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.
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!
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.
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.
@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. Thanks again for the help.
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.
@ 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.
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.
Quiet alot has happened while Ive been gone. Hope you didnt miss me I'll try this out as soon as I can
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?