Making Windows PE disk

[squid13]

Does anyone know of some simple instructions on how to make a Windows PE disk for Windows 7 64 bit?

 

[theog]

Take a look here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

 

[squid13]

I was wanting to build one so I can use an Acronis plug in to use for booting to do a restore if I need to. The Acronis one uses Linux drivers and PE would use Windows drivers if I'm correct in that.

 

[SIW2]

You can't do it with 64 bit pe.

Virtually nothing useful will run in it.

You can do it with 32 bit pe. You will get of great apps. working in that.

The pe you are using is independent of the o/s you have installed.

As long as the programs you install in 32 bit pe are meant to operate on win7 , they will work fine when run from there - you can us them to image , restore, partition , etc your 64 bit installed o/s.

It works fine from my 32 bit pe3 media:



Acronis is trickier to get going than many others - Paragon and Macrium apps. are easy to include and work beautifully.

 

[squid13]

I guess I'd need to do the Windows PE 32 bit cause I see that Acronis is install in the Program files x86 which is 32 bit. Can get the plug in from there web site. All I need is simple instructions on how to build it. As far as repair disk I have my Windows 7 disk.

 

[gregrocker]

Si, is that the disk you helped me build recently?

How can we help others build one?

 

[SIW2]

Similar , Greg - but I have a lot more going on in that one.

Unless you are familiar with mounting wims, adding a shell, loading the hives and inserting registry entries - you will find adding Acronis a very difficult task.

If you post up the plug in , I will have a look - it will give clues about setting up the driver.

It may be different from mine as you will have a different version.

 

[squid13]

I just remembered I have the Plus Pack for Acronis. All I need to do is get the WinPE into the computer so I can show where it's at to the Plus Pack Wizard for building the PE disk.

 

[SIW2]

I was going to suggest you shell out the extra 30 bucks, or whatever it is to get the Acronis winpe.

What does it ask for in the instructions ?

You might be fine to use the 32 bit recovery disc for that. It depends what Acronis expects to find when you point it at winpe.

If that's the case, you can just put the 32 bit recovery cd in the drive, rt click the drive select copy.

Then rt click your HD ( e.g. your C partition ) and select paste.

It might accept that as the winpe base. ( I haven't used the plus pack - I built my own. )

On the other hand , if it's expecting you to download WAIK - you're in for a treat - it's a gigantic download.

If you can upload the .inf file from the Bartpe plugin - it would be interesting to see. ( It's only a text file )


If you're a Paragon user - you don't have to do all that. WinPe download is available with the paid versions - ready made, just boot it up. They don't charge extra , either.

 

[squid13]

I guess I'll have to digest all this and decide what I want to do, thanks to everyone for your responses. Didn't realize it would be so complicated.

 

[SIW2]

As you have the plus pack , it should be straightforward - that's what you paid for.

The help file will explain.

I'm surprised they don't have a ready made iso for you to d/l. :shock:



Try this:

1. Copy and paste the contents of the 32 bit recovery cd to the HD.

2. Start Menu> Acronis > Plus Pack for Acronis True Image Home 2010 > Acronis WinPE ISO Builder

3. Select path to the folder with the WinPE files ( e.g. C:\recoverydiskfiles) It might let you browse for the folder .

4. Choose create ISO image

5. Choose where to put the image you are making including the file name. Again , it might let you browse for a location - just type any name for it in save as dialog box

6. Click Proceed

7. Rt click the iso you just made and burn to cd using windows image burner

 

[squid13]

What are you referring to as the 32 bit recovery CD. To do that you would just right click your cd drive and select copy and then take it to you C drive and select paste, is that correct. In the instructions it says I have to download and install the Windows Automated installation kit. So if that's a big download I guess I'll start tomorrow.

 

[SIW2]

You need to get the 32 bit version of the win7 recovery disc - copy that your HD as you describe.

It's a fair bet Acronis will happy with that.

You can d/l it here :

Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files

I expect Acronis will accept it as the PE source. However, they may be relying on the tools in WAIK to do the job - in which case it won't work.

Worth a try.

WAIK2 is about 1.5gb if memory serves. Then you have to install it from it's iso format.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[squid13]

`I downloaded the WAIK for Windows 7 PE 3.0 and burned the ISO to a DVD. I tried to install wAIKx86 but of course it wouldn't install cause I have a 64 bit system. If I install wAIKAMD64 I'm wondering if it will work if I make a PE and try to use it for Acronis recovery disk. The Acronis is in my Program Files for 32 bit. I haven't installed the wAIKAMD64 yet untill I find out if it will work.

 

[squid13]

Just wanted to let you know that I got it done. I used the Acronis Forum and they walked me through it. They had tutorial in the form of a sticky that showed you how to do it. After you figured it out was rather easy. Good learning experience. Thank you for all your help.

 

[SIW2]

Thanks for the update.

Glad you got it working.