Creating a Windows 8.1 AIO with Media Center manually

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by ambidav, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. Vigz

    Vigz MDL Novice

    Jul 31, 2012
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    Actually I was able to use the free WMC upgrade key that came from Microsoft and activated it on a clean copy of Windows 8 that didn't have any previous Windows installation on it. I just had deleted and replaced the modified data.dat after mounting ProWMC and then using the unmount command. But it I really hate that you cannot activate the key if you don't have the modified data.dat.
     
  2. Error_801

    Error_801 MDL Junior Member

    Jul 31, 2009
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    #483 Error_801, Nov 12, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Im having problem with Create a Windows 8 Pro with media center iso only guide Im using Win 7 with Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit 8 (ADK) everything running smooth upto
    i get to this point
    Code:
    Dism /unmount-wim /mountdir:C:\win8\mount /commit
    then it say ERROR
    If anyone can help i would be greatful
     
  3. Josh Cell

    Josh Cell MDL Developer

    Jan 8, 2011
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    #484 Josh Cell, Nov 12, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  4. cockatoos

    cockatoos MDL Novice

    Feb 9, 2010
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    #485 cockatoos, Nov 13, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    remove ADK remove c:\win8 ,delete everything in your your appdata local temp folder .restart your computer install ADK again and start over making w8 pro with wmc
    this is how i did it probebly there is a better solution , this worked for me
     
  5. HJSC

    HJSC MDL Novice

    Jul 6, 2011
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    Awesome topic! thanks so much for making it/sharing and to everyone who contributed :D
     
  6. qaqaq

    qaqaq MDL Novice

    Nov 1, 2012
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    What happen when we change name of version in this command:
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center Replace by Windows 8 "ABC" example ?
     
  7. coleoptere2007

    coleoptere2007 MDL Guru

    Apr 8, 2008
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    Hello,
    You can give every name you want, it is just to know what version you are installing. :rolleyes:
     
  8. gnugeek

    gnugeek MDL Member

    Nov 23, 2009
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    I integrated upgrades in the AIO and the size went up to 4.84 GB. This cannot fit on a single layer DVD.

    Any help to increase compression?
     
  9. murjuk

    murjuk MDL Novice

    Nov 5, 2012
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    Can anyone explain to me how to create a "clean" data.dat with virtual machine? I installed w8 pro with default retail key (CRYQH) > activated it with KMS (key:J8CK4) > executed "slmgr /ckms"> upgraded to ProWMC wtih default key (QGJXW) while being offline > backed up data.dat. After creating the aio and installing w8 prowmc, Windows asked key end of the installation and I tried to enter a free wmc key of my own. It denied it and I pressed skip. Now I can't find that interface enter WMC key. Is there something wrong in my process? My goal is to create a clean data.dat file for all PCs. I want to activate them with free wmc keys. Regards.
     
  10. Padpadak

    Padpadak MDL Member

    Feb 11, 2010
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    You can put your FREE WMC key by end of installation (connected with internet will work) or after install go to commandprompt as admin and type slui 3 i think this is the screen you mean.
     
  11. murjuk

    murjuk MDL Novice

    Nov 5, 2012
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    Thank you, I think I couldn't create a working data.dat but after replacing the data.dat given here, activation menus came alive.
     
  12. level9

    level9 MDL Member

    Jun 25, 2012
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    Hmmm... Little confused right now, and maybe you guys answered my question already somewhere.....
    But pls be so kind and help me out...
    If I build an AIO under usage of the manual on page one (AIO with WMC) AND replace the data.dat in the created iso...
    will the AIO disc then accept ALL kinds of possible setup keys (if I selected the right version to install) AND also the free WMC Upgrade Keys?

    So lets say...
    I would like to install enterprise version... I select enterprise, even skip the key request and end up in a win8 activateble with a kms?
    I would like to install win8 pro with a legit upgrade key I own... I select "Pro" and put in the key and it will install pro and allow me to activate, even on a clean install (even though I used the upgrade key).
    I would like to activate microsofts gift and select Win8ProWMC, enter my free given Upgrade key and it will install the media center version which also can be activated?
    And finally let´s say I do own a full license key of the pro version, I even can select pro, give it the correct key, and it will install pro without media center and can activate this also?

    Damned it, so many possible ways to install and activate 8.... Didn´t they say, they will reduce the amount of different win8 versions :D

    Regards
    Lvl9
     
  13. rgirish

    rgirish MDL Novice

    Nov 16, 2012
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    Hi ambidav,
    this is regarding you post 217
    Thanks for these instructions but I could not find UpgradeMatrix.xml as well as the location C:\mount\windows\servicing\Editions\
     
  14. level9

    level9 MDL Member

    Jun 25, 2012
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    #495 level9, Nov 16, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Isn´t it also enough to mount the final WIN8AIO disk afterwards in an iso editor such as ultraiso and swap the data.dat then once?
    I am asking because I have done the AIO disc already and deleted all the stuff yet.
    Wondering if there is a difference in changing the file afterwards than copying it TWICE within the build process of the AIO.
    Can someone help me out here?

    Thanks

    Regard
    Level9
     
  15. Atari800XL

    Atari800XL MDL Expert

    Apr 3, 2011
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    Well, the file is not in the ISO, it's inside Install.wim, which is in the ISO. So it's doubly "wrapped" inside.
    And because Install.wim is quite a complex file (it consists of one or more indexes, that's why you can have multiple images inside one .wim file), you cannot just put files in it with a simple utility.
    You need to mount 1 images within the Install.wim at the time, edit the files within that image, then unmount, that's the only way to keep all the housekeeping inside the indexes in order!
    And next time, please edit your post (no need for the lengthy quote).
     
  16. chun96

    chun96 MDL Novice

    Nov 14, 2012
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    I can't do a repair install with the AIO disc (Core, Pro and Pro with Media Center - Both x86 and x64) on my Windows 8 Pro x64.
     
  17. bodmas

    bodmas MDL Senior Member

    Jul 26, 2011
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    you can't repair your x64 bits OS as this AIO dvd contains only x86 version of boot.wim and other files needed for repair install. x64 bits OS repair install can be only done with x64 bits windows 8 DVD.
     
  18. catdog215

    catdog215 MDL Senior Member

    Oct 21, 2009
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    #499 catdog215, Nov 19, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Sorry if some1 already asked. I have a windows 8 pro x86 and x64. I would like to merge into one disc. So I would create 3 folders (win8, x86, x64) inside win8aio folder at C drive. I extracted Windows 8 Pro to win8 folder then move install install.wim to x86 folder. I took windows 8 x64 install.wim and put in x64 folder. Is this the only code I needed.
    Code:
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x86\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win8\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Pro" /compress:maximum
    
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x64\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win8\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Pro" /compress:maximum
    Then create iso
    Code:
    oscdimg -bC:\win8aio\win8\boot\etfsboot.com -h -u2 -m -lwin8_aio C:\win8aio\win8\ C:\win8aio.iso
    When doing the install. I will only see Windows 8 Pro x86 and x64? Am I doing correctly. Thx
     
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  19. That Other Guy

    That Other Guy MDL Novice

    Nov 19, 2012
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    Thank you very, very much for this bit of work and information.
    I have tried the task and found some minor problems related to 32bit and 64bit boot errors. So here is my solution to the prolem.....
    As I am new here I do not wish to tread heavily but....
    I'm pretty sure you cannot easily use a 32bit boot image to load a 64bit version OS. The Directory folder stack should have two build folders (win832 and win864), one for 32bit and one for 64bit.
    In the Dism /mount-wim for index:7 -should be changed to index:3 for the x64 and all corresponding dism commands should be divided for thier respective version relating to the install.wim image. Upon finishing you should show creation of two ISO's.
    One for 32 bit and one for 64bit.
    This is why the Windows 8 Pro box product has two disks (ie....32bit and 64bit).

    Example:
    >32bit:
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x86\install.wim /SourceIndex:2 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win832\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8" /compress:maximum
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x86\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win832\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Pro" /compress:maximum
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x86\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win832\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" /compress:maximum
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\entx86\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win832\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Enterprise" /compress:maximum

    Dism /mount-wim /wimfile:C:\win8aio\win832\sources\install.wim /index:3 /mountdir:C:\win8aio\mount
    Dism /Image:C:\win8aio\mount /Get-TargetEditions
    Dism /Image:C:\win8aio\mount /Set-Edition:professionalWMC
    Dism /unmount-wim /mountdir:C:\win8aio\mount /commit
    imagex /flags "ProfessionalWMC" /info C:\win8aio\win832\sources\install.wim 3 "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center"

    >64bit:
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x64\install.wim /SourceIndex:2 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win864\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8" /compress:maximum
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x64\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win864\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Pro" /compress:maximum
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\x64\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win864\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" /compress:maximum
    Dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:c:\win8aio\entx64\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:c:\win8aio\win864\sources\install.wim /DestinationName:"Windows 8 Enterprise" /compress:maximum

    Dism /mount-wim /wimfile:C:\win8aio\win864\sources\install.wim /index:3 /mountdir:C:\win8aio\mount
    Dism /Image:C:\win8aio\mount /Get-TargetEditions
    Dism /Image:C:\win8aio\mount /Set-Edition:professionalWMC
    Dism /unmount-wim /mountdir:C:\win8aio\mount /commit
    imagex /flags "ProfessionalWMC" /info C:\win8aio\win864\sources\install.wim 3 "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center"

    Create Disk Image:ISO
    oscdimg -bC:\win8aio\win832\boot\etfsboot.com -h -u2 -m -lwin8_aio C:\win8aio\win832\ C:\win8aio32.iso
    oscdimg -bC:\win8aio\win864\boot\etfsboot.com -h -u2 -m -lwin8_aio C:\win8aio\win864\ C:\win8aio64.iso

    As noted ...I have tested this and it works absolutely flawless-

    Once again , thank you for the excellent work.