Adding Windows 7 to OSS
Did you make any partitioning changes with DD 11?
Disk Director 11 isn't out yet is it?
Hi John,
It's still in Beta Testing.....
Hi Jerry,
Oh, I see. Well, I hope you get OSS working with your Win 7 - because it's a pain the way it is now ;-)
I'm sure Mudcrab will testify to that ;-)
PS - Also, I hope they let us know when ver 11 is out.
Jerry,
Can you verify the build? If I have to run a test, I want to use the correct build.
Also, OSS shows that it did pick up the second XP automatically (probably after boot.ini was added). You may want to delete the entry I added from the menu and then rename the automatically added one.
OSS removed the "os_type" value from the Windows 7 entry.
If you deactivate OSS (don't uninstall) and select XP as the booting OS and then use DD to set the Windows 7 partition Active, does Windows 7 boot correctly?
Hi MudCrab,
I deactivated OSS and selected MAIN2 as the boot OS, then used DD to make MAIN7 (Win7) active
it did boot into Windows 7 just as it should.
I then used DD to make MAIN2 ( my main WinXP ) active and
then used DD to activate OSS and it failed. did this twice...
Now what? also just how do I find out the exact version of OSS?
I have been using the same DD cd for a LONG time without any problem.
In fact it is the same cd as I used the last time when we added Win7
the first time.
Thanks,
Jerry
If you look in the Help >> About box of OSS it will show the build. It should be the same as DD.
Do you have OSS installed in XP? If so, does it reactivate correctly from there?
Otherwise, does a repair install of OSS work?
Hi MudCrab,
My ERROR. I was working with OSS ver: 2117.....
I found the right CD and did a OS Selector repair/update and now when I do a
cold boot the help shows OSS ver: 2160....
The OSS screen now shows an icon for MAIN7 ( windows 7 ), but I get a message
"OS Selector was unable to load Windows 7 Operating System: the file system type ofthe operating system is not supported".
The OSS BOOTWIZ main directory is in one of my working partitions
I think Windows 7 is OK as when I did the DD10 make WIN7 active while OSS was deactivated it booted OK.
Attached is the current BOOTWIZ file.
I am backing up ALL BOOTWIZ directories now BEFORE I make ANY changes.....
Thanks,
Jerry
Jerry,
The older build is most likely what caused the problem as it doesn't recognize Vista (or Windows 7, manually).
I added the removed OS type value. See if this works.
Hi MudCrab,
Many THANKS....
Looks like everything is back to normal ( for me )...
I can not stress enough that people using OSS really NEED to make a copy of ALL
of the BOOTWIZ directories on ALL their partitions on ALL their drives when they
have everything set up the way they like it.
Mine was a bitter lesson and I KNEW better...
Again Thanks,
Jerry
Hi Mudcrab,
Me again...
I just installed Windows7 Pro here at work in the same partition I had Win7 Ultra and now I have
messed up things again.
I was able to re-install WinXP Pro Corp into MAIN3 and have no problem there, however when I select
WinXP as MAIN2 it goes into a "Windows Boot Manager" and I have the selection of Win7 or Old Win
(which is my WinXP as MAIN2).
HELP....
I have attached my 2 files and hope you can do your magic for me again.
If you want to dump any trash i have in BootWiz.oss that's OK with me...
Thanks a Bunch,
Jerry
Jerry,
It sounds like your XP partition (MAIN2) was Active and visible when Windows 7 was installed. In this case, Windows 7 places its booting files on the XP partition and takes over the booting of both operating systems. You would need to fix the XP (MAIN2) partition to boot XP only and then either move the Windows 7 files to the Windows 7 partition or just reinstall Windows 7, making sure the Windows 7 partition is Active.
Note: All repairs should be done with OSS deactivated.
XP can be repaired by setting the XP partition (MAIN2) Active, booting to the XP CD, entering the Recovery Console, and running the fixboot command.
Windows 7 can be repaired by setting the Windows 7 partition Active, hiding all XP partitions, and then reinstalling Windows 7. If you don't want to reinstall Windows 7, other methods can be used. However, if it's a clean install and doesn't take too long (Windows 7 usually installs fairly quickly), it may be the simplest method.
Note: All repairs should be done with OSS deactivated.
I can vouch for that. Always deactivate OSS and have just the one partition visible.
XP can be repaired by setting the XP partition (MAIN2) Active, booting to the XP CD, entering the Recovery Console, and running the fixboot command.
Windows 7 can be repaired by setting the Windows 7 partition Active, hiding all XP partitions, and then reinstalling Windows 7. If you don't want to reinstall Windows 7, other methods can be used. However, if it's a clean install and doesn't take too long (Windows 7 usually installs fairly quickly), it may be the simplest method.
Win 7 can be "repaired" too - just boot up the Win 7 DVD.
John Braner,
Thanks for reminding me of that. If the Windows 7 partition is set Active, you can do a boot repair from the Windows 7 DVD. It usually takes two or three attempts to get everything fixed.
Hi Mudcrab,
You can also use BCDEDIT from the command line, to delete all entries except for the one that boots from the local C: drive. For example, you would delete the reference to the XP partition.
This is why it would be great if OSS could be tied into Win 7, and understand it's booting method, and link in to BCD etc.
Hi MudCrab,
Did all the steps you listed and still have the problem of Windows 7 not loading using OSS selection.
The steps I did are:
01. Deactivated OSS
02. used DD10 boot disk and made all partitions hidden except Windows XP (MAIN2)
03. set the XP partition (MAIN2) Active, booting to the XP CD, entering the Recovery Console, and running the fixboot command.
04. used DD10 boot disk and made all partitions hidden except Windows 7 (MAIN7)
05. set the Windows 7 partition Active, hid all partitions except MAIN7 , then reinstalled Windows 7.
06. Activated OSS using OSS setup/activate.
Both MAIN2 ( windows xp ) and MAIN3C ( windows xp ) boot ok from OSS screen at boot.
Win7 (MAIN7) still gives me a massage " OSS unable to load MAIN7 os. the required partition cannot be
found.
During the install of Win7 there was no problem booting into it.
I have attached the 2 files you have requested in the past.
HELP,
Jerry
Jerry,
Try this file.
Hi MudCrab,
OOPS...
I have all my partitions un-hidden and when I boot using bootwiz_oss_jerry_smith_f.txt as bootwiz.oss
I only have 2 windows icons ( that boot MAIN2 and MAIN3C ) and one for floppy A: drive.
When I look at the code in the OS area there are only 3 entries, one of which is an Floppy drive.
Could you take a look again at the files I sent you on the 14th?
Many Thanks for all you do.
Jerry
Jerry,
Because of how you've moved and changed things around, the file has several "hidden" OS entries (I assume you hid them). I normally don't change which partitions are hidden for each OS when I edit the file. This is because different users like different things. In addition, it takes more time to do this manually. It's much faster for the user to just edit the OS entry in OSS and verify that the correct partitions are hidden by checking/unchecking the option.
If your BOOTWIZ.OSS file is now showing only three entries, OSS has probably changed something. Please attach the current file so I can see it.
Hi MudCrab,
current BootWiz.oss File is attached...
Thanks,
Jerry
Jerry,
Try this file.
If you want any partitions hidden, edit the settings of each OS menu entry from OSS before booting into an OS. For example, at the OSS menu, right-click on the XP entry, select Properties, click on Partitions, and set the other XP partition and the Windows 7 partition as hidden. Then click OK to save the changes.
Hi MudCrab,
WOW! Now everything WORKS!!!
Many Thanks,
Jerry
P.S. NOW to backup EVERYTHING...
Hi, installed Windows XP on a 50 GB partition (after installing windows 7 on a 200 GB partition) on a 500 GB drive. Then I installed Acronis OSS in XP and can boot Windows 7 anymore. I get a floppy option (there's no floppy drive and doesnt work) and XP on boot up. Only the XP option comes up which works fine. Windows 7 is still there on the drives and therefore must be a boot up issue. Screen shot and BOOTWIZ.OSS from XP attached. Any help much appreciated. Cheers Neil
Neil,
Apparently, when you installed XP, you didn't have the XP partition set as Active. The XP booting files are on the Windows 7 SRP. It's recommended to fix this before setting up OSS to boot Windows 7.
When you boot into XP, is C: assigned to the XP partition? If not, I would recommend you reinstall XP and have the XP partition Active when you do. It probably wouldn't hurt to hide the SRP and Windows 7 partition too.
Win7 OSs not recognized. MudCrab Need help!
Here is my story. Bear with me for a min.
Have HDrive 2 (my previous booting drive) with 3 partition and 3 instances of XP. One for Video editing, one for Games and one for Music production, all separate as all are memory and process intensive. Dont like to mix apples and mellons. Works flowlessly for years. Old Acronis OSS sees them all.
Then I think its time to upgrade. I buy Win 7 Pro ($200), a new HD WD-Black-500gb ($70) and latest Acronis Disk Director 11, built 216, ($48), as advertised to work with Win 7.
I install Win 7 and it creates 2 partitions (1 called "System Restore") and partition 2 or C: drive where all programs reside. OK, i think, have no problem with that, it may be a new trend.
I then create 2 more partitions on this WD500, cause I want to replicate my old habbits and usage i.e. I need 3 oss (Video,Games, Music) same as my old drive.
Now I back up and restore my original Win 7 installation from C: on to partition 3 and 4 on WD500 or HDisk1. Been there, done that with XP before. Works as a charm.
Finally I install Acronis OSS, v11 built 216, and think everything should work fine.
WHAT D F.. It does find the booting WIN 7 on C: and all instances (3) of XP from the old Drive. But whatever I do, manualy or automatic, IT REFUSES TO SEE Win 7 on partition 3 and 4 of the bootable disk 1.
I spent $48 under the assumtion this is fixed, no more problems, no more code writing etc.
I started reading your guide and will eventually try to resolve it, once I understand what you are talking about, but that is not the point. This version is suposed to work with Win7 from the box. Isn't it??
One frustrated customer
Alex,
I haven't installed my OSS 11 yet - but if I were you, I'd try either reinstalling or "repairing" the Win 7 on Partition 3 and 4. Make sure that OSS is deactivated and that only the partition you're working on is visible. Win 7 is a lot different from XP, and when you install - it tries to put a boot loader on only one partition and then use it's own multi-booting.
Mudcrab is the expert here, but I've been through the Win 7 pain barrier, and I hope OSS 11 makes life a little easier for us ;-)
Alex,
I haven't installed my OSS 11 yet - but if I were you, I'd try either reinstalling or "repairing" the Win 7 on Partition 3 and 4. Make sure that OSS is deactivated and that only the partition you're working on is visible. Win 7 is a lot different from XP, and when you install - it tries to put a boot loader on only one partition and then use it's own multi-booting.
Mudcrab is the expert here, but I've been through the Win 7 pain barrier, and I hope OSS 11 makes life a little easier for us ;-)
Alex,
I haven't installed my OSS 11 yet - but if I were you, I'd try either reinstalling or "repairing" the Win 7 on Partition 3 and 4. Make sure that OSS is deactivated and that only the partition you're working on is visible. Win 7 is a lot different from XP, and when you install - it tries to put a boot loader on only one partition and then use it's own multi-booting.
Mudcrab is the expert here, but I've been through the Win 7 pain barrier, and I hope OSS 11 makes life a little easier for us ;-)
Alex Forenbacher,
OSS can't see the additional Windows 7 partitions because there is no BCD file on them. The BCD file and the other booting files are on the System Reserved (100MB) Partition (SRP).
Basically, you need to put the booting files onto the #3 and #4 partitions and then OSS should find them. The files can be copied manually or replaced by doing a boot repair from the Windows 7 DVD.
To do the boot repair:
- Boot to the DD CD. If you have a DD 10 CD that works on the computer, it will be easier.
- Set the Windows partition you need to fix as Active and unhidden (see next step for hiding/unhiding).
- Hide all the other Windows partitions (including the SRP). If using DD 10, just hide them normally. If using DD 11, select the partition, select Change partition type, select 017h Hidden NTFS, HPFS. To unhide a partition with DD 11, do the same except select the 07h Windows NTFS, Windows exFAT, OS/2 HPFS type.
- Apply the changes
- Remove the DD CD and insert the Windows 7 DVD.
- Exit DD to reboot the computer (or just reboot the computer).
- Press a key when prompted to boot from the Windows 7 DVD.
- Choose to Repair the computer.
- A scan should be performed and automatic repairs suggested. Accept them and let it reboot. Boot back to the Windows 7 DVD and do the Repair again. Let the automatic repair proceed and reboot again. This time don't boot the DVD. Windows 7 should boot.
- Verify in Disk Management that the correct partition is booting and everything looks correct.
- Repeat steps for the other Windows 7 partition.
You may want to remove the SRP. I don't usually recommend it when multi-booting because it requires a partition table slot that may be needed. If you remove the partition, the Windows 7 booting files will need to be repaired on that partition too.
Note: I have not yet tested OSS 11 as to if it detects a "repaired" BCD file.
---
To copy the booting files:
Note: In the instructions below, X: refers to the Windows partition that needs a copy of the booting files. Make sure to use the correct drive letter for your system.
- Boot into the original Windows 7.
- Go to Disk Management and assign a drive letter to the SR partition. S: will be used here.
- Start an Administrator Command Prompt.
- Run the following commands (bolded below) at the command prompt:
- Run this: reg unload HKLM\BCD00000000
- Run this: robocopy s:\ x:\ bootmgr
- Run this: robocopy s:\Boot x:\Boot /s
- Run this: bcdedit /store x:\boot\bcd /set {bootmgr} device partition=x:
- Run this: bcdedit /store x:\boot\bcd /set {default} device partition=x:
- Run this: bcdedit /store x:\boot\bcd /set {default} osdevice partition=x:
---
Whichever method is used, make sure to setup the OSS menu entries with the Windows 7 partition Active and the other Windows partitions hidden. The exception to this is is you keep the SRP. For that boot item, the SRP should be Active since it's the booting partition.
NOTE: Originally posted on 06-24-2010. Edited on 10-14-2010.
I would like to thank MudCrab for ALL the work he has put into adding Windows 7 to OSS.
I will be leaving Acronis OSS behind with all the nasty/TOO Technical stuff it takes to make it work at all.
BootIT NG is a wonder compared to Acronis OSS 11. Acronis should take a HARD look at this product!
The lack of key features in DD 11 that were in DD 10 will force me into making another sad decision.
I have been a fan of Acronis for years and have recommended it to all who would listen ( even at work ),
HOWEVER those days seem to be over.
It is really sad to see such a fine company with such great products going down the tubes.
Unless and until I can see a GREAT change in attitude and PRODUCTS I will be an EX Acronis user.
Well, I've just "upgraded" to DD11 and am completely underwhelmed with OSS. It now recognised Windows 7 but:
- you still have to manually edit the bootwiz.oss file to fix the "hidden" partitions, that you can't untick the box in the OSS screen.
- You can't access Disk Director from the OSS bootup screen anymore! That stinks.
- I can't run OSS Setup from within Windows 7. Can anyone else? I don't know if it's because I'm running 64 bit or not. It says
"Can't find the necessary Acronis OS Selector modules. Please re-install" and "Acronis OS Selector can't find the necessary configuration files" What is it looking for! It works fine when booting, but it would be nice to run the configuration from within Windows.
- OSS doesn't install onto the Acronis boot media. This may be tied to the last problem, but this is completely useless! When things go pear shaped (which is everytime you touch something in OSS) you need to be able to boot from CD to fix it! The only solution is to hold on to an old boot CD to use for OSS.
I had high hopes for this update, but it's pretty much the same crap as the last version. :-\
EDIT - sorry, kept trying to update and nothing seemed to be happening...
Sigh - even the forum sucks today...
I would like to thank MudCrab for ALL the work he has put into adding Windows 7 to OSS.
I will be leaving Acronis OSS behind with all the Nasty/TOO Technical stuff it takes to make it work at all.
[edited] is a wonder compared to Acronis OSS 11. Acronis should take a HARD look at this product!
The lack of key features in DD 11 that were in DD 10 will force me into making another sad decision.
I have been a fan of Acronis for years and have recommended it to all who would listen ( even at work ),
HOWEVER those days seem to be over.
It is really sad to see such a fine company with such great products going down the tubes.
Unless and until I can see a GREAT change in attitude and PRODUCTS I will be an EX Acronis user.
P.S. I would like to hear from other users that have found GOOD B&R programs...
MudCrab
Ref my post and yr reply of Jun 24
First I'd like to thank you for your quick reply and very precise step-by-step instructions. I had often complained for experts not being able to precisely express and instruct beginners as myself "how to"
You have my highest marks.
Now back to the subject of Win 7, DD11 and its OSS. IT DOES NOT WORK. I'm strugling for 4 days now trying it both ways with Win 7 Instalation Disk and Copying files and numerous variations. I have reached to the point where the OSS will recognise instances of Win 7 on partitions 3 and 4 but none of these will boot. I get "autochk program not found - skipping autochek" and then the blue screen of death or stop c000021 fatal sys err.
Not to mention that DD11 hiding partitions method (as you explained by using "select 017h Hidden NTFS, HPFS" will in my case actually not hide anything. It does not state that partitions are hidden anywhere and these also show up when Win 7 performs repairs.
DD10 does a better job of hiding partition but it has no option for changing or deleting partition letters.
DD11 restore/boot disk also has no OSS removal or deactivation tools, so when you finally realise OSS does not work, you have to unhide again the original boot partition, start up original Win 7 and then remove or deactivate OSS from within a running installation. WHAT a Waste ot time!!
What else can I try before contacting Acronis and requesting my money back??
Thanks Alex
Alex,
I'll try to run some tests on this tomorrow and see if I can figure out what's going on.
What version and build of TI did you use to create partitions 3 and 4?
Before trying to boot into either 3 or 4, did you use DD 11 to change the Windows drive letter assignment to be correct for each partition? For exmple, the Windows in partition 3 should have C: assigned to partition 3.
Have you tried using DD 11 (or 10) to copy the Windows partition instead of TI?
For now, I would recommend using DD 10 to hide/unhide partitions. DD 11 is just too flaky in this area. Windows 7 can see hidden partitions (as could Vista).
The BSOD and other errors sound like a partition is hidden that shouldn't be, drive letters are not correct, or the wrong partition is being booted. If you still have the system configured so that OSS can "see" Windows on 3 and 4, can you attach the BOOTWIZ.OSS file so I can take a look at it? It may help.
MudCrab
My TI is 2010 built 7046
Yes I used DD 11 to change letter assignment to C:
No I only used TI from bootable resque media to copy/restore partitions 3 and 4
OSS is now removed. I'll go again from scratch for just partitio 3 and will send you the bootwiz.oss
Alex,
I didn't have time to try it with TI 2010 yet, but I did it with DD 11 and it worked just fine. I used DD 11 (in Windows 7) to copy the Windows partition to partitions 3 and 4. Then I copied the booting files (as previously posted). Next, I used DD 11 to change the drive letter assignments to be correct. Finally, I installed OSS. It found all three and set them up just fine.
Hello,
I've been using OSS successfully to boot into either XP or XP Professional, each on a separate partition, as well as OSS on its own partition at the end of the disc.
I installed Windows 7 on the partition previously with XP Professional; now OSS doesn't see the Windows 7 OS.
Here is a link to the bootwiz.oss file I copied from the partition on which the OSS application is installed:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17197549/bootwiz.oss
Any help in getting OSS to see the Windows 7 install would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance,
Mike
Mike,
What version and build of DD/OSS are you using?
Is Windows 7 on the "Avid Pro Tools" partition?
Hi,
The OSS build is the 2,160 build; and I believe the DD version is 10 (will confirm when home)
Yes, the Windows 7 is installed on the "Avid Pro Tools" partition, thanks...
Try this file.
Hi,
Thanks very much for the help -
Well, the Acronis Loader came up, and it did show the Windows 7 OS (as well as the XP on the first partition)... however, Windows 7 wouldn't boot, just went to a blank screen with a blinking cursor....
Are the Windows 7 booting files (bootmgr and \Boot) on the Windows 7 partition?
Yes, I see the file bootmgr and the folder boot (which has many subfolders and files)
Was the Windows 7 partition Active when you installed Windows 7?
Can you post the current BOOTWIZ.OSS file (in case OSS changed it) and a screenshot of what DD shows for the drive?
Every time I go into the Win 7 (32bit) partition, bootmgr is added to my XP partition (first disk, ATA, XP 32bit).
When I try to boot into this XP partition, OSS takes me to the Win7 partition and displays an error message.
The solution is to boot again in Win7 and delete the bootmgr file from the XP partition.
Something is definitely wrong. Any suggestions?
History:
my PC has 3 disks:
1- ATA (with the XP partition described above)
2- SATA (with a first XP partition)
3- SATA (just one partition, does not matter, it is only used as storage).
After I installed XP on each of the 2 first disks, I installed OSS.
Everything worked OK at this point.
Then I remembered I had another partition on second disk with Win7. I hid both XP partitions and repaired the Win7 partition.
When done, OSS only displayed this Win7 partition; so I used OSS to display and display the other partitions.
Questions:
1- Now every time I boot in Win7, bootmgr gets written into the first XP partition which impedes its activation next time I reboot.
2- I do not know where the hidden partitions ("Windows7_Black_recovered" and "UnknownOS") came from, what they represent and how I should get rid of.
3- Is there a way to add comments in the OSS file?
Thank you in advance.
Mike Ov.
What do you mean by repaired the Win7 partition?
When you boot into Windows 7, which partition does Disk Management show as Boot and which as System? A screenshot of it may be helpful.
My guess is that the "repair" is what messed it up and OSS is just picking up what's in the BCD file.
"Repaired the Win7 partition": made it available again. I followed the instructions given by you to another user.
Explanation:
When I originally installed Win7, I lost the two XP partitions. At the time, I did not really need Win7 so I restored the XP partitions and gave up on Win7. A few days ago, I found your reply to another user and I imagined I could actually restore the Win7 partition, which I did.
I have attached a picture of "Disk Management" after booting Win7.
Can the BCD file be repaired?
Thank you for help and the fast response.
Windows 7 is booting from the XP partition (WinXP-ATA). This is because it is/was the Active partition on the booting drive. You would need to move the Windows 7 booting files to the Windows 7 partition and then reset the XP partition back to normal.
Do you have standard XP and Windows 7 installation discs? If so, you could follow the instructions for separating XP and Vista (same for Windows 7). You could also move the Windows 7 booting files using the method in this post (of course, don't delete the XP partition).
Once the XP partition's boot sector and booting is returned to normal and Windows 7 is booting from its own partition, OSS should pick up the changes. You may need to delete "old" or invalid menu entries.
Just wanted to thank you (sorry for the late reply) for your help.
Following your advice, it seemed that I would be able to fix the problem; but then OSS displayed a message that I was using a "Trial copy" whose time has expired. (I installed OSS from the DD disk).
I made the decision to install Linux-Ubuntu (which I needed anyway) on the 3rd disk and this solved the booting problem as well.
Thank you again,
Mike