Adding Windows 7 to OSS

ANGO wrote:

But if I boot into Windos 7 I cant see two partitions. One with the bootfile bootmgr and the /boot folder ... and a normal partition on my second drive. On windows XP all partitions are visible.

Check in Windows Disk Management to see if W7 can see the partitions but hasn't allocated a drive letter to them.

ANGO,

If what Colin suggested doesn't work, check the that the correct partitions are hidden/unhidden for the Winodws 7 OSS entry. You can do this normally from OSS (either in Windows or when booted to OSS).

Both partitions hasn´t allocated drive letters. After naming a drive letter to each partition windows 7 is working fine.

Thank you Colin and MudCrab for your great support.
All my problems are solved. ;)

Hi MudCrab!

Read many of your posts helping people with their OSS Setup. So in advance: Thanks for your great help!

Now to my problem:

Have successfuly setup my system with two XP partitions (first partition installed, imaged via TrueImage, then restored into newly setup partition, then installed OSS to first partition, got the two XP into OSS). All works just fine! Will perhaps later try to install OSS into a separate primary partition thus making the OS partitions more independent.

My system has one disk.

Partition 1: Primary, Active (at least set in DD), Unhidden (in DD as well), NTFS, installed Windows XP #1

Partition 2: Primary, Hidden (in DD), NTFS, installed Windows XP #2

Partition 3: Primary, Hidden (in DD), NTFS, tried to properly install Windows 7 here

Partition 4: Extended, logical drives are:

a) Hidden (in DD), NTFS, for installing a Linux distrib. later (I know that NTFS is not the right format, will reformat it later)

b) Unhidden (in DD), NTFS, Data partition 1

c) Unhidden (in DD), NTFS, Data partition 2

d) Unhidden (in DD), NTFS, Data partition 3

e) Unhidden (in DD), NTFS, System backup partition

Again, booting to the two XP installations works fine. I have marked all other primary OS partitions as hidden in OSS for each XP installation. Logical drive for Linux is marked hidden in both XPs, too.

Now comes the Windows 7 partition: After I generated the new partition for it stated above in DD (made the partition active, unhidden and set the other primary ones hidden), I setup the OSS entry for it by using your manual method you posted for both Vista and Windows 7. I reconfigured the entry then in OSS itself setting all other primary partitions and the logical Linux drive hidden (my bootwiz.oss is attached to this post).

I then started with the Windows 7 boot disk and installed it to the third (primary, active, unhidden) partition.

When I had to reboot, the screen stopped with a blinking cursor and the system did nothing else...

Then started with DD boot disk and marked first partition again as active, unhidden and set the other ones to hidden again. After reboot the OSS showed up again (as thought...) and I had my Windows 7 entry there. But when I clicked it, same problem: just a blinking cursor on black screen.

I tried reconfiguring the OSS entry several times. I tried the option to write boot sector at startup, deactivated large disk option, set the manual boot order option (though I already knew this couldn't help because I only have one disk that is always used as boot drive).

Then I started with Windows 7 boot disk and entered the repair console. I there tried to edit the BCD with bcdedit.exe. I set the default configuration to use "boot" as "device" and "osdevice" instead of "partition=c:". Started again, nothing new...

Started with 7 boot disk, entered repair console again and tried "bootrec /fixmbr" and "bootrec /fixboot". Rebooted. This time Windows 7 actually occured! The OSS didn't get started, since the MBR directly directed to Windows 7 partition, I guess. Only thing I saw from Windows 7 was CHKDSK analyzing my drives for error (due to the unnormal starts of the OS, I assume). After that automatic reboot, then again blinking cursor only, no OSS.

I then booted with DD boot disk again, setting first partiton again as the active one unhidden, hiding all other OS partitions. Booted again, OSS came up, tried Windows 7 entry again... nothing, as I already knew before...

Do you have any hints what to do here? I really would like to try the Windows 7 RC, but want to use XP as well regularly.

Thanks for helping me!

Michael,

It sounds like you did it correctly, except that I would add the Windows 7 OSS entry after Windows 7 has been installed instead of before. This is because the partition ID value may change.

The problem of Windows not starting correctly on the reboot during the installation is usually caused by formatting the partition with DD. If you did this, make sure to reformat the Windows 7 partition as part of the installation (it's an Advanced Option on the partition selection screen).

If that doesn't work, post back. Windows 7 needs to be installed and booting correctly on its own or it won't work from OSS.

Hello Everyone,

Just my 2-bits. I have been following the latest comments/problems and this is why I install OSS into a work partition and not a partition that contains one of my OS's. that way I can hide all my other OS partitions when I am booting into a selected OS.

Just my thoughts...

Jerry,

I also prefer the OSS installation to be in a non-OS partition. This also allows one to restore any OS partition without it messing up the main OSS files. For example: If OSS is installed to your XP partition and you later restore your XP partition, the main OSS files will also be restored. This can cause problems with booting and also with your OS entries if any of the files were changed after the backup was created.

Hi!

... which brings me to my new question to ask:

As stated above, I want to install two Windows XP installations, one Windows 7 RC and a Linux. The 3 Windows installations all should reside on a primary partition, then there's a extended one for data and Linux.

With only one Harddisk in my computer, where to put OS Selector if not onto one of the Windows partitions?

My answer was: To a USB stick.

The question now is: How do I get my computer to boot OSS properly from an USB stick? I already tried to install OSS on a blank stick with one active, formatted FAT32 primary partition. Then got into the BIOS to have the boot order setup to boot from USB first. Also set the Harddisk boot priority to use the USB stick first (ordering the entries by their names, my USB stick (Toshiba one) was one of them).

The first boot went not too good, had errors saying that the system can not boot from the device. Pressing any key one or two times I finally got into OSS and could reconfigure and start Windows XP from there residing on the Harddisk.

To remove the errors, I got back into BIOS trying some different settings. Didn't find a configuration that was working for this scenario. I didn't get the system to start OSS again from the stick.

Can you help me with that?

Also googled for that problem and stumbled upon this site:

http://www.acronis.com/r/support/en/kb/388/flash_syslinux.html

Is doing this in addition to installing OSS onto the stick necessary?

Thanks a lot!

P.S.: Haven't got to the pint to try installing Windows 7 again, MudCrab. ;) Hope to do so soon, thanks for your tips on that!

I would not recommend installing OSS on a removable drive (USB or otherwise). If you don't want OSS installed on an OS partition, it can be on a data partition. It doesn't need to be on the booting drive, though it will still take over the MBR on the booting drive. Also, the partition doesn't have to be a Primary partition. A Logical partition will work.

I have my OSS installation files on my third hard drive in a FAT32 Logical partition that's shared between Windows and Linux.

In your case, you could install the OSS files to the Logical data partition or you could create a small Logical partition just for the OSS files (100MB or so).

I think I have it now:

Windows 7 properly installed and added to OSS, working!

OSS installed now on a logical partition

Thanks again!

Hello,

I am new to this forum. Just wanted to know what is the correct order to install Win7 on a computer that already has WinXP using OSS. I have the OSS CD and the Win 7 DVD in my hand what do I need to do next (WinXP is already installed)?

The method I prefer is to have your Windows installations on the booting drive and all in Primary partitions.

Here is an example:

1. Make sure your DD CD includes the OSS programs.
2. Create a backup image of the current drive (just in case it's needed).
3. Deactivate OSS and select XP as the default OS (do not uninstall OSS).
4. Boot to DD from the CD.
5. Create the Windows 7 Primary partition if it doesn't already exist.
6. Set the Windows 7 partition as Active. Set the XP partition as hidden. Apply the changes.
7. Boot to the Windows 7 DVD and install Windows 7. Make sure to select the correct partition. Also make sure to have the Windows 7 installer reformat the destination partition (this is to avoid any DD formatting problems).
8. Once Windows 7 is installed and booting properly, boot to the DD CD and reactivate OSS.
9. Boot into XP.
10. Add Windows 7 to the BOOTWIZ.OSS file.

Excellent. I love step-by-step guides.

My only hesitation. As indicated in a previous post, My machine and OSS seem to have "issues". When I install OSS to the OS partition, the folder with the bootwiz file(s) is not there. I do have hidden files visible.

What I have NOT tried is installing OSS to a logical parition different than the one the OS resides on. I may try that next.

Would it be OK to install OSS to a logical partition on a second HDD?

GrumpyAeroGuy wrote:

Would it be OK to install OSS to a logical partition on a second HDD?

Yes, this is how I have mine set up. My OS partitions are all on my first HDD, and my data partitions are on my second HDD. OSS is installed in the first logical data partition on my second HDD, which is my most stable partition, i.e., I don't expect to be monkeying around much with this partition other than resizing (though one can always uninstall / reinstall OSS if necessary anyway).

Doug

I have just installed Disk Director 10 v 2239 in Windows 7 RC1 64 bit and the installation loader shows" not compatible with this system"
Previous version from 2007 worked on most functions with no problem.
Why is the new version not compatible ?

Roger Phillis wrote:

I have just installed Disk Director 10 v 2239 in Windows 7 RC1 64 bit and the installation loader shows" not compatible with this system"
Previous version from 2007 worked on most functions with no problem.
Why is the new version not compatible ?

I have raised a ticket yesterday with Support on this problem. I've also started a thread earlier last week about it, but no comment from Acronis as yet.

Hi, the last DirSuite 10 2239 build still doesn't support windows 7. Windows 7 will be available in 3 weeks. Will be there another build for that or DirSuite 10 will never be supported.

thanks Toni

Antonio Zampino wrote:

Hi, the last DirSuite 10 2239 build still doesn't support windows 7. Windows 7 will be available in 3 weeks. Will be there another build for that or DirSuite 10 will never be supported.

thanks Toni

I don't definitively know the answer to this, but it wouldn't surprise me if official Win 7 support will come with a new version (e.g., ADD 11), as opposed to a new build of ADD 10.

Doug

Hello all,

Thank you for using Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0

The next version Acronis Disk Director 11.0 will support Windows 7.  We do not plan to release an update compatible with Windows 7. The exact date of the new version release is unknown.

Thank you.

Hi to all,

in order my english is not so good, it's a little difficult to read 69 Post's to hope to find the right way.

So what happend to me (or my Computer):

Two XP installations on one harddisk with OSS. Than I have erase the first partition (the XP in the second works fine at this point). Shut down the computer and reboot with Win7 installation media.

Now my Win7 64bit works fine and shows a selector for 'previous Windows' and 'Windows 7'.

If I change to the old installation I get an error '[Bootdevice]\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe is missing or corrupt'.

If have try to fix it, without success. Now I want to install OSS (it looks quite better than the BCD-Bootloader) for select the different operation systems.

Is this possible? And can someone please give me a short step by step instruction for it.

(something like: boot from acronis media, hide win7 partition, fix XP by installation media, reinstall OSS.....)

Thank you very much for your effort.

Regards from Germany

Frank

Hello Oleg,

is it possible to joint a beta-program???

Thanks

Frank

Frank,

It would probably be best for you to start a new thread with your problem so it doesn't get lost in this thread.

---

In the new thread, please answer these questions:

Do you have a standard Microsoft OEM or retail XP CD?

Can you post a screenshot of what Disk Management shows for your drives?

Is OSS currently installed?

Did you install Windows 7 into the first partition?

Does XP in the second partition boot properly if you boot to the DD CD, set the XP partition Active, apply the change and reboot?

I had a chat with the Acronis support team and they told me that Disk Director 10 is not compatible with Windows 7. So, they can not guarantee the functioning for OSS..
Maybe I should wait for the new version, which supports 'Windows 7'.

You can wait if you want, but be aware that even Vista (which is "supported" now) doesn't always work correctly with OSS either. In addition, there are still some XP setups that also aren't detected correctly.

While you're waiting, you may want to check out some other boot managers. Then you can compare them when DD/OSS 11 comes out.

Hi,
I need again your help.
After adding a new terrabyte harddisk I´ve installed windows 7 on the first partition. On the second partition I´ve installed windows xp. Windows XP is bootig fine with OSS.
The Bootwiz folder with the bootwiz.oss is on the hidden windows 7 partition.
I´ve changed the bootwiz.oss manually, but without luck. OSS removed my manual added entry after reboot.

Hope you can help me again ;)

ANGO,

Try this file and see if it works.

...you are my hero again! ;)

Thank you very much.

Hello all,

Thank you for using Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0

Frank,

If you would like to become a beta tester, please follow this link and fill in the respective web form.

Thank you

Hello MudCrab, and other who are helping on this forum. I need some help with my attempt to install Windows 7. Attached are my bootwiz.oss and a screenshot of ADD(I hope I took it in manual mode). Could you please help me with a modified bootwiz.oss? Thank you.

This would sure be easier will an updated ADD program.

Dohhboy,

Is Windows 7 already installed? If not, it needs to be before modifying the BOOTWIZ.OSS file. Basic instructions are in Post #62 (you would be hiding your XP and Vista partitions).

No Windows 7 is not installed yet. After reading post #62, is there any reason to modify the bootwiz.oss file?

There's no reason to modify the file until AFTER Windows 7 is installed.

OK. I followed the directions. I have Windows 7 installed, and OSS is reactivated, and I am booted in Windows XP. Could you please help me modify my bootwiz.oss file to include Windows 7? Thank you very much.

You would need to post the current BOOTWIZ.OSS file. If the disk layout hasn't changed, you don't need to post the DD screenshot again as it's already in Post #79.

Here is my current BOOTWIZ.OSS, of course renamed a txt file to post here. I hope this is the last time I have to bother you. And once again, thanks for your time and help.

Try this file and see if it works.

Thanks again. Worked like a charm.

the 531 G partition is my windows 7 partition, ubuntu shows up in OSS but not windows, I have to select boot and then boot from the GRUB bootloader menu. Thanks for your help!

Try this file and see if it works.

На первом диске будет установлено ХР в 1 разделе 68.41Гб. Он был тогда создан Vista в 54.56Гб 2 раздела.
После этого была создана DDS 10 и OS Selector.
Диск был отключен. Две новые диски были включены RAID0, и на них установлена Windows 7 Ultimate
Теперь это будет необходимо, чтобы 1 диск слишком связно. XP и Vista определены, и Windows 7 - это не настоящий.
Испробовала все, что было написано на форуме, не помогло.

MudCrab wrote:

Try this file and see if it works.

Thanks MudCrab, no dice though. thought i saw 2 OS's but one was the iatkos DVD I think, whatever it was it wouldn't boot and i right click-deleted it it from within OSS

peter bell,

When you boot into Windows 7, check Disk Management and let me know which partition is shown as the (System, Active) partition. You could also post a screenshot. From the DD screenshot you posted, it looks like it should be the SYSTEM RESERVED 100MB partition.

Are you using build 2,160 or later of DD/OSS?

If you deactivate OSS (don't uninstall it) and use DD to set the SYSTEM RESERVED partition Active (it may already be) and boot the computer, does Windows 7 start or does GRUB still start? The OSS entry for Ubuntu isn't pointing to a partition so I'm guessing GRUB is installed to the MBR.

юрий шоломицкий wrote:

Has tried everything, that has been written at a forum, has not helped.

Try this file and see if it works. If it doesn't boot Windows 7, please post back with what does happen, including any error messages.

MudCrab wrote:

peter bell,

When you boot into Windows 7, check Disk Management and let me know which partition is shown as the (System, Active) partition. You could also post a screenshot. From the DD screenshot you posted, it looks like it should be the SYSTEM RESERVED 100MB partition.

Are you using build 2,160 or later of DD/OSS?

Yes I am

If you deactivate OSS (don't uninstall it) and use DD to set the SYSTEM RESERVED partition Active (it may already be) and boot the computer, does Windows 7 start or does GRUB still start? The OSS entry for Ubuntu isn't pointing to a partition so I'm guessing GRUB is installed to the MBR.

В меню загрузки OS Selector появилась Windows 7. При попытке загрузить ее, она загружается Windows XP с первого диска 298,1 Гб. Windows 7 он находится RAID0 на вторую 465.8Гб диска.

юрий шоломицкий wrote:

In the menu of loading OS Selector has appeared Windows 7. At attempt to load it, it is loaded Windows XP c the first disk 298.1 Гб. Windows 7 it is located RAID0 on the second disk 465.8Гб.

What build of DD/OSS are you using?

If you boot directly to the RAID 0 drive, does Windows 7 boot normally?

Have you tried using the Disk Order option for the Windows 7 entry and setting the Windows 7 drive first in the list? (Note: In build 2,160 this option doesn't work correctly with Vista. It may be different with Windows 7 or if a later build is being used.)

peter bell wrote:

Are you using build 2,160 or later of DD/OSS?
Yes I am

I should have asked which build you're using. If you're using a build later than 2,160, it may be working differently.

Also, you didn't answer this question:

If you deactivate OSS (don't uninstall it) and use DD to set the SYSTEM RESERVED partition Active (it may already be) and boot the computer, does Windows 7 start or does GRUB still start? The OSS entry for Ubuntu isn't pointing to a partition so I'm guessing GRUB is installed to the MBR.

I use Acronis Disk Director Suite v 10.0 (build 2 161)
MudCrab asks:If you boot directly to the RAID 0 drive, does Windows 7 boot normally?
yes.
Have you tried using the Disk Order option for the Windows 7 entry and setting the Windows 7 drive first in the list?
Yes. The black screen and the blinking cursor.

I have installed W7 on my PC and and then downloaded Disk Director. I tried the demo version first and it worked fine, so I naturally assumed that, since that worked fine, I would have no problems with the full version.

However the full version would not even install telling me it didn't support W7. Is there a work around for this?

Does anyone know when the v7-compliant version will be available and whether it would be a free upgrade.

Many thanks

Geoff

Please help me :,( i have huge problem....

i have windows xp(232gb) and windows 7 (232gb partition)
i have installed the acronis and i can t find the win7 boot logo!!!!

please help !!!!!

thanx