Help! (Re)creating an install CD Options

[Dave Bell]

I learned of Bart's PE Builder from a PCWorld article ( http://find.pcworld.com/51120 ) that directly addressed a problem I have been fighting. I have two Compaq desktops at home, one of which has been "down" for months, ever since loading Micro$oft's beta anti-spyware. (The "down" system lost all networking capability, and runs extremely slowly when booted normally. Almost normal except for networking, in Safe Mode.)

Neither system was shipped with "master" install or recovery disks (brand new). All my attempts at restoring to prior checkpoints have been futile - NONE are "useable".

The PCWorld article particularly addressed using PE Builder to create an install CD from the installed i386 directory, and I saw it as a Godsend, to get that one system back up. However, I ran into the folowing error, when attempting to Build from either machine:
"Source files wrong version. File version "C:\i386\ntdll.dll" is 5.1.3600.0 should be 5.1.2600.1045 or higher. You must use Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Server 2003 version of windows!"
Both systems display service pack 2 when queried, and the one working PC is on automatic updates, so is constantly at the latest revision.

Help - please!!

Dave

[cdob]

You have to use XP SP1 source files at last. I recommend SP2.

There are old files at C:\i386, without SP1 integrated.

First backup files, copy c:\i386 to c:\xp_sp2.

Download XP SP2 and slipstream to c:\xp_sp2.

Run PEBuilder now and use source c:\xp_sp2.

[jaclaz]

To better clear the situation:
1) the installed \i386 directory is plain XP, i.e. 2600
2) the SYSTEM was later upgraded to SP2 via the Service Pack or Windows Update
3) the upgrade procedure does NOT modify the \i386 directory, it simply INSTALLS the upgrades to SYSTEM
4) you need, as cdob said, to SLIPSTREAM (i.e. merge) the \i386 directory with upgrades (SP 2)
5) this is better done, as said, by copying the original \i386 directory to another place and apply the changes to the copy, so that you still have the original untouched

Slipstreaming is explained here:
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/w...sp2-bootcd.html
http://www.petri.co.il/windows_xp_sp_slipstreaming.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windo..._slipstream.asp

jaclaz

[Dave Bell]

To better clear the situation:
1) the installed \i386 directory is plain XP, i.e. 2600
2) the SYSTEM was later upgraded to SP2 via the Service Pack or Windows Update
3) the upgrade procedure does NOT modify the \i386 directory, it simply INSTALLS the upgrades to SYSTEM

D'OH!!!! Of course! I kept missing that simple detail...
Thank you, and thanks, cdob, also!

I'll give it a try.

Dave

[Dave Bell]

Well, I guess I need more help!

I downloaded and slipstreamed in XP SP2, creating a new directory copy containing my i386 folders, and updated to SP2, presumably. I ran PE Builder, which now runs without rejecting the version, and it created C:\pebuilder3110a, some 167 MB of files.

However, the log stream reported 1 error and 2 warnings, and failed to create a CD:

Warning: Using an OEM file set may mean trouble (paraphrased...)
Error: i386\NETAC300.INF missing
Warning: i386\SYSTEM32\NTOSKRNL.EXE missing

Any guidance?

Thanks,

Dave

[Ed_P]

Any guidance?

Disable whatever plugin you added or created that refers to NETAC300.INF and try again. Nothing in my plugin folder references it.

[jaclaz]

The first warning, about OEM files should be normal since the PC's are Compaq (they have some "peculiar things, like HP's and Dell's).


For the NETAC300.INF missing, try what Ed P suggested, however you can try going on without it or adding it to the source, file can be found here:
http://www.infdump.com/inffiles/N/NETAC300.INF
(should be a driver for a PCMCIA Sierra Wireless Card??)

The strange thing as I see it is the missing NTOSKRNL.EXE file

Check if it is not named ntoskrnl.exe (small letters) in the source, if it's the case - pardon the pun - do rename it with all UPPER case letters.

jaclaz

P.S.: re-reading the title of your thread, remember that what we are talking about here is how to make a BartPE build here, NOT how to make an INSTALL CD, the latter is covered here:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=16343

[Dave Bell]

The strange thing as I see it is the missing NTOSKRNL.EXE file

Check if it is not named ntoskrnl.exe (small letters) in the source, if it's the case - pardon the pun - do rename it with all UPPER case letters.

I'm not sure if this more or less strange: There are only two files in the source i386\SYSTEM32\
NTDLL.DLL and SMSS.EXE

NTOSKRNL.EX_ is present, but in i386\, not the SYSTEM32 sub?!?

P.S.: re-reading the title of your thread, remember that what we are talking about here is how to make a BartPE build here, NOT how to make an INSTALL CD, the latter is covered here:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=16343

That's an entirely different problem with my understanding, then!
I'll check out the link today...

Thanks!

[Dave Bell]

P.S.: re-reading the title of your thread, remember that what we are talking about here is how to make a BartPE build here, NOT how to make an INSTALL CD, the latter is covered here:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=16343

Ah... Yes, same problem I have with yet another home PC, which IS an HP box.
I did note that the HP came with instructions (and possibly a nag message) on creating a recovery/reinstall CD from the HDD. Maybe that's how they solved the problem, after the lawsuit. I guess anything that can save them 30 cents per shipped unit is worth any amount of customer aggravation!

So, should I contact Compaq support and demand a (re-)install CD? Any hope of success?

[jaclaz]

So, should I contact Compaq support and demand a (re-)install CD? Any hope of success?

Cannot say, however you can try creating your own install CD as well....
....even if Compaq/HP does help you, it will take some time.

jaclaz

[Dave Bell]

Cannot say, however you can try creating your own install CD as well....
....even if Compaq/HP does help you, it will take some time.

jaclaz

Now, that is where I started, going the Bart's PE Builder path.
I may have been misled by (or more likely, I misunderstood) a PC World article that pointed me to Bart's site.
http://find.pcworld.com/51120

If PE Builder isn't the way to go, how do you suggest I go about creating an install CD from a working XP PC?

Thank you for all the help!

Dave

[mbarnes]

Hi Dave Bell

Bart PE is for rescueing PC system who's hard disk is not damaged or corrupted beyond repair, and rescuing any data on the hard disk.

If your PC has the \I386 folder which would exist on a real XP CD and a \Windows (containing installed version) folder then you may be able to create a bootable XP CD using something like Nero CD burning software, using option to create bootable CD.
( XP CD has folder \I386 size about 500MB to 550MB & over 6000 files)

If you have slipstreamed in SP2 to \I386 or a copy of \I386 this is even better.

Search using Google etc for instructions on creating Slipstreamed XP CD which show how to use the CD burning software you have available. (There are complicated steps involved in makeing a bootable CD)
This will give you the detailed steps to put the slipstreamed I386 folder and its contents back onto a bootable CD

You will need boot file for the XP CD which can be extracted from a borrowed Win XP CD or Win 2000 CD.
I use Nero software and their web site provides a boot file called boot.bin (a 2k file) which you can use instead of the boot file from XP CD. (this is equivalent to the boot sector of a floppy disk)

Sometimes \I386 folder is too big over 700 Meg ! (probably fatal unless you know which files to delete), sometimes files are missing ! but it is worth a try.
(I tried with a Acer laptop, despite a few missing files it enabled me to install XP on a clean hard disk)

Depending on XP version, root of XP CD contains small files:- Win51, Win51ip.SP2 Win51ip which can be recreated. (also autorun.inf and setup.exe )
(ip = professional version, ic = home version, SP2 or SP1 files indicates which service pack)

regards
Mike Barnes

[Dave Bell]

Bart PE is for rescueing PC system who's hard disk is not damaged or corrupted beyond repair, and rescuing any data on the hard disk.

If your PC has the \I386 folder which would exist on a real XP CD and a \Windows (containing installed version) folder then you may be able to create a bootable XP CD using something like Nero CD burning software, using option to create bootable CD.
( XP CD has folder \I386 size about 500MB to 550MB & over 6000 files)

Mike Barnes

Thanks, Mike.

My HDD is mostly good. I downloaded MIcrosofts beta antispyware last year(!), and it killed networking. None of the restore points work, so I need to "gently" replace the OS, preferably without starting from scratch. Although, at this point, it isn't as big a deal, if I did erase everything.
I do have an i386 folder, but no copy on that system. I have another, identical PC of the same vintage, all good, with SP2 installed. I have already made a copy of its i386 and slipstreamed SP2, but Bart's PE is complaining about a couple of missing files.
I have Record Now, which came with the systems; not sure if that will create a bootable disk..

Dave

[mbarnes]

Hi Dave Bell

When slipstreaming the I386 folder to SP2 were there any error messages and does SP2.cab exist ?
What size is I386 folder after slipstreaming SP2 ?

If no error messages occured and SP2.cab exists then SP2 probably integrated correctly.

Looking at Roxio Record Now web site making bootable CD's is not mentioned.

Regards

Mike Barnes

[jaclaz]

so I need to "gently" replace the OS, preferably without starting from scratch

The procedure you need to do is a REPAIR install, as described here:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

To do the above you DON'T NEED BARTPE, but rather a XP INSTALL disk.

As said before, you can make such a disk from the /i386 folder of your computer hard disk, with a bit of tweaking, as detailed in the links in the other thread.

Go here:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=107&t=386271
and try following instructions.

If you have problems, post here for help.

For the moment, FORGET everything about BartPE.

jaclaz

[Dave Bell]

When slipstreaming the I386 folder to SP2 were there any error messages and does SP2.cab exist ?
What size is I386 folder after slipstreaming SP2 ?

No error messages, and apparently smooth integration.
sp2.cab does exist, 18.3 MB
\xp_sp2 is 483 MB

Dave

[Dave Bell]

The procedure you need to do is a REPAIR install, as described here:
As said before, you can make such a disk from the /i386 folder of your computer hard disk, with a bit of tweaking, as detailed in the links in the other thread.

Go here:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=107&t=386271
and try following instructions.

I see that, now... That thread was referenced in the previous link you sent me, but I confess that I petered out before getting to that final link! All I was seeing up until then were instructions on USING an install CD, or working from a recovery CD, neither of which I have.

I already have the slipstreamed SP2 directory, and the rest looks fairly clear.
I'll probably be back, though!!

Thanks, again!

Dave

[Dave Bell]

Go here:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=107&t=386271
and try following instructions.

Just digging a little deeper, before starting, I ran into thie exchange in the referenced thread:

[Gavin001] My computer never came with a winXP CD, everything came installed! Can i follow these instructions and make a Recovery CD 2 fix some files?
[Yochanan] Not without an XP CD, as you don't have anything to start with if you don't.

Since I do have an i386 directory, and a working (identical) XP system, then I do have everything I need?

Dave

[jaclaz]

Since I do have an i386 directory, and a working (identical) XP system, then I do have everything I need?

Well, noone here can KNOW that!

But you can start comparing your \i386 directory to the list you can find here:
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=102
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=104

Then, you will need some more files, i.e. those that actually go in the CD root
1) The BOOT img, this is called sometimes Microsoft Corporation.img,
sometimes Arnes Boot Record.img
They can be found with a little of googling around, or extracted from a XP CD, or from an .ISO file
HINT:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=16776
Check this for reference:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windo..._slipstream.asp

2) Some "ident" files:

Win51 ident file is required for all windows version.

XP Professional :
Win51ip.sp1 - sp1 ident file
Win51ip.sp2 - sp2 ident file

XP Home :
Win51ic.sp1 - sp1 ident file
Win51ic.sp2 - sp2 ident file

Win51 will be present in the root of XP cd.
Other files will be generated after integrating xp installation with sp.

These are TEXT files you can make with Notepad:

- WIN51
- WIN51IP
- WIN51IP.SP1
Files WIN51 and WIN51IP contain the word "Windows" without the quotes, third file goes empty. You will probably have to set your Windows Explorer to show known file-extensions so you can delete/change the .txt-extension
This will prevent the CD asking "put the SPx CD into drive A:" during install.

WIN51IP.SP2 should be generated by the slipstreaming process, if it's not, simply make a copy of WIN51IP.SP1 and rename it to WIN51IP.SP2

Quite obviously, using a CDRW for the tests is strongly advised....

jaclaz

This post has been edited by jaclaz: May 27 2008, 01:01 PM