used winpe to create wim file can I use winpe to make bootable

[superbonk]

Hey guys,

I am new to the winpe software and I have tried to read all i can about it.

Now I have created the winpe boot disk and ran all the commands and I ended up getting my *.wim file I wanted.

I have a question for you guys is there anyway to take the *.wim file to a bootable dvd and use it to install vista.

And information would be great or how to do even better thanks guys.

[mmarable]

Sure, you're basically going to take what you have and reverse the process. You can boot from the WinPE CD you've already created, partition and format your hard drive, and then use ImageX to apply your WIM file or files. The WinPE Users Guide had details on how to do this in the "Imaging Tools and Reference" section. This is included in the Windows Automated Installatio Kit (the WAIK).

To do this from all one DVD, you'll have to recreate a new WinPE ISO, but add your WIM file to the "ISO" folder before you create the ISO (unless you just want to pull it from another machine over the network).

You can script this, jazz it up with HTAs or just manually type in the commands.

[superbonk]

thanks man for replying. but is there anyway to make this automated.

so basically do the same steps I went thought to make the bootable winpe disk just make sure I add my wim image file to the iso folder before I use the build command to finish making the dvd.

Also is after reading several post I noticed that winpe doesn't format the drive and what not is there any what to make the whole process automated just throw the dvd in and does everything for you. I.e format the drive and install the wim thats on the dvd

thanks in advance for any information you or anyone else is going to share

Edited December 11, 2007 by superbonk

[zorphnog]

You can automate all of that. I do it with ghost images, but its just as possible with .wim's. You can script everything you need to do. Use Diskpart for partitioning and formatting and imagex for the wim. Throw it all into a batch file or vbs script (or an HTA if you really want to be fancy) and add it to startnet.cmd or winpeshl.ini.

[superbonk]

hey zorphnog,

thats for the post is there a walk thought I could look at on how to do everything you where talking about. I am new to the whole *.wim I use to use ghost alot till I ran into issues with ghosting vista could have been with the verison of ghost cast server I was using.

So if you can point me in the right direction for automation you where talking about would be great. The problem I have that I haven't worked much with wim up till now and I don't know where to start.

Thanks

[zorphnog]

Try looking through IcemanND's guide.