jaclaz

NO. Actually, when you use a hard disk, (which is already seen as "fixed" and thus allow you for more than one partition) a reversed dummydisk.sys is used to make the hard disk appear as removable, as otherwise the windows setup won't work. A possible workaround, NOT a solution, is in the works here: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7138 Nothing working (yet ) but maybe in a few days.... jaclaz

Because it is new, exciting, enhanced and the MS experts are sure that it's the best thing for you. Don't want at all to start or cause the start of yet another argument, but you remember a famous soft drink company that had to go back from the "new, enhanced" formula only to the "Classic" one and recently also plans to remove the "Classic" from the bottle/can?: http://adage.com/article?article_id=134222 jaclaz

First thing, you should check your keyboard, it appears defective, like if CAPS LOCK was stuck: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=18408 You won't get non redistributable Microsoft files from here. But you can learn how to do it yourself. Check these threads: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=107504 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=51140 (usually "tricky" drivers are for Intel or nvidia controllers) Also using driverpacks could be an option: http://driverpacks.net/DriverPacks/ Post info about the SATA controller on your PC.... jaclaz

This is news to me. Care to expand on this? Windows Server 2003 products may use a boot loader file named "Osloader.ntd" (NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM may still exist). I am uncertain between the relationship between the different boot loaders of Windows Server 2003. Well, Osloader.ntd is ONLY used when booting from ADS: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/843536/en-us Probably just like SETUPLDR.EX_ is used instead of SETUPLDR.BIN for PXE/RIS installs/PE's. Of course NOT. B) Basically: You choose a "main" set of loader files, let's say the Windows 2000 ones, and have them in C:\: NTLDR (from win2k) NTDETECT.COM (from win2k) BOOT.INI (with ONLY entries for your Win2k) You add to BOOT.INI this line: Then you add to root the grldr file from grub4dos: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14 And a menu.lst containing (among others) entries like: Read the grub4dos guide: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5187 Then you create a number of floppy images, like the one depicted on http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy33.htm , each with a given "set" of NTLDR+NTDETECT.COM+BOOT.INI. (and you save them in the ROOT of C:\ or another drive, or in another path on your hard disk) The floppy image can be gzip compressed, or alternatively, Zip compressed if you use memdisk, and memdisk can be gzip compressed, some details are here: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...c=3963&st=0 A suitable app for creating floppy images is VFD: http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/vfd.html A similar approach and some more details: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=127900 jaclaz

not mad. maybe "queer"? jaclaz

Once you have read the guide, things should be already much clear. Then simply browse the Forum: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=66 There are lots of examples, from which you can "inspire". Also, the very good thing about grub4dos is that it supports command line mode, in which you can enter commands or edit existing menu.lst entries and see how it behaves, thus you can freely experiment with any set of commands and only write the corresponding menu entry once you are sure it works. jaclaz

Hmmm, it won't be easy. I thought you were familiar (besides the flyakite guide) with the way CDshell works, and more generally XP setup works. If you are looking for a full tutorial like the flyakite one, I don't think that there is one. You need to read the grub4dos guide. And browse/search the grub4dos forum to "get the hang of it". Then, "translate" your current CD/DVD to grub4dos way of working. (guessing that this should be easier than adding grldr to CDSHELL) Basically, you should get latest UBCD, here: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1786 Prepare a menu.lst with the various options, a typical entry for an install or PE (when booted from CD) is: title Install XP PRO find --set-root /I386/SETUPLDR.BIN chainloader /I386/SETUPLDR.BIN Then add to menu.lst the suggested entry for UBCD. Be aware that grub4dos is CaSe SeNsItiVe. Then, without changing the source for your "flyakite" CD/DVD (except adding the menu.lst, grldr and the UBCD .iso) , build a new one with grldr as no-emulation bootsector. Suitable .cmd can be found here: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...18045&st=25 Another option would be to chain from CDSHELL a floppy image .ima containing grldr and menu.lst, or a plain DOS one with grub.exe and menu.lst. I am wondering now if this is a bit "too advanced" for your current knowledge of the matter (NO offence intended ). Let me know if you are willing to invest some time on the project, I can try and help you, but you will have to do most of the work/studying. It's possible that some other member can come out with another, simpler idea for UBCD.... jaclaz Edit: removed double forward slash in sample menu entry.

What about the actual ambulance driver? Just for the record: 1) if you hide a partition, it will be hidden 2) a "clone" of a first partition won't work because of this: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=19663 drive letter cannot work, as the offset is different. 3) grldr can be found even on hidden partitions. 4) grub4dos can take care of all the hiding/unhiding/partition entry writing that might be needed There is an on going thread where a solution (hopefully) for a similar problem is "in the works", it may give you some ideas: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...ic=7138&hl= jaclaz

unicorns tend to crash fairly less often. Sorry but I could not resist it.... Seriously, an OEM disc won't be strictly speaking Legally licensed unless you buy also the hardware. However, as always ebay: http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/Windo...0QQ_sacatZ41882 http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ...p;_osacat=41882 jaclaz

They are not easy-easy to find. "Professional" toolcases are unjustifiably expensive, as well as "single" screwdrivers. Some "kits" have it, and if you are lucky you can find them in "bits" format: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skytronic-6-PIECE-...T/dp/B000NVUC7C http://www.amazon.com/Torx-Star-Mini-Bit-T5-5/dp/B001LIKRP8 "Normal" bit series has #7 or #8 as smaller. I bought this small set from a Chinese street seller for 3,50 €: http://www.emaxmall.com/FrontStore/iGoodsV...dsId=0040_00006 jaclaz

CD-shell amd the flyakite's guide are a bit "dated" (no offence intended ). Particularly if you want to add UBCD, you may want to try using grub4dos and its .iso to (hd32) mapping capabilities, latest-latest UBCD is also fully compatible with grub4dos. The reference thread is here: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6119 Though I never tried it, I guess that grub4dos grldr can be chainloaded by CDshell, just like any NTLDR/SETUPLDR.BIN, if this applies, you can leave the Cd/DVD as-is and simply add the option to CDshell, the UBCD .iso and the grldr. Grub4dos Whereto: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14 Grub4dos guide: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5187 Grub4dos reported to be working .iso's mapped as (hd32): http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5041 jaclaz

AFAIK a way has not been found. Maybe if you use grub4dos to hide the first partition (temporarily)? jaclaz

Did you help me since? I was stuck at the time, and still am. jaclaz

well, 20 hours seems to me a bit premature to actually give up. jaclaz

There are THREE ways to workaround your problem, but none use the "USB as floppy", which CANNOT be done unless you have one of the very few models of sticks that can do that and/or you have one with a "compatible" controller AND you find the specific "manufacturer tool" - and nonetheless you will need the info in 2) below: 1) create a new Cd with integrated drivers 2) use a "real" USB floppy 3) use grub4dos and virtual floppy 1) nlite can do it, as well as several other apps/methods: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=107504&hl= 2) F6 USB floppy http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=82711 3) grub4dos "virtual floppy" (on USB stick) http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...c=20543&hl= I would try #3), if I were you, as it should be the easiest (without burning another CD). Grub4dos forum: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=66 Whereto: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=14 Guide: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5187 http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/Grub4dos.htm There is a FOURTH way out, that you seem not interested in, which is installing XP from the USB stick, of course after integrating drivers as in 1) above, three methods/apps available: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=157 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=111406 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120444 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=121446 jaclaz

Another one, just for the record: QGUI: http://perso.wanadoo.es/comike/index.html jaclaz

I wouldn't be so pessimistic. Many things depend on the type of the recovery partition and on what files are in it, in other words which brand/make/model is the actual PC. An example of success : http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=127624 jaclaz

This is news to me. Care to expand on this? @Dave_H Something that you may want to try is to move the various NTLDR's to different partitions/directories or put them inside floppy images. It's abit complex, but may prove a working workaround. Basically you can use grub4dos' grldr as your "main" loader (or load it through a "base", NOT corrupting SYSTEM hive, NTLDR), then chainload from it a floppy image with the actual NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM and BOOT.INI, an image simialr to the one depicted here: http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy33.htm It is less difficult than what it may seem at first sight , but undoubtedly not "straightforward". If you need help/more details, just ask. jaclaz

As well not at all my intention to cause an argument. @HowdyDoody Sorry if I sounded nasty , just trying to make things as clear and as accurate as possible, if in any way you feel offended by my posts, accept my apologies. But, again just for the record, you can make also a non-RW CD bootable. @Bigbrit Mind you, not wanting in any way to promote or "push" the work made by wimb and ilko_t, but they do work perfectly, AFAIK the unattended part is FULLY working for XP but not yet for Vista, ONLY when installed from USB HD: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=120631 A number of users already "jumped on this wagon", lately siginet: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128323&hl= who already produced some very good contributions: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=129049&hl= jaclaz

It seems to exist only in ZDNET file library nowadays... However, since 5.0.2167.1 is the release version for pcmcia.sys from Win 2k Pro, it seems to me that this driver pack may not be for Win 9x/ME, regardless of claims galore to the contrary floating around google... Mind you, completely and utterly unrelated, and possibly irrelevant, but FYI: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=9922 Win2K drivers might be "nearer" to Win9x ones than one might expect. jaclaz

No, I read it. Once you have properly partitioned/formatted a USB stick and copied to it the system files, the stick will be bootable, but it WILL NOT work to install a 2K/XP/2003: as said, further tricks are needed. The procedure took a few months of development and is available in different turorials/accompanying apps in the given threads. BTW, you cannot "format a CD", you can create a bootable ISO9660/CDFS filesystem (.iso image) conforming to one of the three boot standards: El-Torito floppy emulation El-Torito No Emulation Hard Disk Emulation Right. Though the procedure is not as straightforward as it would be advisable. That's the point. If you really don't know, why did you reply to Bigbrit? If you are curious about your questions, why not starting a thread with them? jaclaz

Some good ol' DOS assembly programs: http://bellsouthpwp.net/c/m/cmech617/flist.htm most notably IPL.COM and DTRBOOT, among lots of other ones. More things, DASD vision worth a look: http://bellsouthpwp.net/c/m/cmech617/ jaclaz

Completely (but not much ) out of topic , have you benchmarked the FAT32 on USB sticks before and after the updates? FYI: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=125116 jaclaz

You need a bootmanager capable of changing at boot time the Hidden/unhidden status of the partitions. There are several ones. What I recommend is: OS-BS mbldr: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=334 as it fits entirely in the MBR (512 bytes) thus assuring maximum compatibility. Or you can use grub4dos: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showforum=66 method #6 or #7 http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5187 http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/Grub4dos.htm http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/...all.htm#method6 More simply, you can use THREE partitions: Active, Primary, smallish, FAT16, containing ONLY the bootfiles (NTLDR+NTDETECT.COM+BOOT.INI) for 2K/XP/2003 and BOOTMGR+BCD for Vista/2008 Extended Partition containing: Logical Volume (Partition) for XP Logical Volume (Partition) for Vista You only need to hide the "other" logical volume during each install. Then you can have both visible, and simply from Disk Management "remove" the letter assigned to the "other" Logical Volume. jaclaz

In other words, if I am allowed a little joke this: should become: jaclaz