================================================================================
Install of XP or Windows 7 from USB After Booting with 7 PE and
by using WinNTSetup2_x86.exe and Setup ISO file in Virtual drive
================================================================================
0. Use BOOT_USB.exe to prepare USB or HDD drive for booting with Grub4dos Menu and using 7 PE Boot Image file
- Info BOOT_USB - http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=24424
- Info Make_PE3 - http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=23931
1. Boot from USB or HDD with 7 PE loaded in RAMDISK - use Grub4dos Boot Menu and 7pe_x86_E.iso Boot Image file
2. Use R-mouse to Mount Windows Setup ISO in ImDisk virtual drive
- If needed first Install ImDisk driver by running imdiskinst.exe (also available in makebt folder)
3. Quick Format TargetDrive - use NTFS FileSystem
4. Run WinNTSetup2_x86.exe and prepare Target drive for Install of XP or Windows 7
Thanks to JFX - http://www.msfn.org/...-winntsetup-v2/
5. Reboot from Target Drive and Install XP or Windows 7
Instead of 7 PE you can use any other way of booting that allows you to Format and prepare your Target Drive.
You might decide e.g. to boot with Portable Windows XP IMG or with Windows 7 VHD from USB
In any case you can use WinNTSetup2_x86.exe to prepare your Target drive for Install of XP or Windows 7
See Tutorial file XP-W7-Setup.txt in IMG_XP\Help_Info folder
Info IMG_XP - http://www.911cd.net...showtopic=23553
Download - IMG_XP
The advantage is that you never boot from USB during XP Setup
and that makes everything much more reliable and you have full control of what you are doing.
Also using a single XP Setup ISO file mounted in ImDisk Virtual drive is much more reliable
than having a bunch of XP Setup files on USB.
Transfer of the ISO file to USB is much faster and easier to maintain.
Instead of USB-stick it is much better to use Portable 2.5 inch USB-harddisk e.g. Samsung S2
As easy to carry and connect, but much higher speed and more capacity.
================================================================================
old approach with useful info left here for reference
================================================================================
***** USB_MultiBoot.cmd - Install XP from USB *****
================================================================================
1. Introduction
The Batch Program USB_MultiBoot.cmd can prepare a Bootable USB-Stick,
which can be used to Install XP from USB.
Install from USB-Drive is of general use, it's convenient and faster than installing from CD or DVD,
but is limited to computers that are able to boot from USB, as determined by BIOS and Motherboard.
Updating and Changing an USB-stick is also easier than preparing a new Bootable CD or DVD.
Install XP from USB is very useful when the computer does not have a optical drive,
like e.g. ASUS Eee subnotebook.
Preparing a Bootable USB-Drive with USB_MultiBoot.cmd Involves:
Format USB-stick like a Bootable Harddisk Drive with NTLDR BootSector
using PeToUSB or HP USB Format Tool
Select from the Main Menu of USB_MultiBoot.cmd
1 - Give XP Setup Source Folder and give UserData for XP Setup
2 - Give USB-Drive Target
3 - Make Bootable USB-Drive with XP Setup Folders
Installing XP from USB requires a Reboot from USB-Drive
and Select from Boot Menu: 1. Begin TXT Mode Setup Windows XP
- Download Direct from CD Forum: USB_MultiBoot_10.zip - mirror with SFX
- Unpack USB_MultiBoot.zip to your Harddisk in a simple Path without SPACES.
USB_MultiBoot.cmd is Vista Compatible, but requires User Account Control OFF.
In this case a BOOTMGR type BootSector is made when Formatting the USB-Drive.
Such Bootsector is Detected and Auto Converted by BootSect.exe to
NTLDR type Bootsector required for booting with boot.ini Menu
XP as OS is Preferred for Speed of FileCopy to USB ( 10 min instead of 30 minutes for Vista OS )
The procedure for installing Windows XP from a bootable USB-stick was developed by
ilko_t , jaclaz , cdob, porear and wimb at MSFN Forum
- Install XP from USB at MSFN Forum http://www.msfn.org/...m-USB-f157.html
- List of FAQs http://www.msfn.org/...Qs-t116766.html
- More Info See Guide with ScreenShots
- More Help with Bookmarks is available in the Help_Info Folder in USB_MultiBoot.zip
- Use of MultiBoot.cmd and everything in this Guide is COMPLETELY use at your own risk.
2. XP-Source Preparation - *** BEFORE YOU START ***
Make sure that your XPSOURCE Folder is located on your Harddisk in a simple Path without SPACES.
Copy the Contents of your Windows XP Setup CD to your XPSOURCE Folder on Harddisk.
Siginet's RyanVM Integrator or nLite can be used to Integrate Windows UpdatePacks in the XP-Source.
http://integrator.si...ex.php?download
http://www.nliteos.com/
Windows XP UpdatePacks and Addons:
http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/
http://www.ryanvm.ne...tepack-sp2.html
http://integrator.si...ndex.php?addons
http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/
Supports the use of BTS DriverPacks located in OEM Folder on USB-Drive
http://driverpacks.net/downloads
For installing XP on modern systems with SATA Drives it is needed to use DPsBase.exe
for Integrating in your XPSOURCE BTS DriverPack Massstorage with TXT Mode Enabled.
In that case a lot of Extra RAID SCSI and SATA Drivers (about 120 extra) are Integrated and will appear in the
XP Setup BootFolder $WIN_NT$.~BT on USB-Drive and can prevent a lot of XP Installation Boot Problems.
First use RyanVM Integrator and then use DPsBase to Improve your XP-Source.
The program supplies a Customized presetup.cmd and changes the winnt.sif file for use of DriverPacks.
The Complete XP-Source is Copied by USB_MultiBoot.cmd to XP LocalSource Folder $WIN_NT$.~LS on USB-Drive
Computation of Estimated XP Folder Size is used to prevent USB-stick overflow
and includes $WIN_NT$.~BT + cmpnents + I386 + AMD64 + $OEM$ + OEM Folders.
Excluding LANG and WIN98X Folders from Copying to USB can be Selected
from USB_MultiBoot.cmd Main Menu, which can reduce the XP-Source on USB-Drive by 135 MB.
Reduction of the XP WINDOWS Folder can be achieved with nLite
but do NOT select Operating System Options-->Manual Install and Upgrade for removal.
If you do you will get BSOD, error 0x0000006F during Text mode Setup of Windows XP.
=========================================================================
3. Making a Bootable USB-Drive with USB_MultiBoot.cmd
- Remove all other Removable Drives, like USB Backup Harddisks and Memory Cards
- Use USB-sticks with High Read/Write Speeds of about 15 MB/sec
- Unpack USB_MultiBoot.zip to your Harddisk in a simple Path without SPACES.
- Launch USB_MultiBoot.cmd and Display the Format Menu
- Format the USB-Drive with FAT or NTFS. Note: FAT32 is very SLOW for installing XP
P) - PeToUSB - FAT Format - Max 2 GB
To Format USB-Drive : Enable Disk Format with LBA FAT16X
Do NOT Select "Enable File Copy" of BartPE File Copy Options.
FAT Format Supports Direct Booting with MS-DOS using MULTI_CONTENT
Installing XP from USB takes 30 minutes - Buffalo FireStix 2 GB
H) - HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool V2.0.6 - NTFS Format - use X_CONTENT
NTFS Format Supports DOS Boot Floppy Images via GRUB4DOS Menu
Installing XP from USB takes 16 minutes - Corsair Flash Voyager 4 GB
Do NOT use the HP Tool for USB-Harddisks having more than 1 Partition
WARNING - HP Tool Formats whole Disk - Second Partition is Lost
N) - No Format - Use USB-Drive with FAT or NTFS formatted by Windows XP
Or Update Existing Bootable USB-Drive having NTLDR Bootsector
- For USB-Harddisk use Main Menu Option 0) to Change from USB-stick to USB-Harddisk.
Because this makes use of rdummy.sys and is essential for using USB-Harddisk.
rdummy.sys makes Fixed USB-Harddisk seen in XP Setup as Removable Device.
- Select from the Main Menu of USB_MultiBoot.cmd
1 - Give XP Setup Source Folder and give UserData for XP Setup
2 - Give USB-Drive Target
3 - Make Bootable USB-Drive with XP Setup Folders
4. XP Setup Parameters in winnt.sif file and $OEM$ folder
Display and Edit of the 8 required parameters for Unattended Setup allows you
to give your ProductKey and TimeZone used in the Current_winnt.sif and copies your winnt.sif file.
The Current_winnt.sif file is auto adjusted for the Installation of XP from USB and then
copied by USB_MultiBoot.cmd to $WIN_NT$.~BT folder on USB-Drive.
The file useraccounts.cmd with UserName is made in the $OEM$ Folder
copied to $WIN_NT$.~LS folder on USB-Drive.
CMDLINES.TXT is used for making UserAccounts and install of Registry Tweaks at T-12
Info see: http://unattended.ms.../unattended.xp/
For the Option Edit UserData for XP Setup we have:
A. Unattended Install - UserName = YourName
in winnt.sif file - unattendswitch="Yes" - UserName is used Automatically
useraccounts.cmd with UserName is created in $OEM$ Folder copied to USB-drive
B. Semi-Unattended Install - UserName = None
in winnt.sif file - unattendswitch="No" - UserNames are given Manually at Windows Welcome Screens
useraccounts.cmd is Renamed to Inactive txt file in $OEM$ Folder copied to USB-drive
C. Undefined Install - UserName = Unknown
No Changes are made in winnt.sif file or $OEM$ folder
In all cases Selecting Cancel keeps given Settings for winnt.sif file and $OEM$ folder Unchanged
Selecting Unattended Install in the Editor instead of Cancel will enable to skip the Welcome Screens
by automatic adding the unattendswitch="Yes" Setting to the [Data] Section of the Current_winnt.sif file.
The UserName given at Edit Screen 8 will not be used in the case of XPSOURCE made by nLite.
OEM or nLite winnt.sif file is detected in XPSOURCE and Auto Changed for the Installation of XP from USB.
In that case All Setup Parameters come from XPSOURCE and therefore Empty $OEM$_X Folder is Selected.
Windows XP file SETUPLDR.BIN is Renamed to XPSTP according to the 5-letter limit requirement
for making NTFS BootSector Files using MakeBS3.cmd of jaclaz
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=2362
In the Attended Install all Setup Parameters are given Manually during the GUI Mode of Setup Windows XP.
For each XP Source the Program Supports to launch Unattended or Attended Setup.
For Attended Setup a second SetupLoader XATSP is made ,
where winnt.sif is Patched as winat.sif using gsar.exe
So the extra Setup Option does not take extra space from the USB-stick.
Attended Install is always available as Extra Option in the boot.ini Menu.
5. Installing XP from USB
Remove all other Removable Drives, like USB Backup Harddisks and Memory Cards
This will enable that your Computer Harddisk in XP Setup gets DriveLetter C
Boot with the USB-Drive plugged in and Press [Delete] key or F2 to Enter BIOS Setup
Your BIOS may use a different key for starting BIOS Setup.
Change BIOS Boot Priority Settings: (your USB device is listed as Harddisk)
Make First Boot Device Type is Harddisk and give your USB device the First Priority of Harddisks
Boot from USB-Drive and Select 1. Begin TXT Mode Setup Windows XP
Use Only C: Drive of Computer Harddisk as Partition for Installing Windows XP
and then Select Quick Format with NTFS FileSystem, XP Install is Automatic
***** NEVER UNPLUG USB-Drive ***** Until After First Logon of Windows XP
New Harddisk and Creating Partitions after Booting from USB-Drive:
Direct after Deleting and Creating New partitions, Quit XP Setup with F3
OR Switch OFF your Computer and Boot in any case from USB-Drive again and
Run 1. TXT Mode Setup again so that DriveLetters get their Correct Value
So in this case one Boots ** TWICE ** in the TXT-mode Setup XP
USB_MultiBoot.cmd can make USB-stick to be seen in XP Setup as Boot Drive U:
In this preferred case the driveletters of Harddisk Partitions and Optical Drives
will get there desired normal value.
Otherwise the USB-stick will get Drive Letter D: and other drives will get shifted drive letters.
The same shifting of drive letters occurs for Installing from USB-Harddisk,
for which it is not possible to make it seen as Boot Drive U: by changing migrate.inf
After First Logon there is only 1 USB-Harddisk partition visible as a Removable Drive.
After Reboot for Second Logon then all partitions of USB-Harddisk will become visible
as Fixed Local Drives and the highest partition number of USB-Harddisk will get DriveLetter D:
This reversal and use of DriveLetters might be unwanted and consequently
the use of USB-stick for XP Setup is Preferred
NON-STANDARD INSTALLS OF WINDOWS XP AND INSTALL OF WIN2003
Install of Windows XP from bootable USB-Drive
next to WINDOWS on the same or on a different partition of the harddisk,
is possible by proper manually adjustment in advance of the BOOT.INI file on the USB-Drive.
Adjust BOOT.INI on USB-Drive: ( Or Select Correct boot.ini Using Option B in Menu Screen )
For Install on the Second Partition, change partition(1) in partition(2)
For Install Next to WINDOWS, change WINDOWS to
what will be used as Install FolderName, e.g. WINDOWS.51
Windows Install Folder Name required according to MS-DOS 8.3 format
So these non-standard installs are still possible,
but require only small changes in the BOOT.INI on the USB-Drive in advance.
Otherwise an ERROR Message for Setup of WINDOWS XP: WINDOWS\system32\hal.dll file missing
will orccur on Reboot for GUI Mode.
hal.dll ERROR for Install of XP from USB
=========================================================================
In case of hal.dll Error on Reboot for GUI-mode of XP Setup:
The Error means only that in GUI mode the Windows folder is NOT found on the default location
which is normally partition(1) of your internal harddisk and would need in boot.ini Menu to Select rdisk(1)partition(1)
The error can be due to a Hidden First Partition (case of HP Computer) so that you Install on partition(2)
For your Netbook it can be that you Install on partition(3)
In that case you Select in GUI-mode and on Start of XP the line in boot.ini Menu with HD 1 - Part 3
It is also recommended to remove any Additional USB-drive like USB Backup Harddisk or External Cardreader
since these extra USB-drives may interfere in Harddisk numbering and can cause then also the hal.dll Error.
In TXT-mode of XP Setup, where you Select the partition on which you are going to Install,
you must count the partition number and use this in your boot.ini Menu on your USB-stick
on Reboot for GUI-mode of XP Setup and for Start of XP.
To solve your hal.dll Error you need to Change the boot.ini file on your USB-stick.
It can be handy to make a boot.ini with multiple entries like this:
Partition Numbering starts with 1
Harddisk Numbering starts with 0
On booting from USB-stick it will count in the arcpath as rdisk(0) and your Internal Harddisk will then normally be rdisk(1)
As alternative you can try:
Install from USB AFTER Booting with PE
http://www.boot-land...showtopic=10138
In this way you are insensitive to the hal.dll Error
Moreover, after booting with LiveXP into PE environment you are able to
use Disk Manager and can see what is the partitioning of your harddisk and
see which is the Active Partition e.g. the partition from which the computer will try to boot.
Also you can make then appropriate changes using Disk Manager or Acronis Disk Director available in LiveXP 
=========================================================================
6. Post-Install of Drivers and Programs
The Folder usb_cfg_extra provides a script for Windows Post-Install Wizard (WPI) - http://wpiw.net/
WPI is very handy for the Automatic Install of Programs after Install of XP from USB.
In WPI script there is the option to run SFC /purgecache which deletes the dll cache
by deleting the files in Folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache
This is a very simple way to reduce the WINDOWS Folder Size by 360 MB
The Result is a XP WINDOWS Folder Size on Harddisk of only 785 MB inclusive all Updates.
================================================================================
Advanced Use of USB_MultiBoot.cmd for making MultiBoot USB-Drives
7. Adding Extra Sources for Booting with BartPE, UBCD4WIN, Windows PE 2.0 and Vista Setup
BartPE - http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
or
UBCD4Win - http://www.ubcd4win.com/index.htm
can be added to USB-Drive by Selecting BartPE Source Folder in the Main Menu. Remove with Cancel.
The Folder usb_cfg_extra provides scripts for BartPE Menu
Install of Vista from USB is supported and launched via GRUB4DOS Menu
http://www.msfn.org/...14092.html&st=6
http://www.msfn.org/...r...6.html&st=2
For Vista Install from USB, Remove on first Restart your USB-stick.
Overflow Control is used by measuring DiskSize, FreeSize, XP-Source and
Extra Source Folders using ASP Drive Object and Visual Basic Scripting.
http://www.w3schools...p_ref_drive.asp
http://www.robvander....com/index.html
8. Multiple XP Install from USB and Multiple PE (BartPE and UBCD4Win) Booting from USB
Multiple XP Install from USB is Supported (max 9 sources)
http://www.msfn.org/...SB-t114543.html
Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd again using New XP Source and Empty XX_CONTENT Source Folder
Multiple PE (BartPE and UBCD4Win) from USB is supported using Multi_Partition USB-Drives.
Multi-Partition an USB-stick after using INSTALL_DUMMY.cmd from makebt Folder.
When dummy.sys is Installed in your OS, then USB-sticks are seen as Fixed Local Harddisks.
In that case you can make Multiple Partition USB-sticks with NTFS format,
allowing to combine BartPE and UBCD4WIN or different Vista Versions x86 and x64
http://www.msfn.org/...m....html&st=11
http://www.911cd.net...o...20089&st=24
Run USB_MultiBoot.cmd again using New BartPE Source and
using Empty XX_CONTENT Source Folder and No Copy of XP Source.
================================================================================
EDIT by jaclaz:
SERVICE POST
This thread was getting "out of hand", I splitted "self-standing" issues and solutions to new threads, ALL of them have as title:
"[Solved] Install XP from USB"
Use the board search (advanced) and input as search string "[Solved] Install XP from USB" - including double quotes to find them.
Other "unfinalized" issues are titled [Abandoned] Install XP from USB, as the OP never came back.
================================================================================
EDIT 30 Sept 2012 - Number of downloads here for previous version = 145043
Update of USB_MultiBoot_10.zip for compatibility with Windows 7 (solved USB-drive Not Valid)