Guide for MultiBoot USB-stick with boot.ini Menu Options

[wimb_2]

Guide for MultiBoot USB-stick with boot.ini Menu

In this Guide is described How to Make a MultiBoot USB-stick, where boot options
as MS-DOS, FREEDOS 1.0, GRUB4DOS, BartPE, TXT-mode Setup Windows XP, WinPE 2.0 and SYSLINUX
can be used directly from boot.ini Menu. In this way a powerful Admin's Swiss Army Knife is obtained.

The USB_MultiBoot.cmd Batch Program can now be used for making such MultiBoot USB-Drive,
instead of the Manual Procedure as described below. The Attachment gives USB_MultiBoot.zip file.
The USB_MultiBoot.cmd program can be used for making
MultiBoot USB-Drive for Install of Windows XP with Extra Boot Options for System Recovery with Ghost.

All Editable Configuration Files for making a MultiBoot USB-stick are given in the MULTI_CONTENT folder.
The content of MULTI_CONTENT folder is copied to USB-Drive by the USB_MultiBoot.cmd program.
Adapt the configuration files and the content of the MULTI_CONTENT folder to your personal needs.

Where USB-stick is mentioned in the description, USB-Harddisk with 2 GB FAT Partition can be used as well.
Use USB-sticks with High Read/Write Speed and FAT Format for Direct Booting with MS-DOS from USB.
e.g. Buffalo FireStix RUF2-R2G-S (Corsair Flash Voyager sticks are too slow for FAT Format)

Direct Booting with MS-DOS from FAT Format USB-stick with boot.ini Menu is prepared as follows:
You only have to add from Win98 MS-DOS BootFloppy the files IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS to
the MULTI_CONTENT Folder and file COMMAND.COM to the folder DOS of the MULTI_CONTENT Folder.
These Hidden System Files are only visible in Windows Explorer after adjusting Tools > Folder Options

Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd and choose FAT Format with PeToUSB (max 2GB stick) and
Select Multi_boot.ini as boot.ini (option B ) and MULTI_CONTENT as Source (option 2) in the Main Menu.
The supplied config.sys of the MULTI_CONTENT folder regulates that for MS-DOS
the COMMAND.COM is found in the DOS folder so that confusion with FREEDOS is prevented.

Direct Booting with FREEDOS from USB was Removed since there were too few cases successful.

More INFO on Install XP from USB: http://www.msfn.org/board/install-XP-USB-t...6.html&st=6

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool V2.0.6 - NTFS Format
Install of XP from USB in 16 minutes - Corsair Flash Voyager 4 GB USB-stick

Supports also USB-Drives having FAT32 or NTFS Format, thus overcoming the 2 GB limit of FAT Format.
NTFS Format allows larger DriveSize and is very useful for Install of XP from USB-Harddisk.
Besides NTFS Format is handy for Install of Vista from USB via GRUB4DOS chainload of bootmgr
FAT32 is extremely slow in Windows XP FileCopy during TXT Mode,
whereas NTFS Format of USB-Drive makes everything go faster than with FAT Format.

Multi-Partitioning an USB-stick is possible when dummydisk of Anton Bassov
is Installed in your computer http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/sovie...ct_hooking.aspx
More Info See below.

================================================================================

A. Boot Test - Making Bootable USB-stick or USB-Harddisk with boot.ini Menu and NTLDR Bootsector
First Test if your PC is Booting from USB-stick:

1. Use 2 GB USB-stick with High Read/Write Speed (e.g. Apacer HT203 OR Buffalo FireStix RUF2-R2G-S are OK)

2. Format USB-stick with PeToUSB.exe http://gocoding.com/page.php?al=petousb
to Make Bootable USB-stick with FAT FileSystem, FAT = Faster
such that USB-stick has NTLDR Logical Drive Bootsector(mostly sector 0x3F=63)
and is seen by BIOS as Harddisk (MBR is at sector 0).
Use PeToUSB.exe with Settings: Enable Disk Format with LBA FAT16X

3. Copy XP BootFiles ntldr, NTDETECT.COM, Bootfont.bin and boot.ini from your XP C-drive to USB-stick
For this purpose in Windows Explorer Extra>Folder Options, Set Hidden and System Files to be Visible.

4. Change in boot.ini on stick rdisk(0) in rdisk(1) and add a second entry
so that on Booting from USB-stick you will be able to see the boot.ini Menu.
Before you Edit boot.ini, Remove first via Right-click and Properties the Read Only property.

boot.ini

CODE

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Test Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

5. Reboot your PC with USB-stick plugged in and Enter BIOS Setup by pressing [Delete] or F2
and change Boot settings more permanent so that Harddisk is used as first Boot device type
and USB-Drive is seen as first Harddisk. Save BIOS Settings with F10.

6. Test if your PC is Booting from USB-stick with boot.ini Menu. If you can see the Menu, it is OK
If USB-stick is not bootable:
Check BIOS bootsequence settings or use different USB-stick / computer combination,
OR Instead of PeToUSB use HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool Version 2.0.6 and use FAT filesystem
http://download.chip.eu/en/USB-Disk-Storag...0.6_176935.html

If you did prepare your USB-stick with USB_MultiBoot.cmd so that it can be used for Install of Windows XP,
than you had already a stick with boot.ini Menu and the required bootfiles, and you don't need to do steps 1-4

Instead of an USB-stick one can also make a Bootable USB-Harddisk using the steps 2-6 given above.

FOR USB-Harddisk make 1900 MB partition at beginning of the USB-Harddisk using e.g. Partition Magic.
Use FAT Format and Set Active OR use PeToUSB to Format such partition.
Without Set Active you will get DISK BOOT FAILURE.

================================================================================

***** WARNINGS *****
Be very careful with writing of bootsectors with HDHacker, bootsect.exe or mkbt.exe
Be always aware you make your changes on the right drive. Otherwise loss of DATA may be the result.
It is advisable to first remove all other removable drives, like USB Backup Harddisks and Memory Cards,
so that they cannot be involved by mistake in the writing process.

Do NOT use HP Tool for USB-Harddisks having more than 1 Partition
WARNING - HP Tool Formats whole Disk - Second Partition is Lost

Using PeToUSB.exe is SAFE, it can only Format partitions with size less than 2 GB
without destroying the existing partition table, so that Data partitions are still accessible.

Use of USB_MultiBoot.cmd and everything in this Guide is COMPLETELY at your own risk.

================================================================================

B. Adding New Boot Options - e.g. Booting the USB-stick via boot.ini directly into MS-DOS

This requires making a Bootsector File for each specific Boot Option and Adding a rule to boot.ini
mkbt.exe of Bart Lagerweij is very handy to make such Bootsector Files.
See: http://www.nu2.nu/mkbt/
mkbt.exe is so handy because it can change the Bootcode in the Bootsector,
while keeping the BIOS Parameter Block and the Extended Parameter Block unchanged.
This means the Drive geometry and File System (FAT) is maintained !
For this purpose the 7 f16*.bin files are supplied in folder makebt\BS_F16 as Source Code Bootsector Files.

1. Use procedure of Part A to make Bootable USB-stick with boot.ini Menu and NTLDR Bootsector
Make a proper Selection of your PeToUSB Settings to make a USB-Drive with FAT Format.
PeToUSB Settings To Format USB-Drive : Enable Disk Format with LBA FAT16X
When USB_MultiBoot.cmd is applied on existing USB-Drive with XP Install Files,
then Format is not needed and should be DeSelected.

Copy XP BootFiles ntldr, NTDETECT.COM, Bootfont.bin from your XP C-drive to USB-stick
Copy XP BootFile Multi_boot.ini from b_ini Folder to your USB-stick and Rename as boot.ini

2. Use mkbt.exe to Save the USB-stick Logical Drive bootsector as file NTBOOT.bs in folder btsec on your USB-stick.
Next use mkbt to Install MS-DOS Bootcode from bootsector file f16msdos.bin into USB-Drive Bootsector
Then Save modified USB-Drive Bootsector as Bootsector File MSBOOT.bs
And finish by Resetting USB-Drive Bootsector to the original NTLDR Bootsector using file NTBOOT.bs

Usage : mkbt [switches] <source> <target>
switches: -c = Copy mode(copy bootsector to Bootsector File, -x = Expert mode

For this purpose Open a Command Window (cmd) at the USB_MultiBoot\makebt Folder and type:

CODE

mkbt.exe -x -c R: R:\btsec\NTBOOT.bs
mkbt.exe -x BS_F16\f16msdos.bin R:
mkbt.exe -x -c R: R:\btsec\MSBOOT.bs
mkbt.exe -x R:\btsec\NTBOOT.bs R:

where R: is your USB-stick drive

3. boot.ini on stick was changed by adding the following rule:

C:\btsec\MSBOOT.bs="3. MS-DOS 7.10"

From Win98 MS-DOS BootFloppy Copy the files IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS and COMMAND.COM to your USB-stick.
These Hidden System Files are only visible in Windows Explorer after adjusting Tools > Folder Options

4. In a similar way we can make the Bootsector File for FREEDOS 1.0 KERNEL.SYS
When both MS-DOS and FREEDOS are added it is necessary to place the COMMAND.COM in a folder
and to use in CONFIG.SYS and FDCONFIG.SYS SHELL commands like shell=\dos\command.com /e:1024 /p
and 12345?!SHELL=\FREEDOS\COMMAND.COM /E:2048 /F /MSG /P
Download FREEDOS 1.0 bootfloppy image fdboot.img from http://www.freedos.org/

5. TXT-mode Setup Windows XP, BartPE and WinPE 2.0 require a bootcode which is the same as
present in the NTLDR Bootsector, except that the file to which the bootsector refers is different,
being XPSTP, PELDR and BOOTMGR respectively instead of NTLDR.
SETUPLDR.BIN of XP was renamed to XPSTP because of NTFS Format 5-letter limit of MakeBS3.cmd
The program MakeBS3.cmd made by jaclaz is very handy to make
Bootsector Files XPSTP.bs for TXT-mode Setup Windows XP and PELDR.bs for BartPE or UBCD4Win,
where only the NTLDR loader filename was changed into e.g. XPSTP and PELDR respectively using:

CODE

MakeBS3.cmd R:\XPSTP
MakeBS3.cmd R:\PELDR

where R: is your USB-stick drive

Such Bootsector Files are given in makebt folder as files f16xpstp.bin and f16peldr.bin
of which the BootCode can be used also by mkbt.exe to make XPSTP.bs and PELDR.bs
similarly as the procedure for making MSBOOT.bs

6. For Windows PE 2.0 a Bootsector File is required which refers to BOOTMGR instead of NTLDR.
The same Bootsector file can also be used to Install Windows Vista by launching Vista Setup.
Open CMD Window and use BootSect.exe to change the bootsector for use with bootmgr

CODE

BootSect.exe /nt60 R: /force
mkbt.exe -x -c R: R:\btsec\BOOTMGR.bs
mkbt.exe -x R:\btsec\NTBOOT.bs R:

where R: is your USB-stick drive.

Such BOOTMGR Bootsector File is given in makebt folder as file f16btmgr.bin with correct Error Messages,
which can be used by mkbt.exe to make BOOTMGR.bs similarly as the procedure for making MSBOOT.bs,
so that BootSect.exe which is more difficult to obtain, is no longer needed.

WinPE is a Console with rather limited use.
A lot of simple programs which run from BartPE, do not run from WinPE.
Windows PE 2.0 is included in the Windows Automated Installation Kit WAIK (see below for Download)
- Follow the instructions in the WAIK guide to create PE 2.0 files.
- Copy the contents of the "ISO" folder created in the proceding step to the root of your USB stick.


7. SYSLINUX Menu Support from boot.ini Menu requires to make Bootsector file SLBOOT.bs according to:
- Download syslinux from http://syslinux.zytor.com/download.php
- Use syslinux.exe from win32 folder in a Command Window as given below
- Copy the Bootsector with mkbt.exe as file SLBOOT.bs in btsec folder on USB-stick
- Reset USB-Drive to NTLDR Bootsector using mkbt.exe and the original Bootsector File NTBOOT.bs

CODE

syslinux.exe -f R:
mkbt.exe -x -c R: R:\btsec\SLBOOT.bs
mkbt.exe -x R:\btsec\NTBOOT.bs R:

where R: is your USB-stick drive.

8. GRUB4DOS Menu Support is added to boot.ini Menu as follows:
Download grub4dos-0.4.4.zip from http://sites.google.com/site/grubdos/ or http://download.gna.org/grub4dos/
Copy grldr and grub.exe to the Root directory of the USB-stick and make Custom file menu.lst
Launching of GRUB4DOS Menu via grldr is obtained by simply adding to boot.ini the rule:
C:\grldr="Start GRUB4DOS Menu - DOS FLOPPY IMAGES + Linux - Start Vista"

The boot.ini file in the Root Directory of the USB-Drive making all Boot Options available is given by:

boot.ini

CODE

[Boot Loader]
Timeout=10
Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[Operating Systems]
C:\btsec\XPSTP.bs="1. TXT Mode Setup Windows XP, Never unplug USB-Drive Until After Logon"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="2. GUI Mode Setup Windows XP, Continue Setup + Start XP from HD 1" /FASTDETECT
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(1)\WINDOWS="3. Start Windows XP from Harddisk 2" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
c:\grldr="4. Start GRUB4DOS Menu - DOS FLOPPY IMAGES + Linux - Start Vista"
C:\btsec\PELDR.bs="5. BartPE - MINI XP"
C:\btsec\BOOTMGR.bs="6. Windows PE 2.0 - Run Vista Setup from Second Partition of USB-Drive"
C:\btsec\SLBOOT.bs="7. SYSLINUX Menu"
C:\btsec\MSBOOT.bs="8. MS-DOS 7.10"

Not all options are available on all USB-Drive Devices. So you can edit boot.ini to your needs.
Booting from MS-DOS is not available on 4 GB Apacer HT203, whereas 1 and 2 GB sticks are OK.
A lot of FREEDOS Bootsectors don't work and even the supplied FREEDOS Bootcode
only works on some USB-sticks and not on USB-Harddisk.

TinyHexer or HDHacker are useful to View in detail and to Save the USB-stick Logical Drive bootsector.
The Logical Drive bootsector is usually located 63 sectors from the beginning (MBR=sector 0) of the USB-disk.
HDHacker see http://dimio.altervista.org/eng/
TinyHexer 1.8 see http://www.chip.de/downloads/c1_downloads_13014623.html
HDHacker can also be used to Load Bootsector Files and to Write as Bootsector on USB-stick Logical Drive.

BootSect.exe can be obtained from the very large VISTA WAIK download (almost 1 GB).
The Windows Automated Installation Kit with the program bootsect.exe is available as download from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

================================================================================

C. Bootsector Files - Extra Info

The booting mechanism of NTLDR with boot.ini Menu and the use of Bootsector Files in boot.ini
has been excellently explained by jaclaz and is reproduced below:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...=16980&st=8

1) The BOOTSECTOR (i.e. first sector of the Active Primary Partition)
contains CODE that boots (under NT/2K/XP/2003) the NTLDR
2) The NTLDR has the capacity to boot (through the selection in BOOT.INI and using NTDETECT.COM)
only the windows NT/2K/XP/2003 System partition, (i.e. \Winnt or \Windows) through an arcpath sintax,
(i.e. something like multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT)
3) To keep compatibility with elder MS operating systems,
the NTLDR has also the option to load ANOTHER bootsector;
this bootsector MUST have the same geometry (dynamic data) of the main one, but can have different CODE,
i.e. can load something different like the DOS files IO.SYS MSDOS.SYS COMMAND.COM
or another OS, or even another bootloader
4) BartPE normally boots by using a copy of SETUPLDR.BIN renamed as NTLDR or PELDR.
5) SETUPLDR.BIN behaves differently from NTLDR:
a.) It DOES NOT use the BOOT.INI settings file
b.) Searches for needed files in the \I386 directory
(this is fixed, hardcoded INSIDE SETUPLDR.BIN, needs hexediting to be changed)
or in the \minint one if on hard disk
c.) Reads the textsetup.SIF, or WINNT.SIF (or any other .sif file)

The way to have a BartPE selection in boot.ini is to have an alternate BOOTSECTOR, peboot.bin,
that loads PELDR (i.e. a renamed SETUPLDR.BIN) INSTEAD of NTLDR.

So the booting goes like this:
1) REAL BOOTSECTOR loads NTLDR
2) NTLDR loads BOOT.INI
3) If the line invoking the ALTERNATE bootsector peboot.bin is chosen, peboot.bin loads PELDR

You cannot load anything else but an ARCPATH or a BOOTSECTOR from NTLDR/BOOT.INI!

Using GRLDR or GRUB.EXE makes it possible to load DIRECTLY (i.e. chainload) NTLDR or SETUPLDR.BIN
without need for renaming the latter to NTLDR or PELDR.

Note Added: Bootsector File peboot.bin is equal to our PELDR.bs Bootsector file.

================================================================================

D. GRUB4DOS Menu Support - Extra Info

GRUB4DOS is added to boot.ini Menu as follows:
Download grub4dos-0.4.4.zip from http://sites.google.com/site/grubdos/ or http://download.gna.org/grub4dos/
Copy grldr to the Root directory of the USB-stick and make Custom file menu.lst
Launching of GRUB4DOS Menu via grldr is obtained by simply adding to boot.ini the rule:
C:\grldr="Start GRUB4DOS Menu - DOS Boot Floppy Images + Linux"

Use WinImage http://www.winimage.com/ to Inject Files and to Save a DOS Boot Floppy Image.

Download ready-to-run DOS Boot Floppy Images fdubcd.img and msubcd.img
made by Erwin Veermans See http://www.veder.com/nwdsk/
These images are based on the Modular Boot Disk of Bart Lagerweij See http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/modboot/
and were made for Ultimate Boot CD http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
BootDisk.com has also a lot of Info and bootdisks available, See http://www.bootdisk.com/

Use the grub4dos tutorial to make menu.lst and add menu.lst to USB-stick
http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/grub.html
http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/wiki/index...ub4dos_tutorial

GRUB4DOS via boot.ini is in any FileSystem very powerful, especially using chainload of BootLoaders.

Use Disk emulation with Direct mapping in menu.lst:

menu.lst

CODE

color white/blue  black/light-gray
timeout 30

default 0

# title Phase 1 WinXP Text Mode Setup - Install Windows XP
# chainloader (hd0,0)/ntldrstp

title 0 - Start Vista - Load bootmgr From Computer  HD 1 - Partition 0
root (hd1,0)
chainloader (hd1,0)/bootmgr

title 1 - Start Windows XP Professional  from Harddisk 1 - Partition 0
map (hd1) (hd0)
map --hook
rootnoverify (hd0)
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/ntldr

title 2 - Memtest86+  V1.51 - RAM Memory Test
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /memdisk
initrd /images/memtp151.img

title 3 - Floppy Image - MS-DOS  - UBCD Bart's Modboot
map (hd0,0)/images/msubcd.img (fd0)
map --hook
chainloader (fd0)+1
rootnoverify (fd0)

title 4 - Floppy Image - FREEDOS - UBCD FreeDOS Bart's Modboot
map (hd0,0)/images/fdubcd.img (fd0)
map --hook
chainloader (fd0)+1
rootnoverify (fd0)

title 5 - BartPE - MINI XP
find --set-root /grldr
chainloader /peldr

title 6 - Boot Windows PE 2.0 - Run Vista Setup From HD 0 - Partition 1
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/bootmgr

title 7 - Puppy Linux - NTFS Read / Write
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/ram0 initrd=initrd.gz PMEDIA=usbflash PKEYS=uk
initrd /initrd.gz

title 8 - MS-DOS  Direct Load io.sys
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/io.sys

title 10 - Damn Small Linux  - NTFS Read Only - Knoppix
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /linux24 ramdisk_size=100000 init=/etc/init lang=us apm=power-off vga=791 initrd=minirt24.gz nomce noapic qemu quiet BOOT_IMAGE=knoppix frugal
initrd /minirt24.gz

title 11 - Boot floppy image - FREEDOS + UMB-Menu    + PRG-Menu + GHOST
map (hd0,0)/images/fdboot1.ima (fd0)
map --hook
chainloader (fd0)+1
rootnoverify (fd0)

title 12 - Start Vista Setup - Load bootmgr From USB-HD 0 - Partition 0
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/bootmgr

title 13 - Start Vista Setup - Load bootmgr From USB-HD 0 - Partition 1
root (hd0,1)
chainloader (hd0,1)/bootmgr

Besides DOS Floppy Images, it is interesting to add to menu.lst of grub4dos also
Puppy Linux (NTFS Read/Write support) and DSL Linux (Knoppix with NTFS Read only support) ,
as described by diddy
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=18846

Download the latest Puppy Linux ISO file - Tested using "puppy-2.12-seamonkey.iso"
http://puppylinux.org/user/news.php

Download the latest DSL Embedded .ZIP file - Tested using "dsl-3.3-embedded.zip"
http://damnsmalllinux.org/

================================================================================

E. TXT-mode Setup of Windows XP - Software Install Extra Info

TXT-mode and GUI-mode Setup Windows XP
The procedure for Install of Windows XP from bootable USB-stick using a LocalSource was developed by
ilko_t , jaclaz , cdob and porear and is described by ilko_t in MSFN Forum:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...1384&st=199
The automatic making of a bootable USB-stick for Install of Windows XP can be realised
with the USB_MultiBoot.cmd batch command program.

The TXT-mode Setup of Windows XP includes the possibility to use the Recovery Console.
The Recovery Console is of very limited use as compared to
BartPE having Mini XP Desktop with very powerful Program Menu.
Nevertheless it is worthwhile to mention the Recovery Console within the scope of this subject.

Further Improvements of MultiBoot USB-stick:
1. Using Windows XP Source with Updates and DriverPacks Integrated:
using RyanVM Integrator http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?download
with Update Packs and Addons http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/index.php?sid=...490d2bd5184b68a
and for DriverPacks using DP Base http://driverpacks.net/DriverPacks/overview.php
and for Unattended Install http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

$OEM$\CMDLINES.TXT can be used for making UserAccounts and install of Registry Tweaks at T-12
On first logon the Extracted BTS DriverPacks are deleted, which normally takes a long time,
because SystemRestore copies them to System Volume Information folder.
The Disable_SystemRestore.reg Registry Tweak prevents this action, so that first logon is much faster.

Personally I am using only the 5 smallest BTS DriverPacks with Mass Storage text mode enabled.
So I do not integrate the 5 large Sound and Graphics DriverPacks, but use these Packs manually
when Updating Drivers. The extraction and deletion of these 5 large DriverPacks is taking a lot of time.
Mass Storage DriverPack with text mode enabled offers a lot of Extra SCSI, SATA and RAID Drivers
for the $WIN_NT$.~BT Windows XP Bootfolder so that F6 for Extra Driver Floppies is no longer needed.

2. Booting from DOS, with Ghost for System Backup and System Restore
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...=19621&st=7
3. Adding WPI for Automatic Install of Additional Programs http://wpiw.net/
4. Unattended Install of Office 2003 with Updates Integrated http://www.siginetsoftware.com/forum/
5. Adding WinTools running direct from USB-stick using nu2menu http://www.dirk-loss.de/win-tools.htm
Such WinTools are small programs which can run from WinTools Menu without the need of Install.
Double-click on GO_WINTOOLS_MENU.BAT on USB-drive provides WinTools Menu from GO button.
It also is possible to run the WinTools from any drive,
by copying the wintools folder and GO_WINTOOLS_MENU.BAT to the root of a harddisk drive.
Support for extra Portable Utilities is possible by editing nu2menu.xml file in MULTI_CONTENT\wintools\Nu2Menu folder.
An additional interesting list of Portable WinTools which can be added to WinTools Menu by editing nu2menu.xml file,
is found here http://users.pandora.be/Robvdb/USBMemStick.htm

================================================================================

F. BartPE or UBCD4Win - Extra Info

BartPE of Bart Lagerweij is a MINI XP with very powerful Program Menu,
and can simply be added to boot.ini Menu http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
UBCD4Win is based on BartPE and can be used as well http://www.ubcd4win.com/index.htm
USB_MultiBoot.cmd Program has a build in routine for Adding BartPE or UBCD4Win to your USB-drive.

For a MultiBoot USB-stick combining BartPE ( minint folder ) and the LocalSource of Windows XP Setup (see below),
I found the following solution to make BartPE boot from the minint folder, instead of launching Windows XP setup.
Hexedit peldr using TinyHexer. Change in peldr the first occurrence of txtsetup.sif in notsetup.sif
Now BartPE will boot from minint folder and will not use WinXP txtsetup.sif from root directory.
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...1384&st=224

Thanks to jaclaz for his helpful advice to use gsar.exe for Hexediting of peldr in USB_MultiBoot.cmd program.
Download gsar from http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/gsar.htm

Usage: gsar [options] -s[search string] -r[replace string] [infile] [outfile]

CODE

copy /y R:\minint\setupldr.bin R:\peldr
makebt\gsar -b -o -sBT:x00:x00:x00\:x00:x00:x00txtsetup -rBT:x00:x00:x00\:x00:x00:x00notsetup R:\peldr

gsar Option -o
Search and replace of multiple files, overwrite the input file(s).
For each input file, gsar creates a tempfile which contains the replacements and
copies the tempfile to the original input file name.
If no matches were found, the input file stays the same. The tempfile is removed.

================================================================================

G. SYSLINUX Menu Support - Extra Info

Install of SYSLINUX is drive specific and it is not possible to Reinstall SYSLINUX by simple filecopy.
File ldlinux.sys made in USB Root directory uses the Custom made files syslinux.cfg and menu.txt
Bootsector Files are only recognised by SYSLINUX as such when they have the extension .bs

syslinux.cfg

CODE

PROMPT 1
TIMEOUT 0
DEFAULT 1
DISPLAY Menu.txt

LABEL 1
KERNEL linux24
APPEND ramdisk_size=100000 init=/etc/init lang=us apm=power-off vga=791 initrd=minirt24.gz nomce noapic qemu quiet BOOT_IMAGE=knoppix frugal

LABEL 2
KERNEL memdisk
APPEND initrd=images/memtp151.img

LABEL 3
KERNEL memdisk
APPEND initrd=/images/msubcd.img

LABEL 4
KERNEL memdisk
APPEND initrd=/images/fdubcd.img

LABEL 5
KERNEL btsec/PELDR.bs
APPEND -

LABEL 6
KERNEL btsec/BOOTMGR.bs
APPEND -

LABEL 7
KERNEL vmlinuz
APPEND root=/dev/ram0 initrd=initrd.gz loglevel=3 PMEDIA=usbflash PKEYS=uk

LABEL 8
KERNEL btsec/MSBOOT.bs
APPEND -

menu.txt

CODE

1 - Damn Small Linux (KNOPPIX) - NTFS Read Only
2 - Memtest86+  V1.51
3 - Floppy Image - MS-DOS
4 - Floppy Image - FREEDOS
5 - BartPE - MINI XP
6 - Boot WinPE 2.0 - Run Vista Setup from HD 0 - Partition 1
7 - Linux Puppy - NTFS Read / Write Support
8 - MS-DOS  Direct Load io.sys

It is worthwhile to note that also direct booting with MS-DOS from SYSLINUX Menu is possible in this way.

SYSLINUX Menu requires a Drive Specific Install and is in general booting Faster than GRUB4DOS Menu,
but boot.ini Menu is the most versatile BootMenu from which all other Boot Options are available !
Windows XP can be launched from any partition of any harddisk using the boot.ini Menu.
Windows Vista can be launched from any partition of any harddisk using the menu.lst Menu of GRUB4DOS.

================================================================================

Previous Version:
Number of downloads:
275 + 284 + 6500 + 3896 + 1200 (3) + 2720 (4) + 10023 (5) + 3707 (6) + 1250 (7) + 8033 (8) + 8112 (9)

Edit 8 jan 2008: Added PeToUSB.exe
Changed GO_WINTOOLS_MENU.BAT and Added nu2menu.exe in MULTI_CONTENT\wintools\Nu2Menu folder
Double-click on GO_WINTOOLS_MENU.BAT provides WinTools Menu from GO button.
Added FREEDOS + DOSDEV drivers, grldr and grub.exe, VC, some tools

EDIT 5 feb 2008:
Removed %_mypath% in Making BootSector Files causing program crash when USB_MultiBoot2 folder was deep nested in Documents and Settings which results in a path with spaces.
Added /r option in xcopy of $WIN_NT$.~LS Folder from usb_xpbt Folder to USB-Drive ,
needed in some cases where presetup.cmd was Read Only.

EDIT 14 feb 2008: Attachment Updated to USB_MultiBoot3.zip

Edit 20 feb 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot4.zip
Possible DOSNET.INF Parsing Error (biosinfo.inf not found etc.) was removed.

Edit 28 feb 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot5.zip
ren_fold.cmd was changed such that $OEM$\$1 and $OEM$\$$ folders are copied
as usual to systemdrive (usually C:\) and systemroot (usually C:\WINDOWS) respectively.
Format Menu was added allowing to use HP USB Format Tool
for making USB-sticks (greater than 2 GB) with NTFS Format allowing Install of XP in 16 minutes.
USB_MultiBoot5.cmd has now Option for Adding BartPE instead of using PeToUSB.
Possible source of Error in SOURCE Pathes is Detected e.g. when XPSOURCE path contains SPACES.

Edit 14 mar 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot6.zip
DOSNET.INF Parsing Routine was simplified, necessary when adding Drivers with nLight
For BartPE I386\WinSxS Folder is used as a marker instead of using as Tagfile winbom.ini
winnt.sif file is tested for the needed presence of MsDosInitiated="1" and floppyless="1"
Log filename was Changed to usb_log.txt

Batch Program INSTALL_DRIVERS.CMD was Added to Folder INSTALL_DRIVERS:
Supports Post XP Setup Install of Drivers with Device Manager by
Unpacking DriverPacks or OEM Source Folder to Selected Target Drive
And by Setting DevicePath to Selected Target Driver Folder

Edit 28 mar 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot7.zip
Support for XP x64 using AMD64 Folder was added
MULTI_CONTENT was optimised for FAT Format and Direct Booting with MS-DOS from boot.ini Menu
X_CONTENT was optimised for NTFS Format and Supports Booting from DOS Floppy Images via GRUB4DOS Menu
ntfs_menu_lst.txt was removed because X_CONTENT is now dedicated for NTFS Format
For Link in Program Intro removed &st=6 causing Message st is unknown command
Options B and W) have been changed for Vista which is not able to use VBS FileSelector

Edit 04 apr 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot_8.zip
Support for XP x64 changed txtsetup.sif entries 55 instead of 100
OEM or nLite winnt.sif File is detected in XPSOURCE and Auto Changed for Install of XP from USB.
In that case All Setup Parameters come from XPSOURCE and therefore Empty $OEM$_X Folder is Selected.
$OEM$ Folder is made User Selectable from Main Menu.
Making of BootSector Files was rewritten and internal organisation was changed and improved.
SETUPLDR.BIN of XP was renamed to XPSTP for ALL Formats to avoid confusion,
because of the 5-letter limit of MakeBS3.cmd for NTFS Format.
Direct Booting with FREEDOS from USB was Removed since there were too few cases successful.
The MULTI_CONTENT Folder is recognised from usbmulti TagFile
for making MS-DOS Windows PE 2.0 and SYSLINUX BootSector Files for MultiBoot Support.

Edit 08 May 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot_9.zip

- Display and Edit of the 8 required parameters for Unattended Setup is build in
where the Selected winnt.sif file is first savely copied to the Current_winnt.sif file.
The Current_winnt.sif File is adjusted for Install from USB and then
copied by USB_MultiBoot.cmd to $WIN_NT$.~BT folder on USB-Drive.
The file useraccounts.cmd with UserName is made in the Currently Selected $OEM$ Folder.

- For each XP Source the Program Supports now to launch Unattended or Attended Setup.
Therefore a second SetupLoader XATSP for Attended Setup is made ,
where winnt.sif is Patched as winat.sif using gsar.exe
So the extra Setup Option does not take extra space from the USB-stick.

- Multiple XP Install from USB is now Supported (max 9 sources)
http://www.msfn.org/board/SOLVED-Install-M...SB-t114543.html
Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd again using New XP Source and Empty XX_CONTENT Source Folder

- Windows XP Recovery Console from USB is now supported and launched via GRUB4DOS Menu

- Multiple PE (BartPE and UBCD4Win) from USB is supported using Multi_Partition USB-Drives.
INSTALL_DUMMY.cmd was made for dummydisk, which you will find in the makebt Folder.
When dummy.sys is Installed in your OS,
then you can make Multiple Partition USB-sticks with NTFS format,
allowing to combine BartPE and UBCD4WIN or different Vista Versions x86 and x64
http://www.msfn.org/board/Multiple-PE-from....html&st=11
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...20089&st=24
Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd again using New BartPE Source and
using Empty XX_CONTENT Source Folder and No Copy of XP Source.

- Install of Vista from USB is now supported and launched via GRUB4DOS Menu
http://www.msfn.org/board/vista-t114092.html&st=6
http://www.msfn.org/board/Install-Vista-fr...6.html&st=2
For Vista Install from USB, Remove on first Restart your USB-stick.

- Improvement of the Main Menu and the boot.ini Menu's

- GRUB4DOS grldr and grub.exe Updated to grub4dos-0.4.3-2008-05-02


Edit 06 June 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot_10.zip

- For the Option Edit UserData for XP Setup we have:

A. Unattended Install - UserName = YourName
in winnt.sif file - unattendswitch="Yes" - UserName is used Automatically
useraccounts.cmd with UserName is created in $OEM$ Folder copied to USB-drive

B. Semi-Unattended Install - UserName = None
in winnt.sif file - unattendswitch="No" - UserNames are given Manually at Windows Welcome Screens
useraccounts.cmd is Renamed to Inactive txt file in $OEM$ Folder copied to USB-drive

C. Undefined Install - UserName = Unknown
No Changes are made in winnt.sif file or $OEM$ folder

In all cases Selecting Cancel keeps given Settings for winnt.sif file and $OEM$ folder Unchanged

For Install of XP from USB the program has to remove the [Unattended] Section from the winnt.sif file,
so that unattendswitch="Yes" Setting made by nLite in the [Unattended] Section is lost.
Consequently XP Setup will present in this case Windows Welcome Screens for Creating UserNames.

Selecting Unattended Install in the Editor instead of Cancel will enable to skip the Welcome Screens
by automatic adding the unattendswitch="Yes" Setting to the [Data] Section of the Current_winnt.sif file.
The UserName given at Edit Screen 8 will not be used in the case of XPSOURCE made by nLite.

- In preparing the USB-drive, the file useraccounts.cmd with UserName is made now in the $OEM$ Folder
located in the temporary folder usb_xpbt, so that the original $OEM$ Folder remains unchanged.
The XP Setup Type and the given User Name are Displayed in the Main menu
and in the Status Report Screen just before Copy to your USB-drive is Selected.

- The winat.sif file for Attended Install is now derived from your Current_winnt.sif file
which is more logical than using the preconfigured Attended_winnt.sif file.
In the Attended Install all Setup Parameters are given Manually during the GUI Mode of Setup Windows XP.
Attended Install is always available as Extra Option in the boot.ini Menu.

- Computation of Estimated XP Folder Size to prevent overflow
includes now $WIN_NT$.~BT + cmpnents + I386 + AMD64 + $OEM$ + OEM Folders instead of previously I386 only

- REMOVE_DUMMY.cmd was made to remove dummydisk from the Registry, which you will find in the makebt Folder.
After removal of dummydisk all USB-sticks are seen again as Removable Devices.

- GRUB4DOS grldr and grub.exe Updated to grub4dos-0.4.3-2008-05-07

This post has been edited by wimb_2: Jun 9 2009, 09:59 AM

Attached File(s)

 USB_MultiBoot_10.zip ( 1.99MB ) Number of downloads: 1670986

 

[hilander999]

Thank you for spending the time to gather this information into a useable solution.

NICE JOB.

[Ed_P]

4. Open CMD Window and use bootsect.exe of VISTA WAIK to change the USB-stick Logical Drive bootsector:

CODE

bootsect.exe /nt52 R:

for making XP-style NTLDR bootsector, where R: is your USB-stick drive.

Does this mean that this whole approach is only available to VISTA users?

[wimb_2]

4. Open CMD Window and use bootsect.exe of VISTA WAIK to change the USB-stick Logical Drive bootsector:

CODE

bootsect.exe /nt52 R:

for making XP-style NTLDR bootsector, where R: is your USB-stick drive.

Does this mean that this whole approach is only available to VISTA users?

The Windows Automated Installation Kit with the program bootsect.exe is for everybody available as download from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

The WAIK is a rather large download for getting the small file bootsect.exe.
Another solution can be reformating the USB-stick, which is in most cases acceptable.
When the USB-stick is first formated with the HP Utility without using DOS System files,
one can use HDHacker to Save the USB-stick Logical Drive NTLDR Bootsector as file NTBOOT.dat
which can be used later in step 4. to Reset the NTLDR Bootsector, instead of using bootsect.exe

This post has been edited by wimb_2: Oct 23 2007, 08:02 AM

[wimb_2]

The Guide for making a MultiBoot USB-stick with boot.ini Menu was improved and updated.

All Editable Configuration Files for making a MultiBoot USB-stick are given in post #1 as Attachment file usb_cfg2.zip

This post has been edited by wimb_2: Aug 2 2007, 02:48 AM

[ilko]

Great job

[wimb_2]

***** NEW PROGRAM USB_MultiBoot.cmd *****

The USB_MultiBoot.cmd Batch Program can now be used for making a MultiBoot USB-Drive,
instead of the Manual Procedure as described in the Updated Guide of Post Nr. 1

The Attachment of Post Nr. 1 gives USB_MultiBoot.zip file.
The USB_MultiBoot.cmd program can be used after or before usb_prep8.cmd program for making
MultiBoot USB-Drive for Install of Windows XP , thus providing Extra Boot Options for System Recovery with Ghost.

All Editable Configuration Files for making a MultiBoot USB-stick are given in the usb_cfg folder.
The content of usb_cfg folder is copied to USB-Drive by the USB_MultiBoot.cmd program.
Adapt the configuration files and the content of the usb_cfg folder to your personal needs.

In USB_MultiBoot.cmd I needed a simple and quiet way to find out which Drives have FAT Format.
That resulted in the program DriveList where all available Drives are specified for their FileSystem and Drive Type.

The Attachment gives DriveList.zip file.

Regards,

wimb

Edit 18 dec 2007: Added PeToUSB.exe to USB_MultiBoot.zip
Changed GO_TOOLS_MENU.BAT and Added nu2menu.exe in usb_cfg\tools\Nu2Menu folder
Double-click on GO_TOOLS_MENU.BAT provides WinTools Menu from GO button.
Added FREEDOS + DOSDEV drivers, grldr and grub.exe, VC

Edit 12 feb 2008 - Attachment Update - DriveList_XV.zip is now XP and Vista Compatible.

This post has been edited by wimb_2: Feb 12 2008, 01:08 PM

Attached File(s)

 DriveList_XV.zip ( 958bytes ) Number of downloads: 6322

 

[wimb_2]

There is a complete New Program Available: USB_MultiBoot2.cmd

I have integrated usb_prep8.cmd in MultiBoot2.cmd Batch Program, which:
- Prepares MultiBoot USB-Drive provided with Windows XP Setup LocalSource
- Supports Booting: MS-DOS FREEDOS BartPE WinPE 2.0 and Setup Windows XP
- Supports GRUB4DOS with DOS FLOPPY IMAGES + Linux and Supports SYSLINUX Menu
- Supports Portable WinTools which run direct from GO-Menu button

Changes:
- Virtual Drive as used in usb_prep8.cmd is no longer needed.
Instead in MultiBoot2 Folder a Temporary Folder usb_xpbt is made with all Custom made Files,
and where the XP BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT is created by parsing DOSNET.INF from XP Source.
The XP Source is copied direct to the $WIN_NT$.~LS Folder on the USB-Drive
and not to the Temporary Folder usb_xpbt,
but it is not needed to copy XP Source and to Support Setup Windows XP.

- Install of BartPE by PeToUSB is supported, where a 2-byte hexedit of peldr enables its use
in combination with coexisting XP Setup files, thus resolving possible conflict.

- New is the USB Content Source Folder U_CONTENT,
which can contain additional DOS, Linux and Win PE 2.0 files,
but one might also select the complete Content of an earlier made USB-stick,
Or one may select an empty folder with only usbflash TAGFILE (needed).
The Bootsector Files, Install of Syslinux, peldr and migrate.inf are Renewed to make the MultiBoot USB-Drive.

- New is also the wintools folder with Portable win32 WinTools.
Double-click on GO_WINTOOLS_MENU.BAT on USB-drive provides WinTools Menu from GO button.

The Attachment of Post Nr. 1 gives latest USB_MultiBoot.zip file.


Regards,

wimb

EDIT 20 feb 2008: Changed Download Info

This post has been edited by wimb_2: Feb 20 2008, 08:06 AM

[wimb_2]

**** NEW PROGRAM ****

**** BootSector Backup Utility - MBR_Backup.cmd ****

When working in USB_MultiBoot2.cmd with BootSector Files,
I thought it would be nice to have a program,
which can make a Backup of the BootSectors of my Harddisk.

For this purpose I have Created the Program - MBR_Backup.cmd -

It makes a Backup of all Bootsectors of all Local Harddisks (Fixed + Removable).

Learn More about it Using the Links in MBR_bookmark.htm in Folder Help_Info.
Use TinyHexer.exe to Study and Compare BootSectors in Detail.

***** Using These Programs is COMPLETELY At Your Own Risk *****

The Backup Folder MBR_Date_ComputerName Contains for each Harddisk :

BootSector Files for:
- Master Boot Record - MBR - Sector 0 of Harddisk containing Partition Table
- Extended Partition Boot Record - EPBR - Beginning of Extended Partition
- Extended Boot Records - EBR - Beginning of Logical Partitions within Extended Partition
- Logical Drive BootSectors - 16 Sectors for NTFS and 1 Sector for FAT32 FAT

- And Partition Info File = MBR_Date_ComputerName.txt

The FileName of the BootSector Files contains HD number and Sector Position,
which information is very useful for later Restore using TinyHexer.exe

Hopefully Restore of BootSectors will NOT be needed,
but when e.g. the daisychain of EBR's for reaching your Data Partition is broken,
it will be nice to have such a Backup of BootSectors Available.

Using MBR_Backup.cmd for making BootSector Files is very fast and convenient
as compared to doing this Manually for all Bootsectors of all your Harddisks !

Regards,

wimb

MBR_Backup is Suitable for the 32-bits versions of Windows XP and Vista,
but requires for Vista to turn User Account Control OFF

EDIT: 02 May 2009 - Previous Downloads 8500
Update Attachment MBR_Backup.zip
Removed Error due to forward slash in DATE

This post has been edited by wimb_2: May 2 2009, 04:53 AM

Attached File(s)

 MBR_Backup.zip ( 1.38MB ) Number of downloads: 2286

 

[wimb_2]

***** NEW PROGRAM *****

***** USB_MultiBoot_10.cmd - Install XP from USB *****

Unpack USB_MultiBoot_10.zip to your Harddisk in a simple Path without SPACES.

Major Changes and Support:

- Basic Use Involves only Selecting XP Source Folder and USB-Drive Target
to make USB-Stick which can be used for Install of XP on Mobile PC like e.g. ASUS Eee subnotebook

- USB_MultiBoot.cmd is Vista Compatible, but requires User Account Control OFF.
The bootmgr BootSector made by PeToUSB is Detected and
Converted to NTLDR Bootsector ( No need anymore to use BootSect.exe separately )
XP as OS is Preferred for Speed of FileCopy to USB ( 10 min instead of 30 minutes for Vista OS )

- Advanced Users can make USB-MultiBoot SuperStick or Harddisk,
when selecting Multi_boot.ini and MULTI_CONTENT Source offering a large variety of
handy computer tools available via boot.ini GRUB4DOS or SYSLINUX Menu

- Siginet's RyanVM Integrator or nLite can be used to Integrate Windows UpdatePacks in the XP-Source.
http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?download and http://www.nliteos.com/
The Complete XP-Source is Copied to XP LocalSource Folder $WIN_NT$.~LS on USB-Drive
Take care that your XPSOURCE Folder is located on your Harddisk in a simple Path without SPACES.

- Supports the use of BTS DriverPacks located in OEM Folder on USB-Drive - http://driverpacks.net/DriverPacks/
For Install of XP on a modern system with SATA Drives it is needed to use DPsBase.exe
for Integrating in your XPSOURCE BTS DriverPack Massstorage with TXT Mode Enabled.
In that case a lot of Extra RAID SCSI and SATA Drivers (about 120 extra) are Integrated which appear in the
XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on USB-Drive and can prevent a lot of XP Install Boot Problems.
First use RyanVM Integrator and than use DPsBase to Improve your XP-Source.
The program supplies a Customised presetup.cmd and changes the winnt.sif file for use of DriverPacks.

- For USB-Harddisk use Menu Option 0) to Change USB-stick in USB-Harddisk.
Because that makes that rdummy.sys is used and this is essential for using USB-Harddisk.
rdummy.sys makes Fixed USB-Harddisk seen in XP Setup as Removable Device.

- boot.ini and winnt.sif Files and $OEM$Folder are User Selectable,
Handy for Windows 2003 and Non Standard Installs and for making MultiBoot USB-Drive
Use the supplied winnt.sif file, which is copied to file Current_winnt.sif in Folder w_sif
For Unattended Install use the build in Edit UserData Setup to give ProductKey and TimeZone.
Use for Preparing USB-Drive Only winnt.sif file without an [Unattended] Section and with MsDosInitiated="1"
The Current_winnt.sif File is adjusted for this and copied by USB_MultiBoot.cmd to $WIN_NT$.~BT folder on USB-Drive.

- OEM or nLite winnt.sif File is detected in XPSOURCE and Auto Changed for Install of XP from USB.
In that case All Setup Parameters come from XPSOURCE and therefore Empty $OEM$_X Folder is Selected.
For UNATTENDED XP Install use the build in Edit UserData Setup to Change the 8 required parameters.
Give ProductKey and TimeZone used in Current_winnt.sif Copy of your winnt.sif

- Change $OEM$ folder to your needs, which is copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on USB-Drive
CMDLINES.TXT is used for making UserAccounts and install of Registry Tweaks at T-12
Info see: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/
ren_fold.cmd was changed such that $OEM$\$1 and $OEM$\$$ folders are copied
as usual to systemdrive (usually C:\) and systemroot (usually C:\WINDOWS) respectively.
For anything else you want to copy from USB-Drive, you can add similar lines to ren_fold.cmd,
which is executed at T-9 by the Section SetupParams of winnt.sif file
Or Use CMDLINES.TXT and useraccounts.cmd in the $OEM$ Folder for Extra Copy Commands.

- Supports also USB-Drives having FAT32 or NTFS Format, thus overcoming the 2 GB limit of FAT Format.
NTFS Format allows larger DriveSize and is very useful for Install of XP from USB-Harddisk.
Besides NTFS Format is handy for Install of Vista from USB via GRUB4DOS chainload of bootmgr
FAT32 is extremely slow in Windows XP FileCopy during TXT Mode (has anyone an idea why ?),
whereas NTFS Format of USB-Drive makes everything go faster than with FAT Format.

In the Format Menu one can Select:
P) PeToUSB - FAT Format - Max 2 GB
Install of XP from USB in 30 minutes - Buffalo FireStix 2 GB
FAT Format Supports Direct Booting with MS-DOS using MULTI_CONTENT
Do NOT Select here FileCopy of BartPE

H) HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool V2.0.6 - NTFS Format - use X_CONTENT
Install of XP from USB in 16 minutes - Corsair Flash Voyager 4 GB USB-stick

N) No Format - Use USB-Harddisk with FAT or NTFS Format by Windows XP

Use MULTI_CONTENT Folder only with FAT Format USB-Drive
for Support of Direct Booting with MS-DOS from boot.ini Menu
Use X_CONTENT Source Folder for making NTFS or FAT Format USB-Drive
with Support of Booting from DOS Floppy Images via GRUB4DOS Menu

HP Format Tool Enables to make large USB-sticks with NTFS Format which are very useful,
but is missing the option of PeToUSB to Install BartPE on USB-Drive.
The program was changed such that BartPE http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
or UBCD4Win http://www.ubcd4win.com/index.htm can be added now for all Format Options to USB-Drive
by Selecting BartPE Source Folder in the Main Menu. Remove with Cancel.
So don't use PeToUSB for Install of BartPE anymore, but only use PeToUSB to make FAT Format USB-Drive.
Using Cancel in BartPE Source Folder Selection, Disables the Install of BartPE on USB-Drive.
FileCopy to USB-Drive begins with USB Content Source Folder, followed by the XP Setup Source Folder
and finally the BartPE Source Folder is copied when a valid path was given with option 5)

- FAT32 and NTFS do not support Direct Booting into MS-DOS FREEDOS and Windows PE 2.0
Unsupported Boot Options are automatcally removed from the Menu's.
GRUB4DOS via boot.ini is in any FileSystem very powerful, especially using chainload of BootLoaders.
But GRUB4DOS also allows to Boot from MS-DOS or FREEDOS Floppy Images and to Boot from Linux.
http://grub4dos.jot.com/WikiHome
http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/wiki/index...ub4dos_tutorial

- BootSector Files are made with dsfo / dsfi from the once with mkbt.exe copied BootSector,
instead of Install, Copy and Reset of BootSectors using mkbt.exe for making each BootSector File.
MakeBS3.cmd of jaclaz is used for making NTFS BootSector Files,
where SETUPLDR.BIN was Renamed to XPSTP according to the 5-letter limit requirement.

- Windows XP Recovery Console from USB is supported and by launching it via GRUB4DOS Menu
Booting Direct with XP Recovery Console has conflict by unwanted launching XP Setup.
The program CMDCONS_Folder.cmd can be used separately,
which makes Recovery Console folder cmdcons by parsing DOSNET.INF File.

- Overflow Control has been added by measuring DiskSize, FreeSize, XP-Source and
Multi_Content Source Folders using ASP Drive Object and Visual Basic Scripting.
SEE: http://www.w3schools.com/asp/asp_ref_drive.asp
http://www.robvanderwoude.com/index.html

- Excluding LANG and WIN98X Folders from Copy to USB can be Selected,
which reduces the XP-Source on USB-Drive by 135 MB
Reduction of the XP WINDOWS Folder can be achieved with nLite
but do NOT select Operating System Options-->Manual Install and Upgrade for removal.

XPSOURCE Space Saving Tips see: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/57/
You can Safely Remove the XPSOURCE folders:
WIN9XMIG, WIN9XUPG and WINNTUPG - This will free up 37.6 MB
LANG - 99 MB and cmpnents - 22.6 MB ( Needed for MCE / Tablet PC only )

- The Folder usb_cfg_extra provides scripts for BartPE Menu http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
For the Automatic Install of Programs after Install of XP from USB
we can use a script for the very handy Windows Post-Install Wizard (WPI) http://wpiw.net/

- In WPI script there is the option to run SFC /purgecache which deletes the dll cache and
which is a very simple way to reduce the WINDOWS Folder Size by 360 MB
The Result is a XP WINDOWS Folder Size on Harddisk of only 785 MB inclusive all Updates.

- Supports Portable WinTools which run direct from GO-Menu button in a VISTA or XP environment
http://www.dirk-loss.de/win-tools.htm
http://users.pandora.be/Robvdb/USBMemStick.htm

- Direct Booting with MS-DOS from USB-stick with boot.ini Menu is prepared as follows:
You only have to add from Win98 MS-DOS BootFloppy the files IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS to
the MULTI_CONTENT Folder and file COMMAND.COM to the folder DOS of the MULTI_CONTENT Folder.
These Hidden System Files are only visible in Windows Explorer after adjusting Tools > Folder Options

Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd and choose FAT Format with PeToUSB (max 2GB stick) and
Select Multi_boot.ini as boot.ini (option B ) and MULTI_CONTENT as Source (option 2) in the Main Menu.
The supplied config.sys of the MULTI_CONTENT folder regulates that for MS-DOS
the COMMAND.COM is found in the DOS folder so that confusion with FREEDOS is prevented.

- Direct Booting with FREEDOS from USB was Removed since there were too few cases successful.

- More Help with Bookmarks is available in the Help_Info Folder in USB_MultiBoot_10.zip

- Use of MultiBoot_10.cmd and everything in this Guide is COMPLETELY at your own risk.

Edit 28 feb 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot5.zip
ren_fold.cmd was changed such that $OEM$\$1 and $OEM$\$$ folders are copied
as usual to systemdrive (usually C:\) and systemroot (usually C:\WINDOWS) respectively.
Format Menu was added allowing to use HP USB Format Tool
for making USB-sticks (greater than 2 GB) with NTFS Format allowing Install of XP in 16 minutes.
USB_MultiBoot5.cmd has now Option for Adding BartPE instead of using PeToUSB.
Possible source of Error in SOURCE Pathes is Detected e.g. when XPSOURCE path contains SPACES.

Edit 14 mar 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot6.zip
DOSNET.INF Parsing Routine was simplified, necessary when adding Drivers with nLite
For BartPE I386\WinSxS Folder is used as a marker instead of using as Tagfile winbom.ini
winnt.sif file is tested for the needed presence of MsDosInitiated="1" and floppyless="1"

Edit 28 mar 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot7.zip
Support for XP x64 using AMD64 Folder was added
MULTI_CONTENT was optimised for FAT Format and Direct Booting with MS-DOS from boot.ini Menu
X_CONTENT was optimised for NTFS Format and Supports Booting from DOS Floppy Images via GRUB4DOS Menu
ntfs_menu_lst.txt was removed because X_CONTENT is now dedicated for NTFS Format
For Link in Program Intro removed &st=6 causing Message st is unknown command
Options B and W) have been changed for Vista which is not able to use VBS FileSelector

Edit 04 apr 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot_8.zip
Support for XP x64 changed txtsetup.sif entries 55 instead of 100
OEM or nLite winnt.sif File is detected in XPSOURCE and Auto Changed for Install of XP from USB.
In that case All Setup Parameters come from XPSOURCE and therefore Empty $OEM$_X Folder is Selected.
$OEM$ Folder is made User Selectable from Main Menu.
Making of BootSector Files was rewritten and internal organisation was changed and improved.
SETUPLDR.BIN of XP was renamed to XPSTP for ALL Formats to avoid confusion,
because of the 5-letter limit of MakeBS3.cmd for NTFS Format.
Direct Booting with FREEDOS from USB was Removed since there were too few cases successful.
The MULTI_CONTENT Folder is recognised from usbmulti TagFile
for making MS-DOS Windows PE 2.0 and SYSLINUX BootSector Files for MultiBoot Support.


Edit 08 May 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot_9.zip

- Display and Edit of the 8 required parameters for Unattended Setup is build in
where the Selected winnt.sif file is first savely copied to the Current_winnt.sif file.
The Current_winnt.sif File is adjusted for Install from USB and then
copied by USB_MultiBoot.cmd to $WIN_NT$.~BT folder on USB-Drive.
The file useraccounts.cmd with UserName is made in the Currently Selected $OEM$ Folder.

- For each XP Source the Program Supports now to launch Unattended or Attended Setup.
Therefore a second SetupLoader XATSP for Attended Setup is made ,
where winnt.sif is Patched as winat.sif using gsar.exe
So the extra Setup Option does not take extra space from the USB-stick.

- Multiple XP Install from USB is now Supported (max 9 sources)
http://www.msfn.org/board/SOLVED-Install-M...SB-t114543.html
Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd again using New XP Source and Empty XX_CONTENT Source Folder

- Windows XP Recovery Console from USB is now supported and launched via GRUB4DOS Menu

- Multiple PE (BartPE and UBCD4Win) from USB is supported using Multi_Partition USB-Drives.
INSTALL_DUMMY.cmd was made for dummydisk, which you will find in the makebt Folder.
When dummy.sys is Installed in your OS,
then you can make Multiple Partition USB-sticks with NTFS format,
allowing to combine BartPE and UBCD4WIN or different Vista Versions x86 and x64
http://www.msfn.org/board/Multiple-PE-from....html&st=11
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...20089&st=24
Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd again using New BartPE Source and
using Empty XX_CONTENT Source Folder and No Copy of XP Source.

- Install of Vista from USB is now supported and launched via GRUB4DOS Menu
http://www.msfn.org/board/vista-t114092.html&st=6
http://www.msfn.org/board/Install-Vista-fr...6.html&st=2
For Vista Install from USB, Remove on first Restart your USB-stick.

- Improvement of the Main Menu and the boot.ini Menu's

- GRUB4DOS grldr and grub.exe Updated to grub4dos-0.4.3-2008-05-02


Edit 06 June 2008: New Release USB_MultiBoot_10.zip

- For the Option Edit UserData for XP Setup we have:

A. Unattended Install - UserName = YourName
in winnt.sif file - unattendswitch="Yes" - UserName is used Automatically
useraccounts.cmd with UserName is created in $OEM$ Folder copied to USB-drive

B. Semi-Unattended Install - UserName = None
in winnt.sif file - unattendswitch="No" - UserNames are given Manually at Windows Welcome Screens
useraccounts.cmd is Renamed to Inactive txt file in $OEM$ Folder copied to USB-drive

C. Undefined Install - UserName = Unknown
No Changes are made in winnt.sif file or $OEM$ folder

In all cases Selecting Cancel keeps given Settings for winnt.sif file and $OEM$ folder Unchanged

For Install of XP from USB the program has to remove the [Unattended] Section from the winnt.sif file,
so that unattendswitch="Yes" Setting made by nLite in the [Unattended] Section is lost.
Consequently XP Setup will present in this case Windows Welcome Screens for Creating UserNames.

Selecting Unattended Install in the Editor instead of Cancel will enable to skip the Welcome Screens
by automatic adding the unattendswitch="Yes" Setting to the [Data] Section of the Current_winnt.sif file.
The UserName given at Edit Screen 8 will not be used in the case of XPSOURCE made by nLite.

- In preparing the USB-drive, the file useraccounts.cmd with UserName is made now in the $OEM$ Folder
located in the temporary folder usb_xpbt, so that the original $OEM$ Folder remains unchanged.
The XP Setup Type and the given User Name are Displayed in the Main menu
and in the Status Report Screen just before Copy to your USB-drive is Selected.

- The winat.sif file for Attended Install is now derived from your Current_winnt.sif file
which is more logical than using the preconfigured Attended_winnt.sif file.
In the Attended Install all Setup Parameters are given Manually during the GUI Mode of Setup Windows XP.
Attended Install is always available as Extra Option in the boot.ini Menu.

- Computation of Estimated XP Folder Size to prevent overflow
includes now $WIN_NT$.~BT + cmpnents + I386 + AMD64 + $OEM$ + OEM Folders instead of previously I386 only

- REMOVE_DUMMY.cmd was made to remove dummydisk from the Registry, which you will find in the makebt Folder.
After removal of dummydisk all USB-sticks are seen again as Removable Devices.

- GRUB4DOS grldr and grub.exe Updated to grub4dos-0.4.3-2008-05-07


Download Direct from CD Forum: USB_MultiBoot_10.zip

More Info See Guide with ScreenShots

Regards,

wimb

This post has been edited by wimb_2: Jun 7 2008, 02:33 PM

[wimb_2]

ScreenShots of USB_MultiBoot.cmd are given in next post.

wimb

This post has been edited by wimb_2: Apr 3 2008, 04:29 AM

[wimb_2]

Screenshots From USB_MultiBoot_10.cmd

=============1. Introduction =============


============ 2. Format Menu =============


============= 3. PeToUSB ========================== 4. HP Format Tool ============

=====

=============5. Main Menu ==============


============= 6. Select XP Source ===========


====== 7. winnt.sif from XP Source ? ======



====== 8. Edit UserData in winnt.sif ======


====== 9. UserData in Current_winnt.sif ======


========== 10. USB-Drive Target ==========


=========== 11. Main Menu Selected ========



============= 12. Status =============


============ 13. Copy Select ===========


====== 14. Ready - Choice BootDrive Letter ====


=============15. END - HELP ===========


========== 16. Windows Explorer ==========


This post has been edited by wimb_2: Jun 6 2008, 01:26 AM

[wanderer]

@wimb_2

Thank you verry much for this great guide
Because of using this guide,I understand a (litle) bit more of bootsectors and the use of the program Mkbt.exe.

Using your guide and program,I'm able to start BartPE,ReatogoPe and programs like them,from the boot.ini instead of Grub4Dos,witch I always wanted.

I'm experimenting a lot with BartPe and ReatogoPE,booting from USB sticks,and your program is a great help for install en reïnstall,after changes,on my USB sticks and saves a lot of time


Greetz wanderer.

[ktp]

@wimb_2

Thank you very much for this excellent guide that I bookmarked carefully. There are lot of useful and valuable information that I re-discover each time. Combined with grub4dos power, this is a guide that all boot lovers should read.

[Malin]

Is there a way to use the multiboot like described here, of cource, not using cdshell?
I edited the files like described there but when i try to install XP in TXT mode, I receive an error message: "File \$WIN_NT$.~BT\biosinfo.inf could not be loaded. The error code is 14".
I already tried to edit the files XPSTP, SETUPLOADER.BIN and TXTSETUP.SIF, but no success
I want to know, if possible, which files point to $WIN_NT$.~BT folder and then to edit those files.

@wimb_2
You did a very great work, keep on going
Thank you very much.

[ilko]

Have a look at this thread:
http://www.msfn.org/board/SOLVED-Install-M...SB-t114543.html

[Malin]

Have a look at this thread:
http://www.msfn.org/board/SOLVED-Install-M...SB-t114543.html

TY ilko, it`s usefull to me

Use for Preparing USB-Drive Only winnt.sif file without an [Unattended] Section and with MsDosInitiated="1"

Is there a way using [Unattended] Section with USB_MultiBoot_8.cmd?

[ilko]

If you use that section, Setup will not ask you where to install windows to, on which disk/partition, and will attempt to install on the USB stick. Only if there is no available space, then you will have an option to change destination drive. That's risky.
The limitation comes from Microsoft and their way of installing from hard drives, using winnt(32).exe and $win_nt$.~bt and ~ls folders.

Read here for details:
http://www.msfn.org/board/Issues-with-Setu...424#entry734424

You can find workarounds of using [unattended] section. What exactly do you have in there?

ilko

This post has been edited by ilko: Apr 14 2008, 04:36 PM

[Malin]

Is there a way starting windows installation like flyakite does in his guide?
That would be perfect!

[ilko]

Which part are you referring? The menus? You could use ntldr/boot.ini or grub4dos, matter of your personal choice. This was covered in the link, given above.
The contents? This has been answered already in the same link.