UEFI with Grub4Dos or Grub or Grub2?

Hello,

 

Let me first apologize in advance if this topic has been addressed somewhere else already, I looked but did not see anything applicable to my situation in particular.

 

I've created and have been maintaining/updating a multipurpose USB stick with all the software I need on it, given that I'm a computer technician and may need to install windows, or boot to a program to test the hard drive, etc. My question is about UEFI and whether or not it's possible to boot into Grub4Dos or Grub or Grub2 under UEFI, so as to install Windows Vista or later in UEFI mode and not something else. Everything I have set up currently is an iso map, no loose files. It's not really necessary for me to load anything else through UEFI other than my Windows installations that are Vista+.

 

Is there a way to do this? Can I set up a menu entry and be able to do both? Would it be better to switch from Grub4Dos to Grub or Grub2 for my purposes?

 

I hope to hear something soon.

 

Thank you,

Ilias.

My question is about UEFI and whether or not it's possible to boot into Grub4Dos or Grub or Grub2 under UEFI, so as to install Windows Vista or later in UEFI mode and not something else. Everything I have set up currently is an iso map, no loose files. It's not really necessary for me to load anything else through UEFI other than my Windows installations that are Vista+.

Grub4dos won't work at UEFI.
Use bootmgr.efi and adjust bcd file.
Or use another bootloader, e.g. grub2.
Rebuild the installation environment: add mount ISO image to boot.wim

UEFI Windows 8 + BIOS Grub4dos = MultiBoot USB-Harddisk

 

http://reboot.pro/to...t-usb-harddisk/

 

 

Windows 8 Recovery USB-stick is the easiest way to have UEFI + BIOS booting

and you can launch WinNTSetup2_x64.exe and mount with R-mouse any Windows Setup ISO file

and prepare harddisk drive for Install of any Windows.

 

http://reboot.pro/to...e-2#entry166256

 

 

In Windows 8 use Configuration > Recovery to make Windows 8 Recovery USB-stick.

To save space and time you can Uncheck to Copy Recovery Partition (needed in case of Factory Restore)

 

It boots in UEFI Secure boot with Recovery Environment and with Advanced Options e.g. System Restore or Command prompt

 

Windows 8 Recovery ramdisk is as good (even better) than WinPE 4.0

 

In Recovery environment using command prompt, I can launch notepad and via File open get Explorer browser GUI

and can launch with R-mouse menu as administrator any 64-bits program e.g. WinNTSetup2_x64.exe to Install any Windows version ......

by mounting with R-mouse any Windows Setup ISO file.

More Info on Universal PE http://reboot.pro/to...pe/#entry166561

 

http://reboot.pro/to...e-4#entry166946

 

Grub4dos won't work at UEFI.
Use bootmgr.efi and adjust bcd file.
Or use another bootloader, e.g. grub2.
Rebuild the installation environment: add mount ISO image to boot.wim

Can Grub2 be used to mount iso files in a method similar or exact to the way grub4dos does?

 

UEFI Windows 8 + BIOS Grub4dos = MultiBoot USB-Harddisk

 

http://reboot.pro/to...t-usb-harddisk/

 

 

Windows 8 Recovery USB-stick is the easiest way to have UEFI + BIOS booting

and you can launch WinNTSetup2_x64.exe and mount with R-mouse any Windows Setup ISO file

and prepare harddisk drive for Install of any Windows.

 

http://reboot.pro/to...e-2#entry166256

 

 

 

http://reboot.pro/to...e-4#entry166946

 

WIN8_REC-2.png

From what I can tell, going about the method above would in turn only allow me to use my USB stick to install windows. I still have other tools on it that I need, Memtest, HDD testers, cloning software, etc.

Can Grub2 be used to mount iso files in a method similar or exact to the way grub4dos does?

From what I can tell, going about the method above would in turn only allow me to use my USB stick to install windows. I still have other tools on it that I need, Memtest, HDD testers, cloning software, etc.

 

Win 8 Recovery USB-stick allows to launch a lot of x64 Portable Tools.

If you need or want to use 32-bits apps then Install Windows 8 on USB NTFS Partition
as described UEFI Windows 8 + BIOS Grub4dos = MultiBoot USB-Harddisk

http://reboot.pro/to...t-usb-harddisk/

You can then boot LIFE with Windows 8 from USB and use or install any 32 or 64-bits app in running Windows 8.

Grub2 was used in UEFI MultiBoot for Linux Parted Magic as described.

Can Grub2 be used to mount iso files in a method similar or exact to the way grub4dos does?

No, Grub2 is more limited. You may mount data part of ISO file.
Gru2 may read files from the mounted image, e.g. kernel and initrd.

Which grub4dos possilities do you use so far?

Grub2 dosn't boot El Torito part of a boot ISO.
I doub't windows installation from a grub2 mounted ISO image.
You don't need grub2 as for windows installation.

Request was: windows installation from UEFI mode.

You may create a multi boot drive
BIOS: grub4dos :
UEFI: bootmgr.efi

or
BIOS: bootmgr, grub4dos and grub2
UEFI: grub2 and bootmgr.efi

I just recommneded this mobo to someone : Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H

http://www.gigabyte....spx?pid=4150#ov

 

 

UEFI DualBIOS™ Technology

With a superior graphical interface capable of 32-bit color imaging and fluid user-friendly mouse navigation, UEFI DualBIOS™ makes BIOS configuration a new and exciting experience for novice and experienced users alike. UEFI BIOS also brings native support for large hard drives on 64-bit operating systems.

http://www.gigabyte....es/3d-bios.html

The Advanced mode looks very similar to a regular BIOS.

 

Is it possible to tell if grub4dos will work with a mobo from the mobo spec ?

 

Specifically, install g4d to MBR of a hdd and boot Win XP/7/8 & boot a mem-mapped XP PE.

The Gigabyte Mobo's are indeed quite handy and allow to Select from F12 Boot Menu

to Boot in either BIOS or UEFI mode.

I used my MultiBoot USB-harddisk on Gigabyte board

and can say that Grub4dos booting is working direct but only in BIOS mode and NOT in UEFI-mode.

 

http://reboot.pro/to...sk/#entry164379

 

I just recommneded this mobo to someone : Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H

http://www.gigabyte....spx?pid=4150#ov

 

Is it possible to tell if grub4dos will work with a mobo from the mobo spec ?

Is it possible to tell if grub4dos will work with a mobo from the mobo spec ?

 

Sure , you need to use one of these :

http://reboot.pro/to...-posts/?p=45073

 

 

Wonko

The Gigabyte Mobo's are indeed quite handy and allow to Select from F12 Boot Menu

to Boot in either BIOS or UEFI mode.

I used my MultiBoot USB-harddisk on Gigabyte board

and can say that Grub4dos booting is working direct but only in BIOS mode and NOT in UEFI-mode.

 

Thanks. You've always been very helpful.

When you say "Select from F12 Boot Menu to Boot in either BIOS or UEFI mode.", does this have to be done every time the user boots, or is it a setting that you can save ?

When you say "Select from F12 Boot Menu to Boot in either BIOS or UEFI mode.", does this have to be done every time the user boots, or is it a setting that you can save ?

Both is possible:

set a setting: boot at BIOS mode: motherboard boot at BIOS mode always.
Or set UEFI mode.

Or press F12 and select at each boot.

I apologize for the delay in replying.

 

I took a deeper look into your methods and it may work, but would require me modifying nearly all of my flash drive to do so, and I still need Grub4Dos to load other applications such as Paragon or Acronis, hence why I asked if it was possible to do it any other way.

 

Is this the only way to do it?