Setting up Windows RE/PE to start on custom keyboard action?

[davidspackman]

Hi

I am trying to set-up a Windows PE / Window Embedded (STD 09) duel boot (with the PE wim image booting from a hidden partition)

I have been able to get the system working fine, but I know with Windows RE you can set-up a custom action in the BCD to look for a key scan (i.e F8) to boot into the recovery environment

I want to do this so I can hide the boot menu from the user.

Is it possible to set-up the boot manager to look for a certain key press to start a Windows PE image automatically?

PS

i tried to add the cmd below to my BCD, but it would not appear in my BCD list?

BCDEDIT -set %WINPE_GUID% custom:46000010 yes

[jaclaz]

See if this helps:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128727

Maybe you'll become a happy bunny yourself.

jaclaz

[davidspackman]

Hi

Thanks for that, but im not sure if thats what i what to do.

Since im using Windows XP maybe windows RE and its system recovery options menu is not correct for what i want to do.

What i want to be able to do if have

Par 1 (hidden)

- winPE

Par 2

- Windows embedded STD

i want to be able to press F8 during boot and have the system automatically boot into windows PE (preferably without seeing the boot menu).

Is this possible? or would i have to go into the boot menu and manually select to boot win PE?

[jaclaz]

i want to be able to press F8 during boot and have the system automatically boot into windows PE (preferably without seeing the boot menu).

Is this possible? or would i have to go into the boot menu and manually select to boot win PE?

Yep, point is just: WHY F8?

There are "special" MBR's that can change while booting the Active and Hidden status of partitions, usually they use F9 or F10.

Read these:

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6830

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6865

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6893

AND links in them.

jaclaz

[Lasray]

I'm sure there is a way to use Windows RE boot sequence but with PE in the partition?

Is it not possible to set up and use RE as normal, put the PE contents in the RE partition and change the winpeshl.ini contents to pick up PE instead of RE?

Other than that the links that jaclaz supplied would be the way to go