Bootable XP DVD above 4.7GB possible?

[dreamline]

Hi All,

Last couple of months I've been working on creating a bootable DVD, however it seems that my size is now well over 7GB of installation scripts. So I figured I'd use a 8.7GB dual layer DVD for all of my needs.

My problem is that when I have burnt it on a dual layer DVD the boot process isn't working and the setup freezes or windows (which has already been installed) is started.

I was wondering if it's even possible to create a bootable DVD with a dual layer DVD. Once I get some stuff out and create a 4.7GB DVD everything works smoothly, so my guess is that a bootable dual layer DVD with data over 7GB isn't working. Am I right or do I just have to burn it differently?

Thanks for any advice and help.... I don't wanna use multiple DVD's for my unattended installation since if I do it's missing the point of being unattened.. LOL..

Regards,

Dreamline

[cdob]

I haven't done a dual layer DVD bootable XP so far.

There is a limitation within 4.7GB already. Maybe this explains dual layer experience too.

The file location is importand.

ISOBuster list LBA Logical Block Address of files.

Setupldr.bin acces first 4 gb of a DVD only.

That's textmode boot files has to be within first 4GB of media.

Gui mode boot files can be after 4GB boundary.

At first reboot there is a similar reason.

ASMS files are read from DVD. These files has to be within first 4GB of media too.

Later readed files can be after 4GB boundary.

[dreamline]

Hi cdob,

I already figured it had something to do with the dual layer part. Thanks for the info and I hope I can find a solution for my problem.

Would be great if there's a programm out there with which you can burn data to the first or second layer. I don't think it's there, but if it is I would like to know.. So my quest continues, but thanks for the heads up on this..

Dreamline

[cdob]

Well, I don't have dual layer DVD RW. I avoid testings at dual layer DVD R media so far.

I installed XP from a 8 GB image at a virtual machine.

Some hints:

Cdimage can sort files at directory level.

Be careful directoy ASMS may get at end of media.

Mkisofs can sort files at file level.

Directories and single files can be sorted.

As wrote already: IsoBuster list LBA addressed.

You may read LBA adresses before burning media.

ImgBurn does sort files. And you may set the layer break yourself.

[dreamline]

Hi again,

Thanks for the info. I've tried to use ImgBurn and I noticed that folders are getting sorted and that's where my problem lies. The apps that are around 4GB are listed first and put in the layer before the layer break, so the I386 folder and other folders come after the layer break, which probably causes my problem of not being able to install XP from a dual layer DVD.

So i've searched to see if I there's programs with which you can manipulate the folder read order, but sofar no luck. My guess is that if you are able to get the i386 and other windows folders on the first layer then it might actually work.

So my search continues to see if there's a setting or program (within burning software) in which you can manipulate the folder read order for creating bootable DVD.

Thanks cdob for the heads up. I've tried ImgBurn, but it sorts the folders on read. I haven't looked at the other programs yet you listed.

Thanks again..

Dreamline

[cdob]

The apps that are around 4GB are listed first and put in the layer before the layer break, so the I386 folder and other folders come after the layer break

Well, which data layout do you use?

Do you create a multi boot DVD?

Do you create a single boot DVD?

Do you add big apps? Which foldernames goes apps?

Can you change the names?

Which foldernames are at DVD? Can you make a 'dir /ad /s /b'

Some tools add files by alphabetical sorting order.

Hence use folder name \zzz_apps\ for your applications.

\zzz_apps\ goes to end of DVD media.

Cdimage does use folder deep. A deep folder goes to end of media.

Unfortunaltely ASMS folder use deep folders already.

This goes to end of media. Hence this may break first boot.

Try a ridicilous deep folder \1\2\3\4\5\6\7\8\9\apps\. Not tested.

A previous message http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=769284

[cdob]

The apps that are around 4GB are listed first and put in the layer before the layer break, so the I386 folder and other folders come after the layer break

Well, which data layout do you use?

Do you create a multi boot DVD?

Do you create a single boot DVD?

Do you add big apps? Which foldernames goes apps?

Can you change the names?

Which foldernames are at DVD? Can you make a 'dir /ad /s /b'

Some tools add files by alphabetical sorting order.

Hence use folder name \zzz_apps\ for your applications.

\zzz_apps\ goes to end of DVD media.

Cdimage does use folder deep. A deep folder goes to end of media.

Unfortunaltely ASMS folder use deep folders already.

This goes to end of media. Hence this may break first boot.

Try a ridicilous deep folder \1\2\3\4\5\6\7\8\9\apps\. Not tested.

A previous message http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=769284

[jaclaz]

A semi-random question/thought.

Is the good ol' CDmage:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/...s/CD-Mage.shtml

compatible with DVD's?

It offers as well a LBA mappng facility and it's Freeware.

jaclaz

[dreamline]

Hi cdob,

I'm creating a single boot DVD for windows xp...

Yes I was thinking of putting the biggest app (Adobe Master Collection which is a stunning 5GB's and I couldnt find a way to trim it down since dependencies are freaky LOL) in a seperate folder after the i386 folder.

At the moment I've got all of my installing apps in a folder called $oem$\$$ so that it is copied over to the harddrive in the text setup installation of windows. So I probably will try to move the huge app to a different folder on DVD and then unpack it to the harddrive to start the installation...

Thanks again for the insights..

[cdob]

Is the good ol' CDmage:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/...s/CD-Mage.shtml

compatible with DVD's?

CDmage does work at a DVD image, however DVD are not supported.

There are is a nice view: Type, Date and time and Timezone.

There are some minor drawbacks.

The meter limtit goes up to 80 minutes.

Big files show false sizes: file size modulo 4GB

LBA are listed.

File system ISO9660 is listed, no rock ridge extension or other file systems.

As for a bootable XP DVD: Yes, CDmage is compatible.

Thanks for the reminder.

IsoBuster Free does list rock ridge extension and big files, e.g. 8GB.

IsoBuster fails at insane huge files: a 3PB file at ISO9660.

http://www.isobuster.com/license-models.php

[dreamline]

Moving the app to a different folder did do the trick. Using a batch script I extract the app to %windir% and start setup from there. So my problem is solved.

Thanks again cdob: I can finish up my Dual Layer DVD installation now so that all the apps I use get installed when re-installing XP...

Dreamline

[dreamline]

Update:

Have tried burning several DVD+DL's now with using the big app in a folder placed in the back. Also tried putting the files in the root of the dvd starting with it's name with a z. Unfortunately neither solution worked. I haven't tried the deep folder thing yet, but putting the files in a different folder solve my problem with vmware and over 4.7GB image.

So am still on a learning curve and trial and error curve..

But i've come further with the tips presented in this thread..

Edit: Seems that ImgBurn did the trick. First create an .iso by adding files/folders and then burn it at speed 8.

Edited May 8, 2009 by dreamline

[cdob]

Had to try myself:

I created a 7GB ISO file.

Windows files are sorted with 'mkisofs -sort' at front of media.

All windows files are within first 4GB of media.

Burned to DVD+DL at max speed: 2.4 It's a old DVD writer.

Booting from DVD is possible.

Windows XP does install without errors.

After installation, whole DVD is acessable.

Yes, a Bootable XP DVD above 4.7GB is possible.

[dreamline]

Thanks cdob,

For the testing too. I managed to create a bootable 8.5GB DVD and put all the installation files in a folder behind the I386 and OEM (driverspack folder) folders. As of then the Windows gets installed properly and all my Apps are installed too... So problem solved and thanks for the testing too..

[neetu_fzr]

Had to try myself:

I created a 7GB ISO file.

Windows files are sorted with 'mkisofs -sort' at front of media.

All windows files are within first 4GB of media.

Burned to DVD+DL at max speed: 2.4 It's a old DVD writer.

Booting from DVD is possible.

Windows XP does install without errors.

After installation, whole DVD is acessable.

Yes, a Bootable XP DVD above 4.7GB is possible.

I am also having a 7GB win xp image but not succeeded in making it bootable. Can you please tell me step by step to use 'mkisofs -sort' so that I can make my DVD+DL bootable.

Thanks in advance.

Neetu