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Steps to create a bootable Windows PE RAM CD/DVD

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The following article shows how to create a bootable WinPE disk with Windows Vista Automated Installation Kit (WAIK).

Requirements

  • WAIK: Windows Vista Automated Installation Kit (get the download here).
  • CDBurn/Dvdburn utility: this tool allows burning a DVD from a ISO Image (Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools).
  • Technician PC: a pc with a CD/DVD ROM Drive (RW capable) with Windows AIK installed on it.
  • A blank CD or DVD.

Steps to create the bootable disk

  • Run the following commands from "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt" :
    • copype.cmd x86 c:\winpe_x86
  • (optional) Copy imagex tool and an imagex exclusion list:

    • Run copy "C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86\imagex.exe" "C:\winpe_x86\ISO"

    • create a wimscript.ini file to "C:\winpe_x86\ISO" with the following exclusions

      [ExclusionList]

      ntfs.log

      hiberfil.sys

      pagefile.sys

      "System Volume Information"

      RECYCLER

      Windows\CSC

      [CompressionExclusionList]

      *.mp3

      *.zip

      *.cab

      \WINDOWS\inf\*.pnf

  • Create the iso for the bootable disk :
    • oscdimg -n -bC:\winpe_x86\etfsboot.com C:\winpe_x86\ISO C:\winpe_x86\winpe_x86.iso
  • Burn the iso file to a dvd or cdrom
    • "dvdburn d: C:\winpe_x86\winpe_x86.iso" to burn the iso file to a DVD.
    • "cdburn d: C:\winpe_x86\winpe_x86.iso" to burn the iso file to a CD.

Note that step 2 is not required and is only useful to have imagex tool on the bootable disk.

You may add any other tools or batches to your bootable disk in a similar way.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2007
    The steps to create a lab installation are easy with Windows Vista AIK. With a clear idea of what you
  • Anonymous
    July 18, 2007
    good
  • Anonymous
    January 14, 2008
    Thanks for posting the article -- it's been a great help -- got me up and running with a bootable CD in minutes ! Thanks
  • Anonymous
    February 14, 2008
    thank you for this mate, the copy of the script i had from Microsoft was incorrect, did yours and away we go!!