107 replies to this topic

[maanu]

fbinst is more universal then any and i mean any usb prep tool available .

see this

http://bbs.znpc.net/.....;extra=page=1

and this

http://bbs.znpc.net/.....;extra=page=1 ( trubleshooting )

it has many format options available , bt according to bean , max compatible is using fat16 with bqb -sync method .

and in case someone dont know ,a nice looking gui is available here

http://bbs.znpc.net/...nt.php?aid=3651

and i have the privilege to request the author to add english as optional lang ,since there are some english users too who r interested in it.

select english from second last menu button from right side.

well no need to add ntldr as boot option , bt i guess u cant boot syslinux from G4D without installing syslinux to usb first ( syslinux.exe K:\ (drive number ) , then its loader can be chainloaded from G4D. or am i wrong ?

[ktp]

, bt i guess u cant boot syslinux from G4D without installing syslinux to usb first ( syslinux.exe K:\ (drive number ) , then its loader can be chainloaded from G4D. or am i wrong ?

Chainloading syslinux from grub4dos:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=7013

The English version of FbinstTool (version 1.504) is of course much easier to use than the command line. By the way, post #1 from Bean is not updated to reflect latest changes in fbinst version 1.5 so there are some errors about the syntax to be used.

Question : I successfully loaded ldlinux.bin (version 3.82), but then how to use it? I did have F2 to call syslinux, but then it requires linux kernel ! I tried to copy an existing /syslinux/syslinux.cfg to the USB key but it does not seem to look at it. Do you have a complete example to use syslinux with fbinst? Thank you.

[maanu]

Question : I successfully loaded ldlinux.bin (version 3.82), but then how to use it? I did have F2 to call syslinux, but then it requires linux kernel ! I tried to copy an existing /syslinux/syslinux.cfg to the USB key but it does not seem to look at it. Do you have a complete example to use syslinux with fbinst? Thank you.

well , loading kernel problem is deff some files that are required by syslinux.cfg , look in the config . also try putting syslinux.cfg at root of usb.

just a hint : use slax's syslinux , and copy the whole boot folder ( ofc without main slax files ) .

i had the same problem problem when i first tried syslinux . bt then i figured out that syslinux.cfg needed some files .
if u need i can give complete example later this day .

[ktp]

@maanu

Thank you maanu. From the Slax example, I succeed to get the right procedure to boot any isolinux-based iso by invoking ldlinux.bin from fbinst.

1) Create /boot directory on the USB key.
2) To boot isolinux-based iso, copy /isolinux/ from the iso as /syslinux on the USB key.
3) Inside /syslinux, rename isolinux.cfg to syslinux.cfg.
4) Copy other directories from the iso to the root of the USB key. That's all.

If you have other ISO to boot, step 2) above need to be done carefully. You need to merge the syslinux.cfg files (or edit it to present more coherent menus for each iso, using include directive (like configfile directive in grub4dos). Also due to possible file names collision (kernel/initrd), change/rename all things accordingly.

A possible method:
- always keep syslinux.cfg
- for each new iso, add new include directive like "include slax.cfg"
- take/edit the content of original syslinux.cfg from iso and save as slax.cfg.

A more hierarchical menu would be better. How?

The advantage is that you inherit all the menus designed for the iso in the original syslinux.cfg.
But I prefer grub4dos method, using kernel and initrd directives adapted from syslinux.cfg. This is more familiar to me.

So for now fbinst would be only useful for me to be more universal (should normally be bootable on more hardwares), and has only F1 key to invoke my usual grub4dos with all populated menu.lst.

[risolutore]

for newbies you can activate english menu by clicking the last tab menu and selecting +english,

it's a good news to have a graphic interface for fbinst in english, but sometimes it doesn't like to format the USB, :-( I have to investigate why

[risolutore]

I have some difficulties trying to make a USB bootable.
for example when I tried this command
fbinst (hd1) load grldr
"It hangs, and show the "application stop working..."
And If I try to format it caused error with this simple syntax fbinst (hd1) format --force

Attached Files

•  fbinst_error.jpg   63.92KB   52 downloads

[maanu]

r u using the latest fbinst , and latest grldr (from the same page) . ?

on which OS u'r . ?

can u translate the error msg in english plz , and in screen shoot ,there is no info that how did u format it . what commands u used btw ?

and i have told already , add grldr is the right syntax .(in fbinst 1.5 )

edit : it seems u r reading the commands from the txt file which%

[risolutore]

I was trying the latest (1.5) fbinst.exe 52,3 KB (53.582 byte)

Attached Files

•  fbinst.txt   4.7KB   49 downloads

[kDn]

I was trying the latest (1.5) fbinst.exe 52,3 KB (53.582 byte)

Post to forum this command output:
fbinst (hd1) info

[risolutore]

C:\Users\utente\Desktop>fbinst (hd1) info
version: 1.5
base boot sector: 63
extra data size: 4
primary data size: 16128
extended data size: 0
menu offset: 0x2bb
default menu: 0
timeout: 0
menu:
free 1 0x44 0x3ebc
primary area free space: 8190600
extended area free space: 0

Usage:
fbinst [OPTIONS] DEVICE_OR_FILE COMMANDS [PARAMETERS]

Global Options:
--help,-h Display this message and exit
--version,-V Print version information and exit
--list,-l List all disks in system and exit
--verbose,-v Print verbose messages
--debug,-d Use the debug version of mbr

Commands:
format Format disk
--raw,-r Format with normal layout (not bootable)
--force,-f Force the creation of data partition
--zip,-z Format as USB-ZIP
--fat16 Format data partition as FAT16
--fat32 Format data partition as FAT32
--align,-a Align to cluster boundary
--unit-size,-u NUM Unit size for FAT16/FAT32 in sectors
--base,-b NUM Set base boot sector
--size,-s NUM Set size of data partition
--primary,-p NUM Set primary data size
--extended,-e NUM Set extended data size
--list-size,-l NUM Set size of file list
--max-sectors NUM Set maximum number of sectors per read
--archive FILE Initialize fb using archive file
restore Try to restore fb mbr
update Update boot code
sync Synchronize disk information
--copy-bpb Copy bpb from the first partition
--clear-bpb Clear bpb in the boot sector
info Show disk information
clear Clear files
add NAME FILE Add/update file item
--extended,-e Store the file in extended data area
--syslinux,-s Patch syslinux boot file
add-menu NAME FILE Add/update menu file
--append,-a Append to existing menu file
--string,-s The menu items are passed as command argument
resize NAME SIZE Resize/create file item
--extended,-e Store the file in extended data area
--fill,-f NUM Set fill character for expansion
copy OLD NEW Copy file item
move OLD NEW Move file item
export NAME FILE Export file item
remove NAME Remove file item
cat NAME Show the content of text file
cat-menu NAME Show the content of menu file
pack Pack free space
check Check primary data area for inconsistency
save FILE Save to archive file
--list-size,-l NUM Set size of file list
load FILE Load from archive file

[maanu]

u r not using the latest build .

get it from here ,

http://bbs.znpc.net/...nt.php?aid=3581

grldr from here (it was specially tweaked for fbinst)

http://bbs.znpc.net/...nt.php?aid=3616

copy to ur C:\ drive ./

(if u dont have xp installed , boot from pe then use fbinst from cmd line coz vista was reported having problems using fbinst . )

follow the posts # 47 ,48 .,49 from page 5 , (use force parameter or if necessary use --raw first . then format with ur required commands . )

skip syslinux part from above..

[risolutore]

also with 1.5 ver I still have the problem, I think it depends on the fact that on UFD thare were 2 partition, (the second very little, of only some kb). U solved using Make_USB.exe 3.3.0.0 .
I am still interested in using fbinst, and also with fbinstall tool 1.504 alongside with fbinst 1.5 in order to have the latest ver working with a graphical interface

[maanu]

also with 1.5 ver I still have the problem,

what problem ? care to explain a bit more ?

did u use --raw --force parameter to format ur drive ? and then the normal format parameter as i told u .?

u didn't tell me on which os u r ?

a little advice , try using fbinst cmd line version first.

[risolutore]

I used --force parameter, I succeded in formatting the UFD using hex editor, But I would like to learn how to use correctly the fbinst in order to use as a bootloader. I s there any help file other than the fbinst --? one?
Is it possible to boot ISO to RAM like grub4dos?

[maanu]

I used --force parameter, I succeded in formatting the UFD using hex editor, But I would like to learn how to use correctly the fbinst in order to use as a bootloader. I s there any help file other than the fbinst --? one?
Is it possible to boot ISO to RAM like grub4dos?

1. i asked u to do a --raw format first .
2. fbinst is NOT a boot loader like syslinux or grub4dos .it just initialize them (or one of them ).
3. u STILL did not tell me on which OS u r ?

[risolutore]

I tried on Win XP sp3 and Under, Win Vista sp0 both with administration account, No Antivir or sw layer

[maanu]

(im assuming that u have latest fbinst and grldr in Cl\fbinst location

C:\fbinst>fbinst (ur hdd) format --raw --force  ENTER

then

phisically unplug ur ufd , re insert ,

fbinst (ur hdd) format --fat32 --force  ENTER

if u have usb zip bios

then

fbinst (ur hdd) format --fat32 --zip --force ENTER

if it gives any error , provide screen shoot and explain the writing in english .

then

fbinst (ur hdd) add grldr grldr   ENTER

now make a fb,txt file inside ur fbinst directory with following content ,

timeout 0

color red

text -n "F1. "

color normal

text grldr

menu F1 grldr grldr

now type

fbinst (ur hdd) add-menu fb.cfg fb.txt  ENTER

test in xp sp3 first /.

post the results...

[Stalingrad]

Please explain some options in Fbinst :
1.Should i "copy BPB to MBR" ? What does this option do?
2.What is "align to cluster boundary" (i understand it optimizes something,but really what?) , should i ALWAYS use it ?
4.What does "set size of file list" do ? It defines how many files/folder can i keep in the root directory ?
5.What does "pack free space" option do ?

6.Please explain (or point me where to read) about FAT32 file system "limits", i wanted to know,why when i try to format my usb flash (flash=512MB) with fbinst using these options :

fbinst (hd2) format --force --fat32 -a -l 16000 -p 15M -e 250M -u 8

I get an error saying that "unit size 8 is invalid for fat32".When i enter Acronis/Paragon Partition Manager i can easily change cluster size to whatever i want but i noticed that if i change my cluster size,FAT32 (LBA) Mode changes to > FAT32 (Partition id changes from 0C to 0B).
Why it is so important to create a FAT32(LBA) partition on flash? What is the difference between FAT32(LBA) and FAT32 ?

[maanu]

hi ,

the issues you are asking are round about same what i have asked already at znpc . since bean is at leave for indefinite period ,so i guess we should better wait for him /

and by the way it is best to take and keep ur issue at znpc ,where you have asked the same one already , also the issue with fbinst tool can only be discussed with its author jianliulin , like you are already doing there (i am 100% sure you are the same guy here )

http://bbs.znpc.net/viewthread.php?tid=5641&extra=page%3D1&page=24

[was_jaclaz]

Why it is so important to create a FAT32(LBA) partition on flash? What is the difference between FAT32(LBA) and FAT32 ?

LBA is an addressing technique that allows for having a partition being larger than (or start or end after) the 8 Gb CHS limit (1024 Cylinders).

Due to a poor original design of the bootsector, there is simply no space (not enough byte/bits) to address anything beyond:
1024x255x63=16,450,560 sectorsx512=8,422,686,720 bytes

Read here:
http://www.pcguide.c...d/bios/size.htm
http://www.pcguide.c.../sizeGB8-c.html

Some details can be hopefully better understood reading here:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=2959
and using/perusing the spreadsheet:
http://www.boot-land...topic=2959&st=9
CHS_LBA_v2.zip

About cluster alignment, cannot say with fbinst , but it is a way to (reportedly) improve the performance of hard disks
http://msdn.microsof...y/dd758814.aspx
having the partition starting at a cluster multiple, as well as determining an optimal cluster size, can improve the performance for data retrieval.



jaclaz

[Stalingrad]

i am 100% sure you are the same guy here

, yes maanu, i'm the same , but there we discussed fbinsTOOL more, and here i asked about fbINST because nobody responded there (on chinese forum) , besides i think when 2 minds think about something is better .
Jaclaz, thanks for your information

[maanu]

below is the completely automated package which makes your usb bootable using fbinst . it will ask you your usb drive# and the format type you will choose thats it. use menu.lst of your own .

my fbinst's cmdline automated package:

http://ifile.it/lycugfh

which includes latest grldr as of 10.6.2009 .

[maanu]

yesterday , bean updated the fbinst after long time . it is just a minor update to fix a bug in few bioses that caused in failure of usb boot.

here

http://bbs.znpc.net/...nt.php?aid=3806

[_deXter_]

yesterday , bean updated the fbinst after long time . it is just a minor update to fix a bug in few bioses that caused in failure of usb boot.

here

http://bbs.znpc.net/...nt.php?aid=3806

Can't download from that site.. Can you host it somewhere else please? Thanks!

[maanu]

here

http://www.zshare.ne...702780aea7847f/

. dont forget to use latest grldr with it .

p.s , attachments are not working for me .