OEM Recovery Partition Creator for Windows

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

  1. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    Ok
    So ambidaw be aware of that you`ll have to make the changes in ini file i described in post#299 if you plan to recover from USB/DVD
    If you dont your RECOVERY partition will be 12GB after a recovery from USB/DVD !!!!!
     
  2. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Beta 10 is out :D

    It will be the last version in which I add new features.
    From now on, I will try to fix all bugs to create the final version.

    If you have any problem, please re-do everything, but with DebugLevel=5 in SETTINGS.INI and post everything here please.

    Thanks all for your time testing my software!
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  3. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Oh! Ans iw anyone is good with PhotoShop or similar, can someone make me a 380x50 banner that I will add in the bottom of the menu in the Recovery environment.

    Either just an image that let the user understand that the tools is there to help him repair the computer or it can have english text in it (Like Recovery Tools, etc.) Color should match the Recovery Environment wallpaper.

    I think it will be cool to have a least an image in the menu....
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  4. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    Ok
    But you can also edit that ini file after installing it in AUDIT mode or what ?
    Do you have to edit it before you install it or am i missing something ?
     
  5. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    You have to edit it BEFORE you install, because the file will be saved inside the Recovery Environment WIM file that is booted.
    In beta10, you can use the script in the RecoveryCreator folder (in Program File) to edit off-line the Recovery Environment SETTINGS.INI file in case you want to change it.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  6. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    I think you misunderstand my question.
    Using the Diskpart acording to your manual and installing Win 7
    Reboot in AUDIT mode
    Updates/Programs/Drivers(not i you choose "Generic")
    Reboot
    Back in Windows (AUDIT mode)
    Install Recovery Tools
    And now edit the .ini file before proceding to either Backup/ Generic/ USB/ DVD
     
  7. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    I think you misunderstand my question.
    Using the Diskpart acording to your manual (or as ambidav RECOVERY= 6000)and installing Win 7
    Reboot in AUDIT mode
    Updates/Programs/Drivers(not if you choose "Generic")
    Reboot
    Back in Windows (AUDIT mode)
    Install Recovery Tools
    And now edit the .ini file before proceding to either Backup/ Generic/ USB/ DVD
    I think that`s OK or what ?
    Sorry I`ve posted this twice
    Do`nt know what happend.
    I think that the admin here should concider an alchol filter
    :ill:
     
  8. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Here is the good way to do it :
    Using the Diskpart acording to your manual (or as ambidav RECOVERY= 6000)and installing Win 7
    Reboot in AUDIT mode
    Updates/Programs/Drivers(not i you choose "Generic")
    Reboot
    Back in Windows (AUDIT mode)
    Install Recovery Tools files (unpack the installer, not running Installx86 or InstallADM64)
    EDIT SETTINGS.INI NOW to chage it.
    Install Recovery Tools running the installer.
    Proceed to either Backup/ Generic/ USB/ DVD

    If you install Recovery Tools BEFORE changing SETTINGS.INI, you will have to use the script to edit off-line the Recovery Environemnt since SETTINGS.INI is copied from the installation source to the recovery environment DURING the installation process.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  9. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60

    There is a bug with version 10!
    You won't be able to create a DVD or USB key. By trying to save ununsed space on DVD, I have increased the file size of each image (SWM) file. Now, they are too big to fit on DVD (ISO) or USB key (more that 4gb each. Will be fixed in Beta 11).

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

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Beta 11 is out!
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  11. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    Hi again
    I think i have an idea.
    If you are going to use the "Generic" option to make DVD`s that can be used to install Win7 on other comps.
    Is`nt the simple solution just to edit the SETTINGS.INI file
    like this:
    WipeUSBDVD=0
    before you make the "Generic" ISO files.
    Then it should`nt wipe any partitions you`ve created after you installed from these "Generic" disk`s
    Is this totally nonsens or ?????
    :confused:
     
  12. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    That is what it does right now. WipeUsbDvd=1 is the default value, so reinstalling from generic DVD with this settings set to 1 will wipe all partitions and recreate them as specified in the settings.ini file.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  13. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    Ofcourse
    WipeUSBDVD=0
     
  14. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Yes, this will works. Just keep in mind that when restoring either the Generic DVD set or the new set that will be made by the edn-user, partitions will have to bee created first.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  15. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    Great
    Then one more question.
    Let`s say that i`m going to install (using Generic disk`s) on my friends comp. wiht a 500 GB HD.
    I Boot from disk 1 and in the Recovery Tools go to the CMD promt:

    Diskpart
    select disk 0
    clean
    create partition primary size=12000
    format fs=ntfs quick label=RECOVERY
    set ID=27
    assign letter=R
    create partition primary size=300
    active
    format fs=ntfs quick label=SYSTEM
    assign letter=S
    create partition primary size=200000
    format fs=ntfs quick label=WINDOWS
    assign letter=C
    create partition primary
    format fs=ntfs quick label=DATA
    assign letter=D
    exit

    Will that work to or will the Generic install just wipe the DATA partition ?

    :cool:
     
  16. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    If the WIPEUSBDVD is set to 0, it will works, as it will only FORMAT the existing WINDOWS/SYSTEM/RECOVERY partition, leaving all other partition intact.
    If WIPEUSBDVD is set to 1, it will delete all partitions are recreate only the 3 basic partitions.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  17. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Ok, I tried the new beta 11 version.
    I think everything is OK for a regular backup/restor/DVD (4.7gb).
    Can someone test with Dual-Layer and an USB key, for both a normal image and for a GENERIC one?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  18. Per Henrik Rasmussen

    Mar 29, 2008
    112
    13
    10
    This is good news
    Could you rewrite Recovery Tools so that if the user choose the "Generic" option
    it will automaticly use

    WipeUSBDVD=0

    ?

    That would be a great feature.
    Cause i think that`s the best way to make these disks
    and i don`t se why they should be made using the other setting

    WipeUSBDVD=1
     
  19. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
    1,297
    1,587
    60
    Thanks for the suggestiong, but I won't do it due to the following reason :
    - Since my software support a "Windows Repair" option that don't erase user data, not a lot of people will need a separate DATA partition
    - Also, not everyone understand how to use DISKPART to create manually partitions before starting the recovery process
    - Also, by forcing the user to manually create the partition, if the user create them in the wrong order, nothing will works
    - Also, if the end user change is hard-disk, he will not be able to use the recovery DVD/USB media unless he understand how to use diskpart since the new hard-disk won't be partitioned and keep in mind that this software was primary made to offer an easy to use option to an end-user to recover his computer. This is also why I do not recommend change the partitions layout.
    - And finally, it is not hard for a power user (like you) to simply open the file with notepad to change it before :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  20. isellgum

    isellgum MDL Novice

    Dec 19, 2008
    1
    0
    0
    First off , thank you for all of your hard work. It is appreciated. A nice feature to add that would only require a small %variable% change....If the captures and the pe.wim portion would conform to M$ standards (recovery.wim and winre.wim) and be placed in the appropriate directories....the abiltiy to use cntrl f11 (or other F Key) could be used to start the restore tools. Reagentc.exe could be scripted. Once again thanks for all of your tireless hard work.