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Topic: GPT Partition Multi-Boot, Multi-Boot with Win8 and WinPE< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 21 2013,12:42  Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

hello balder ,

I've installed a Win8x64 in a new 500GB harddisk with GPT partition format (not MBR).

I made the partition like this :
1st partition   C:  80GB     (for Win8 OS)
2nd partition F:  30GB      (partition for Win8PE and Win8OS image backup)
3rd partition  D: 360GB    (for data storage)

Steps for making 2 OS in new harddisk :
1. Format all partitions to GPT format and install Win8x64 in C: .
2. Create a Simple Win8PE (Win8PE.iso)
    1. Use Winbuilder Easyboot USB_v2 to write Win8PE.iso to a 4GB USB stick which boots normal.
    2. User Ghost32 to write an image.
    3. Restore this image to 30GB - 2nd partition.

Now how can I boot both Win8x64 and Win8PE ?

In before (MBR age) , I use :
   1. "Spefdisk" to make multi-boot menu easily , and when boot one OS , the other OS is hidden. This makes perfect and convenient.
   2. "Acronis OS Selector" to make multi-boot menu. I seldem use it as it's not a freeware , and it's  not that convenient like Spefdisk.

Note :
1. I know I can use Windows's bcdedit like : {e14fd391-66e0-11e2-bccc-e0c3558d601c} copy to create another boot option. But it's complicate and inconvenient. Once the main OS unboot , the boot menu may also corrupt , causing the other OS unbootable.
2. I also don't want to use EasyBCD to add boot option for the second OS to the main OS , as the boot menu also embeded in the main OS.

Before in MBR age , I've tried to put all my Easyboot software in the other partition of a harddisk , then use grubinst_gui to make it multi-boot for both WinOS and Easyboot.

------------------------------------------
But now , I'm using GPT partition format , many things can't be don't :
1. "Spefdisk" can't be use as it's only for MBR use.
2.  "Acronis OS Selector" when boot , it can't recognize my 500GB harddisk with empty selection. So it means it's also for MBR use only.
3. Again , I don't like to use "bcdedit" or "EasyBCD".

So I think the best way is to make it Easyboot style like I've done before. But I really don't know how to do this ?
Is it possible to multi-boot , and when Win8OS booted , the Win8PE hidden ? or vise versa ?

Looking for your advice. Thank you.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 22 2013,03:18 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

@allgames71

Quote: "Now how can I boot both Win8x64 and Win8PE ?"

Already here I must clarify I do not consider myself any experienced user of the  'GPT format' ("GUID Partition Table" as I use the 'standard' MBR "Master Boot Record")
Anyway...

Compared with MBR disk (such I have used so far) - a GPT disk can support larger than 2 TB volumes where MBR cannot (very important note). A GPT disk can be basic or dynamic, just like an MBR disk can be basic or dynamic. GPT disks also support up to 128 partitions rather than the 4 primary partitions limited to MBR format disk.

But in your case you only have a 500GB disk and only 3 partitions - so you don't need to use the GPT disk format

But on the other hand, there are more benefits with the GPT format ???
GPT keeps a backup of the partition table at the end of the disk. Furthermore, GPT disk provides greater reliability due to replication and cyclical redundancy check (CRC) protection of the partition table
This is great benefits comparing to the 'old fashion MBR format'

Just to clarify...

Apart from that, things works basically the same but without MBR which makes it a little bit more complicated.
Note: The MBR format, which has been around since the 'DOS days', is good enough for any drive below 2.2 terabytes (just a note to users that are not that versed in these different format - I consider myself far from 'versed' in these issues)

Anyway... As I haven't any GPT disk at present time, I cannot directly test any solution right on for the moment - and further more - I'm reworking one big room in my cellar (refreshing some stuff 'ordered' by my wife)
He, he it's hard times when a growing man must leave his computer for a while :laugh:

But you can test using USB approach

This means you must set BIOS to boot from a USB stick (or USB hard disk) and use 'grub-kicker-images' from folder EZBOOT (run ***.img).
We have used (and still use) grub to find 'bootmgr' and launch Windows (Win8 in your case)

You mentioned 'Win8PE' on partition two. Is this a ISO-file or a 'installed' Win8PE ???

If it is a ISO you can launch ISO as it is from that partition.
If it is a 'installed' Win8PE you change name to 'bootmgr' to let's say 'boot8pe' and create a grub-kicker-image (modify text-file 'menu.lst' inside floppy image 'setupnt6.img') to search-find and execute this 'boot8pe'-file.
This then launch Win8PE

I'm unsure if it is possible to launch grub from a hard disk that has 'GPT format'?
We know grub can be launched from a MBR hard disk (which then launch EasyBoot ISO-file) - this works excellent even from a NTFS file-system.
But a GPT disk does not have any MBR - so we are stuck here ???

Normally, Grub does not understand GPT partition tables and needs to be tricked into starting from one. You need to create a very small partition at the start of your disk to hold the grub - but is it worth it?

Further more, there are some 'quirks' related to GPT disks and BIOS - but you seem to make it work alright (which didn't surprise me - you are a multi-skilled user of computers @allgames71)

Or the problem in a 'nut shell' read HERE


If I where you, I would test a USB stick and check if grub at all can launch your Win8 (Win8 from that first partition)
Test both setupnt6.img and harddisk.img from Easyboot menu (EasyBoot run from USB stick using menu command:  run setupnt6.img and run harddisk.img)

Hmmm.... Not much to an answer - but this is a new challenge to solve :)

regards balder


--------------
Download complete set of scripts including help file HERE
Note: Script collection updated 2019-05-19. Scripts mainly support EasyBoot_6.5 or later
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 22 2013,06:08 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

hello balder ,

Thanks for your tutor.

quote : "so you don't need to use the GPT disk format"

Yes, you are right , I don't need to use the GPT disk format at a 500GB harddisk. But it's a test of GPT multi-boot function.
Because of this test , I changed my mainboard to Asus P8H77-M LE , which is UEFI Bios equiped.
I want to have this test is because I always bear in mind that I must be MORE ADVANCE THAN MY CUSTOMER :
1. More advance in knowledge.
2. More advance in notification.
3. More advance in problems will be encountered and the way to solve them.

3GB and 4GB harddisk is out now , and I found that nomatter Intel or AMD chipset new mainboard are with UEFI Bios. I think these is most compactable with Windows 8 , I like Windows 8 rather than Windows 7.
More than 10 years , I installed Windows for my customers. Also I'll give them a "Recovery CD" :
1. Unlike the Factory's Recovery CD , mine is with Backup & Recovery functions. They just bootup this CD and choose either Backup or Recovery Windows , very easy. I wrote this with QuickBasic 4.5 + Ghost under DOS.
   There's actually a lot of Recovery software like Acronis , Paragon , Easeus Todo Backup  .......... , but they're all GUI format and need user to press next ... next to continue. So I like to use Ghost which is command line capable with my program.
2. For recovery , I've a Recovery CD for my customers. And also a same recovery program in the harddisk's 2nd Fat32 hidden partition (backup image will also be written in there). When they want to do the recovery from harddisk , they just press F11 at computer startup to call my recovery program.
   I use IBM F11 function instead of Acronis F11 , as I said Acronis Recovery is not command line basis.
3. For my own use of , I don't use IBM F11 function to call my program. I use Spefdisk to make a multi-boot menu in MBR.
4. This is what I've done in the MBR age.

Some customers like the Recovery CD for safety. So the new computer buyers will also ask for a Recovery CD and a backup program in their harddisk. That's why I have to face GPT partition with multi-boot now.

I know it's a hard task for you to test GPT partition with multi-boot under Easyboot , not because of your knowledge , it's because until now , not many people have a EUFI mainboard. Anyway I just want to let you know why I do this test. I'll follow your instruction to test it. But it may take long.
I'll let you know the result and ask for your help later.

Thanks for all your kindness.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 22 2013,10:15 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

hello balder ,

quote : "3GB and 4GB harddisk is out now "

Sorry for my careless typing , I mean :

3TB and 4TB SATA harddisk is out now.

As GPT partition don't support Fat32 , that's why I have to rewirte my Backup & Restore program with Visual Basic 6.0. So my program is no more DOS compatable mode.
And I've to create a very basic Win8PE with a DOS prompt only (X:\Windows\System32). I start my program in the "startnet.cmd" and make the DOS prompt invisible. It means once you startup this Win8PE, you can see my program only.

OK , I'll test your instruction.

Thanks.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 22 2013,14:29 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

hello balder ,

I'm sorry to tell you that I fail to run both setupnt6.img and harddisk.img :

1. for setupnt6.img , boot error :

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:

  1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
  2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
  3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance.

  File: \Boot\BCD
  Status: 0X000000e
   Info: The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors.

2. for harddisk.img , boot error :

Starting cmain()....
An operating system wasn't found. Try disconnecting any drives that don't
contain an operating system.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

As you said grub seems don't reconize GPT Partition. Maybe I'll wait until you have a UEFI mainboard to test.

Thanks
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 22 2013,15:29 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

@allgames71

Quote: "As you said grub seems don't reconize GPT Partition. Maybe I'll wait until you have a UEFI mainboard to test"

Yes I know - and unfortunately - this will take a long time (perhaps one year or more...) :(

I'm not surprised grub couldn't find file(s) on that GPT Partition - it was expected ???

So for present time, no solution in sight :O

In fact, the GPT format is something EasyBoot development team must take a good look into as this is not the future - it is already her in real time, perhaps not common but definitely a 'must use' to large hard disk units (larger than 2,2 TB) :cool:  

------------------------
PS. I finished up that cellar floor this afternoon - looks great
I also bought and installed a new electric stove in the kitchen (400 Volts). I tested to fry some sausage - which ended with success :laugh:
------------------------

regards balder


--------------
Download complete set of scripts including help file HERE
Note: Script collection updated 2019-05-19. Scripts mainly support EasyBoot_6.5 or later
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 22 2013,15:35 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

hello balder ,

I found a web page which may be helpful. But I don't really understand what it says.

http://www.rodsbooks.com/efi-bootloaders/

Using Grub 2 , Linux can be boot from EFI Bios.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 23 2013,03:18 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

@allgames71

Quote: "Using Grub 2 , Linux can be boot from EFI Bios"

Yes, this seems to be correct :)

But we are interested to launch a specific ISO-file (EasyBoot-iso-file) ???

And further more, we need the 'old grub' to launch other software.

In the way EasyBoot works at present time, I'm pretty sure it won't work anyway :(
We need that 'old grub' as a 'helping hand' to launch our software - which doesn't work (look i post nr;5)

I think we are stuck here (look into post nr;6).

I will constantly follow what happens on this 'battle front' for a working solution :cool:
If there are some workaround to this problem, I'll let you now :;):  

Best regards balder


--------------
Download complete set of scripts including help file HERE
Note: Script collection updated 2019-05-19. Scripts mainly support EasyBoot_6.5 or later
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 23 2013,10:18 Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

hello balder ,

I don't mean to use Grub 2 to substitude our previous software bootmenu.

I only say that we can try to use Grub 2 for Dual-Boot Windows 8 and Win8PE only. Is it possible ?

Thanks.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 23 2013,11:51 Skip to the previous post in this topic.  Ignore posts   QUOTE

@allgames71

Quote: "I only say that we can try to use Grub 2 for Dual-Boot Windows 8 and Win8PE only. Is it possible ?"

I'm having problem testing anything in this matter which makes it impossible to give any straight answer ???
Instead I recommend reading and participate HERE :cool:

It looks to me this is something close to this issue ???


regards balder


Edited by balder on Feb. 23 2013,12:29

--------------
Download complete set of scripts including help file HERE
Note: Script collection updated 2019-05-19. Scripts mainly support EasyBoot_6.5 or later
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