We've been using a WinPE boot CDROM (based on XP) to start an
unattended setup (winnt32.exe) of Windows over the network. After
booting WinPE we partition the hard disk using Diskpart and format it
using the Format command. Then we start winnt32.exe. When winnt32 is
finished the system reboots and Windows setup continues.
Now I made a new WinPE boot CDROM based on the new version of WinPE
that comes with the Vista Automatic Installation Kit (AIK). After the
reboot that is initiated by winnt32.exe (XP version) the system won't
boot anymore. The reason for this is that Vista uses a new bootloader
but XP setup only installes XP bootfiles. I fixed this problem by
copying the Vista bootloader files to the volume before starting
winnt32. Now the system reboots fine using the new Vista bootloader.
When Windows XP setup is completely finished the system again failes to
reboot. According to a Technet article I found XP setup overwrites the
MBR, which is why the Vista bootloader won't be used anymore. However I
don't understand why the system won't boot using the XP bootloader. The
necessary files are installed by XP setup so they are available. I used
the Bootsect command to switch the MBR from XP to Vista without succes.
Does this mean WinPE 2 can't be used to deploy Windows XP or W2K3 or am
I missing something?
Today I included the format command in my Diskpart script. When
winnt32.exe is finished the PC again fails to boot because of the
missing Vista boot files. The error 'Disk read error occured' is shown.
I booted WinPE again and used the command 'Bootsect /nt52 All /force'
to change the MBR to NTLDR (Windows XP boot files). The command shows
it succesfully updated the bootcode on the C: volume. Afterwards the PC
still fails to boot and shows the same error. It will probabely boot
when I copy the Vista boot files but this is no solution as Windows
setup will brake it again in a later stage. Looks like the problem is
that the Bootsect command fails in activating the NTLDR boot files.
I waisted another day on this issue without making any progress.
Copying the Vista boot files to a VWInPE2 formated disk makes the
system boot using the new Vista bootmanager. Trying to switch to the XP
bootmanager using 'Bootsect /nt54 All' leads to boot failure and a
'Disk read error occured' error. After applying 'Bootsect /nt60 All'
the Vista bootmanager boots again. No way I can activate the Windows XP
bootmanager (NTLDR) on a WinPE 2 formated disk. I'm nut shure if I'm
dealing with some kind of Vista Beta bug (or ) or just should I just
forget about deploying XP using WInPE 2?
Johan, since you've got it working. Does your XP boot with the Vista
bootloader or with the XP bootloader? Did you manually have to make any
changes like copying or changing boot files or running certain
commands?
Cleaning the disk is part of my Diskpart script, which is executed
automatically at each install attempt. I reinstalled my test PC using
my old WinPE boot CDROM without a problem.
If I understand you correctly your setup never boots using the Vista
bootloader? One way or another your XP-setup immediatelly changes the
MBR to NTLDR style. Which setup command are you using? This is mine:
After executing this command the Windows source files are copied (into
two directories), NTLDR bootfiles are installed on the systemdisk, and
the PC reboots. However it boots using the Vista bootloader instead of
NTLDR.
Are you changing the partitioning or formating of the hard disk using
unattend.txt? (For example using the 'Filesystem=convertNTFS entry).
In case anyone should struggle with the same problem: today I created a
new WinPE CDROM based on Vista RC1 (the old one was based on a Beta
edition). This solved my problem. Nothing else has changed because my
unattend scripts are not on the CD but started from a network share.
I am kind of confused:
I got same problem that was described above. I create windows PE based
on BDD 2007 beta 2 and have scripted fully automated process in place
to install XP, Vista and other Operating systems, but I am having
trouble with diskpart if want to install XP or any other OS previous to
Vista. In last paragraph you saying that you created WinPE based on
Vista RC1 and it helped you to solve problem with diskpart for XP. How
do you create WinPE based on Vista RC1? You are not using BDD 2007 beta
2? Is it some kind of different process of creating WinPE CD than
described in BDD 2007 or is it something that I am missing? Could you
give me an idea how you do in it?
You help would appreciated a lot, I spend probably couple of days now
trying to solve diskpart problem for XP.
I checked the version of Diskpart.exe in the WinPE image. It's
6.0.5600.16384. To format the disk I use the Format command: Format C:
/fs:ntfs /q /v:System /y. The version of Format.com is 6.0.5600.16384.
Before my problem was fixed I experimented with the Bootsect command
and copying bootfiles but that's unnecessary now.
