OEM Recovery Partition Creator for Windows

Discussion in 'MDL Projects and Applications' started by AnarethoS, Sep 11, 2010.

  1. AlbertoCastillo2001

    AlbertoCastillo2001 MDL Novice

    Jul 5, 2012
    14
    0
    0
    #2261 AlbertoCastillo2001, Jul 23, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
  2. wendy123

    wendy123 Guest

    Just bought a new PC and trying to build my own recovery partition, but my issue is I want the recovery partition to be on a different HDD is this possible?

    My main HDD is a 160GB SSD that I will use as my boot drive, since the SSD is small I don't want to create the recovery partition on it. I have a secondary 1TB HDD and can easily give up 20GB if needed, I would like to avoid having the recovery image on a usb or external HDD and like the OEM recovery idea.
     
  3. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    You can't as M$ doesn't support this feature. You will have to use a tool like Acronis True Image and put the recovery image on another HDD.

    Sorry!
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  4. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Have you tried to test with the bare minimum config : Windows and nothing else (do not install any drivers) just to check if it works. If it fails, there is something wrong with you installation media.

    If it works, re-do it again, with all the drivers this time. If it fails, then if mean some drivers doen't support sysprep correctly. You will have to find which one and not install it in your image but have it installed automatically on first logon.

    Last time I had a similar problem was with ATI Radeon video card on AMD chipset. I had to install the video drivers on the first boot.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  5. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Status update on the DVD maker for Windows 8 :

    - Script to create DVD : Done
    - GUI to create DVD : Done
    - Script to restore from DVD : Nearly completed
    - GUI to restore the computer from DVD : To do

    Once everything will be completed and some basic test done in VMware, I will publish a new beta version.

    Please note that due to the new option in the gui, complete new gui for the DVD restore option, etc. I will have to remove all language other than French/English in the Windows 8 version. New translation will then be required.

    When I will do the DVD option for Windows 7, I will have to do the same there also.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  6. wendy123

    wendy123 Guest

    That sucks, I wanted to avoid any third party apps
     
  7. lz7766

    lz7766 MDL Novice

    Jul 19, 2013
    3
    0
    0
    @Anarethos Thanks for the reply and help.

    I have already installed the windows with bare minimum configuration, but it didn't work. So i think may be something wrong with the installation media.

    If i install the windows with same installation media without capturing the recovery image. Windows works perfectly, without any error. :confused:

    Thanks again for the help.
     
  8. manchestercomputers

    manchestercomputers MDL Novice

    Aug 3, 2013
    1
    2
    0
    Hi Guys

    Is this possible with the new version as we have some information which would be full to us as we are wanting to add our own branding to it.
     
  9. The_Guardian

    The_Guardian Contributor

    May 7, 2012
    2,054
    6,803
    90
    @ lz7766

    There isnt anything wrong with the recovery software but instead it is a driver or app you are installing that sysprep doesnt like. This can be very tricky for noobs to sysprep. I would recommend you test in vmware or something simuliar till you know it works perfect. I have been using this on serveral comps for my friends and havent had any issues but I have learned alot when testing in vmware in the beginning.

    @manchestercomputers

    Look for Windows 7 DVD (Multi-Brand/Multi-Edition) Activation by searchengine. You can edit the cmd file to include win 8 branding like I did. My modification of his work works perfect for win 8 but of course doesnt oem activate for their are no more shared oem keys. But to answer your question yes you can add branding also when using the recovery creator software here.
     
  10. redroad

    redroad MDL Guru

    Dec 2, 2011
    5,326
    6,044
    180
    You don't have to install it .. The boot CD or portable version will give you everything you need ..
     
  11. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Just to be sure the problem come form Windows or my software, do the following :

    - Install Windows
    - During the first boot where you create your user account press CTRL+SHIFT+F3 to switch to AUDIT mode
    - When the computer reboot, run the following command : C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /OOBE /GENERALIZE /REBOOT

    If it fails, it means the problem come from Windows. If it pass, the problem MAY come from my software, as it tries to keep your drivers so you don't have to reinstall any drivers upon reboot. This may create some problem.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  12. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
    4,589
    1,584
    150
    Quiet alot has happened while Ive been gone.

    Hope you didnt miss me :p I'll try this out as soon as I can;)
     
  13. htk59

    htk59 MDL Junior Member

    Aug 1, 2010
    58
    8
    0
    for Windows 8
     
  14. Dirk2512

    Dirk2512 MDL Junior Member

    Jan 6, 2011
    60
    3
    0
    Welcome Back TCNTAD, i know i missed you lol i am tring to write a new end user manual for AnarethoS, when it is done could you please proof read it make sure it makes sence, i ask this as i am dislexic.
     
  15. huckleberry

    huckleberry MDL Novice

    Aug 19, 2013
    1
    0
    0
    I have the same problem with the "windows cannot read the <productkey> setting from the unattend answer file"

    How did you change
    autounattend.xml and where did you add these lines of code? Thanks.
     
  16. orionj

    orionj MDL Novice

    Aug 21, 2013
    2
    0
    0
    I had an issue using this software which I am having trouble solving. I followed all the steps, had to software load and everything looked like it worked correctly, but I could not access the windows recovery menu, the tool and whatnot. I did not show up in F7, the tool to access it for repairs in windows, and F8. The repair my computer option was also gone. Now when I used a windows 7 dvd, and did startup repair it did find a problem with the bcd for the recovery menu tools and fixed it. Then I ran a restore from F7 and it did go back to the make a user and everything worked correctly, but again I could not access the recovery tool menu and it was only able to be fixed with the repair startup from the windows 7 dvd. I am not sure what I am missing but I could not give this to a client as is. I think it might have something to do with the unattended xml.
     
  17. The_Guardian

    The_Guardian Contributor

    May 7, 2012
    2,054
    6,803
    90
    Need more detailed info then that...sounds like you didnt run the cmd in audit mode for it should have assigned function key. Did you get any errors while syspreping for recovery? What software/drivers did you install during audit mode. Were you even in audit mode? When at the desktop did it install the recovery software in start menu items? Sounds like the recovery software wasnt even installed during audit mode. Need more info please.

    I highly recommend using vmware or something simuliar for testing till you got it down pat. Then try on real machine. There are too many variables which differ with different machines so always test first.

    I have been using this software (.15 version) since it came out on different machines without any issues but it took some time for me to learn. VMware is your friend.
     
  18. orionj

    orionj MDL Novice

    Aug 21, 2013
    2
    0
    0
    I did the setup and had the autounattend script run, hence the system preparation tool pops up, I closed out the box as the instructions intended. I assume that is audit mode, hense not creating a user. I ran the setup in this mode and I didn't encounter any initial errors as the program set itself up that I noticed. I installed a few programs that I generally would such as vcl, itunes, etc. I also installed drivers for video, audio, chipset, touchpad, before running the setup, and also ran a bunch of updates.

    I let the computer reboot a few times, each time I assume it was in audit mode, as in the system preparation tool popped up each time I went into the system. I ran the software in the proper order and everything looked like it worked fine, just was missing that ability to go into the recovery tool menu, until I did the disk startup repair. I do wish there was a more efficient want to discuss this, as I am kind of terrible at the delayed responses.

    Was there a certain script I might have missed?