How to create multi-boot flash drive

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  1. Posts : 264
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit SP1 x64
       #31

    YUMI initially formats a Flash Drive and gives it the Label "MULTIBOOT".

    If I change the Label to "MULTIBOOT-2" :-
    Will the ISO APP's work the same; and
    Will YUMI be able to continue adding/removing ISO's.

    Reason :-
    I am making a spare copy of my first MultiBoot flash drive (in case the original gets lost or suffers damage),
    and I would like to easily distinguish between them.

    Regards
    Alan
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #32

    It should be OK but the only way to be sure is to try it.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 264
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit SP1 x64
       #33

    kado897 said:
    It should be OK but the only way to be sure is to try it.
    Thanks

    Situation Update :-

    Tried it - Didn't like it -Won't do it again.
    I booted into the Flash drive and Linux failed.
    I do not know if it was the YUMI linux launcher that failed to launch,
    but I think I was able to select a Linux ISO before disaster struck.

    I then rebooted into Windows
    Oh the Horror
    My Secondary 600 GB WDC HDD with all my Macrium image backup files was changed from GPT style to MBR style,
    and instead of NTFS it was mostly RAW or Unallocated depending upon whether I believe Windows Disk Management or MiniTool Partition Wizard Professional v7.7
    and the monstrous complex GUI Disk Indentity changed to the simple 8 digit hexadecimal number as used by MBR Disks.

    AND IN ADDITION
    It changed to the same Disk Identity as my 900 GB Samsung HDD which held partitions D:\ and H:\ which held my Browser Profiles and my Portable Tools.
    CONSEQUENTLY
    Because Windows saw the Samsung after it saw the WDC it decided to blame Samsung for a Disk Signature conflict
    and so the Samsung HDD was knocked Offline and partitions D:\ and H:\ still have their contents but not their drive letters.


    Fortunately a NON-Experimental Boot Flash with a Macrium ISO was able to create image backups of those partitions,
    and then was able to restore those image backups to a "spare" USB2 connected HDD,
    and after a reboot back into Windows the only correct drive letter was C:\
    and after setting all the wrong partitions to NONE I was able to allocate H:\ and D:\ to the new restored partitions on my "spare" USB2 HDD.

    After two hours of desperation I now am back on the Internet again.

    I do not know what exactly caused the problem.
    I not only changed the Volume Label of the experimental Flash Drive,
    I also ran an MBR backup tool on this experimental Flash Drive before I attempted to boot from it.

    In view of dire consequences I have no immediate plans for further boot tool experiments.

    PLEASE NOTE :-
    I really want to regain all my Macrium Image Backup files, BUT I am not in a desperate hurry.
    I expect fully qualified advice from the MiniTool Partition Wizard developers in the next 24 hours.
    My son purchased the Professional licence for my birthday last year.
    Several years ago they responded within 24 hours even though I was a low priority user of the Free version.
    Hence with all due respect I am not looking for advice from this forum.

    MiniTool Partition Wizard includes a Recovery Wizard,
    and years ago the free version 4.? recovered all partitions in my Laptop.
    The Professional version 7.7 has analysed and is ready to restore all the partitions on my 600 GB WDC HDD
    and I fully expect it to be successful on this situation.
    I am however waiting for advice from the developers of Minitool P.W. upon whether (and how) to convert the HDD back to GPT style either before or after Partition Recovery.

    N.B. All but the recent Macrium Images were already safely duplicated from my internal 600 GB WDC HDD to an external eSATA connected 930 GB HDD.

    Regards
    Alan
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #34

    Yikes...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Pro & 10 Pro 64bit
       #35

    MultiBoot USB Drive That Actually Works!


    I know this is an old post, but I recently decided to consolidate my CD & DVD "Toolkit" onto a 16GB Flash Drive. My kit includes Windows 7 & 8, Acronis TrueImage, Hiren's, Spotmau Suite, GParted Live, SuperGrub, Todo Backup, Partition Master, etc.

    I banged my head against the wall with Yumi, Sardu, XBoot and several others. None of them would give me a fully functional MultiBoot USB Stick.

    I then tried EasyBCD. It took me a few trial-and-error sessions before I discovered the formula for success. Here's how I did it, but be warned: MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE USB FLASH DRIVE AS THE TARGET!!! If you mess up, your computer won't boot afterwards!

    Now that I have your attention, here are the steps that I followed that gave me an awesome keychain asset:

    1. The partition on the flash drive MUST be designated "Primary"- Mine was "Logical" so I used GParted, deleted the existing partition then created a new Primary one.
    2. Format the partition as NTFS- FAT32 won't permit ISO's larger than 4GB. *Use Quick Format as a full format can damage some flash drives.
    3. Download & install EasyBCD. After it's installed, right-click the EasyBCD icon and click Run as Administrator.
    4. Select "BCD Deployment"- IMPORTANT!!! Select your flash drive from the Partition pull-down & click "Install BCD". If you don't verify you're deploying to your flash drive partition you will mess up your computer!
    5. After deployment, leave "Bootable Disk Created" window open- DO NOT CLICK ON IT!
    6. Copy your ISO's to the flash drive's root directory.
    7. Now click "Yes" at the window from Step 5.
    8. Select "Add New Entry"; In the window on the lower half of the screen, select the ISO Image tab.
    It should now display NeoSmart ISO Entry. Click the "Path" icon & navigate to your USB drive's root directory. You should see the ISO's you copied to the drive in step 6. Double click the ISO you want as the 1st Menu Item, then click the "Add Entry" button. Repeat this process until all of your ISO's have been added.
    10. MAKE A NOTE OF EACH ISO's name as you add it- you'll need this to create the Boot Menu!
    11. Edit Menu Items, renaming them as desired.
    12. Click Save & you're done.

    Hope someone finds this useful. I spent a lot of hours on Yumi and the others before I figured this out...
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #36

    Thank you and welcome to Seven Forums gcapp99. That is a useful method to add to our armoury.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Pro & 10 Pro 64bit
       #37

    Like everyone else on these forums, I spend lots of time searching for answers & solutions when faced with a technical or functionality challenge. This MultiBoot USB Drive was something I've wanted to do for a while but the guides on the Pendrive site and elsewhere left me frustrated, providing only partial results.

    While I pride myself as having a much higher than average tech ability, I don't pretend to know it all. I was sure that this "wheel" had already been invented, but despite my hours of searching, trial & error downloading, etc., a fully functional MultiBoot USB Drive eluded me. All of the other utilities would create a bootable USB, but none would allow for the assortment of bootloaders on the ISO's in my Toolkit. So I dug my heels in and figured it out.

    Bottom line: I have benefitted from the posts on this & other sites many times, saving me time & frustration. This solution is provided in the spirit of sharing and "giving back" to the community. As I said in my original post, if it helps another weary tech to get it done, mission accomplished.

    Cheers!
      My Computer


 
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