Map MBR-style-disk on GPT partition

October 1, 2016, 10:47 am

≪ Previous: grub UEFI + wimboot - error: kernel too old.

The official GPT specification lists a partition type with a peculiar description :

Partition containing a legacy MBR | 024DEE41-33E7-11D3-9D69-0008C781F39F

A better description from the gpart manual :

mbr | A partition that is sub-partitioned by a Master Boot Record (MBR). This type is known as "!024dee41-33e7-11d3-9d69-0008c781f39f" by GPT.

More details were only obtained from FreeBSD mailing list archive :

Yes. This is a partitions-inside-a-slice configuration, ...

Basically it means that the GPT partition contains a full MBR disk in it... Intended to be mounted as a separate virtual device. It was envisaged that non-GPT-supporting OSes can be booted from such a mapped virtual HDD.

I think it'll be quite easy to make such a mapping module for boot managers like Grub/Grub4dos, as well as a driver for Windows and perhaps Linux... Can be useful both for booting and maybe other things...

So does any of the existing drivers like FileDisk, FiraDisk, WinVBlock, etc. have support for this?

What say @Sha0?

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Grub4DOS used to install XP

October 3, 2016, 12:23 am

≫ Next: MS-DOS 6.30

≪ Previous: Map MBR-style-disk on GPT partition

I’m going crazy trying to remember how I did this:

I’ve an image of installing XP from USB that works fine. The image was made somehow using grub4dos, and that method is what I’m trying to remember but can’t. Using this grub4dos gives me 2 stages of the XP install, which is what I need to make the install work.

Using grub4dos whatever way I did makes 2 folders:

$WIN_NT$.~LS & $WIN_NT$.~BT.

The problem is integrating the updates in the XP install on the 2 folders on the USB drive themselves doesn’t work. After updating the integrated updates, the install from the flash drive misses’ files and won’t finish. If you press escape to skip the files won’t make the install work.

What I believe I did is somehow take an updated ISO and used whatever method to make the grub4dos on the USB.

I’ve surfed the internet, & using the RMPrep works for the first stage but for some reason doesn’t find the hard drive in the second stage. PowerISO doesn’t work at all. Wintoflash is ridiculously slow. Rufus works through first stage but not second stage of install.

Any ideas of what method I used to make grub4DOS work the way I have for the USB to install XP correctly?

Thanks for any ideas of suggestions.

Thank You

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MS-DOS 6.30

October 4, 2016, 5:08 am

≫ Next: Missing Recycle Bin - Windows 10

≪ Previous: Grub4DOS used to install XP

My version of MS-DOS 6.30 is now largely complete, and is in testing. This version is used to undertake tests with Windows 9x, and what 7.10 might look like.

This version of DOS started life as an extension of the 'oldmsdos' files on the Windows 9x cdroms. With a little further extension, it became a full blown DOS version. Currently, the layout is on two diskettes, one that has MS-DOS and one that has the utilities from dos 4/5/6 on it.

No fancy installer, but we use a compiled batch file to copy a config.sys and autoexec.bat onto the hard drive.

The idea of using a non-generic DOS is educational, and thus as an educational facility, escapes the copyright law. What happens is that when you co-mix files from this DOS and a real DOS, like ms-dos or pc-dos, it should easily pick which DOS is which. In this way, it's a clearer indication of what various programs are doing.

The first diskette contains the files of ms-dos 6.30, being patched versions of 6.22, along with a number of files from the Win95 OPK, and edit-v2. Most of this is packed with compress v 1 (KWAJ), but you simply need to prepare a hard drive, and then run 'install' from the diskette.

The second diskette contains various files from msdos 4 to 6, (access, dosshell, extract, qbasic 1.1, manager (dos 3 shell), msd 2.12 (ie the 3.01 on the internet), and a smattering of small files. The help file is the version on this forum, with some updates. This is identical for any of the prepared MS-DOS versions, and even runs without mods for PC-DOS.

A corresponding PC-DOS disk exists, with acalc, basica, e editor 3.13, dosshell 7, rexx, t (tiny edit for DOS), unpack2, and the PC-DOS 7 help system. The rexx utilities might be placed in a zip-exe file, being so tiny.

For those curious, I am also putting a NGDOS, which is alternate freeware (largely avoiding freedos), of utilities that replicate functionality, with additions. An example is Paul Houle's excellent 'doskey' 2.0 (dos) and 2.5 (w9x), which are suited for running under DOS6 and less, against Windows 9x,

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Missing Recycle Bin - Windows 10

October 4, 2016, 5:28 am

≫ Next: Auto-start services

≪ Previous: MS-DOS 6.30

Hello guys!

At first thanks for this application! I can't think of any Open Source alternative.

Good job!

I have one question, on Windows 7 I had enabled RAM disk ~2GB space, after removing files those been moved to recycle bin (which is fine). After installing Windows 10 my removed files are no longer moved to Recycle Bin. Is there any way to enable Recycle Bin for RAM disk drive on Windows 10?

Thanks in advance!

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Auto-start services

October 4, 2016, 11:49 am

≫ Next: How to use BootICE creat two partitions (command line)

≪ Previous: Missing Recycle Bin - Windows 10

Since some time, imdisk.exe and the ImDiskCreateDeviceEx function are able to start the required services if they are not running.

So, is there any reason to keep all the services on auto-start?

Of course, the imdisk driver should be always started, for instance for the case where virtual disks have been registered through imdisk.exe -P, but what about awealloc and imdsksvc?

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How to use BootICE creat two partitions (command line)

October 5, 2016, 6:20 am

≫ Next: WinBuilder 082 Servers could not be accessed

≪ Previous: Auto-start services

Hi all.

I am searching method to re-partitioning my USB with BootICE in CommandLine

I want to BootICE creat two partitions by using command line.

Someone help me.

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WinBuilder 082 Servers could not be accessed

October 8, 2016, 1:46 am

≫ Next: Anybody up for an alternative "Bass" hair style?

≪ Previous: How to use BootICE creat two partitions (command line)

Hello Everyone.

I am new to WinBuilder and I am having issues running version 082.

When I run it, I get this message: " None of the selected Servers could be accessed! Perhaps you need to define Proxy access"

I searched through the forums and tried several things I saw members suggested for past versions of WinBuilder. Here is what I have tried so far:

- in WinBuilder under Proxy>>Ping I switched from ICMP to HTTP. I then exited the application, ran it again, no luck.

-in WinBuilder under Proxy>>HTTP>> I checked the boxes for Proxy Basic Authentication and Use Proxy while leaving Ping selected to HTTP. I also tried this by switching back to ICMP; no luck.

- I disabled my antivirus and firewall settings, ran WinBuilder as originally configured from download; no luck

- I ran it again with the previous changes, no firewall, and HTTP settings; no luck.

Any suggestions?

I am using Windows 10 looking to use WinBuild to put together my own suite of WinFE tools.

Thanks for all your help!

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Anybody up for an alternative "Bass" hair style?

October 8, 2016, 3:08 am

≫ Next: Windows 7 AoE Diskless without CCBoot

≪ Previous: WinBuilder 082 Servers could not be accessed

Had me smiling towards the end. Cant help but smile. Anyone brought hairspray?

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Windows 7 AoE Diskless without CCBoot

October 8, 2016, 2:16 pm

≫ Next: Selfboot System Backup Application/Partionsbackup

≪ Previous: Anybody up for an alternative "Bass" hair style?

All of the guides I have read mention the use of CCBoot Client to successfully SANBOOT Windows 7 using the AoE driver - without CCBoot Windows hangs on the splash screen and fails to boot.

For background information that lead to this post please read the following -

Here's what I did -

Client PC

Installed the AoE driver (run > hdwwiz.exe - ). Full instructions with screenshots are available here

Changed the start value for my network adapter to start=0 (see here) - might not be required (wasn't for iSCSI boot) - need to retest when I have time.

Ran nvspbind.exe to unbind the LWF driver from my network adapter using it's GUID value (see here and here)

Rebooted into Windows 7 and ran "AoE scan" to check AoE was installed.

Rebooted to WinPE and imaged the Windows 7 partition - I used Ghost (Local > Partition > To Image) this time - could also have used wimlib-imagex or a number of alternatives. I could have imaged the full disk, however I had storage restrictions and time restrictions and it was much easier to just image the 30gb partition.

Copied the ghost image to my server

Server PC

Created a 15 GB (fixed) vhd file using diskpart - created one partition entry, marked it as active, formatted it, then mounted the vhd in the same script. The only partition in the vhd was mounted as F:

Used ghost to copy the partition image captured on the client to the partition in my mounted vhd image (F:). Used ghost - "Local > Partition > From Image" option.

Deleted the F:\boot folder to remove the BCD store.

Created a new bcd store by running the command "bcdboot f:\windows /s f:"

Mounted F:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM registry hive in regedit and edited the mounted devices key - changing the drive letters to avoid conflicts when diskless booting. Possibly not required.

Unmounted the F:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM registry hive.

Unmounted the vhd file.

Started Tiny PXE Server.

Started VBlade using Erwan.l's gui tool.

Client PC

Network booted the client PC and chose my iPXE menu option for AoE boot -

#!ipxe
dhcp net0
set keep-san 1
sanboot aoe:e0.0
boot

It worked!!!

Notes

Despite using a disk with a different disk signature it worked without any issues.

This method allowed me to keep my laptop intact - I didn't have to worry about removing the hard disk or changing the disk signature to avoid conflicts before SANBooting Windows 7

Regards,

Misty

P.S. will retest with Windows 8(.1) when I get a chance.

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Selfboot System Backup Application/Partionsbackup

October 10, 2016, 1:39 am

≫ Next: multiPE must not reside inside the user's profile directory!

≪ Previous: Windows 7 AoE Diskless without CCBoot

Hi,

i have a suggestion, idea ..

? it is possible to write/create a partionsbackup-programm,

where it is portable, who create a bootable, it self write in the mbr for restoring the backuped

system before without the portable partions-backup program, something like

a Partions program, who it is able for make it self bootable for partitoning the systempartion,

but it backup the system particular, the clusters without 0000 and create a self booting

iso/dvd or blueray iso, where it is include the bootfiles and self extracting and restoration

data information and reformat with it the system partition.

With this have we are a single click Icon/possibility with the original installed System or

a fully installed System on C: restoration.

An Partionsbackup(Systempartion or both partions of Win7(boot/system))

where it self not backuped by self, but create a selfboot-and-included-mbr-writer

where it make possible for have with an single click a restorpossibility

for the whole system (without the portable partionsbackupprogram)

With it is is possible for create not only a "Restorpoint"

lt can crate a fully backup of the Running System.

restart, included the partionsbackup in the mbr

backup the whole System (or both partions of the Win7)

incremental(step by step) and if all saved in a compressessed file of iso or a compressed vhd or how ever..

reboots and add a link on the desktop with name and backupdate/time from it

, on the klick on this icon, reboot the system,

restore the whole partion/s backup and we are on the startpoint before at all crash

or a wrong update crash the whole system

and make it unbootable .

and at all be restored to a running system like before the

f...d update or virus or something.. where have devastated it .

and it should be able for start via usb-stick and start the

recoveryfile /exe via dos , freedos, msdos 7.x bootdisk

and start the restorer, this should include it self in the mbr and restore the whole system.

remove the mbr entry

and restart the backuped -restored system

where it is clean..

would be really nice, if anyone

write something program..

? it is possible to write something in qt, because it can use in both system

winNT/dos and Linux and if both binarys into, it's also able for start it

with a linuxlivesystem .. too ..

with a "restore.exe 02042016_7-02" and/or a "restore.bin 02042016_7-02" where start the whole process ..

restore -ls (for list the restoringfiles) or easy ls -al / dir /B = 02042016_7-02.backupsyspart

restore include a sys-file in the mbr for boot and add the file into the script for restore

behind boot and remove the mbr later in the script.

the whole can be on a usb-stick or a dvd/blue ray..

and maybe with the option for not restore the user-directory's

for hold it and not change/delete the whole files from the user..

and left the restore directory and the portable backuppartionsprogramm directory..

if it's possible.. for have it whole on the harddisk.. too

best regards

Blacky

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multiPE must not reside inside the user's profile directory!

October 11, 2016, 3:23 am

≫ Next: how to create BCD entries of fully working 'WIN7.vhd', 'WIN81.vhd', 'WIN10.vhd' and 'WINXP.vhd' into another External/Internal Hard Disk using batch file ?

≪ Previous: Selfboot System Backup Application/Partionsbackup

Please look at the warning, "multiPE must not reside inside the user's profile directory!"

I'm using XP SP2 as a source.

How do I fix this?

Thanks

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how to create BCD entries of fully working 'WIN7.vhd', 'WIN81.vhd', 'WIN10.vhd' and 'WINXP.vhd' into another External/Internal Hard Disk using batch file ?

October 11, 2016, 7:23 am

≫ Next: How to write protect pendrive

≪ Previous: multiPE must not reside inside the user's profile directory!

I have fully working pre-installed 'WIN7.vhd', 'WIN81.vhd', 'WIN10.vhd' and 'WINXP.vhd' in my external hard disk as backup. I have copied all VHD in the root of another external hard disk. Now I want to make my external drive bootable in such a way so that BCD will contain 4 VHD entries of above VHDs. is it possible by using batch file ?

May it be possible with BOOTICE. But last time I tried to add WIN81.vhd entry into BCD of pre-installed WIN7, then It give BCD error...?? Can we not add VHD entry of latest OS VHD into BCD of old OS ???

\WIN7.vhd

\WIN81.vhd

\WIN10.vhd

\WINXP.vhd

\bootice.exe

\make_vhd_bootable.cmd

Is it possible so that 'make_vhd_bootable.cmd' will automatically create necessary boot files in the root of partition containing VHDs. And also add VHD entries in the BCD Store...??

Can anybody help me to do this ?? It will be really useful for me....

Thanks & Regards..

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How to write protect pendrive

October 14, 2016, 1:31 am

≫ Next: USB Stick of Doom

≪ Previous: how to create BCD entries of fully working 'WIN7.vhd', 'WIN81.vhd', 'WIN10.vhd' and 'WINXP.vhd' into another External/Internal Hard Disk using batch file ?

Hai,

I have been using windows installation windows 7,8,10 all in one iso using rufus from usb. At times the installation files get corrupted by somehow. Can usb write protected in easy way?

I googled but can't find a way eay way to do it.

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USB Stick of Doom

October 14, 2016, 1:51 am

≫ Next: How to make tiny pxe server online after system boot up

≪ Previous: How to write protect pendrive

There used to be an old buggy version of pLop which if you experimented enough, you could create 5 primary partitions on a pen drive. This had the effect that any windows machine it was plugged into would instantly BSOD. Since the old version of pLop is not around, I guess in theory you could use a hex editor or something to do this hack, but I have no idea how. :loleverybody:

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How to make tiny pxe server online after system boot up

October 15, 2016, 4:58 am

≫ Next: How to hide a partition and access it on demand?

≪ Previous: USB Stick of Doom

Hai,

I have been using tiny pxe server.

But I want to auto start and go online after Logging in or system boots up.

Auto start with admin rights has been made possible by adding to task scheduler.

But Making it online how to automate it?

Os: server 2008

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How to hide a partition and access it on demand?

October 16, 2016, 3:33 am

≫ Next: Booting GParted in Grub4dos

≪ Previous: How to make tiny pxe server online after system boot up

Hello all. I have an HDD which has 4 MBR partitions. I'd like to hide a partition but I'd also like to temporarily mount it on demand. I can hide the partition fine in BootICE but by doing so, I cannot access it unless I unhide it.

How to temporarily mount a hidden partition?

Thank you.

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Booting GParted in Grub4dos

October 16, 2016, 7:03 am

≫ Next: How to convert MBR Removable USB Drive to GPT without Data Loss and vice versa ?

≪ Previous: How to hide a partition and access it on demand?

Hey there! I'm new here

I'm creating my own booteable usb with some recovery tools, using GRUB4DOS. I'm having problems while booting it. I'm adding this lines to my menu.lst

iftitle [if exist /DOS/gparted.iso] GParted
find --set-root --ignore-floppies /DOS/gparted.iso 
map --mem /DOS/gparted.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)

While using this lines appears to boot fine, the GRUB menu of Gparted appears. When I select GParted Live, here start the problems. After 2-3 minutes a message appears: '(initramfs) Unable to find a medium containing a live file system'

Also I tested using this:

title gparted 11.0 live
find --set-root /gparted-live-0.11.0-10.iso
map /DOS/gparted.iso (0xff) || map --mem /DOS/gparted.iso (0xff)
map --hook
root (0xff)
kernel /live/vmlinuz boot=live config union=aufs noswap noprompt vga=788 ip=frommedia findiso=/DOS/gparted.iso toram=filesystem.squashfs
initrd /live/initrd.img

But an error appears while booting which says 'mount: aufs on /root/ failed: No such device'

Hope you can help me. Thanks for all!

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How to convert MBR Removable USB Drive to GPT without Data Loss and vice versa ?

October 16, 2016, 8:34 am

≫ Next: How to add/activate Portable Apps in LiveXP 153?

≪ Previous: Booting GParted in Grub4dos

I can convert Internal Hard Disk of my System from MBR to GPT and vice versa by using AOMEI Partition Assistant without any data loss. But It does not allow me to convert Removable USB Drive from MBR to GPT without data loss ?

Is there any way to convert Removable USB Drive from MBR to GPT without data loss ??

Regards...

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How to add/activate Portable Apps in LiveXP 153?

October 17, 2016, 1:42 am

≫ Next: Is DR-DOS 7.03 written for a SISD or a SIMD computer architecture?

≪ Previous: How to convert MBR Removable USB Drive to GPT without Data Loss and vice versa ?

hi, sorry if asking a dumb question, but i can't find this feature , someone please help me i don't know what to do ...

i already saw these threads, but i can't download anything

http://reboot.pro/topic/7844-portable-apps-in-livexp/

http://reboot.pro/topic/4111-newcomers-tutorial-livexp-win7pe-portable-apps/

btw this project looks awesome: LiveXP_Rec (LX.061412) is a lite, fast WimBoot build, portable app's ready with latest Dipe AE and full ppApps support.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=AB90F92582B31882!108&authkey=!APW1h03y4ogZUj0

but i can't download it

thanks in advance for any help

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Is DR-DOS 7.03 written for a SISD or a SIMD computer architecture?

October 21, 2016, 8:06 am

≫ Next: Multibooting W2k/XP strange ways with grub4dos

≪ Previous: How to add/activate Portable Apps in LiveXP 153?

Initially DOS (DR-DOS 3.3) was written for the Intel 8088/8086, a uniprocessor system. So following Flynn's taxonomy it was a SISD (single instruction stream, single data stream) computer architecture.

But with the introduction of the MMX extention on the X86 architecture, it was no longer a SISD, but a SIMD ( (single instruction stream, multiple data stream) computer architecture.

But I don't know if DR-DOS was modified to use the multiple data stream.

For my la

And last one for what kind of hardware is written DR-DOS 7.03 and explain.

I already know that DR-DOS was basically written for a SISD (single instruction stream, single data stream) computer architecture (8088/8086) But the Pentium MMX and later where able to do SIMD (single instruction stream, multiple data stream) but I don't know if DR-DOS 7.03 did use this possibility.

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