4 replies to this topic

[Diskbox]

Can't believe I've only just found this program, it's great!

The goal:
To have a hidden partition which will enable end users to boot into and access the internet/AV and local C: files in case of a disaster.

Where I've got to:
I've built a .wim file using your tool and it does exactly what I need. I've then made a recovery partition and copied the .wim file to it, used easyBCDEdit to add a boot entry then hidden the partition. All of this works.

The problem:
I've really want to tie it to a F key, preferably F7, so when the machine POSTS the user his F7 then can select "Recovery" to boot the wim. (If I leave it in the boot menu as above users are just going to keep booting to it then calling me up!)

Possible solution:
I know this can be done because this guy here has done it with his hacked down PE but I've so far been unable to pull him image out and put yours in. Besides, his doesn't do all the things this one does.

Question:
I'm sure someone must have done this before so is anyone able to point me in the right direction please?

Regards,
Diskbox

Edited by Diskbox, 19 October 2011 - 04:52 PM.

[Wonko the Sane]

There are mainly two ways.
One is to use a suitable MBR code replacement, such as mbldr:
http://mbldr.sourceforge.net/
or Terabyte's MBR Utility thingy:
http://www.terabyteu...ee-software.htm

You can find some reference to the above here:
http://reboot.pro/15623/
(and thereby given links)

The other approach is to use some features of the actual "standard" Vista or 7 to start the "WinRE" environment.

You can find some reference about this here (but I think you are doomed to use F8 ):
http://www.msfn.org/...via-f8-startup/



Wonko

[sbaeder]

I was thinnking of using that recovery tool at some point, so this got my "interest"...After about 30 Min of searching at looking at the tool, I guessed it must be using some sort of BCD "tricky-ness" to get to the other boot-able environment...

So, a few more searches found this page...http://boyans.my3gb....tomActions.html Which points over to this page at MS which has a white paper on vista - but same for Win7 too

On systems that have BIOS firmware, Windows Vista and earlier versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system install an MBR during setup of the operating system. For earlier versions of Windows, some system manufacturers provide diagnostic and recovery applications in the pre-operating system environment by installing an OEM-specific MBR to "hook" the boot process.
For Windows Vista, an OEM-specific MBR can interfere with the boot process. An OEM-specific MBR also cannot be cleanly integrated with system recovery, which can cause problems for users.
Windows Vista supports the ability to load and execute a sequence of boot applications in response to a specific keyboard scan code. This paper describes how manufacturers can integrate value-added functionality with the boot and recovery process by adding custom actions to the boot sequence of the Windows Vista boot manager.
This information applies for the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

So, this is how it can be done...(YMMV since I haven't done this personally, but seems to be pointing in the right direction - however, as Mr. Wonko can attest, I am often asleep at the keyboard)...


Scott

[Wonko the Sane]

For Windows Vista, an OEM-specific MBR can interfere with the boot process.

I would have said that for Windows Vista , the actual OS may intefere with the boot process.


Seriously, in the thread on MSFN there is a prolly complete report on how to setup that thingy.


Wonko

[FerrariGuy]

In order to use the various F keys in the bootup process, you'll need to modifiy/add some lines in the BCD to specify what your "Custom Actions" do.

http://social.techne...c9-2d8958eb035d

Custom Bootstrap Actions in Windows Vista
http://msdn.microsof...e/gg463116.aspx