Topic: EasyBoot from USB > Final tutorial <
started by: heureka
Posted by Guest on Sep. 18 2008,12:26
Please start with basic tutorial here: < http://www.ezbsystems.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=2472 >When finished with above, have your USB device stuck in to computer, before we proceed.
Note: In this tutorial I use UltraIso to open and edit floppy image files (you may use WinImage or whatever).
Follow step-by-step instructions down here:
1. Download bootable floppy image from here: < http://bootcd.narod.ru/fd001440.zip > expand zip file. Rename folder fd001440 to ‘workbench’. Rename fd001440.ima inside folder to base.ima
2. You have earlier downloaded and expandeded zip-file: < http://www.purviancecs.com/acronisdl/grubutil-1.1-bin-w32-19.zip > Start grubinst_gui.exe inside this folder and in section ‘Options’ check ‘Floppy Image’ and in upper section ‘Device Name’ choose ‘File’ and then browse to folder ‘workbench’ and point to ‘base.ima’. In the lower section of program window, push ‘Install’. If done right you receive: “Succefully installed….’ Press Enter and finally Quite program.
3. Open base.ima and delete all files inside, don’t close file, keep it open. Instead inject from root of USB device following files: grldr, ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini Save base.ima as it is. This is your ‘base image’ ready to run grub loader.
4. Copy from root of USB device ‘menu.lst’ to folder workbench. You are now finished with the ‘basic stuff’ and ready to ‘make things going’.
5. How to create command that start OP-system on first harddisk-first partition with system=WinXP installed: Open menu.lst in folder workbench (use notepad) and delete all text and instead insert this text:
timeout 0
title boot harddisk1
chainloader /ntldr
Save changes to file
6. Now open base.ima and inject from folder workbench this newly edited menu.lst Choose to ‘Save as’ with name bootxp.ima to disk1\ezboot folder (extension ima should automatically follow when saving – this is procedure in UltraIso). In EasyBoot use command as usual: run bootxp.ima This starts your OP-system WinXP on [C:]
7. How to create command that halt computer: Again open menu.lst in folder workbench and delete all text. Insert instead this:
timeout 0
title halt computer
halt
Save changes made to menu.lst
8. Again open base.ima in folder workbench and inject menu.lst you just edited into image. Choose to “Save as’ to disk1\ezboot folder with name: shutdown (extension should automatically follow when saving – at least this is the procedure in UltraIso). In EasyBoot use command as usual: run shutdown.ima This shutdown computer.
As you can notice, we only need to edit ‘menu.lst’ to change function/behaviour to floppy images.
Example: To create floppy image that reboot computer, you only need to edit text in menu.lst. Delete text in menu.lst and insert this:
timeout 0
title reboot
reboot
Save changes to menu.lst and again inject menu.lst to ‘base.ima’. When saving image, use “save as” to disk1\ezboot folder with a accurate name like: reboot.ima or whatever. In EasyBoot use command as usual: run reboot.ima
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now time for
'How to start Reatogo or BartPE or Winternal-ERD from USB device'.ATTENTION
Deactivate floppy unit (if present) in BIOS. Set BIOS to NOT use any floppy at all= that means, literally deactivate function to floppy unit. We need to do this; otherwise explorer in BartPE/Reatogo//Winternal-ERD hooks up, when started from EasyBoot. I have noticed that more and more computers for sale don’t have any floppy at all as standard. Conclusion: Forget your floppy and “think” USB.
Follow my instructions here (example Reatogo):
1. Copy folder i386 (and folder holding programs related to Reatogo built) to USB device. You don’t need ident files win51ip etc.
2. Rename folder i386 on USB device to minint
3. Open menu.lst in folder workbench (use notepad) and delete all text and instead inject this text:
timeout 0
title Loading Reatogo
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /minint/setupldr.bin
Save changes in menu.lst
Open base.ima in folder workbench and inject your edited menu.lst Choose to “Save as’ to disk1\ezboot folder with name: reatogo.ima Use command in EasyBoot as usual: run reatogo.ima This starts Reatogo from your USB device.
Note: It’s fairly easy to hexedit Reatogo, BartPE and other ‘LiveXP’-solutions based on i386 folder concept, but avoid to hexedit Winternal ERD because it uses “locked” setupldr.bin file. Instead reserve name ‘minint’ to start Winternal ERD.
Note2: When copying files to USB device, always wait at least 30 sec extra (even if it looks in explorer that copying is finished) before restarting computer or pulling out USB device. When using NTFS file system on USB there is a kind of delay before USB device is finished.
How to solve problems related to incorrect partition table on USB devices (USB devices=thumb drives or similar). This problem is generally called ‘Error 110’.I recommend using ‘partition magic v8’ to solve this. Run ‘partition magic v8’ from your EasyBoot menu when started from USB device. Let ‘partition magic v8’ correct partition table and reboot. You probably need to do this every time you do a full format to your USB device.
--------------------------------------
*Extra option here for those who like to setup WinXP from USB
1. Download this program and install it.
< http://download83.mediafire.com/zyrdam2....-1B.exe >
Note: credits to jaclaz, cdob, wimb and ‘ilko t’ for this program/tool.
2. Program is rather ‘self explaining’. Run program and let it do ‘it’s things’. This take some time.
3. How to create command that start setup of WinXP: Again open menu.lst in folder workbench and delete all text. Insert instead this:
timeout 0
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/$WIN_NT$.~BT/SETUPLDR.BIN
Save changes made to menu.lst
4. In folder workbench, open base.ima and inject your edited menu.lst Choose to “Save as’ to disk1\ezboot folder with name: setupxp.ima In EasyBoot use command as usual: run setupxp.ima This starts setup of WinXP from USB device. As a bonus you can reach repair consol as well.
---------------------------
Enjoy= Have fun
Regards heureka
Posted by wixfigur on Jan. 04 2009,08:42
How to enter into the Easyboot menu and submenues?I tried to write into menu.lst (in root) maybe
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /ezboot/loader.bin
and some other variations, but it doesnt work.
Grub works but it cannot load.
If I understand right, I have the folder "EZBOOT" in the root of my stick. Not as an iso in iso folder, right?
Posted by balder on Jan. 04 2009,12:11
Hello wixfigurQuote: ”I have the folder "EZBOOT" in the root of my stick” No you do not
Ezboot is inside ISO-file witch is loaded (started) by grub with this code:
title Start EasyBoot
find --set-root --ignore-floppies /iso/mycd.iso
map /iso/mycd.iso (hd32)
map --hook
chainloader (hd32)
boot
Note1: mycd.iso might have different name in your case (easyboot.iso or whatever).
Note2: ISO is put in a folder with name “iso”, you can se that in code “/iso/mycd.iso”.
Commands for coming back from DOS here:
< http://www.ezbsystems.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=1296 >
You can use a simple batch-command for “auto-roll-back” to EasyBoot menu.
Example: autoexec.bat looks this way in my ghost floppy image. Note: I use ghost-11 (Dos –version of course).
@echo off
mouse.com
mouseusb.exe
mode con codepage prepare=((850) ega.cpi)
mode con codepage select=850
keyb sv,,keyboard.sys
ghost.exe –auto
ezboot.com
When I quit ghost, ezboot.com is executed and I automatically is rolled back to EasyBoot menu.
Note: The file ezboot-com must be inside same ghost image as autoexec.bat!
balder
Posted by wixfigur on Jan. 04 2009,13:52
Hi Balderthx for reply.
I am working with easyboot for a long time. Now I thought i am getting a bit more modern and try to work with usb stick.
I was struggling the whole afternoon with it. It is more complicated than I imagine.
Booting ima, iso, dos works. The Easyboot loader "loader.bin" only works via loading an iso image.
What doesnt work is Windows install out of iso, cause after the reboot the virtual CD isnt on its place anymore.
But it seems to be impossibe to boot the i386 etc.. folders directly by using setupldr.bin (and its hex-mods).
The folder names change to minint/$WIN_NT$... No way to use the old names.
So, it seems not so easy to tranfer my existing MultibootDVD (some Windows versions, Bart, Tools etc...) to USB-Stick. Sigh!!
Ist this all correct? Do you have any suggestions to solve that problems?
Posted by balder on Jan. 04 2009,15:19
Hi again wixfigurQuote: seems to be impossible to boot the i386 etc.. folders directly by using setupldr.bin”
Well, yes and no. It’s correct that you can’t transfer existing MultibootDVD as ISO is built by EasyBoot.
But start “liveXP” typically BartPE, Reatogo, ERD Commander etcetera is possible using “direct load of setupldr.bin”.
Possible is also to start setup of winxp from USB device, but not any kind of “super-multi-setup” as with CD/DVD.
I quote from this topic (in post one):
*Extra option here for those who like to setup WinXP from USB
1. Download this program and install it.
< http://www.datafilehost.com/download-49d91393.html >
Run program including setting options. You can later copy EasyBoot.iso-file to USB device and let EasyBoot act as the boot manager it is. Insert this text as extra option in text file menu.lst on USB device:
title Start EasyBoot
find --set-root --ignore-floppies /iso/mycd.iso
map /iso/mycd.iso (hd32)
map --hook
chainloader (hd32)
boot
I repeat from post 3 in this topic:
Note1: mycd.iso might have different name in your case (easyboot.iso or whatever).
Note2: ISO is put in a folder with name “iso”, you can se that in code “/iso/mycd.iso”.
This program < http://www.datafilehost.com/download-49d91393.html > also makes your USB device automatically bootable using same grub loader that mentioned in this topic (read this topic from beginning=post1).
Or as option for test purpose use this script (be careful what you do, it’s a powerful script) Download here:
< http://web.telia.com/~u75404714/balder.html > Note: Take attention to “newbies” as well
Play with it and have fun
balder
Posted by wixfigur on Jan. 04 2009,18:29
Yes - very interesting. played the whole day with it, and found out 90% of how grub is working.That XP on USB tool you suggest is great (I still found it a littler earlier ;-) ). It gives a good view for what is possible with grub (looking into the .lst files that are created was the kick forward!!!).
Some of the things that are possible on cd dont work on usb for now. Maybe XP Pro and Home and 2000 together (caused of the txtsetup.sif in root), $OEM$ folders, same folder names.
But I have some solutions in mind. Just have to try out (the old thing - editing txtsetup.sif, setupldr.bin...).
If I got it 100%, that Easyboot-Multiboot-grub thing, I will post it to the forum.
Posted by saroumane on Mar. 07 2009,16:09
At first, thank you very much for your tutorials ! It's quite impressive what we could do.
And it makes months that I am looking for something which allows to speed up the load of kind of Ultimate Boot CD... but with USB and not CD.
Secondly, I am a teacher to people who are intended to become "Computer Techs" (Hardware and Software "helpdeskers" or "reparers"). And this type of USB boot O.S. shoulod be usefull for their job (and mine, by the way).
Second secondly, excuse my English... I am just French.
At third, I scrupulously respect the tutorials.
EasyBoot is perfectly executed when I choose it in the first menu.
But, when I choose "Boot REATOGO" and after grub is loaded, I have these 3 white lines on top of a black screen:
QUOTE
Booting 'Loading Reatogo'
Filesystem is ntfs, partition type 0x07
Will boot NTLDR from drive=0x80, partition=0x0(hidden sectors=0x3f)
And that's it: no key active on the keyboard, no other message and it seems that there are no activity anywhere (except in my brain
)I think I made a mistake somewhere, but where ?
Reatogo has been built with an image called "Windows XP Pro SP3 unattended by Ugly" (which we use for educational and experimental purposes during the courses).
Thank you for your answers,
Regards,
Posted by balder on Mar. 07 2009,17:15
@saroumaneFirst of all, welcome to this forum
Quote: Booting 'Loading Reatogo'….
Filesystem is ntfs, partition type 0x07
Will boot NTLDR from drive=0x80, partition=0x0(hidden sectors=0x3f)
And that's it: no key active on the keyboard, no other message and it seems that there are no activity anywhere (except in my brain)… End of quote.
------------------------------------------------------
Well it seems that you have done right so far. Grub is executing your request (loading file Setupldr.bin in folder minint on USB device).
But to be sure what we are dealing with here, I suggest you also show text in file “menu.lst”.
Text should look something like this:
timeout 0
root (hd0,0)
chainloader /minint/setupldr.bin
Note: I have excluded “title text” as it’s not needed. Title is just a clarifying for your own eyes and not any needed component (text) for grub to load files. But if you like, you can keep using titles as you wish. Question is: what text do you have in file menu.lst on USB device
Another question is if you have made any else changes in folder minint (originally folder name i386 on USB device)?
Note: You shall only copy folder i386 to USB device and then rename folder i386 on USB device to minint and no other changes are needed.
I’m pretty sure there is something wrong with your folder i386 from the beginning if you have followed tutorial for how to start reatogo.
Note: Be sure that files in folder i386 has not been hex edited in some way. If you are using some kind of “super-multi-boot” CD or DVD as source for reatogo built, it’s possible that files been hex edited (using different names to folder i386).
Quote: excuse my English...
Nothing wrong with your English (better than mine
). Main thing is to solve (if possible) problems we run in to. I am just as you a humble user of this fine software EasyBootregards balder
Posted by saroumane on Mar. 08 2009,01:59
@Balder,Thank you for your prompt answer.
Concerning the "menu.lst" inside "reatogo.ima" in "/ezboot" of the image "mycd.iso", which is in "/iso" folder of my USB key (a Kingston Traveler 1GB), I copy/paste the lines from the tutorial.
So, it should be Ok.
Concerning the Windows XP's folder i386, I have no idea if it has been hex-modified. I copied, then renamed "i386" generated by reatogo to the USB device. I did not change anything else.
I will try something: taking the iso generated by reatogo, burn it on a CD-RW and try to boot with.
If it fails, I will have a hint of where to begin search.
If it works... I will see...
Posted by balder on Mar. 08 2009,05:37
@saroumaneI noticed that you used XP-sp3 as source when building Reatogo. I wouldn’t recommend XP-sp3 as source for building Reatogo.
Note: Such Reatogo build might work from CD/DVD but fail when running from USB device. Please use XP-sp2 as source when building Reatogo to avoid “basic problems”.
Regards balder
Posted by saroumane on Mar. 09 2009,11:22
Hello everybody,Hello Blader,
Ok, I have throwed my XP SP3.
I have tried many things with 2 or 3 different XP SP2.
When I boot the iso generated by Reatogo with QEMU, it is starting. Nice.
But with the USB key, after the message:
Booting 'Loading Reatogo'
Filesystem is ntfs, partition type 0x07
Will boot NTLDR from drive=0x80, partition=0x0(hidden sectors=0x3f)
There is now just a black screen. Nothings else happens.
Posted by balder on Mar. 09 2009,12:39
@saroumaneTo find out what this strange problem is caused by, I suggest you try using BartPE instead. Download here: < http://nu2.nu/pebuilder/ >
Create BartPE build as stated in instructions and use folder i386 from this build to se if it works. This way you can be sure that everything is okay with your type of Reatogo build, or if it is improper in some way.
Note: I do have one Reatogo build that fails
(it reboots my computer) when booted from USB device. But runs perfect from CD/DVD-unit. I know what the problem is. It’s a hard disk driver that “side kicks” my USB driver so it crashes and computer reboots. I disable that driver plugin when building my Reatogo-PE (if I go ahead and want it to boot from USB).balder
Posted by saroumane on Mar. 09 2009,16:17
Thanks Blader,I will try this.
I thought also (during the trip from my working place to my home, while I was driving my car (it's quite impressive how this problem is occupying my neurons)) that it could be because I am using French versions of Windows.
I should perhaps find English genuine version of Windows XP.
We have some with our old MSDN subscription.
I will try all these possibilities. I will try until I succeed ! That's my Challenge !
Thank you again for your precious hints.
Posted by balder on Mar. 09 2009,18:41
@ saroumaneQuote1: ”it's quite impressive how this problem is occupying my neurons” – same to me (those neurons that still is working in my brain
)As I suggested, test using BartPE (create a very basic build) and follow tutorial as you stated (renaming folder i386 to minint) etcetera. As second option test with Reatogo but only build a very basic one. Test with using as few pluggins as possible to make it – as I suggest – a very basic Reatogo build
Regards balder
Posted by saroumane on Mar. 10 2009,10:59
@Blader,Unfortunately, and even if we are on EZB systems forum, my Reatogo now works on USB without EasyBoot.
I did the first steps:
* HP format in NTFS of my USB-Drive
* grub_inst.exe to write the MBR on it
* copy/paste: default, grldr and modified menu.lst to root of USB.
Then I found a link on the web: < http://gocoding.com/page.php?al=petousb >
I used the same Reatogo files which did not work before.
I had just to modify the menu.lst, not to launch EasyBoot in second choice, but to find the ntldr of the USB-drive:
QUOTE
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
timeout 10
default /default
title Demarrer Windows sur Disque Dur
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/ntldr
title Demarrer REATOGO sur Lecteur USB
find --set-root /ntldr
chainloader /ntldr
I also had to add the SATA drivers to Reatogo.
Then, it is working !!!
As I said, unfortunately, I did not find what was wrong with EasyBoot, and why the same Reatogo files are working with PEToUSB...
I am rather disappointed, but the goal was clearly just to boot Reatogo on USB.
Great thanks for your help.