10 replies to this topic

[gozzgug]

I have been struggling with this and still can't figure it out. I am trying to get my 1gig USB stick to dual boot VistaPE and GParted. I've ready tons of posts on grub4dos and usb booting vistaPE but still can't get it to work. Can someone give me a quick 1,2,3... steps on how to do this? I really need help. I've been trying to do this for over a week and I'm losing my mind.

I would GREATLY appreciate whoever can help!

Thanks,
Goz

[windrv]

[url="http://windrv.net/viewthread.php?tid=17&extra=page%3D1"]http://windrv.net/vi...17&extra=page=1[/url]

[url="http://windrv.net/viewthread.php?tid=18&extra=page%3D1"]http://windrv.net/vi...18&extra=page=1[/url]

Install da in your windows and copy wdsys.sys from \Windows\system32\drivers for use.

The wdsys.sys that comes with the demo version can make a virtual memory disk for booting VistaPE in ram loaded up by grub4dos up to 640MB in size without time limit.

[Brito]

Why would we need wdsys.sys?

Isn't VistaPE by itself loaded in ram already and isn't there a grub4dos script already available by default?

If your CD/DVD works, have you tried copying the files over to the USB disk and simply add the entry to load the gparted ISO?

I haven't tested much - but I also remember that Nightman had included support for booting a linux OS as well - hope you can use it as example.

[gozzgug]

I really appreciate the links to posts but I can't get them to work. I've tried and tried. Maybe I'm just stupid but I was able to get syslinux booting fine but I can't get grub4dos to work using the same USB key. I REALLY need a Grub4DOS USB Boot for Dummies step by step instructions? PLEASE HELP ME!

What I would like:
USB Booting VistaPE and GParted
Boot using grub4dos as the loader not NTLDR, (boot.ini) 1st.

If someone can just give me instructions on how to get my USB key to grub4dos as the primary boot loader that would be awesome. Please please please......

[windrv]

@gozzgug

What is needed is for you to be able to run up grldr from your USB key.

To run up grldr from your USB key, most simply you should put grldr on the root of any partition or preferrably the first partition of your USB key, use grubinst to install grldr.mbr to the mbr of your USB key.

For downloading and using grldr and grubinst, please consult the following links:

https://gna.org/projects/grub4dos/

http://download.gna.org/grub4dos/

http://download.gna.org/grubutil/

http://grub4dos.jot.com/WikiHome

http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/wiki

and read the readme help documentation within the distributed packages.

To load up and boot VistaPE under grldr, you could follow the method in the links in Post #2 under this thread for making a VistaPE bootable disk image.

[windrv]

Why would we need wdsys.sys?

Isn't VistaPE by itself loaded in ram already and isn't there a grub4dos script already available by default?

If your CD/DVD works, have you tried copying the files over to the USB disk and simply add the entry to load the gparted ISO?

I haven't tested much - but I also remember that Nightman had included support for booting a linux OS as well - hope you can use it as example.

@Nuno,

No. You don't if you can do it otherwise.

I have not tried or explored other alternatives which may be you could help.

[gozzgug]

Thanks for all the help. I was able to get it working. I think the biggest problem I had was that my PQI SD card wouldn't boot. I used a different USB stick and it worked great. I guess finding out if your stick boots is the biggest issue before going any farther. I figured most newer SD cards and sticks should boot these days but I guess not.

Goz

[was_jaclaz]

I guess finding out if your stick boots is the biggest issue before going any farther.

Indeed :
http://www.911cd.net...o...=19594&st=7

First step is ALWAYS find out if the key is formatted properly and can boot DOS.
Use HP utility, Codebeetle's PetoUSB, makebootfat, ANY other app, throw at the stick everything conceivable to make it boot in DOS. (it doesn't matter the means, it is the result that is important )

Happy you managed to succeed!

jaclaz

[windrv]

The easiest way to make a USB/SD key or thumb drive bootable is:

1. make at least a primary partition & format it into either FAT16/32 or (compressed) NTFS by the disk manager of XP

2. use grubinst to install grldr.mbr into the mbr of the USB/SD key or thumb drive

3. put grldr into the root of the primary partiton of the USB/SD key or thumb drive

4. make a menu.lst at the same place that has entries for booting into different OSes, including DOS, PE, Windows, Linux, etc.

USB/SD keys or thumb drives produced lately should work with the above steps for use. Of course, you should have a motherboard with BIOS that can boot up USB/SD devices.

If you have USB 2.0 port and devices which can maximize 2.0 speed, the booting speed should be comparable to an IDE hard disk.

The main problem is resolved by the use of grldr.mbr and grldr, replacing the mbr, boot-sector code & the bootloaders of Microsoft dos & windows.

[was_jaclaz]

The easiest way to make a USB/SD key or thumb drive bootable is:

1. make at least a primary partition & format it into either FAT16/32 or (compressed) NTFS by the disk manager of XP

The above statement needs a couple of corrections/comments.

#a. Disk manager of XP will NOT allow partitioning (write a MBR) on the stick IF the stick is detected as "Removable".

There are TWO workarounds for this:
1) Use either the Hitachi Microdrive Filter or the "dummy.sys" from CodeProject to fool XP into thinking the stick is a "fixed" device.
2) Find (if available) the "Manufacturer Production Tool" for the specific USB controller on the stick and use it to "flip" the "Removable" bit.


#b. ALWAYS consider what you are doing before formatting a FLASH based device as NTFS.
NTFS is a semi-jouurnaled filesystem and by default continuously WRITES to the filesystem structure.
Given that FLASH memory has a limited number of write cycles, you will be stressing your device. NO one ever published tests about this, and memory manufacturers are increasing the quality (and number of write cycles) of Flash based devices every day, but still better safe than sorry.
If you really want to use NTFS, you'd better:
1) Set this Registry key:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
Value Name: NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disable, 1 = enable)

as to disable last access timestamp
Check also all Controlset00x
2) Use either EWF or FBWF on that stick

Links:
http://www.911cd.net...o...=14292&st=7
http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=17701
http://www.911cd.net...o...181&st=1954
http://www.codeproje...ect_hooking.asp
http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=16482
http://www.911cd.net...o...c=15282&hl=

jaclaz

[windrv]

Thanks to Jaclaz's qualification on using XP's disk manager for partitioning and formatting. On the other hand, DisklessAngel's partition editor can always partition and format USD/SD keys or thumb drive.

Just plug in the USD/SD key or thumb drive and run up da and use its partition editor for such purpose. After partitioning and formatting, just disconnect the USD/SD device and re-connect it for use.

The formatting by da's partition editor is in FAT16/32. To turn it into NTFS, after reconnecting the device, users can run the command:

convert [volume] /FS:NTFS

under the dos windows.

If compression is required, users can bring up Windows Explorer and specify compression for the drive concerned under Properties.