8 replies to this topic

[kruuth]

I'm using grub4dos with VistaPE and for the most part it boots my systems. However some of the systems give me this Missing MBR-helper error on bootup when I use vistaPE on a USB stick. I've tried updating the bios to no avail. Anyone know how to fix this?

[ktp]

Do you have both grldr.mbr and grldr at the root of the stick ?

[kruuth]

Do you have both grldr.mbr and grldr at the root of the stick ?

Yes I do. The stick is formatted NTFS, if that helps.

[ktp]

Similar subject here:
http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=20321

[was_jaclaz]

As said elsewhere, the workaround should be using a "normal" MBR and change the invoked loader name in the bootsector.

I wrote a small batch to this effect:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=2362

The batch is also used for the "install XP from USB":
http://www.msfn.org/...m-USB-f157.html
http://www.msfn.org/...SB-t111506.html

This approach has showed being compatible with a very large number of systems.

jaclaz

[kruuth]

As said elsewhere, the workaround should be using a "normal" MBR and change the invoked loader name in the bootsector.

I wrote a small batch to this effect:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=2362

The batch is also used for the "install XP from USB":
http://www.msfn.org/...m-USB-f157.html
http://www.msfn.org/...SB-t111506.html

This approach has showed being compatible with a very large number of systems.

jaclaz

I think I figured out the problem. What is happening is that the machines all treat the USB key as FD0 and all the other machines are newer and treat it as a hard drive. Is there a way to still get this whole thing to work?

[ktp]

I believe with some BIOS you can select the type of USB: USB-FDD, USB-LS120, USB-ZIP or USB-HDD.

[was_jaclaz]

I think I figured out the problem. What is happening is that the machines all treat the USB key as FD0 and all the other machines are newer and treat it as a hard drive. Is there a way to still get this whole thing to work?

I see.

I am afraid that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution then.

You can try, with newish versions of grub4dos, what we attempted doing in this thread:
http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=18485

But cannot say if now we can get any further.

If you use/can use a FAT16 formatted volume, another possible try is the use of the makebootfat "double" or "triple" way MBR/bootsector.

See here for some details:
http://www.911cd.net...o...13784&st=44
http://www.911cd.net...o...0806&st=134

Another possible approach, provided that you are willing to "modify" the hard disk on those machines could be that of trying plop as a bootmanager, if it works on your hardware, it will provide it's own USB routines, that should detect the USB attached device correctly.
http://www.plop.at/e...mngrusblog.html
(WARNING! still experimental)

Whichever way you want to try, just drop a line here should you need some help.

Also, what size is the stick?
Are you sure it has been properly formatted (i.e. with "balanced" CHS/LBA data), see here:
http://www.911cd.net...o...21186&st=20
It is possible that older machines only have CHS support, and it is also possible that NTFS is not supported.

jaclaz

[kruuth]

I'll have to look into that. The sticks are all 1gb sticks.

I see.

I am afraid that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution then.

You can try, with newish versions of grub4dos, what we attempted doing in this thread:
http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=18485

But cannot say if now we can get any further.

If you use/can use a FAT16 formatted volume, another possible try is the use of the makebootfat "double" or "triple" way MBR/bootsector.

See here for some details:
http://www.911cd.net...o...13784&st=44
http://www.911cd.net...o...0806&st=134

Another possible approach, provided that you are willing to "modify" the hard disk on those machines could be that of trying plop as a bootmanager, if it works on your hardware, it will provide it's own USB routines, that should detect the USB attached device correctly.
http://www.plop.at/e...mngrusblog.html
(WARNING! still experimental)

Whichever way you want to try, just drop a line here should you need some help.

Also, what size is the stick?
Are you sure it has been properly formatted (i.e. with "balanced" CHS/LBA data), see here:
http://www.911cd.net...o...21186&st=20
It is possible that older machines only have CHS support, and it is also possible that NTFS is not supported.

jaclaz