[Can't boot WinPE 2.0 from USB-Stick]

Lol... reading the dates.. better late than never :-) Mind you I discovered MS WinPE only 3 hours ago so im learning fast.

[Can't boot WinPE 2.0 from USB-Stick]

Finally after having this same problem I figured it out from clues on this post.... thanks aspenjim for the pointer :-)

The Microsoft instructions neglect to mention that to make this work you *have* to repack the PE image. In other words you must follow the custom PE instructions as though you are going to add things into the package even if you don't. This process actually customises the image so it will work on USB/CD etc. I strongly suggest you read the microsoft article Walkthrough: Create a Custom Windows PE Image so you have some background to these instructions.

One other thing to note the "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt" does not usually open in Administrator mode and imagex requires admin rights. So right click and make sure to Run as Administrator. If you have turned off UAC you can ignore this.

Preparing the USB Stick with diskpart (This only works in Vista - everyone else use SP27608 - google it)

*** WARNING *** These commands will wipe your USB stick.

*** WARNING *** Select the correct disk or you may wipe your hard disk (this has not been tested :-)

diskpart

DISKPART> List disk (choose your USB disk)

DISKPART> select disk x (replace x with your disk number)

DISKPART> clean

DISKPART> create partition primary

DISKPART> select partition 1

DISKPART> active

DISKPART> format fs=fat32 quick

DISKPART> assign

DISKPART> exit

Creating the PE Image Directory

copype.cmd x86 c:\winpe_x86

Mounting

imagex /mountrw c:\winpe_x86\winpe.wim 1 c:\winpe_x86\mount

Preparing

peimg /prep c:\winpe_x86\mount\Windows

Unmounting

imagex /unmount c:\winpe_x86\mount /commit

Update the ISO files with the new image

copy c:\winpe_x86\winpe.wim c:\winpe_x86\ISO\sources\boot.wim

Copy ISO files to USB stick (replace f: with the drive letter of your usb stick)

xcopy c:\winpe_x86\iso\*.* /s /e /f f:\

Let us know how you go :-)

Regards

Kevin