windows xp recovery console on multiboot flash drive

[xenolalia]

Hi all,

I'm pretty new to usb flash drive booting (this is my first post here), and I have a question as to how to boot the windows xp recovery console from my multiboot flash drive via syslinux. That is, I have the recovery console iso (or at least the disc), and I'm trying to figure out what file(s) I should point to in the syslinux configuration file.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks much,

xenolalia

[jaclaz]

No prob , you only need some patience and go through this threads:

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5316

AND links given there.

To understand what options you have, then, you might use a "direct" Syslinux approach:

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7481

or use (advised) grub4dos grub.exe as kernel and have possibly more options.

jaclaz

[xenolalia]

jaclaz,

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply (I've been having some internet troubles). Thank you so much for the links! I'm looking through them now, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Best,

xenolalia

[wimb]

Make_USB.exe of U_XP_SET package can make MultiBoot USB-stick including XP Recovery Console.

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5306

You can Uncheck the Copy Checkbox of the Windows XP Setup Source Folder Selection,

if you don't need the XP Setup Source Folder on your USB-stick (saves 10 min time for copy to USB).

The Recovery Console is Launched from GRUB4DOS menu.lst Menu,

which you obtain by selecting GRUB4DOS in boot.ini USB-stick Boot Menu.

Edited April 4, 2009 by wimb

[ilko_t]

In the same fashion you may use WinSetupFromUSB- select your Windows source and check "Copy setup boot files only".

This will install grub4dos bootsector and the necessary files for RC.

Edited April 4, 2009 by ilko_t

[xenolalia]

Hi all,

I've been experimenting with the procedure here: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...20983&st=39, but for some reason, whenever I get to step 8, I get an error dialogue that says no instances of the phrase "NTLDR" (without quotes) were found. The "replace" button remains greyed out.

Any suggestions? I'm using Windows Vista, and I have followed the tutorial to the letter.

Best!

xenolalia

P.S. Thanks a ton for everyone's input!

Edited April 4, 2009 by xenolalia

[ilko_t]

You will have BOOTMGR instead of NTLDR in your bootsector, since you run HP format tool under Vista.

The simplest way perhaps is to run "bootsect.exe U: /nt52" under Vista, where U: is the drive letter of your USB stick, and continue with the procedure. This will place a bootsector, invoking NTLDR rather than BOOTMGR.

bootsect.exe must be on the Vista's DVD if cannot be found on the local disk.

What else do you have on this USB stick? You could have placed RC with a few mouse clicks only using either of the methods above...

[xenolalia]

ilko_t,

Thanks very much for your help. I was confused about what WinSetupFromUSB does, but I answered my own question, and I gave your procedure a shot as you suggested. However, the program refuses to let me select my source folder: it keeps saying that dosnet.inf is not present and that the source is therefore invalid, but dosnet.inf is present! I try to manually enter my source folder, but the program rejects it and refuses to continue.

Any suggestions?

Best,

xenolalia

Edited April 5, 2009 by xenolalia

[wimb]

You should NOT select I386 folder, but instead Select the folder which contains I386 folder

Edited April 5, 2009 by wimb

[xenolalia]

Ah! Thank you! Sorry 'bout that. The RC is working great! Now, my only question is how to boot RC (via grub) through my syslinux menu (I have a number of tools on my flash drive). Or, do you think it would be easier to move my syslinux menu entries over to the existing grub menu?

Thanks very much!

xenolalia

[jaclaz]

The RC is working great! Now, my only question is how to boot RC (via grub) through my syslinux menu (I have a number of tools on my flash drive). Or, do you think it would be easier to move my syslinux menu entries over to the existing grub menu?

You are/will be using grub4dos, NOT (legacy 0.97) GRUB!

You can chainload grub4dos grub.exe from Syslinux directly as kernel:

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/...ll.htm#method02

jaclaz

[xenolalia]

I see. I misunderstood what file I was supposed to point to in syslinux.cfg, but it's all sorted out now. Thank you all very much!

Best,

xenolalia

Edited April 5, 2009 by xenolalia

[bonbonboi]

# Syslinux.cfg

LABEL 4

menu label Windows XP Recovery Console

KERNEL /grub.exe

appened initrd=/NTLDR

LABEL 5

menu label Windows Vista Recovery Console

kernel /grub.exe

chainloader /boot/vstarc/bootmgr