OEM Recovery Partition Creator for Windows

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

  1. Dirk2512

    Dirk2512 MDL Junior Member

    Jan 6, 2011
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    firstly id like to thank you for the great work and progress on this tool i thin k it is amazing.

    but there is only two things missing

    one: the ability to start it with a function key like f4 to take you straigt in to tools.
    two: the disk set up an editable script to set up the disk for you.

    Don't get me wrong you have done a brilliant job, but im sure you will agree that people like me who cant program to save thier lives critise the most.
    i was just giving you ideas for progession

    is there any chance for these to happen.

    once again thank you for all your hard work!!!!!
     
  2. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    Yea that'd be pretty cool if he could do that although its not 100% necessary:)

    But whats the second thing? What do you mean? p
     
  3. Dirk2512

    Dirk2512 MDL Junior Member

    Jan 6, 2011
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    scripting diskpart for automatic disk setup ie. f:\diskset.bat or something like that
     
  4. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    Ah well why would you need that for?

    I have several autounattend.xml files for creating 3 or 4 partitions:) Or are you thinking of another purpose? :p
     
  5. Dirk2512

    Dirk2512 MDL Junior Member

    Jan 6, 2011
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    can you upload one for me please
     
  6. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    Go back 2-3 pages
     
  7. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
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    For the automatic creation of the partition, use an AutoUnattend.Xml file. There is one in the "AutoUnattend" folder in my package. Simply copy this file to the root of an USB key, let it plug into the computer, and thart your Windows installation. The 3 partition will be automatically created.

    The the F key to start the recovery tools, there is no easy way to do it. I would have to replace the official recovery environment with my tools, but problems may occurs when trying to repair the boot sector, etc. You can always press F8 when booting. This will show you boot option for Windows 7. Then, press ESC, il will go to another menu. Then press TAB and use the arrow to select the REcovery Tools in the bottom.
     
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  8. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    Ah so you would have to **** up the real RE.. Hm well skip it, the F8 works just fine:)
     
  9. Dirk2512

    Dirk2512 MDL Junior Member

    Jan 6, 2011
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    what about adding the tools to the menu inside repair your computer option, is that posible (like toshiba, dell, etc)!!!
     
  10. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    How do you mean? Add repair option in windows by starting the tool?
     
  11. Dirk2512

    Dirk2512 MDL Junior Member

    Jan 6, 2011
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    i think you may be misunderstanding what i mean,

    is it possible to put a link to the recovery tools as an option
    so the prodcedure would be as follows

    press F8
    select Repair your Computer
    select recovery tools

    instead of the currunt way

    press F8
    press esc
    press Tab
    press Down
    press enter

    i think it would be more user friendly
     
  12. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    Ah I see :p..

    I dont think its impossible no.
     
  13. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
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    It can't be done. My recovery tools are INSIDE another WIM file. I can not launch the "normal" Recovery Environment and make it access the Recovery Tools inside a WIM file.

    BUT, I could make an option, in the "normal" Recovery Environment (say, Reboot into Recovery Tools) to modify the boot files and reboot the computer into the recovery environement.

    I will consider this option for the next release, but, it is a little tricky. The recovery Environement show the name of some file property not settable by AutoIt instead of the name of the EXE file. So I will have to use ResHack to change data into the EXE file to launch the recovery tools from the Recovery Environment. Not worth the trouble when an user can use the tools from within Windows.
     
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  14. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    Hm no it doesnt seem to be worth it now :p
    I forgot your tool is inside a wim hehe, well skip it. Find other useful stuff to add instead.
     
  15. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
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    Maybe I could try to make an "Add-On" pack that will add somes extras, like anti-virus, file undelete software, file wipe software and others ?
     
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  16. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    A special addonpack like that would do alot, what if your computer almost explodes of all viruses or you deleted wrong files:/
     
  17. AnarethoS

    AnarethoS MDL Expert

    Jul 31, 2009
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    Only problem, the 64bits WinRE environment CAN NOT execute 32bits application.
    So, I will have to find native 64bits applications.... :(
     
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  18. HALIKUS

    HALIKUS MDL Addicted

    Jul 29, 2009
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    Nice method. Instead of WinRE you can use WinPE (waik 3.0) with a winbuilder project. It has all the benefits of WinRE but has a GUI, offline desktop and the ability to add scripts. I use one with the name Win7PE_SE_2011_01_17 and it can do x86 and x64 and the x64 has a syswow plugin and are about 150 - 200 meg (boot.wim). The antivir scripts and such are relatively small (without updates) that you can update via www in the PE upon use so its the newest and smallest footprint. In the PE you can also manipulate shortcuts, add bats to the desktop, install windows from within, etc. Yours is a very nice project, i just never had a use for WinRE over WinPE. The only real catch is you cant install 32 bit OS from within a x64PE as the sources setup files differ from x86 ones.

    My primitive method i have used like this is to install a small barebones XP on a small partition (15 gig), and then Win7 on another partiton. The BCD is on the XP drive, and then you copy "sources" folder to that drive. Then i add an entry to the bcd for a WinPE that is on the XP drive and i have the ability to boot to PE for disaster recovery, backups, or fresh installs, all with GUI's and 2 bootable desktops. This can all be done with imaging too.