168 replies to this topic

[requiem]

I am not able to open a shell. After the "Windows is loading files..." screen, a shell appears with "X:\windows\system32\wpeinit", then after a while, a pop-up shows with the message " There is no disk in the drive. Please insert a disk into drive \Device\Harddisk2\DR2." with three options, Cancel, Try Again and Continue, all of them end up in the same message in a shell, "Error - Could not find Install.wim in W732 folder!".
The usb drive has three partitions, 1st FAT32, 2nd NTFS (with boot flag) and 3rd FAT32.
If I put the files in the first partition runs good, the problem comes when the files are not in the first one...

EDIT:
" If USB stick- Windows will not see any other partitions, but the first one, so you are restricted to it anyway." is what they say in here
http://www.msfn.org/...omusb-with-gui/...
So I guess it is not possible...

Edited by requiem, 30 December 2010 - 01:46 PM.

[steve6375]

The message you describe does not sound like a standard MS install DVD? Are you using an OEM install/Recovery DVD by any chance?

[requiem]

Yes, I am. But as I said, works flawless if I put them in the first partition. And anyhow is not finding the install.wim, so the problem must be in the boot.wim or in the bcd, right?

[steve6375]

Are you using the multiwim install method as described in my tutorial based on the discussions in this thread, or the multiwim install method based on far.in.out's method, or perhaps a completely different method of preparation?
If the method from my tutorial then you should be able to press SHIFT+F10 when you get the ERROR - COULD NOT FIND INSTALL.WIM in xxx folder! message.

So can you give us a clue as to what version of Windows you are trying to use and how you prepared the USB stick? Presumably you are using Win 7 32-bit (guessing from the error message?) so you should have a \W732\install.wim file present on your second partition?

[requiem]

I used your method, the one in here My linkhttp://sites.google.com/site/rmprepusb... that I think is yours...
The version I am using of windows is an "All in one" version, that has both, x32 and x64.
Yes I have the file install.wim in \W732\

[steve6375]

I used your method, the one in here My linkhttp://sites.google.com/site/rmprepusb... that I think is yours...
The version I am using of windows is an "All in one" version, that has both, x32 and x64.
Yes I have the file install.wim in \W732\

how big is the wim file? Maybe there is a problem accessing a partition, hence the retry message?

[Wonko the Sane]

So I guess it is not possible...

No, it is possible (if this is the problem, and it does look like it is ).

As said you need to install a filter driver that will make the device seen as "Fixed" (as opposed to "Removable").

BOTH cfadisk.sys and dummydisk.sys have been reported as working on Windows 7:
http://www.msfn.org/...os/page__st__49

What I am not familiar with (and what I cannot help you with) is the actual method/way to add the drivers inside the boot.wim as I don't normally use Windows 7, BUT here is a rather detailed report method:
http://www.msfn.org/...artition-grub2/
that you should be able to follow succesfully. (detailed for dummydisk.sys)


Wonko

[steve6375]

No, it is possible (if this is the problem, and it does look like it is ).

As said you need to install a filter driver that will make the device seen as "Fixed" (as opposed to "Removable").

BOTH cfadisk.sys and dummydisk.sys have been reported as working on Windows 7:
http://www.msfn.org/...os/page__st__49

What I am not familiar with (and what I cannot help you with) is the actual method/way to add the drivers inside the boot.wim as I don't normally use Windows 7, BUT here is a rather detailed report method:
http://www.msfn.org/...artition-grub2/
that you should be able to follow succesfully. (detailed for dummydisk.sys)


Wonko

Just tried WinPE v2 and it does not mount any volume other than the first one on a multiple partitioned USB removable flash drive.

[requiem]

Just making the 3rd step of this method http://www.msfn.org/board/t at the end of your method, and now its working. First partition FAT32 empty, second one NTFS with all the files.

Edited by requiem, 30 December 2010 - 05:29 PM.

[Wonko the Sane]

Just making the 3rd step of this method http://www.msfn.org/board/t at the end of your method, and now its working. First partition FAT32 empty, second one NTFS with all the files.

I presume I can put you among the "happy bunnies" :
http://www.msfn.org/...up/page__st__10


Let's wait for steve6375 to join you .


Wonko

[steve6375]

I won't try it as it has been tried by many before me, but happily accept the great WtS verdict

[requiem]

By the way, the exactly way how I do it, is first I make the folder C:\MYUSB, as you put in your method, then I use gparted to make all the partitions in the USB drive, and put the "boot" flag in the partition that I'll put the files, then is just coping all the files of MYUSB to that partition...and then happy bunnies to everyone!

[Wonko the Sane]

.... then I use gparted to make all the partitions in the USB drive, and put the "boot" flag in the partition that I'll put the files, then is ....

But you can also install the filter driver in your "main" OS and use "normal" Disk Manager to do the partitioning and set the active partition.
(I mean no need to reboot to gparted or anything else).
Though the board was IMHO VERY improperly named "reboot.pro", real professionals tend to avoid ANY unneeded reboot.
Or you can "go virtual" and work on an (empty) image of your stick, and once finished image it to the stick.
Any tester for VSS services on Windows 7?
http://reboot.pro/6492/
Or maybe using a VHD (I seem that 7 has "native" VHD mounting support ) and then image through clonedisk?
http://reboot.pro/


Wonko

[requiem]

reboot to gparted?
I always have a main system with a win virtual machine and another one in debian, so no need to reboot for me

Edited by requiem, 31 December 2010 - 03:14 PM.

[DirtyToad]

Hello Friend I have a question the method explained here

http://sites.google.com/site/rmprepusb/tutorials/how-to-create-a-usb-drive-that-will-install-vista-win7-and-server-2008

is working fne for me...
now I want to know that
I have combined WIN7 x86-64 Install.wim
and combined WIN2k8 x86-64 Install.wim
and combined VISTA x86-64 Install.wim

(I have also combined my win2k8R2 and win7 both x86 and x64 in one install.wim please also provide the solution to workout with that)
is there any step by step tutorial to make everything from scratch like making my own menu.lst and every other config file like ModBootWim and ChangeBCD I have tried to change them according to my requirement ut I am getting confused ...Please guied me..

now how can I make a bootable USB out of it with the following option
1. win PE
2. Win Vista 32/64
3. Win7 32/64
4. Win2k8 32/64
5. reboot
6. swith off

[steve6375]

Each install.wim contains a number of SKUs of each OS. The Setup files know which one is which. If you combine the images all into one WIM then the Setup files won't know which image is which. Also I don't think you can install a 64 bit OS using 32bit setup files (not sure?).

If you want to combine all images, then throw away the setup files, etc. and just script the install using a cmd menu or vbs or hta script (or AutoIt) from WinPE (x86 as Atom CPUs don't support x64 WInPE).

i.e.
Prepare a multiwim file
Boot to WinPE x86
User selects which image he wants
Run a scripted diskpart to make new partitions
Use Imagex to Apply correct image to new partition
reboot

[Haythem Houissa]

Hi!
I have HD with 2 partitions: C and D and a usb with windows server 2003 and vista. the installation of each of them works fine. I ve installed vista on C. all good. The problem is that when I installed server 2003 on D:, i can no more boot to vista! the boot sees only the last installed OS (2003).
I really need to use both of them ...
Please help me fix this issue ...

[far.in.out]

Download a freeware from NeoSmart Tech. called EasyBCD, there, on a page called "BCD Backup/Repair" you need to check the "Recreate/Repair boot files" and press the "Peform action" button. That's all!

[haythem1]

.

Download a freeware from NeoSmart Tech. called EasyBCD, there, on a page called "BCD Backup/Repair" you need to check the "Recreate/Repair boot files" and press the "Peform action" button. That's all!

Grand merci Newbie that software did the fix, now it is working. I installed it in the last installed (bootable) OS and launched. All Ok. Get my Vista and 2003