I would like to know if I can build a VHD or ISO image of Win PE under *Free*DOS,because I can't do it under Windows. This image created should be loaded into RAM memory with Grub4DOS using menu.lst

menu.lst

timeout 12

title Windows PE iso from RamDisk
find --set-root /pe.iso
map --mem /pe.iso (hd0)
map --hook
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /bootmgr

I tried to use mkisofs for DOS to build the ISO image,I did something like this :

mkisofs -v -R -J -T -b bootmgr -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -o c:\pe.iso c:\menu\iso\pe

(inside the c:\menu\iso\pe folder I placed the Windows PE 3.0 files :

Boot
EFI
Sources
bootmgr

but it gives this error :

(hd0,0)
Filesystem type is fat, partition type 0xb

autodetect number-of-heads failed. Use default value 255
autodetect sectors-per-track failed. Use default value 63

Warning : Unrecognized partition table for drive 80. Please rebuild it using a Microsoft-compatible FDISK toll (err=14). Current C/H/S=19/255/63
root (hd0,0)

Error 5 : Partition table invalid or corrupt. Thanks.

Why don't you take a short break and actually read the grub4dos guide BEFORE doing "random" attempts?
You should READ it all:
http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/Grub4dos.htm
but these should be enough:
http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/map.htm
http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/map.htm#hd32

to let you understand WHAT you are doing (mapping a .iso to a HD-like device! )

Check this also:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=66
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5041

jaclaz

I have to admit that I'm having trouble understanding how to boot Win PE from the ISO image. I tried this,too :

title Windows PE iso from RamDisk
map (hd0,0)/menu/iso/pe.iso (hd32)
map --hook
root (hd32)
chainloader (hd32)
boot

says :

error 41 : File for drive emulation must be in one contiguos disk area.

And again you need to READ:
http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/map.htm
Check that the file is contiguous, if not, make it so. (though it should be error 60 )

NEVER use pre-made menu.lst entries when experimenting, ALWAYS use command line as you will have some feedback from grub4dos:
http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/basics.htm
http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/cli.htm

Please also note how in your previous attempt you were by-passing the bootsector chainloading directly the BOOTMGR, while this time you are relying on the bootsector.

Remember that on CDFS grub4dos is CaSe SeNsItIvE.

Try with a KNOWN "good" .iso FIRST, as your mkisofs commands may be NOT adequate to create a working PE 2.x or 3.x ISO.

READ about the experience of other people:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=9696

Right now you are mixing two programs that you (yet ) don't know enough about, let's troubleshoot the grub4dos problem first, with an already known to be "right" .iso image, then we'll talk about mkisofs .

WHICH versions are you using of the two apps?

Particularly for grub4dos you should use this one:
http://nufans.net/grub4dos/current_release/
http://nufans.net/grub4dos/current_release...-2009-10-16.zip

jaclaz

@marletto
Get firadisk.ima or firadisk.gz. Search in this forum or Google for firadisk.
Then try something like this: