait=3 && configfile (bd)/menu.lst
echo Loading /_ISO/%ask%.iso - please wait ...
#set root drive to USB stick
find --set-root /_ISO/e2b/firadisk/loadiso.cmd
map --mem (md)0x800+4 (99)
dd if=()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/%AU% of=()/AutoUnattend.xml
dd if=()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/spaces.txt of=()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/ISONAME.CMD
write ()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/ISONAME.CMD SET MYISO=\\iso\\%ask%.iso\r\n
find --set-root /_ISO/%ask%.iso
# run the grub4dos map command and specify the iso file we want to load
map /_ISO/%ask%.iso (0xff)
map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)
map --hook
# Specify the same iso file for when firadisk runs in winpe
find --set-root /_ISO/e2b/firadisk/loadiso.cmd
write (99) [FiraDisk]\nStartOptions=cdrom,vmem=find:/_ISO/%ask%.iso;\n\0
chainloader (0xff)/BOOTMGR || chainloader (0xff)
clear

I am confused.

Does the 8gb pen have \ISO or \_ISO ???

If you are using _ISO then the line should be 

write ()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/ISONAME.CMD SET MYISO=\\_iso\\%ask%.iso\r\n

if the folder is \ISO then many lines are wrong!

The 8gb pendrive has \_ISO folder and the code which was there in the g4d menu was

write ()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/ISONAME.CMD SET MYISO=\\_iso\\%ask%.iso\r\n

 and I got the error for which I posted the screenshot. Than after reading your post 486 I changed the code to

write ()/_ISO/e2b/firadisk/ISONAME.CMD SET MYISO=\\iso\\%ask%.iso\r\n

and the error is still there.

All the while I have kept the folder name in the 8gb pendrive as \_ISO. That has not changed.

When I use load Win8.1 32 bit from pendrive, it doesn't give the Browse CD drive driver error. Only when trying Win8.1 64 bit it gives this error

Well the code you posted earlier used \ISO so I assumed you were still using \ISO.

So change the line back to \\_ISO

The code in IMDISK_instiso.cmd needs to be changed as it looks on the boot drive for the ISO

try

pushd "%~dp0"
call %USBDRIVE%\_ISO\E2B\firadisk\ISONAME.cmd
echo Mounting %MYISO% using ImDisk
::imdisk -a -o cd -f %USBDRIVE%%MYISO% -m #:
set ISOLETTER=Y:
:: See if user has defined a Drive letter for the ISO in %MYISO%.cmd, e.g. 'set ISOLETTER=S:'
call :getfname %MYISO%

set USBDRIVE=
FOR %%D IN (C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) DO (
DIR %%D:%MYISO%  > nul 2>&1 && (call set USBDRIVE=%%D:)
)

echo Looking for %USBDRIVE%%FNAME%.cmd
if exist %USBDRIVE%%FNAME%.cmd call %USBDRIVE%%FNAME%.cmd
::check if %ISOLETTER% exists
DIR %ISOLETTER%  > nul 2>&1 && (call set ISY=1)
::if not then use Y:
if not "%ISY%"=="1" echo Mounting  %USBDRIVE%%MYISO% as %ISOLETTER%...
if not "%ISY%"=="1" imdisk -a -o cd -f "%USBDRIVE%%MYISO%" -m %ISOLETTER%
::else use any available letter
if "%ISY%"=="1" echo Mounting  %USBDRIVE%%MYISO% as next available drive letter...
if "%ISY%"=="1" imdisk -a -o cd -f "%USBDRIVE%%MYISO%" -m #:
popd
goto :eof
:getfname
set FNAME=%~pn1
goto :EOF

Sure, I'll try now and get back to you

I think firadisk is loading the 32-bit iso, but fails to load the 64-bit ISO and so uses ImDisk instead.

Does the 64-bit 8.1 ISO load if it is on the main E2B menu?

Hi

That was amazingly quick coding that u did there.

It's working. I have with me Win 8.0 32 bit, Win 8.0 64 bit, Win 8.1 32 bit, Win 8.1 64 bit iso files

Okay , I carried out the following tests and didn't get the Browse CD drive driver message. Directly can choose the Windows edition to install.

I put on 8gb Pendrive - Win 8.1 64 bit and got option to install

I put on my USB HDD- Win 8.0 32 bit, Win 8.0 64 bit, Win 8.1 32 bit, Win 8.1 64 bit and all the isoes and didn't get the Browse CD drive driver message. Directly can choose the Windows edition to install.

Although please look at the below screenshot. In the Loadiso.cmd windows console it still gave the INSTALL.WIM file not found, but I could proceed to the screen where I have to choose which edition of windows to install. Didn't get stuck at the Browse CD drive screen

As seen in the screenshot Install.wim not found still appears, but it doesn't hamper , as it doesn't give the Browse CD drive message and we can go ahead with the choosing of the windows edition to install.

Okay, forgot to add in the above post, that the Install.wim not found message appears incase of Win8.1 64bit and Win8.1 32 bit. Incase of Win 8.0 Install.wim is found

So is there a \sources\install.wim in that ISO file?

At the sametime I had tried the Win7 SP1 32 bit and Win7 SP1 64 bit from USB HDD (did not try from pendrive), but alas got the Browse CD drvie error in both Win7 32 as well as 64 bit.

What would be your advice. Should I use the Addendum technique used in tutorial 43 to add mysetup.cmd and winpeshl.ini file by injecting it into the boot.wim file and than rebuilding the iso again? Or is there any other way to get the Win7 to work from USB HDD

Win 8.1 64 bit ---\sources\Install.esd

Win 8.1 32 bit ---\sources\Install.esd

Win 8.0 64 bit ---\sources\Install.wim

Win 8.0 32 bit ---\sources\Install.wim

At the sametime I had tried the Win7 SP1 32 bit and Win7 SP1 64 bit from USB HDD (did not try from pendrive), but alas got the Browse CD drvie error in both Win7 32 as well as 64 bit.

What would be your advice. Should I use the Addendum technique used in tutorial 43 to add mysetup.cmd and winpeshl.ini file by injecting it into the boot.wim file and than rebuilding the iso again? Or is there any other way to get the Win7 to work from USB HDD

Well if you use Easy2Boot, you just add a winhelper usb removable flash drive. This is described in the E2B tutorial 72a.

Win 8.1 64 bit ---\sources\Install.esd

Win 8.1 32 bit ---\sources\Install.esd

Win 8.0 64 bit ---\sources\Install.wim

Win 8.0 32 bit ---\sources\Install.wim

Thought so!

The next version of E2B will look for \sources\install.* instead of \sources\install.wim so you won't see the error message.