how do I get XPe to see 2 CF Partitions?

[Guest]

I have a 512 MB RAM on my target machine. About 6MB is used for memory
caching (can’t remember the specifics) leaving me with 496 MB. I have a 1.0
GB Compact flash. Since I didn’t want to run out of RAM space and get an I/O
file write error when the space/memory is used up by EWF, I decide to
partition the flash into 2 volumes the first partition being about 496 MB (my
image resides here) and then the 2nd partition for data or installation of
some applications that would easily use up more memory than the free
space/memory left on the first partition. I see the 2nd partition both in DOS
mode on the target machine and in the Disk Management Window on the Host
machine. However, I don’t see this partition when the image has run and is
fully functional. I have made the 2nd partition a primary FAT 32 partition
and then a logical partition in turn to see if the volume would appear in My
Computer but both bids have failed. Is there anything I need to change?

Thanks.

 

[Sean Liming \(MVP\)]

Windows XP and XPe can only see one partition on a removable device. If the
CF is ID'd as fixed, you will be able to see 2 partitions.


http://www.seanliming.com/flashhelp.html

--
Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental Toolkit

 

[Guest]

Thank you Sean. From what I've seen so far, Windows XP doesn't report it as a
Removable Drive. Instead, Windows XP on my host machine sees both
partitions/volumes and I can open, copy and paste files from and to them.
However, I only see 1 partition in Win XPe. Is there any other way I can know
for sure the OS is seeing it as a removeable drive? I have searched for a
SanDisk utility to convert it to a Fixed Drive to be sure it's seen as fixed
but haven't found any.

 

[Guest]

I see the 2 partitions using Win XP even after FBA has run and the image is
fully functional. It's only in Win XPe that it doesn't appear.

 

[Sean Liming \(MVP\)]

Something doesn't sound right. What is the make and model of the CF card
that you are using?

--
Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental Toolkit

 

[Guest]

Thanks again Sean. I am using a SanDisk 1.0 GB Compact Flash. I guess my host
machine may be seeing it as a 'Removeable device' since I'm using a 'CF to
USB adaptor'. I plug it into a CF slot on the target machine. That may as
well explain what's happening. I've contacted SanDisk for a conversion
utility. Hopefully, they'd get back to me soon. And thanks for your book on
Win Xpe.

 

[Sean Liming \(MVP\)]

The SanDisk conversion utility no longer exists. You have to purchase fixed
ID'd cards directly from the manufacturer.

--
Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental Toolkit

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the help Sean. I discovered that though both computers were not
labelling the partiotions as 'Removable Disks' in both Control Panel (Disk
Management) and My Computer, they were still seeing them as such when I
checked somewhere within the Device Manager. I eventually got my hands on the
utilty and got the CF converted to a Local Disk. I have deployed the image
and it's been working ever since.
Many thanks