Topic: USB XP Boot Failure
started by: allgames71
Posted by allgames71 on Apr. 28 2010,14:58
I've create a usb xp boot , but on the very first start ... "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration ..." , then it reboot right the way !!!My usb xp creation steps :
1. I've download "SETUPXP.IMG.GZ" and put it in "C:\EasyBoot\disk1\ezboot" with command in Easyboot "memdisk setupxp.img.gz". Then make a "mycd.iso"
2. Install software "WinSetupFromUSB_0-2-3.exe". Start winbuilder_complete ... Easyboot-USB to integrate "mycd.iso" , and copy the menu.lst in usb to desktop.
3. Start ""WinSetupFromUSB" , under column "Windows 2000/XP/2003 Source" , I "Browse" my extracted XP source location in my harddisk and press the "GO" button.
4. Copy back the menu.lst from desktop to usb drive.
When finished, I start boot from USB , once start up and appear "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration ..." , then suddenly the computer restart. I try many times , and same thing happen !!!
Posted by balder on Apr. 28 2010,15:56
@allgames71Quote: "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration ..."
Hmmm… It’s a “long shoot” but I think this is related to USB device itself - but can also be related to Computer where setup is processed.
My first intuitive feeling is that something has been wrong copied to USB, or you use WinXP-source that has been manipulated in some way.
Always test with a “clean” WinXP-source (no nlight etcetera).
Note: it is very difficult to tell what causes this kind of problem – no perfect answer from me
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Edit.
Try theses different approaches as well:
Method one
1. Extract floppy image from “SETUPXP.IMG.GZ” (you get “setup-winxp.img” – change name to setupxp.img)
2. Copy setupxp.img to folder ezboot and use menu command: run setupxp.img
3. When creating ISO in EasyBoot, check “Allow lower case”
4. Test and see if this works (if it works we now that “memdisk” screws things up and cannot be used).
Method two (you launch Setup of WinXP directly from grub menu with this method)
Test to inject following to menu.lst on USB and use this to launch SetupXP
title SetupXP
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/$WIN_NT$.~BT/SETUPLDR.BIN
savedefault 1
Report your results
Regards balder
Posted by allgames71 on Apr. 29 2010,15:34
Hello balderMy USB thumb drive is Imation 4GB. I've only got this one thumb drive. And this is the thumb drive that I can install Windows 7 according to your instruction. I use the same way to install xp but fail.
My computer configuration is :
Asus M2N68-AM
AMD Athlon II 440 Core2Duo CPU
WD 1GB SATAII harddisk
2GB DDRII Samsung Ram
You suggest me 2 methods to install xp, the first method can't boot.
The second method seems work and begin to copy files after accept the windows license aggrement. But the thing is when copying files from usb thumb drive to harddisk, it's deadly slow ... for only copying files from 1 to 100% , it takes me 1hr 8min, unbelivable. I thinks it must be missing the smartdrve.exe before copying. After copying it reboot but fail with the error message :
can't find <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll
try to copy the file
Somewhat like that , the I use a livecd to view the C: structure and I find that C:\Windows\System32\hal.dll is already exist.
The thing is why can't it find that file when boot as it's already existing in the required location ?
I know , balder , you help me a lot already. If there's no other way, then just leave it. But still I would say thanks to you.
Posted by balder on Apr. 30 2010,04:20
@allgames71Quote: ”it takes me 1hr 8min, unbelivable”
This slow behaviour can still be related to that you motherboard doesn’t support USB-2 speed at “boot-time” You can try to “Launch support for USB2.0” before you run setup WinXP.
Note: there is no harm testing this – it doesn’t harm your motherboard.
Some comments to “method one”.
Seems that “memdisk” did screw things up
Extract floppy image from “SETUPXP.IMG.GZ” and copy image to folder ezboot. Rename image to “setupxp.img” and use simple command: run setupxp.img
When creating ISO in EasyBoot you must check “Allow lower case”.
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I still think there is something weird with your USB stick
Note: There is so many different USB drives (stick\Thumb drives etcetera) and so many different motherboards with different BIOS and with different chipset and also with different integrated driver-chipset for USB-connector, so it is more surprisingly that any thing works at all – then that everything works perfect.
And to make things even worse – the new USB3-speed is now developed.
In my opinion, it’s high time for manufactures to cooperate for a 100% proof standard related to the “USB-problem” – and I’m waiting…
EDIT!
Here is an example to similar problem I have.
I used Microsoft tutorial to create a bootable USB stick with setup of Win7.
I used to 100% guidelines from Microsoft. It ended this way:
Several computers didn’t even find MBR-code on USB stick – which results in a worthless USB stick.
To solve this problem, I copied all files and folders from USB stick, to a temp folder and used my script easyboot-usb.script to make USB stick bootable (I used a created ISO-file by EasyBoot). I then copied back all files and folders from my temp folder and insert these lines in menu.lst
title Install Win-7
root (hd0,0)
find --set-root /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr
And this works on all computers so far.
You see - Microsoft solution wasn’t 100% bullet proof.
Microsoft is BIG and I’m a small user and still I have to use my solution
He, he nobody is perfect
Attention! A minor bug found in “easyboot-vista\win7.script (it halts when looking for file “bootmgr”) – do a complete new download.
Note: credits to @apsolus that pointed me to problem with script
Attention! EasyBoot-USB.script updated - now with support for drive letters from [C:] to [Z:]
regards balder
Posted by allgames71 on Apr. 30 2010,18:03
Hello balderThanks for your brief instruction. Actually I succeed with USB Windows 7 setup according to your instruction.
Anyway I'll try the method one again. Now I've to end up this topic. Thanks a lot.