Recently, I was stumped by a W7/Vista cloning issue (unaware), messing up my images. Windows 7 first introduced me to the 200MB "Bitlocker/hidden/boot" partition. Did not realize this could also happen in Vista, but the easiest way to avoid it, is to create a new NTFS partition BEFORE installation of the OS. Thus not getting severely frustrated with the below.
If you did not create the partition before and need to get yourself out of a bind, so you DONT REBUILD THE MACHINE, follow the below instructions(this is prolly old news, but felt the need to rant).
Terms
BCD = boot.ini in legacy windows versions
fubar = @%%!# machine
source = trusty _working_ machine
diskpart = much improved fdisk
This guide is fantastic, and makes for some good reading.
Make sure you have a good boot directory from the OS you're installing (this includes the BCD & MS memcrapz tst), also have a copy of "bootmgr" (hidden in systemroot - may need to use attrib).
1. %source%\c$\boot\xcopy *.* /s %fubar%\c$\boot
2. %source%\c$\attrib -r -h -s %source%\c$\bootmgr
3. copy %source%\c$\bootmgr %fubar%\c$
4. Run the following commands from a winpe prompt/usbpe/alternate OS(XP,2003 etc.)
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {default} osdevice partition=c:
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {default} device partition=c:
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {bootmgr} device partition=c:
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {memdiag} device partition=c:
5. You will need a DVD iso/physical to run the command or you may have a better sneakaroo way of just getting the utility.
Vista/W7 DVD\BOOT\BOOTSECT /NT60 C: /FORCE
6. In a cmd prompt, use DISKPART to make partition active - ie
list disk
select disk %#%
select partition 1
active
Can someone explain how this overcomplicated process makes things easier? I know the whole bcdedit /store blah blah commands should be run BEFORE you image, but lets get real here MS.
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!! Thanks for reading.
If you did not create the partition before and need to get yourself out of a bind, so you DONT REBUILD THE MACHINE, follow the below instructions(this is prolly old news, but felt the need to rant).
Terms
BCD = boot.ini in legacy windows versions
fubar = @%%!# machine
source = trusty _working_ machine
diskpart = much improved fdisk
This guide is fantastic, and makes for some good reading.
Make sure you have a good boot directory from the OS you're installing (this includes the BCD & MS memcrapz tst), also have a copy of "bootmgr" (hidden in systemroot - may need to use attrib).
1. %source%\c$\boot\xcopy *.* /s %fubar%\c$\boot
2. %source%\c$\attrib -r -h -s %source%\c$\bootmgr
3. copy %source%\c$\bootmgr %fubar%\c$
4. Run the following commands from a winpe prompt/usbpe/alternate OS(XP,2003 etc.)
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {default} osdevice partition=c:
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {default} device partition=c:
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {bootmgr} device partition=c:
bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /set {memdiag} device partition=c:
Vista/W7 DVD\BOOT\BOOTSECT /NT60 C: /FORCE
list disk
select disk %#%
select partition 1
active
Can someone explain how this overcomplicated process makes things easier? I know the whole bcdedit /store blah blah commands should be run BEFORE you image, but lets get real here MS.
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!! Thanks for reading.