17 replies to this topic

[NetFanTom]

Superstition_Stick - USB Stick partitioning

Superstition or the answer:
I do not believe that MS uses multi partitions on a USB Stick.
On the other hand, we can use normally not accessed systems on "unused" partitions.

Goal: Create und Use in a simple possible way partitions on a USB Stick to boot in to some systems.



Of course you have to forgo the usual boot loader.
There is Grub4Dos and Syslinux to use.
Grub4Dos:
"http://code.google.c...downloads/list"
Thanks to chenall and all the other for the excellent work.
Syslinux:
"http://reboot.pro/15086/"
Thanks to Icecube and all the other for the excellent work.

Download and extract the Superstition_Stick package e.g. in C:Superstition_Stick
Superstition_Stick_2012-01-31.zip (6.72 MB)

Superstition_Stick_2012-01-31.zip mediafire (6.72 MB)

Go to the C:Superstition_StickStick_parts folder
and create a Partition folder tree e.g.:
01_Start_Main_nettyPE
02_TRK_3-4...175MB
03_MultiPE...560MB
04_WinXPsetup...890MB

Background bases
Windows will recognize only one, the first FAT, FAT32 or NTFS partition on a USB Stick.
Only if the previous partition types are set to 0x00 - means unused -, then Windows
recognizes the current FAT, FAT32 or NTFS partition as USB Stick partition.

It follows:
- Forget the boot sequence - MS-MBR - MS-Bootsector-PBR - bootmgr... on a multi partition USB Stick
- replace it with Grub4Dos-sequence-MBR - grldr-file - menu.lst-file...

use
EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition to create the partitions,
grubinst_gui.exe to set the MBR and
PTEDIT32.exe to set the previous partition types temporary to 0x00
for accessing the current partition under windows.
Simple click on the USB icon at SysTray, click USB Stick Eject,
wait until the "Save to Remove Hardware" window appears,
remove the USB Stick and re-insert it.
Alternative you can reboot the system, boot from USB Stick and choice the current partition
even if the partition is empty. A empty partition results a new reboot to the host system.

menu.lst principle:
a) Header example
default 0
timeout 5
## the original parttypes:
## parttype (hd0,0) 0x07
## parttype (hd0,1) 0x0B
## parttype (hd0,2) 0x07
## parttype (hd0,3) 0x07
## don't use extended partition e.g. (hd0,X) 0x0F or 0x05 !!!
parttype (hd0,0) 0x07
parttype (hd0,1) 0x0B
parttype (hd0,2) 0x07
parttype (hd0,3) 0x07
## set previous parttypes to 0x00 !!!

splashimage /Boot/gentleblue.gz

b ) First partition
title Name-part1
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /BOOTMGR || chainloader /ntldr || chainloader /syslinux.bs || configfile /menu.lst || reboot

c) Second partition
title Name-part2
parttype (hd0,0) 0x00
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
chainloader /BOOTMGR || chainloader /ntldr || chainloader /syslinux.bs || configfile /menu.lst || reboot

d) Third partition
title Name-part3
parttype (hd0,0) 0x00
parttype (hd0,1) 0x00
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
chainloader /BOOTMGR || chainloader /ntldr || chainloader /syslinux.bs || configfile /menu.lst || reboot

e) Fourth partition
title Name-part4
parttype (hd0,0) 0x00
parttype (hd0,1) 0x00
parttype (hd0,2) 0x00
rootnoverify (hd0,3)
chainloader /BOOTMGR || chainloader /ntldr || chainloader /syslinux.bs || configfile /menu.lst || reboot

The same menu.lst and grldr files must be located in the root directory of each partition.
For a syslinux menu in a usb partition drive g: use syslinux.exe -f g: g:syslinux.bs.
The bootMakeSyslbs.cmd on USB drive does this job (as administrator).

Details/ Examples
Partitioning the USB Stick
Download and install EASEUS Partition Master.
The Home Edition is freeware.
http://www.partition...om/download.htm

Please retrieve the sizes of the folder 02 to 04.
E.g. the sum of the folder 02 to 04 is: 175MB + 560MB + 890MB = 1625MB
If you have a USB Stick with 7500MB, then the partition 01 results
7500MB - 1625MB = 5875MB

Create with the EASEUS Partition Master on USB Stick the partitions:
(if drive f: is the USB Stick)
Use the Name as label.
F:
Start (label) NTFS (File System) 5875MB (Capacity) Active (Status) Primary (Type)
TRK_3-4 (label) FAT32 (File System) 175MB (Capacity) None (Status) Primary (Type)
MultiPE (label) NTFS (File System) 560MB (Capacity) None (Status) Primary (Type)
WinXPsetup (label) NTFS (File System) 890MB (Capacity) None (Status) Primary (Type)



The Gub4dos Sequence MBR
Use C:Superstition_Sticktoolsgrubinstgrubinst_gui.exe (as administrator).
http://sourceforge.n...ubinst%201.0.1/
Don't use (hd0). (hd0) is your builtin harddisk.
e.g. use (hd1) (if hd1 is your USB Stick)
activate Don't save old MBR to the second sector
activate Disable the boot of previous MBR
click Install



The partition folder tree on C:Superstition_StickStick_parts folder
I suggest copy all files in to the partition folder tree.

The first partition 01_Start_Main_nettyPE

Win7PE nettyPE
For the first main partition i use Win7PE nettyPE with integreted PXE Network boot server
http://reboot.pro/15553/
and the 33-easeus-partition-master-homescript by sbaeder, thank you for the excellent work.
http://reboot.pro/fi...ter-homescript/
OtherOs full integration, but pmagic not. I have pmagic integrated separately.
Open the Win7PE_x86.ISO file with 7zip and copy the content
to the C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE folder.

LiveXP
http://reboot.pro/fi...file/30-livexp/
Thanks to Nuno Brito for the excellent work.
Open the LiveXP.ISO file with 7zip and copy the content
to the C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE folder.
Go to the I386 folder and copy the SETUPLDR.BIN and the NTDETECT.COM to the partition root
in C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE folder.
Rename SETUPLDR.BIN to NTLDR.
Copy from C:Superstition_SticktoolsXP-PEpatch folder the gsar.exe and patchLDR.cmd
to the partition root in C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE.
Run as administrator the patchLDR.cmd and delete the gsar.exe and patchLDR.cmd files.
menu.lst entry:
title LiveXP
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /ntldr

Copy G4D and syslinux files to the USB root
Go to C:Superstition_StickUSB_root folder and
copy the content to C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE with overwriting.

PartedMagic (pmagic)
http://partedmagic.com
Thanks for the excellent work.
Please download the Iso file.
Open the pmagic_2011_12_30.ISO file with 7zip and copy the pmagic folder with content
and the mgriso file to the C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE folder.
Go within the 7zip window to the bootsyslinux folder and
Copy
message.txt
message2.txt
message3.txt
message4.txt
and
syslinux.cfg
to the C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPEbootsyslinux folder.
menu.lst entry:
title Load SYSLINUX menu pmagic
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /syslinux.bs

WinSetup from VHD file
http://reboot.pro/16...post__p__144401
http://reboot.pro/15815/
http://reboot.pro/15516/
Thanks to sambul61 for the excellent work.
Simple create a static vhd disk 1.4 GB Win7Setup.vhd with the Disk Management.
Copy the content from Win7setup CD or Iso in to the VHD disk.
Detach the Win7setup.vhd and copy this file to C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE folder.
menu.lst entry:
title Setup Win7 from VHD
find --set-root --ignore-floppies /Win7Setup.vhd
map /Win7Setup.vhd (hd0)
map --hook
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /bootmgr
...
Finish the 1. partition on USB Stick
PTEDIT32 download:
ftp://ftp.symantec.c...es/PTEDIT32.zip
Run the C:Superstition_SticktoolsPTEDIT32.exe as administrator and check the
partition types 0x07 (NTFS), 0x0B (FAT32), 0x07 (NTFS) and 0x07 (NTFS) on Drive 2,
if Drive 2 is your USB Stick.
Copy the content from C:Superstition_StickStick_parts01_Start_Main_nettyPE folder
to the USB Drive name "Start".
Go to the USB drive boot folder and run the MakeSyslbs.cmd as administrator.
The ldlinux.sys and syslinux.bs will be created.

The second partition - 02_TRK_3-4...175MB
trinity rescue kit
Download the iso file from http://trinityhome.org
Open the trinity-rescue-kit.3.4-build-372.iso file with 7zip and copy the content
to the C:Superstition_StickStick_parts02_TRK_3-4...175MB folder.
menu.lst entry:
title Load SYSLINUX menu trinity-rescue-kit
parttype (hd0,0) 0x00
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
chainloader /BOOTMGR || chainloader /ntldr || chainloader /syslinux.bs || configfile /menu.lst || reboot

Copy G4D and syslinux files to the USB root
Go to C:Superstition_StickUSB_root folder and
copy the content to C:Superstition_StickStick_parts02_TRK_3-4...175MB with overwriting.
Copy C:Superstition_StickStick_parts02_TRK_3-4...175MBbootsyslinuxvesamenu.c32
to C:Superstition_StickStick_parts02_TRK_3-4...175MB with overwriting.

Finish the 2. partition on USB Stick
Run the C:Superstition_SticktoolsPTEDIT32.exe as administrator and check the
partition types on Drive 2, if Drive 2 is your USB Stick.
Set the type from the first partition to 0x00, click Save Changes and close
the Ptedit32 Program.



Click on the USB icon at SysTray, click USB Stick Eject,
wait until the "Save to Remove Hardware" window appears,
remove the USB Stick and re-insert it.
Alternative you can reboot the system, boot from USB Stick and choice the second partition
even if the partition is empty. A empty partition results a new reboot to the host system.
The USB drive name "TRK_3-4" appears.
Copy the content from C:Superstition_StickStick_parts02_TRK_3-4...175MB folder
to the USB Drive name "TRK_3-4".
Go to the USB drive boot folder and run the MakeSyslbs.cmd as administrator.
The ldlinux.sys and syslinux.bs will be created.

The third partition - 03_MultiPE...560MB
MultiPE_win8/win7
For the first partition i use multipe. Thanks to pscEx for the excellent work.
http://reboot.pro/fi...ile/61-multipe/
Open the multiPE_Win8.iso or the multiPE_Win7.iso file with 7zip and copy the content
to the C:Superstition_StickStick_parts03_MultiPE...560MB folder.

menu.lst entry:
title MultiPE
parttype (hd0,0) 0x00
parttype (hd0,1) 0x00
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
chainloader /BOOTMGR || chainloader /ntldr || chainloader /syslinux.bs || configfile /menu.lst || reboot

Copy G4D and syslinux files to the USB root
Go to C:Superstition_StickUSB_root folder and
copy the content to C:Superstition_StickStick_parts03_MultiPE...560MB with overwriting.

Finish the 3. partition on USB Stick
Run the C:Superstition_SticktoolsPTEDIT32.exe as administrator and check the
partition types on Drive 2, if Drive 2 is your USB Stick.
Set the type from the first partition to 0x00,
set the type from the second partition to 0x00,
click Save Changes and close the Ptedit32 Program.



Click on the USB icon at SysTray, click USB Stick Eject,
wait until the "Save to Remove Hardware" window appears,
remove the USB Stick and re-insert it.
Alternative you can reboot the system, boot from USB Stick and choice the third partition
even if the partition is empty. A empty partition results a new reboot to the host system.
The USB drive name "MultiPE" appears.
Copy the content from C:Superstition_StickStick_parts03_MultiPE...560MB folder
to the USB Drive name "MultiPE".

The fourth partition - 04_WinXPsetup...890MB
WinXPsetup

In C:Superstition_StickStick_parts03_MultiPE...560MB folder
must be the the WinXPsetup files built by WinSetupFromUSB.exe.

menu.lst entry:
title WinXPsetup
parttype (hd0,0) 0x00
parttype (hd0,1) 0x00
parttype (hd0,2) 0x00
rootnoverify (hd0,3)
configfile /winsetup.lst

Please change the winsetup.lst file:
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
timeout 10
default /windefault

title First part of Windows XP Professional setup
## root (hd0,0)
chainloader /$WIN_NT$.~BT/SETUPLDR.BIN
savedefault 1

title Second part of XP Professional setup+Start Windows for first time
## root (hd0,0)
chainloader /ntldr
savedefault

Please change the boot.ini file:
[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(4)WINDOWS
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(4)WINDOWS="Second part of XP Professional setup from hd 0 part 1" /FASTDETECT

Copy G4D and syslinux files to the USB root
Go to C:Superstition_StickUSB_root folder and
copy the content to C:Superstition_StickStick_parts04_WinXPsetup...890MB with overwriting.

Finish the 4. partition on USB Stick
Run the C:Superstition_SticktoolsPTEDIT32.exe as administrator and check the
partition types on Drive 2, if Drive 2 is your USB Stick.

Set the type from the first partition to 0x00,
set the type from the second partition to 0x00,
set the type from the third partition to 0x00,
click Save Changes and close the Ptedit32 Program.



Click on the USB icon at SysTray, click USB Stick Eject,
wait until the "Save to Remove Hardware" window appears,
remove the USB Stick and re-insert it.
Alternative you can reboot the system, boot from USB Stick and choice the fourth partition
even if the partition is empty. A empty partition results a new reboot to the host system.
The USB drive name "WinXPsetup" appears.
Copy the content from C:Superstition_StickStick_parts04_WinXPsetup...890MB folder
to the USB Drive name "WinXPsetup".

Reset the partition types to original types
Run the C:Superstition_SticktoolsPTEDIT32.exe as administrator and check the
partition types on Drive 2, if Drive 2 is your USB Stick.
Set the type from the first partition to 0x0F,
set the type from the second partition to 0x0B,
set the type from the third partition to 0x0F,
click Save Changes and close the Ptedit32 Program.
Click on the USB icon at SysTray, click USB Stick Eject,
wait until the "Save to Remove Hardware" window appears,
remove the USB Stick and re-insert it.
Alternative you can reboot the system, boot from USB Stick and choice the first partition
even if the partition is empty. A empty partition results a new reboot to the host system.
The USB drive name "Start" appears.

Updating
Please update the C:Superstition_Stick folder tree for software updates.
Reset the partition types.
In my opinion the best way is to start linux.
Under linux we have access to all USB Partitions.
Start e.g. PartedMagic-pmagic or Trinity-Rescue-Kit linux,
mount the partitions and copy the content of the partition folder tree
(sdbX) ... Superstition_Stick/Stick_parts/...
to
the USB Stick
sda1, sda2, sda3 and sda4.

Syslinux menu as primary menu
Syslinux menu as primary menu is a excellent idea.
You only have to do the following.
On each USB partition you must create the /syslinux.bs file
with the help of bootMakeSyslbs.cmd program under windows.

Change the menu.lst
Set timeout to 0:
default 0
timeout 0
...

Set the first title entry to:
title Load SYSLINUX menu
root ()
chainloader /syslinux.bs

SYSLINUX searches for the SYSLINUX.CFG file in the following order:
/boot/syslinux/syslinux.cfg
/syslinux/syslinux.cfg
/syslinux.cfg

Create, copy or change the syslinux.cfg file.

Use the Grub functionality within the syslinux.cfg menu e.g.
label MultiPE
kernel /grub.exe
append --config-file="parttype (hd0,0) 0x00; parttype (hd0,1) 0x00; rootnoverify (hd0,2); chainloader /BOOTMGR"

Enjoy

Regards,
NetFanTom

[steve6375]

Using Easeus Home version 9.1.0, I cannot make 4 partitions. When I try to create the 4th ptn (having made 3 primary ptns) EPT says 'Please convert an existing Primary partition to a Logical partition' and refuses to make either a logical or primary 4th partition.
OK! There was a funny 4th v small ptn at the end and it did not show up clearly on the GUI bar window! My fault!

[NetFanTom]

Never mind.

The Disk Management makes creating difficulties in the way of a fourth primary partition, healways wants to create an extented partition of the fourth entry.
I hope the above method is also useful for others. I can use a USB stick partitioning very well.

Regards,
NetFanTom

[laddanator]

I like this idea. I really only need two partitions on my USB, 1 for ntfs and 1, for fat32. So if I follow all the steps above, I can create two partitions on USB which Windows only sees one unless you boot to Ubuntu and both are seen...back on track and from then out, Windows will see both partitions?

[NetFanTom]

Thank you for your post.

I have carried out the partitioning of USB sticks for the following reasons:

First - Some systems use the same files
e.g. LiveXP and WinXPsetup use the ntldr (SETUPLDR.BIN) file. If both systems are brought to one partition,
then in each case WinXPsetup is performed.
On the other hand, it is quite difficult LiveXP and WinXPsetup start by an ISO or VHD, especially when I'm only have 256 MB ram.

Second - It is convenient to install multiple systems with syslinux.cfg menus on different partitions
e.g. PartedMagic is located on the first partition with NTFS and uses the /boot/syslinx/syslinux.cfg file.
Trinity Rescue Kit is located on the second partition with FAT32 and uses the /syslinux.cfg file.

e.g. MultiPE_Win8 uses the file sourcesboot.wim just like Win7PE_nettyPE,
thats why is MultiPE on the third partition and Win7PE_nettyPE on the first partition.

...back on track and from then out, Windows will see both partitions?

The EASUS Partition Master team and I believe that currently only one,
the first FAT, FAT32 or NTFS partition on a USB flash drive appears under Windows.

We all do not know what's happening in the future.

I want for my part do not interfere in MS.
But I give the tip, which is a pure gut feeling,
everything remains as it is
and only one partition appears on a USB flash drive in Windows.
For this reason, this USB stick is only a Superstition Stick.

not native - not naturally -->
supernatural -->
superstition

Anyway, if you have created the Superstition stick, he will also work in the future.

Thank you for your attention.

Regards,
NetFanTom

[TheHive]

[NetFanTom]

@steve6375:

I've seen that you offering grubinst v1.2 to download on your web site.
rmprepusb.reboot.pro/documents/rmprepusb-beta-versions/grubinst.zip

grubinst is a little bit buggy.

If I only have NTFS partitions on the USB flash drive,
the grldr routine requires an MS boot sector (PBR) type of nt52 for ntldr.

Can you correct this bug and provide the correct version available on your website?

For help, I am very grateful.

Regards,
NetFanTom

[steve6375]

Not sure what you mean. Install RMPrepUSb and click the Install grub4dos button. My version fixes a bug where MS-DOS would not boot if you installed it to PBR. Maybe it also fixes your issue (which I have not heard of).
If not, can you explain what case does not work.

[NetFanTom]

If I format a USB stick with NTFS under Windows7, is usually setup a nt60 PBR for the BOOTMGR.

If I then setup grubinst the routine want to have when booting an NTFS PBR (nt52 for ntldr).

[steve6375]

I did this...

1. Format USB drive using Win 7 as NTFS
2. Check PBR has 'BOOTMGR' boot sector
3. Click on Install Grub4dos button in RMPrepUSB - choose 'No' for PBR install

grubinst --verbose --pause --install-partition=0 (hd2)

Part Fs: 07 (NTFS)

Part Leng: 3678822

Start sector: 0x3F

Image type: NTFS

Install mode=NTFS PBR

The MBR/BS has been successfully installed

Press <ENTER> to continue ...

4. Hit Enter to copy over grldr when prompted

No problem?? What do you mean by 'want to when booting an NTFS PBR (nt52 for ntldr)' ???
P.S. You need to run touchdrv.exe after installing to PBR under Win7 - is this where you are having problems?

[NetFanTom]

It looks like that i use only this command:

grubinst --no-backup-mbr --mbr-disable-osbr (hd1)

I have to change it:

grubinst --no-backup-mbr --mbr-disable-osbr --install-partition=0 (hd1)

thanks for the quick answer.

btw: RMPrepUSB is very interesting.

Regards

[steve6375]

so you are installing to MBR - that works for me too...

grubinst --verbose --pause --skip-mbr-test (hd2)

[NetFanTom]

Regarding grubinst:

It was probably the partitioning / formatting.

Sometimes I got the error message:


I have how described partitioned, formatted and
Grubinst_GUI executed. After that the error was corrected.



Regards,
NetFanTom

[Wonko the Sane]

Is there a reason for NOT making a backup of the MBR?
I mean it costs nothing and may result useful.


Wonko

[NetFanTom]

Is there a reason for NOT making a backup of the MBR?
I mean it costs nothing and may result useful.

Excellent idea:


Thank You

[Husain-The New Rookie]

cant download PTEDIT32.zip guys . i also searched on google but i can't get it to download from the other sites either.
plz help
plz someone upload this file on reboot.pro or mediafire

[TheHive]

The
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/tools/pq/utilities/PTEDIT32.zip
Link provided on the first post is working.

[Husain-The New Rookie]

thanks TheHive

yesterday this link was not working for some reason and i was getting an error

but today its working thanks for help