Create a Vista System Repair Disk

Discussion in 'Windows Vista' started by gregsnell, Aug 5, 2014.

  1. gregsnell

    gregsnell MDL Novice

    Aug 5, 2014
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    #1 gregsnell, Aug 5, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2014
    As part of a larger project I have managed to create a Vista repair disk that boots directly into the recovery environment just like the ones created by later versions of Windows.

    For this you will need a Vista installation disc (or ISO) for the architecture and service pack you wish to create a disk for, GImageX.exe from AutoIT and ImgBurn from LightningUK.

    1) Create the following folders:
    C:\VistaRecovery​
    C:\VistaRecovery\boot​
    C:\VistaRecovery\mount​
    C:\VistaRecovery\sources

    2) Insert the disc into your DVD drive (or mount the ISO) and copy the following files across to their respective folders in your VistaRecovery folder:
    bootmgr​
    boot\bcd​
    boot\boot.sdi​
    boot\bootfix.bin
    boot\memtest.exe

    3) Run GImageX.exe, select the export tab and set the settings as follows:
    Source WIM​
    Source = D:\sources\boot.wim (assuming your D: is your DVD drive)​
    Image = 2​
    Destination WIM​
    Destination = C:\VistaRecovery\sources\boot.wim​
    Compression = As desired (Maximum recommended)​
    Name = Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment (x##) (where ## is either 86 or 64 depending on the target architecture)​
    Boot = CHECKED​
    Options​
    Check = UNCHECKED

    4) Click the export button and once completed close the "Imaging Operation In Progress" window

    5) Select the change tab and set the settings as follows:
    WIM​
    Source = C:\VistaRecovery\sources\boot.wim​
    Image = 1​
    New Information​
    Name = Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment (x##)​
    Description = Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment (x##)​
    SKU = BLANK​
    Display Name = Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment (x##)​
    Display Desc. = Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment (x##)​
    Options​
    Boot = CHECKED​
    Check = UNCHECKED

    6) Click the change button and once completed close the "Imaging Operation In Progress" window

    You now have your basic CD layout with an extra folder that will be removed later (mount). Now we need to modify the image held in boot.wim:

    7) Select the mount tab and set the settings as follows:
    Mount​
    Mount Point = C:\VistaRecovery\mount​
    Source = C:\VistaRecovery\sources\boot.wim​
    Image = 1​
    Read and Write = CHECKED​
    Unmount = LEAVE

    8) Click the mount button and once completed close the "Imaging Operation In Progress" window

    9) Minimise GImageX.exe and open C:\VistaRecovery\mount\Windows\System32 in Windows Explorer

    10) Create a new text document and rename the new file "winpeshl.ini" (make sure you remove the .txt from the end)

    11) Open the winpeshl.ini file in Notepad and enter the following 2 lines:
    [LaunchApp]
    AppPath=X:\sources\recovery\recenv.exe​

    12) Save the file then close Notepad and return to GImageX.exe

    13) In the unmount section of the mount tab, select the only item in the list and ensure the commit changes checkbox is CHECKED

    14) Click the unmount button and once completed close the "Imaging Operation In Progress" window

    15) Close GImageX.exe

    16) Delete the following folder:
    C:\VistaRecovery\mount

    You have now modified the boot.wim so that it will automatically launch the Recovery Environment when loaded. All that remains now is to build the CD.

    16) Run ImgBurn and click create image file from files/folders

    17) Add the folder C:\VistaRecovery to the source list and set the destination to C:\VistaRecovery.iso

    18) Select the options tab and set file system to "ISO9660 + Joliet + UDF"

    19) Select the labels tab and set the synchronised editing checkbox to CHECKED

    20) Set the UDF label to "Repair disc Windows Vista ##-bit" (where ## is either 32 or 64 depending on the target architecture)

    21) Select the advanced tab and then select the bootable disc sub-tab

    22) Select the D:\ drive (assuming D:\ is your DVD drive) in the "Extract Boot Image" drop-down box and click the save button next to it

    23) Click OK on the resultant message and, when asked if you would like to use this boot image in this project, click yes

    24) Click the "Folder -> Image File" button and, when prompted if you would like ImgBurn to just add the contents of "VistaRecovery", click Yes

    You should now have a system repair disc that works just as it does in later versions of Windows.