E2B Users Forum

Greate. Now I clearly understand. Tks, Sir

Hi Steve,
from e2b website, i found a method that we can use NTFS for UEFI.
After following your method5, UEFI boot fine but I get grub2 command instead of loading grub.cfg file
Can you tell me which step i did wrong

- Create 2 partition, one Fat32, one NTFS
- Copy EFI 2 go files to FAT32 partition
- Swap to NTFS by RMPrep
- Copy all contents of E2B to here
- install g4d to MBR and PBR by RMPrep
- Make imgPTN then rename to imgPTNlba23
- Swith to imgPTN by Switch USB.exe
- Boot to UEFI machine
Tks

Once you have switched, check the partitions.
ptn 1 should be NTFS and contain the payload files
ptn2 should be FAT32 and contain the EFI folder and EFIToGo files.

tks for your quick reply.
As you describe, i think you are saying about method 4. I follow method 5 which need rufus or EFI 2 Go files from download area.
That's right?

Sorry, you are right (I got confused with Method 4).
See previous edited post!
What do you mean about grub2?
What are you booting to?

Hi Steve,
I have EFI folder put in NTFS partition and of course this NTFS par has E2B files.
In EFI folder, i have boox64.efi which configfile boot/grub/grub.cfg (this .efi file from Androidx86).
My goal is, if we boot on legacy machine, then E2B will work.
If we boot on UEFI machine, then EFI file from fat32 partition will call bootx64.efi file from NTFS par then this file config file grub.cfg and display menu for booting Androidx86 on UEFI.
Tks

If you can boot to grub2, then it has worked.
The grub.cfg may be wrong for working from the 2nd partition.

The E2B NTFS partition should not have an EFI folder (it does't need it).
You make a .imgPTNLBA23 file from the android iso using MPI_NTFS shortcut.
When you switch to it using Switch_E2B, then it should already have an EFI\boot folder with either bootx64.efi and/or bootia32.efi (from the android ISO). If it does not contain either, then the original source did not support UEFI-booting.
So we should have:
Ptn1: NTFS with all android files + CSM files
Ptn2: FAT32 EFIToGo files
I that what you have?

Why do you need NTFS? Why not just make a FAT32 .imgPTN file and use that?

Hi Steve,
After long time now i come back to e2b uefi ntfs. (my laptop has broken and it take long time to fix).
I follow your method 4 but do not know how efi2go file work.
I create android.imgptn and efi (no extension) and put to \_ISO\LINUX folder.
switch e2b drive by click on .imgptn
but i just got ntfs partition. how about efi file and fat32 partition?
Tks

You need to create two partition images, e.g.
abc.imgPTN
abc

Hi Steve,
Tks for your reply.
I create 2 files: Android.imgptn and android (without extension).
When i run e2b switch, it only detect .imgptn file
I click .imgpnt file to switch USB but USB still NTFS. So i cannot boot to UEFI machine.
Tks

As an experiment, name the android file as android1.imgPTN and use Switch_e2b to load just that file. This will check that it is actually the correct format and works as a partition image.
if not, explain how you made the android file.

Hi Steve,
Here all of steps that I did.
- Run makee2b.cmd to create a "clean" e2b NTFS usb drive.
- Download make part image and create desktop shortcut.
- Download android.iso and drag it to MPI NTFS shortcut.
- ENTER all step to leave setting default.
- Copy android.imgptn to \_ISO\LINUX folder.
- Download EFI2Go folder and drag to MPI_FAT32 to make android (without extension)
- Copy android to LINUX folder
- Run switch e2b.exe and double click android.imgptn
- E2B switched, and its format is NTFS
- Boot from UEFI machine but it failed
Tks

I do not understand why you need to use two partition images? Why don't you just drag-and-drop the androidx86.iso onto the MPI_FAT32 Desktop shortcut to create a ,imgPTN file and use that file? Why do you need to create two partition images and why does one of them need to be NTFS???

Anyway, assuming you have made the NTFS+FAT32 files, does SWITCH_E2B v1.0.10 show:

android.imgPTN :&: android

i.e. two images? It should.

I followed your method using android-x86-4.4-r4.iso and it at least booted under VBox both on a 32-bit UEFI VM and a 64-bit UEFI VM to a console/shell.

You do not specify the EXACT ISO you are booting and you do not give any details except 'but it failed'. So it is difficult to diagnose the problem any further.

P.S. I see androidx86 has a .img version which it says is for EFI - maybe the ISO does not work for UEFI. Did you try making a FAT32 .imgPTN file from the .img download?

I downloaded a copy of Remix_OS_for_PC_64_B2016020201_Alpha_EFI.img and dropped it onto MPI_FAT32. It seems to boot OK on UEFI if you select Guest Mode (but not resident mode) on VBox. It doesn't MBR boot.

I also download the android 5.1.1rc5.img file and converted that via MPI_FAT32 to a .imgPTN file. This boots on my Z87 via 64-bit UEFI (but I had to type exit twice in the shell before it booted to the 'Desktop'). In fact, I am writing this now from within android!

Hi Steve, tks for your detail reply.
Also i'm sorry for my delay respone.
All of these day, i test many times with some Android base ISO: Androidx86, phoenixos, remixos and consoleos to make sure E2B Boot fine before ask you again.
And of cources all of it work fine if just use one NTFS partition for E2B then use FAT32 imgptn convert.
But It would be greate if we have 2 partition at one: 1 NTFS vs 1 very small FAT32 par with EFI2Go files.
I try to find on your E2B website and found method 4. it is very helpful for me. But i failed when try to test it.
E2B switch only display .imgptn extenstion, so android file (without extension) created from EFI2GO folder cannot be list on E2B switch.
Tks

Well, it works OK for me. Are you using the latest version? If so, use the Contact Me form and then we can try to find out what is going on by email.

Hi Steve,
yesterday i had a busy day.
Now I will take a screenshot for each step then send you via email.
Tks for your support.

Hi sir,
I'm very interested your #96 tut.
But automenulinux.bat just work for .ISO file.
Can you update newer version to show some other extensions, such as: .img, .ima, or can you help me make my own automenulinux.bat.
tks, sir

I found this command in automenulinux.bat

WENV check "#.iso#"=="#%~x1#" || goto :EOF

so i need check some other extensions, can i edit it to something like

for %%x in (.iso .img .ima ...) WENV check "#%%x#"=="#%~x1#" || goto :EOF

tks

The partnew trick only works for linux ISO files. It will not work for other extensions. You have to use different code and methods for other extensions.
Easy2Boot will work for many extensions. Look at the \_ISO\e2b\grub\QRUN.g4b file to see how it works.

Tks steve, i'll try e2b and see how it work.

Try rename to isowinvh but no luck. since we boot DLC/DLCD by iso boot, then we still need to extract some folder to USB??
Can we use firadisk to mount ISO after boot to winpe ?? Tks

DLCD normally works with .isowinvh, but why not try .isoask and then test a few other extensions - e.g. isofira.
The best thing for an Hirens ISO is to convert it to a .imgPTN file.
https://easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/hirens-isos/

P.S. for Win8 you can use .isoPE file extension, but E2B must be running from a Removable drive. Otherwise, when you get to the Dekstop of Mini8, run \_ISO\e2b\firadisk\LOADISOPE.cmd to mount the ISO as drive Y:. Then run the menu.exe file from Y:.
E2B v1.78 has new .isoHW file extension.

tks for detail explain. i try DLCD 2015 ver1.0 with isowinvh but no luck. after boot to desktop, ISO was not mount.
I will try with isoask then report.

DLCD 2015 has two WinPEs - XP and Win8.
XP will work OK
Win8 will not work unless you have a Removable USB flash drive and name the file .isoPE.
If you use E2B v1.78h, then name the file as .isoHW and it should work for both WinPEs if you have a Removable USB E2B drive.
If your E2B USB drive is a fixed disk, then either extract the DLCD folder onto the E2B USB drive or make a .imgPTN file. This is all explained in the Hirens page in the link I already gave you.

Oh, i'm using Removable USB, not HDD Box
But not ver1.78,
I will update it now then test and report.
tks sir.

Try isowinvh for DLCD on some laptop, MiniXP cannot boot to desktop
winvblock bug??
And where can I download ver1.78h
Tks

Check Alternate Download Area on Download page for Beta versions.
What is model of system that does not work with .isowinvh ? Dell? What model? In what way does it 'not work'?

Try .isowinvh from laptop Toshiba.
Not BSOD, just not logon to desktop

After Logo Windows XP show and disappear, MiniXP hang, screen goto blank.

P/s: Now i try with ver1.78 then report

ver 1.78h work very well.
but still same error with MiniXP, i don't know why but if i add # before line using winvblock then it work.
so i sure that this problem came from winvblock.
tks.

Hi steve,
I found that i can map firadisk with fd0 then use f6 to load firadisk then use code in menu.lst to tell where .ISO located to mount it after boot to minixp.
can you tell me how to do it?
where can i download firadisk.img
and what grub4dos menu.lst to do?
tks

Does .isofira work?

Use .isoask and try alternatives - e.g. .isowinvhe0 or other e0 alternatives.

Tks steve, rename to .ISOask then type HW then it works.
i.e. use .isoHW file extension.

Hi there,

I'm trying to find instructions to remove E2B from a USB and restore it to it's original size.
I've tried formatting but it only shows 4GB of the original 16GB.

Thank you

Just formatting a drive under Windows will not change the partition size.
It sounds like you have used a .imgPTN image.
Under Windows you can run \e2b\SWITCH_E2B.exe and Restore E2B partitions - or just use RMPrepUSB to re-partition and re-format the drive.

Thanks Steve :)

I use AUTOLINUXMENU for multibooting internal HDD.
Is possible to change the created automenu in order by date?

No. Grub4dos is not able to get the date of a file.

Hi Steve
I recently bought a 16 GB Kingston DataTraveler DT 101G2 pen drive and installed Easy2Boot on it, but when i boot from the pen drive and select an ISO file from the Easy2Boot menu i get this error message:
if not exist CD dd if=(bd)%XML% of=()/AutoUnattend.xml > nul
Error 29(http://grub4dos.chennal.net/e/29)
Disk write error
Press any key to continue...
I have updated to the 1.78c beta but the problem persists.
I don't get this error when i boot from a 8 GB Sony Microvault pen drive, which is what i've been using before for Easy2Boot.

It is probably a fake!
Test it using RMPrepUSB - Quick Size Test or FakeFlashTest.
P.S. DT10x are too slow. Alway buy USB 3.0 and preferably fast one like SanDisk Extreme.

The Quick Size Test didn't report any errors, what else can i do to fix this problem?
Also, i know there are faster pen drives but i can't afford them, they are expensive where i live.

Try using QEMU (RMPrepUSB - F11) and see if you get the same error.
What XML file did you pick? What ISO are you running and where is it located? Does it happen with any ISO and any XML file?

With QEMU i get error 21 with a Windows 7 x86 ISO. I always choose the Easy2Boot XML file, the ISO is located at _ISO/WINDOWS/WIN7 and i get the error with any of the XML files. The error also occurs with a Xubuntu 15.10 i386 ISO with persistence but with "partnew (%E2BDEV%,3) 0x0 %ISO%" command instead of the "if not exist..." command above the error 29 text, but after pressing a key to continue and reselecting Xubuntu 2 times, it boots.

Something seems wrong with that drive!
It is failing on writes to the drive.
If a different drive works under the same set of conditions, then it points to a faulty drive.

Well, i guess i'll have to buy a new one. Thanks for the help :).

Hi,
Well, i'm not sure about this problem, but if your usb has a button that can switch on/off write protected mode then may it is reason.

Hello,

I am using a large external usb drive with 2 partitions. The first for booting is 137GB, the second partition is used for storing data/manuals/utilities/various files.

Is there a way to boot from a imgPTN file and still access the second partition? It seems to vanish when an imgPTN file is booted from.

Thanks

Sure, just give the file a .imgPTNLBAa23 file extension.
https://easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/list-of-file-extensions-recognised-by-e2b/

Hi Steve,
I'm new with grub4dos command.
I try cat --locate command and don't know how it work.

boot grub4dos from qemu
type c to get command line
type:
echo 123a > (md)0x300+1
cat --locate=a (md)0x300+1

result: 3
I don't know why is 3. From string "1233a", so the result must be 4??

Can u explain me why? Tks
p/s: i'm sorry for my poor English!

Cat --locate returns the offset (address of string)
byte at offset 0 = 1
byte at offset 1 = 2
byte at offset 2 = 3
byte at offset 3 = a
use cat --hex --length=16 (md)0x300+1
to see bytes

Oh, tks Steve.
Another question,
Why we must map mem winblock twice

map --mem /winvblock.img.gz (fd0)
map --mem /winvblock.img.gz (fd1)

when install XP from ISO or load Hiren ISO (use from QRUN easy2boot

Tks

You don't have to map twice on many systems. But some systems which have a floppy disk don't work (it has been reported to me), so I map to fd0 and fd1 for best chance of it working.

Hi Steve,
openSUSE-Edu-li-f-e.x86_64-42.1.1.iso fails to boot under easry2boot(partnew)

openSUSE live DVDs are a bit tricky!
See http://rmprepusb.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/boot-opensuse-isos-from-e2b.html

Thank you Steve, I read it.
This simple way works for me:
1. Format external HDD as NTFS
2. Install Grub4dos
3. Copy openSUSE-Edu-li-f-e.x86_64-42.1.1.iso
4. Create menu.lst:
title openSUSE-Edu-li-f-e.x86_64-42.1.1.iso
root (hd0,0)
set myiso=openSUSE-Edu-li-f-e.x86_64-42.1.1.iso
partnew (hd0,3) 0x00 /%myiso%
map --heads=0 --sectors-per-track=0 /%myiso% (0xff)
map --hook
root (0xff)
chainloader (0xff)

The problem is Partnew/opensuse does not create iso9660 partition but create udf partition instate.

I will email you a screenshot

Glad it works for you - I cant get it to work for me.
Why is the ISO being visible as a udf a problem?

Sorry, I did some testing udf looks like cause a problem, but I think the problem is the opensuse.

I found, Easy2boot will work fine to boot opensuse.iso with partnew methode if no hidden/unknown or unallocated partition exist.

During booting opensuse will find in first place the hidden/unknown partition and convert/format to EXT4 and fail to continue booting.
The same with unallocated partition, opensuse will format it and fail to boot.

The solution is you have to format hidden/unknown/unallocated to NTFS/Vfat/ext* etc. or resize to one whole partition.

I think you are correct. It is making a type 0x83 partition out of any spare space on the drive and then failing to boot. If I use the ISO cheat codes then it doesn't do this. They seem to assume that the OS has been installed on the disk rather than live booting.

I had a HDD with
PTN1 NTFS
PTN2 NTFS
(very little unused space)
This would not boot. I then reduced the 2nd partition to leave 3GB of unused space at the end of the drive. This still would not boot. I then changed the partnew command to use type 0x83 - now it boots and creates PTN3 as type 0x83 read-write partition.

Booting opensuse.iso using type 0x83 on external HDD works fine in any way: One whole disk or One PTN with unused big/small space or 3 primary PTNs with space or no space.

But never try booting opensuse.iso using type 0x83 on internal HDD.

Hi guys,

I'm really interested to know how to remove the keybinds.. or rather how to get the Chars in one line
Example:
0 Utilities [Ctrl+8]
1 Tools [Ctrl+4]
2 Things [Ctrl+2]

Would be nice if anyone could help._.
Thanks !:)

Bad example..Thje lines correct theirselfes here ..
I hope you know what i mean

Not sure what you mean, but the current hotkeys for the menu folders are set in the STRINGS.txt for each language.
e.g. Copy the \_ISO\e2b\grub\ENG\STRINGS.txt to the \_ISO folder and then change the entries
change
$$STRm018=^Ctrl+O DOS Menu [Ctrl+O]\n MS-DOS and FreeDOS utilities
to
$$STRm018=^Ctrl+2 DOS Menu [Ctrl+2]\n MS-DOS and FreeDOS utilities

I meant that the "[Ctrl+O]" and so on ... aren't in one row like it should be. The one is more left then then the other one. They are differently shifted.

What language?

German

They seem OK to me in E2B v.1.76 and 1.77m?
Are you using latest version? It is easy to update.

Yep. I updated it yesterday.

Try latest v1.80e and use GERMAN_ALT as language.

How can I make E2B just load a Win8 Core ISO, without asking for a key input or an option with a pre-defined key? We have many machines with keys already embedded on BIOS, so it is not necessary to enter a key before instalation.

If you install exactly the same version, then just pick the correct generic key that is in the E2B key files.
Once the system boots, it should use the BIOS key to activate via the internet.

Thank you.

Hi Steve
Can u tell me what does grldr.mbr do? I found that if we install grub4dos menu entry on windows vista and later, we need to copy grldr.mbr to C:\
So grldr.mbr is need to copy to usb if we install grub4dos to usb??
Same question with g2ldr.mbr.

Tks.

It depends on how grub/grub4dos is launched. The .mbr files contain the MBR sector data boot code and can be run from the XP boot.ini or Vista+ BCD.
See http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/install_windows.htm for details.
So, if the boot sector of the disk does not contain grub4dos (or the PBR of the active partition), but we boot using Windows NTLDR or bootmgr, then we use a .mbr file to load grub\grub4dos.

Tks for your reply, Steve
grldr and grldr.mbr can be download from grub4dos pack. But I can't find where I can download g2ldr and g2ldr.mbr. Can you send me a link?

I need g2ldr because with g2ldr file I can chainload from grub4dos to grub2

title grub2
kernel /g2ldr

http://www.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/chainload-syslinux#TOC-Load-grub4dos-from-grub2
http://www.filewatcher.com/m/g2ldr.mbr.8192-0.html

that's great, steve. but how about g2ldr. where can i download it? I mean, latest version (grub2.02 beta)

I'm very interest tut #27. But in latest RMPrepUSB version, I cannot found File >> USB to load .bin file.
Can u show me how?

File -> Drive button in RMPrepUSB utility.

Ahh, tks Steve. I see

hi Steve, there is a way to install E2B in a encrypted disk (any kind of encryption)?
because, some times (against of my desire) I need to borrow my HDD and the other plug it on inffected systems and everytime I need to make it again and again, and again.
there is a way to avoid it by using an encrypted file system?
can u answer me by email too?´
Luciano Branco
A.K.A llbranco

I have replied by email, but basically read
https://easy2boot.com/configuring-e2b/protection-and-security/

Hi Steve,
First, I'm sorry for my poor English!
From this link http://windowsitpro.com/windows-8/q-what-tips-will-help-me-install-windows-uefi-machine-i-built-myself,
I read a line which wrote: A UEFI system can boot only from a GPT disk
From easy2boot website - UEFI things to know, you wrote:
"Do I have to use GPT if I want to boot via UEFI?
This is a common misconception!"
I don't clearly understand why we have diffrences between 2 sites. Can you explain why? Tks

Since I can boot via UEFI from a FAT32+NTFS Removable USB drive by using a VHD, which do you think is more accurate!
Windows Setup will not allow you to install to an MBR partitioned disk if you UEFI-boot to Setup, but that doesn't mean it is not possible to UEFI-boot from an MBR partitioned drive!

Oh, install vs boot. I confuse two concepts.
Cannot INSTALL windows to MBR disk (in UEFI)
But we can BOOT uefi from MBR disk.
Tks Steve!

Hi Steve,
From #127 - How to make Dual-boot 32 & 64-bit MBR & UEFI WinPE USB drive
http://www.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/127-make-dual-32-64bit-pe
I just want to ask a question (Sorry because of rmprepusb.com not allow user leave a comment so I must be ask you here)
Why we must use both of 32 and 64bits Windows PE since we can install Windows 64bits from WinPE 32bits. I read this info from this link
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824993.aspx
Quote: X:\windows\system32> D:\setup /InstallFrom:"N:\Windows_64-bit\sources\install.wim"
Tks

If you have a UEFI system and want to install Windows in UEFI-mode, you need to first boot via UEFI.
How can you do this on a 32-bit UEFI system and a 64-bit UEFI system unless you have both EFI boot files present?

But if we can install windows 64bits from 32bits of Win PE sao we just need 32bits version of Win PE, right?

Why not read the article
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824993.aspx
There is a difference between UEFI-booting and BIOS booting.
How can you boot on a 64-bit UEFI system if you only have 32-bit UEFI boot files?

Ah, Ok. Now i do understand. Tks Steve.

Hello. I was wondering if there is any way I could encrypt my entire easy2boot USB drive so that no one could see or use the files on it. I've looked into it but so far I haven't found any useful information on the subject. Thank you.

https://easy2boot.com/configuring-e2b/protection-and-security/

Hi. I can convert iso to imgPTN by MakePartImage.cmd. But can I process back operation?

Short answer -> no!

Hi author.
I'm missing. What happened to the classic Forest with northern lights Background (theme)?, and your other nice backgrounds?
It scares the background with boy closer to a Trash can. x-p .
Moreover, that StripedFlat requesting password. Horrible!
It is "fred"?

Hi
You can easily change the background - just add a \_ISO\MyBackground.bmp file or a \_ISO\MyBackground.bmp.gz file.
You can download the old wallpapers and a new Aurora wallpaper from the Themes folder in the Alternate Download Area - Aurora Backgrounds.7z.

Thanks Steve.

I applied to use a background image of a different name or location (/MyBackgrounds/), copy the configuration file \_ISO\Sample_MyE2B.cfg file to \_ISO\MyE2B.cfg and changing the MyWBMP entry, (bmp images compressed to gzip).

Also, I could see that E2B recognizes jpeg images; and even, images own bitmap not exactly as you advised, ex: 900x506 pix.

Good work with /_ISO/docs/mythemes, I want to apply any of those "scheme fonts" on wallpapers.

I tried these wallpapers:
[URL=http://www.imagebam.com/image/20a114454462021][IMG]http://thumbnails114.imagebam.com/45447/20a114454462021.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://www.imagebam.com/image/2a331a454462062][IMG]http://thumbnails114.imagebam.com/45447/2a331a454462062.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://www.imagebam.com/image/4f7f46454462086][IMG]http://thumbnails114.imagebam.com/45447/4f7f46454462086.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I read: https://easy2boot.com/configuring-e2b/wallpaper/

You can use E2B_Editor to design the menu and see also Laura's examples
http://www.1910.eu/

Ok, Ok. Tks.

Steve, I deleted accidentally the autorun.inf file inside E2B pendrive USB.
I tried paste this autorun.inf again, but the file manager displays there is an (invisible) autorun.inf file, dated March 02, 2009, size 5B.
I tried from windows, and distro Linux too.

You may have a virus?
Configure Windows Explorer to display system and hidden files to see if the autorun.inf file is there. If it is, delete it (you may have to change it's attributes) also run an antivirus program on the USB drive (in Safe Mode).

Hello Steve.
Scanning in secure mode throught Panda Antivirus and Malwarebytes AM. They got 0 threats.
I think if there is a conflict of autorun.inf Panda usb vaccine which could not be properly saved, I think I deleted the proper autorun.inf of E2B.
Or conflict copy/paste to replace factory (invisible) autorun.inf usb harware.
Currently, Panda vaccine Autorun.inf neither can be saved to this pendrive USB. Nevertheless, Panda displays that USB is vaccinated. :-¿ But its autorun.inf would have to be available as hide, but it's not like that.

E2B works nice, I think.
Pendrive USB: Kingston DTSE9 2.0.

See http://rmprepusb.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/remove-panda-vaccine-protection-from_28.html

Hi,
by default pressing F7 in E2B will boot from first internal disk. Is it possible to boot from a second internal disk as well without changing boot order in BIOS first?? If yes how can this be enabled optionally within E2B main menu ?
Helmut

Just add a new .mnu text file - e.g. \_ISO\MAINMENU\Boot2.mnu
It should contain a title line and then the comand lines - e.g.

title Boot from Disk 2 \n This will boot from disk 2 in the system
rootnoverify (hd2,0)
chainloader (hd2)+1 || chainloader (hd2,0)+1

It is unusual not to remap the USB drive though, so depending on what is on disk 2, this may not work.

If you want the menu to appear only when there is a 2nd disk present use
iftitle [cat --hex --length=1 (hd2)0+1 >nul] Boot from hd2\n Boot from 2nd disk in system

This may work better...

iftitle [cat --hex --length=1 (hd2)0+1 >nul] Boot from Disk 2 \n Boot from second disk
errorcheck off
map (hd0) (hd)
map (hd1) (hd0)
map (hd2) (hd1)
map --hook
# hd0 is now 1st internal disk, hd1 and hd2 is 2nd internal disk, hd3 is USB drive
rootnoverify (hd1,0)
chainloader (hd1)+1 || chainloader (hd1,0)+1

That's great!
Exactly what I was searching for. Many thanks.
Helmut

is it possible to have persistence for linux distros?

https://easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/persistence/

Hello. I have another issue with 1.75e.
On my 1TB USB HDD I can't boot imgPTN's anymore, but my USB key works great. I'm getting Error: "Sector at lba30 appears to contain code."
I updated my HDD to 1.75e (from a very old version) and made sure the MBR and PBR were set to Grub 046c (several times) with Bootice. The 60Gb Grub partition is the first one.
I don't want to reformat of course because I'll have to move all of my partitions and 500Gb of data.
Anything to be done?

You probably have grub boot code in sector 30.
You just need to erase that sector.
One way is to use RMPrepUSB - Drive->File - x.mbr - 0 - 1sec - 0 to save a 512byte MBR
Then write it to LBA30 using
RMPrepUSB - File->Drive - x.mbr - 0 - 30 - 0 to write it to sector 30.
Then switching .imgPTN files should work.

Worked!
I assume by x you meant any .mbr so i used grldr.mbr.
Thank you! Honestly don't know what I'd do without you.

Good!
E2B needs to see an unused sector at LBA30 (full of FF, 00, or E5 bytes) or it should contain a valid MBR.

Hi,
After updating to E2B v1.74 I cannot boot my HBCD_16.imgPTNLBA23 formatted as Fat32.
My error: Cannot find the batch label specified: HBCD_16.imgPTNLBA23
Never had this problem before so I updated to v1.75b and no luck. Tried Qemu and same thing. Also tried recreating the imgPTN as imgPTNLBAa and imgPTNLBA23.
I am booting a UEFI system in Legacy CSM mode.

hmm. Not quite sure how it happened, but there are several typos in the labels in QRUN.g4b!!
Please try v1.75BetaD

Oops just saw your message about 1.75D. Will try now. Thanks

Now nothing will start -- not imgPTN's nor .iso's. They just kick me back into the E2B menu. I used the Update cmd to install 1.75D

Seems to be a bug in grub4dos!
I added an extra label and now it doesn't work as a batch file. I will report the bug to chenall.
The label
:.imgPTN23aLBA
seems to cause grub4dos to think it is not a batch file!

1.75BetaE available. Should work now!

I've gone back to v1.68 for now. Should I just wait for stable 1.75 or 1.76 then?

Never mind. I keep posting before I've seen your latest post. :-)
I'll try 1.75e

That did the trick. Thank you!
Thanks also for adding Switch_E2B and the imgPTN format. Life just keeps getting easier with E2B. You're the best!

Update: I tried rebuilding the drive with E2B 1.74 from scratch. Same result.

Working great for me. Thank you so much Steve. Keep on the good work.

E2B menu 1: http://i68.tinypic.com/2r2swh3.png
E2B menu 2: http://i65.tinypic.com/24yy58i.png
PI menu: http://i67.tinypic.com/ic3cqh.png

Cool menus! very 'steam punk'! Did you use .bmp or .jpg?

BMP-saved resources from extracted FOT:BoS raw assets. And using uncompressed BMP in E2B. Can't notice any boot delay (USB3.0 booting).

Hi Steve and everyone else;)

I got a question: Is there any way to change the font size in all E2b menu's?? I try edit string in grub folder (polish language) buy i didn't find any of that option....


Sorry for my Pidgin English - I'm not a champion;)

No not unless you use a GFXboot menu

I'm used menu wich looks like that:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osqd4BhlrB8/UZEXSLPRSnI/AAAAAAAAAS8/ECWAxhSXHiQ/s1600/TEST_MyMenu.lst.jgp.jpg

It is gfx menu??

No, GFXMenu is an example of a GFXBoot menu
\_ISO\docs\Templates\GFXMenu
Read
https://easy2boot.com/configuring-e2b/gfx-menu-support/

P.S. E2B now supports large 24-pixel high fonts!

Hello Steve.
How to change the font size in my menu?

hi face a problem with easy2boot usb during process make multiboot usb plz u tell me how we can send a large file up to 4 gb in our easy2boot usb fat32 file system from our ntfs windows 7 os without split files i,m waiting sir.....?

https://easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/adding-windows-install-isos-without-needing-a-helper-flash-drive/
If that doesn't help, please give exact details (payload, large files, what you are trying to do, etc.)

The way I read the instructions, I should be able to create .imgPTN files and place them in the directory, then E2B more or less does the rest. However, for Windows installs, the E2B menu does not show the .imgPTN files. Rather, I always have to do Switch_E2B to boot into them via UEFI. Am I just reading the instructions wrong?

Yes - you are probably reading the instructions incorrectly. Try reading them again!
https://easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/

OK, I think I finally get it. ISO files go into the WINDOWS subdirectories while imgPTN files go into the WIN (or some other) directory. I don't understand why, but at least I think I understand the what.

Starting with E2B v1.75BetaB you can now add .imgPTN files to the \_ISO\WINDOWS\xxxx folders (except XP folder).

Hi, thank you for all the stuff you made here :)

I was trying to create an imgPTN of Openelec :
1. Use of RMPrepUSB to create USB Stick Openelec from Openelec.img. Ok, drive L:
2. Drag icon of L: on MPI_FAT32 shortcut. Ok.
After typing size and pathname of imgPTN, some errors appears :
SOURCE = "L:\"
RAMDRIVE = U:
NEW IMAGE = "c:\temp\essai.imgptn"
FORMAT = FAT32
VOLUME NAME = EASY2BOOT
IMAGE SIZE = 185MB (Source=166MB)

CREATING AND MOUNTING RAMDRIVE U: as "c:\temp\essai.imgptn"

Running: imdisk -a -s 185m -m U: -f "c:\temp\essai.imgptn" -x 63 -y 255 -p "/FS:FAT32 /Q /Y"
Error defining drive letter: Descripteur non valide
Creating device...
Created device 0: U: -> c:\temp\essai.imgptn
ImDisk operation failed to mount "c:\temp\essai.imgptn"

After this message, i press enter and then 2 more messages but too fast to copy "Il manque une opérande" then the window close and ImDisk opens, with the file in the list. No drive created, no files copied i guess, fileSystem indicates N/A.

I have no clue of what happens :/
Im' using imdisk 2.0.6, and MPI_Tool_Pack_Plus_CloverLite_055 on Windows 10 Biuld 10565.

If you have some ideas :D

Hi
When you create the USB stick containing Openelec, what files can you see on the USB stick? Are they accessible to Windows?
If you want to have Openelec, why not follow my blog posts on how to create an Openelec and OpenElec-Live image?

Hello, thanks for your answer.

I'm following this tutorial (maybe old) :
http://rmprepusb.blogspot.fr/2013/10/how-to-add-openelec-installer-to.html

If I create USB Stick from Openelec image with Win32DiskImager or REMPrepUSB, i see the 2xxMB partition with all files needed to boot and begin Openelec installation (what i did last night).

To be totally clear, this is not Openelec wich cause metrouble, because as you can see, there is alternate option to add it to easy2Boot.

But if imdisk is not working on my PC, i could not be able to add Windows 7, 8 and 10 install as i need imgPTN to do this (if I fully understood what I read on easy2boot website).

I forgot to list files on USB Stick, sorry. Result of list l:\ /s /b
l:\syslinux.cfg
l:\KERNEL
l:\SYSTEM
l:\EFI
l:\EFI\BOOT
l:\EFI\BOOT\bootx64.efi
l:\EFI\BOOT\ldlinux.e64
l:\EFI\BOOT\syslinux.cfg
l:\System Volume Information\IndexerVolumeGuid

Is U: a free unused drive letter?
Try rebooting Windows.
Try copying the files from the USB flash drive to an empty folder and then drag-and-drop that folder onto the MPI_FAT32 desktop shortcut.

Hello,

Reboot done, same problem.
u: unused, "subst u: c:\temp" creates u: drive.
"subst u: /delete" frees hit.

I copy files in folder then drag-drop and error message changed only one time :
"Accès refusé" (access denied)
after that, all trys show precedent error message : "Descripteur invalide"

I'm able to create c:\temp\essai.imgPTN with imdisk GUI in control panel : 28MB, drive U:. Windows says after that i have to format drive u: before use it...what i did with success.

I will try to disable antivirus when i come back. thanks for your time.

It may be your AV - what AV do you have?

I cannot free U: with imdisk control panel because imdisk cannot create U:.

My AV is Comodo : i disabled all comodo parts, and even exclude imdisk files, exe, cpl and sys, in system32 and syswow64. No change.

When i try to create imgPTN file and imdisk failed to create U:, i cannot delete imgPTN file created, because it always mounted in imdisk : if i remove it, imdisk warns me "can not lock file...." i can click ok and remove it.

I opened cmd as Admin and type :
"imdisk -a -s 280m -m U: -f "c:\temp\essai.imgptn" -x 63 -y 255 -p "/FS:FAT32 /Q /Y"
same error : "Descripteur invalide"

When I said i can create file in control panel, yes I can, but if i put files in it, they are not saved when I re-mount the file, and i cannot use "Save image File..." because "acess denied"...

:/

I have had ImDisk problems with 10565 build - I think it is Win10 10565 problem?
What Edition are you using? I had problems on 10565 Enterprise with ImDisk.

You right i guess, I'm using Windows 10 insider 10565.

I tried to stop insider program, but this is not working, maybe because stable 10565 not in live.

The problem is persistent with b10576...
My hope is an update of ImDisk now.

10576 is not released - you should report issue to MSoft.

Of course b10576 is released in the insider fast ring, the day I posted :D

imdisk dev Olof already had knowledge of my problem, caused by -p switch.

I modified the batch MakePartImage.cmd to format drive AFTER imdisk created letter, with format command and by passing parameters from -p switch. It is a little more dangerous for sure.
here the modifications of MakePartImage.cmd :

REM Modification for suppress Windows 10 build 10565&10576 error
REM Following 3 lines had been commented, then following 5 lines had been added

REM --------------------Commented------------------------
REM echo Running: imdisk -a -s %MYSIZE%m -m %SPAREVOL% -f !MYIMG! -x 63 -y 255 -p "/FS:%MYFMT% /Q /Y"
REM imdisk -a -s %MYSIZE%m -m %SPAREVOL% -f !MYIMG! -x 63 -y 255 -p "/FS:%MYFMT% /Q /Y" > imdisk.log
REM if errorlevel 1 type imdisk.log & echo ImDisk operation failed to mount !MYIMG!! & pause & goto :unmount
REM ----------------End of commented---------------------

REM ----------------------Added--------------------------
echo Running: imdisk -a -s %MYSIZE%m -m %SPAREVOL% -f !MYIMG! -x 63 -y 255 then only if no error FORMAT %SPAREVOL% /FS:%MYFMT% /Q /Y
imdisk -a -s %MYSIZE%m -m %SPAREVOL% -f !MYIMG! -x 63 -y 255 >imdisk.log
if errorlevel 1 type imdisk.log & echo ImDisk operation failed to mount !MYIMG!! & pause & goto :unmount
format %SPAREVOL% /FS:%MYFMT% /Q /Y >>imdisk.log
if errorlevel 1 type imdisk.log & echo ImDisk operation failed to mount !MYIMG!! & pause & goto :unmount
REM ------------------End of added-----------------------

This is not for modification of easy2boot (bug or undocumented modification, Olof have no idea as MS did not respond to him), but could be added in the faq ?

I tested a fresh install of Windows 10 Pro insider preview 10565 32-bit under VBox and the MPI Tool Kit 0.055 seems to work OK without needing your additions??

I don't know why you experienced this, Olof did not be surprised, and show me immediatly where was the problem I encoutered :/
Maybe something on some PC.
But finally, the problem is fixed on my PC, and i'm happy with that :D

Hi!

I am trying to boot an imgPTN (image of an USB-Key)- file direct into the memory, like under isolinux with the keyword memdisk. Is something similar like this possible with Easy2Boot?

I am trying around with zip but that's not working for me. The key itself is about maximum 200MB large.
Thanks and Greetings!

No. What image is it and why do you want it in memory?

I dont understand your question... It's an image of an Service-USB-Key provided by an manufacture. It's supposed to scan system. To detach the usb-key after the scan has started I need to run it from memory. Under isolinux / syslinux it's working like I said. Now i am looking for an possible way by Easy2Boot as well.

I got it working finally, and want to let you know what i did:

I made an Compressed Image File of the USB-Key (img.gz), done by the tool "USB Image Tool". Just place this file where you want, such as in _ISO/UTILITIES.

Easy2Boot is doing all by itself.
Source: https://easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/list-of-file-extensions-recognised-by-e2b/
" .. E2B\grub4dos automatically detects if a file has been compressed to gzip or LZMA format. The file extension is not used by E2B to determine if a file is compressed or not. For instance, a LZMA-compressed DOS floppy image can be named .ima or .imagz."

Greetings

Glad you found a solution. It is possible to run images from memory using various file extensions, but not .imgPTN files, which is what you asked about.
P.S. What form is the original source file(s) provided in? Why not just use that?

I just followed the tutorial given some posts ago, source is Openelec Installer as .img file.

KEEP IT COMING XD

Hi Steve,

USB harddisk works fine in qemu test.

I'm not sure What is wrong in real boot:
"Booting Easy2Boot vl.72 - please wait...
Using settings in /ISO/MyE2B.CFG
Using strings from /ISO/e2b/grub/ENG/STRINGS.txt
BIOS 11/24/11
Last Sector of last partition of (hd0) is 58605052 (27Gb)
Checking last sector is accessible... "
and no go!

Did you format the drive using the Make_E2B_USB_Drive.cmd script? If not, try it.

Yes I did run it as admin under win7.
It created 2 partitions: ntfs=27.94Gb and hidden/unknown=31.5Kb,
but it didnt create any cdfs-partition to boot my.iso

strange, it should be OK. The cdfs partition is only created when you run an ISO. It is cleared on the next boot to E2B.
Try grub4dos 0.4.5c

Copy the \_ISO\e2b\grub\grub_045 file to \grldr and overwrite the \grldr file.

Now it works fine just by changing to regular menu.lst.
I dont know how to fix your menu.lst, any help?

I think If you have a lot of partitions on your HDD, still you need to create a space(primary) for cdfs partition.

It is nothing to do with the cdfs partition.
The check is a simple disk read of some sectors near the end of the USB disk. This tests some BIOSes which have a bug and cannot access sectors past 137GB. You can disable the test using
set CHECKBIOS=
in your \_ISO\MyE2B.cfg file, but you may find that some payloads will not work if they are beyond 137GB on some systems due to a bad BIOS.

Thank you for remind me about 137GB BIOS-limit, but my HDD is only 30 GB.
I am curious why E2B created 2 partitions: ntfs=27.94Gb and hidden/unknown=31.5Kb. Is unknown partition necessary or what is the purpose? or may something wrong with rmpartusb?
I hope you have explanation of my questions.

Finally Easy2boot works fine after shrinking the partition, just the problem I have do it manually.

Thanks Steve

The small partition is to try to fix a BIOS bug which is found on some systems, see FAQ page
After partitioning and formatting a USB drive using the Make_E2B_USB_Drive.cmd script or RMPrepUSB, there is a small hidden partition at the end of the USB drive - what is this used for?
Read more: https://easy2boot.com/faq-/

Do you have any more details on what system you are using and what size partitions work and do not work? It would help to make future versions more 'bootable'. How much did you reduce the partition sizes by and which parititions did you change, etc.?

Fujitsu MHS2030AT 30GB.
E2B (NTFS or FAT32) is not working on some computers:
Dell 4600/intel, Acer 5810TS/intel, Lenovo K100/intel, Toshiba A600/intel and working fine on: HP dm4/intel, Toshiba A215/AMD.

E2B works fine on all computers after shrinking the partition to any size or resize to one whole full partition.

I tested also using 80GB and 20GB HDD and everything work fine without to resize the partition.

So in the case of the MHS2030AT 30GB HDD and one of the 'bad' systems -e.g. Dell 4600 - are you saying that if you prepare the 30GB drive using MAKE_E2B_USB_DRIVE.cmd as either NTFS or FAT32 then it does not boot, but if you reduce the size of a partition (which partition? there should be two, and using what tool?) then it works?
If so, could you prepare the 30GB drive using MAKE_E2B_USB_DRIVE.cmd as NTFS and check it fails, then send me a 'Drive Info - 0' email of the LBA0. Then 'fix' the problem by reducing the partition size and send me another 'Drive Info - 0' printout please? You can use the 'Contact Me' form or directly email me.

how to use hiren or any MBR related tools to boot from cd or usb on system with only uefi support no csm /mbr support using easyboot or any other method. Thanks

See https://easy2boot.com/useful-things-to-know/
last item.

Thanks 4 ur quick reply :)

I put a Windows 10 ISO on my E2B USB key. But when I tried to boot it, it appears to have booted into BIOS mode. As a result, Windows refused to install to a GPT drive.

Is that the correct diagnosis? If so, can I force UEFI?

You need to boot in UEFI mode.
Convert the .ISO file to a FAT32 .imgPTN file using MakePartImage (MPI Tool Kit) and copy the .imgPTN file to the E2B USB drive \_ISO\WIN folder or \_ISO\MAINMENU folder.
Then you boot to E2B and select the Win10.imgPTN file and switch to the CSM Menu.
You can now either boot using the Clover menu or UEFI-boot using your UEFI BIOS selection menu. Watch the videos for more help.

Hi there,

I have a WD Passport Enterprise, a 500 GB USB Disk Drive with support for BitLocker drive encryption. I have installed Windows To Go (Windows 10 Enterprise) on it; with BitLocker encryption enabled.

I want to be able to use disk for all kinds of situations, so besides Windows To Go (WTG), I also want to install Linux LiveCDs.

Is it possible to install E2B on a USB Disk Drive with WTG on it, and to boot into either Windows or E2B?

I am not sure, I have not tried that. I would
1. Make a 2nd primary partition
#1 - E2B NTFS (first 137GB or less)
#2 - WinToGo (rest of disk)
Check WinToGo still boots OK or use EasyBCD or BootIce to fix BCD.
2. backup the first 2048 sectors of the disk to a file using RMPrepUSB - Disk>File for safe keeping.
3. Install grub4dos to MBR and PBR of first (E2B) partition using RMPrepUSB - Install grub4dos
4. Add E2B files to #1 partition
5. Add a bootmgr .mnu file to \_ISO\MAINMENU for partition #2

Try it! If it doesn't work you can restore MBR+first sectors saved in step 2.

Hi Steve, this is the first .ISO I'm having trouble with to boot. I copy the .ISO as downloaded(dl.acronis.com/s/AcronisTrueImage2016.iso) to \_ISO\BACKUP. It then boots to lang+arch selection menu. After selecting x64 option (english default is ok for me), linux seems to start booting, but then my display blanks, no further activity. Since 2013 and 2014 versions were tested working, maybe the booting method in the new version has something to offer to improve E2B.
Thanks in advance.

I tested the Acronis ISO under VBox with no problems. Usually a blank screen issue is due to the version of linux that is used does not support your graphics adapter.
Try converting the .ISO file to a .imgPTN file and then using the 2nd Acronis Recovery option. This will prompt you to choose a VGA mode - try different modes and see if that works.
I would also check the Acronis forums as probably others have found the same issue if they have the same graphics adapter.

You are right Steve. While I can not be sure about my physical graphics card being the problem (GTX 770, nothing new as of today for a "2016" product), exactly same E2B drive tested on VBox 5.04, and the x64 TI boots just fine. Definitely some hw incompatibility. Well, everything elese boots just fine, so no TI for me then (I'm not interested in the WinPE-based option).

Hi,

I've created the USB key and am testing booting with Virtual Box 5.0.4 (nothing added as yet). Boots OK but when it gets to "Adding menu entries from files in /_ISO/MAINMENU..." it just stops there, can't tell if it has hung completely or is trying to do something. Anyone else come across this before ?

Thanks.

Not seen that before.
How did you make VBox boot from USB?
Did you use VMUB?
What happens if you boot using QEMU?
https://easy2boot.com/testing-e2b/using-qemu-or-virtual-box/

Increase the memory size of the emulated system, it gets stuck with 64MB. Increased to 512MB and booted successfully.

Hello. How integrate DPMS for Vista/7 x86 and x64 into easy2boot?

Here is this driverpacks:
http://driverpacks.net/driverpacks/windows/7/x64/mass-storage/12.12.1
http://driverpacks.net/driverpacks/windows/7/x86/mass-storage/12.12.1-0

but this driverpacks without ini files. Any solution? Thank you so much

I used a thing called 'Google Search' and found this
http://www.win-raid.com/t750f25-Guide-Integration-of-drivers-into-a-Win-image.html

I know about that perfect thing 'Google Search', but i need full driver pack on my E2B usb-flash, instead of instructions about how to embed a particular driver in a particular system image

Why not just copy the driver pack files onto the USB drive? Once you have booted to PE, you could try loading the INF file using drvinst or drvload maybe?
What driver did you need to add?

That's right, it can be used as one of methods, but on different hardware need different driver. It is mainly server hardware. Each time a different driver needs. So I'm looking for a way to integrate these drivers to E2B's DPMS

Can I create on some way bootable dvd with this app? Thanks!

https://easy2boot.com/make-an-easy2boot-usb-drive/make-and-burn-an-e2b-dvd/

hi,
i have been using e2b from longtime. the only thing i want to know, why usb harddisk cant be used as winhelper usb drive or what that usb flash drive does at the point of mounting iso that usb hard disk can not do??
can u explain me the trigger function of menu.lst present on usb flash drive that leads to work installing windows iso??

https://easy2boot.com/faq-/how-e2b-works/

so thats the Microsoft's way of installing an iso,
solution for this problem is either connect winhelper USB or modify iso to use firadisk
i will go for Winhelper USB
thanks for ur support!!

Best solution is to convert the ISO to an image partition (.imgPTN) file. Then you can UEFI and MBR boot.
Conversion does not add firadisk or any other driver.

so i have to keep both file,
an iso and an imgptn file??
right??