Bootable Image?

[Hatefulsorrow]

Ok stupid question. I need to know what file is called to start the windows xp installer on a bootable CD. It's the winnt.exe or another file? I have a running idea on how to make a UA cd that pre-partitions and formats a HD with 3 partitions. One primary and two logical.

If I miissed this in the search I am sorry.

Hatefulsorrow

[Sonic]

You would like start the installation of windows xp after a dos operation ?

[jaclaz]

There are two files:

winnt.exe is the 16 bit install

winnt32.exe is the 32 bit install

more info here:

for win2k:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/win2k_cmdline_setup.asp

for XP:

http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/arti...0&seqNum=6&rl=1

jaclaz

[Hatefulsorrow]

No. When setup is loaded via the CD (IE "Press any key to continue...") There is a file that is loaded to start the setup process. I believe it to be a bin file. I've looked at the hex of a few of the bin files in the i386 folder and the one I believe to be it is setupldr.bin but I have found no evidence as of yet to prove this. I have neither of the setup files (winnt.exe, nor winnt32.exe" in my nLited i386 folder. Yet the UA cd works fine. This what lead me to believe that another file is loaded to start the process and that the winnt.exe file is nothing more then a bootstrap that loades the file in question.

I may be wrong but it would be enlightening to know.

[cyanide]

yes, during the textmode setup, the setupldr.bin / setupldr.exe files are used...

im not sure which one but its one of them

[Hatefulsorrow]

Thanks. One more question though. Do you know how to call the bin from a batch scipt so that it will start like it would if it was loaded by a boot loader?

[agonified]

You can use 'CDSHELL'.. link:cdshell

It is very easy to adapt and occupies very less space. Before you load windows setup from cdshell, you can load a bootable partition magic or Acronis partition expert cd. First you do partitioning job, then you start windows setup with 1 single cd.. Hope helps..

[Hatefulsorrow]

It looks like it might work well. But can CDSHELL call dos based files and partitioning tools? And if so can it also start the script required to do so automatically? With a Yes/No timeout and default?

Sorry about all the questions.

[agonified]

Hmm....

cdshell cannot call dos applications. But, it can call your bootable images. You can create an image of your partitioning floppy or floppies. You should put your script in that image that asks something like 'do you want to part....??'. and automatically parts the disk. After that, you reboot, and start windows setup this time from the same cd.

[Hatefulsorrow]

My idea is to re-script the windows boot loader image to load a different exe file that uses diskpart to partition and format the harddrive without a reboot or floppies. The whole thing needs to run from the cd. Can this be done with CDSHELL?

[Nepali]

i use easyboot

my menu looks like this

1. partition magic 8.05 (pqpm.img)

2. xp setup (bootsect.bin)

[agonified]

No dude. You can use diskpart only within windows. Then your solution is not cdshell but Winpe or Bartpe. You boot into a windows 32 bit environment, do partitioning with diskpart scripting, then start your setup again within windows environment. This can be also very useful for unattended situations and faster setup but you must fit your windows setup to 550-600 mb since Winpe Or bartpe occupies min 100 mb on a cd...

Your idea is super, but I dont know how to edit windows loader. If one can do it, it would change all unattended situations.. If you find how to do it, please post here AND send a mail or message to me.. I will also search to find a method to do it..

Good luck..

Edited September 12, 2005 by agonified

[Hatefulsorrow]

Can I emulate awin32 evironment without using winpe?

I'm trying to make the process completely automated. As for the size issue thats no big problem as I am making a ua DVD

[Hatefulsorrow]

@Nepali

I also have easy boot but I don't know how to call a exe or batch script from a menu command

[agonified]

If size is not problem I highly recommend using BartPe. With an easy plugin addition, you can also put some troubleshooting applications. You can automate the process of course, when it boots, it can start your application or script automatically. Just search forums about Winpe or Bartpe. You will see what I mean...