E2B Users Forum

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