Creating winPE ISO file with own drivers for raid volumes

> I have only Acronis WinPE ISO creator available in my Acronis installation
Builder and creator seems to be the same.

>I have downloaded PE builder (version 3110a) from:
No third-party tools are required to create the WinPE-based media.

> Program tells me that I need a biulder to modify wim files.
Actually it thinks that WAIK (or ADK) is not installed. You need to put the created wim file under C:\winpe_x86 in the same place and the same name where original winpe.wim was, then select folder as described in kb.acronis.com/content/46255
i.e. 5. Specify a path to ISO folder in WinPE files: e.g. if you extracted WinPE files to C:\winpe_x86, the path to ISO folder is (for WAIK 2.0 ) - C:\winpe_x86\ISO; (for Windows 8/8.1 ADK) - C:\winpe_x86\media:

Thank you for the reply.

>Actually it thinks that WAIK (or ADK) is not installed. You need to put the created wim file under C:\winpe_x86 in the same place and the same name where original winpe.wim was, then select folder as described in kb.acronis.com/content/46255
i.e. 5. Specify a path to ISO folder in WinPE files: e.g. if you extracted WinPE files to C:\winpe_x86, the path to ISO folder is (for WAIK 2.0 ) - C:\winpe_x86\ISO<

Microsoft Windows AIK is installed.

simply a source file C:\winpe_x86\winpe.wim cannot be selected as a source file, just a folder i.e. C:\winpe_x86\

When I copy:

copy c:\winpe_x86\winpe.wim c:\winpe_x86\ISO\sources\boot.wim

and then, I run it a "standard" way as described on page 173 in the manual,
I am able to follow point 7, and 8. (getting even the same summary screen as in manual)

and to create ISO file

Then I follow step 3. point 3 as decribed here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744530(v=ws.10).aspx

xcopy C:\winpe_x86\iso\*.* /e F:\ - to USB stick.

Then I can boot from this stick, windows starts, but it stay in the comand line.
All the arrays are visible in the cmd, but acronis doesn't start

Thank you for help & Best Reagards

Are True Image files placed on the media at all? Can you find them and start True Image manually ( it must be somewhere in x:\program files\acronis).

Thank you for the reply.

The command line starts with:
X:\Windows\system32\wpeinit
and here stops with cursor prompt

The content of X:\Program Files\ is:

Common Files and Internet Explorer

so, no Acronis Files......

The address of my Acronis WinPE Directory is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Acronis\TrueImageHome\BartPE (and that's how it looks on summary page in the creator)
The content of this folder is:
WinPE (zip file)

Best regards
_JeRRy_

Then it means that you created bootable flash with the .wim files with drivers, but not with the .wim file that True Image media builder created. One hint - it should be considerably (10 megabytes at least) larger than the empty one with drivers.

Thank you for your reply, but I know it already....
The problem is, why Acronis files do not get there ;-)
Meahwhile,
unpacked WinPE zip file in the BartPE directory (just t be sure if the builder needs a files, or can work on archive),
created wim file with Acronis builder from:
c:\winpe_x86\winpe.wim -> c:\winpe_x86\AcronisMedia.wim,
copied:
c:\winpe_x86\AcronisMedia.wim
to:
c:\winpe_x86\ISO\Source\ as a boot.wim

Created ISO,
moved to USB stick
still no Acronis files :-(
Best regards
_JeRRy_

I start to understand (I guess :-) ) where is the problem

I am trying to follow strictly the manual, and at the point:
----
After the custom WIM is created, proceed to adding Acronis Plug-in:
1. Select Acronis  Acronis True Image 2014 Premium  Acronis WinPE ISO Builder from the Start menu.
2. Specify the path to the created winpe.wim file. In our example the path is C:\winpe_x86\winpe.wim
---

I get the error on the picture attached.

It is in polish, but in translation it says:
" In order to modify WinPe 2.0 or WinPE 3.0 images you need to have installed Acronis WinPE Builder on the computer where AIK is installed"

Cannot proceed
BR
_JeRRy_

So.. in other words:
Running Acronis WinPE Builder I get the error, that in order to proceed I need to install Acronis WinPe Builder :-)
Nice joke

Do not select .wim file itself. Copy the created .wim to 'iso' subfolder , replacing the original one, then select the 'iso' folder as described in kb.acronis.com/content/46255 .

Dear Sir or Madame,
Ia m trying to be not a newbie in windows system.

>Do not select .wim file itself. Copy the created .wim to 'iso' subfolder , replacing the original one, then select the 'iso' folder as described in kb.acronis.com/content/46255 .<

I was describing, what I did few posts earlier, trying to follow manual and kb.acronis.com/content/46255

If all the attempts do not help, why I should not follow strictly manual?

I am trying to make things done, and your last reply really do not help me.

Please try to give me serious advice - Thank you in advance
BR
_JeRRy_

Selecting .wim file (as in manual) doesn't work - the builder either thinks that WAIK is not installed (that's a reason not to follow the manual) or goes further but then produces .wim without True Image plugin.
Is \AcronisMedia.wim that builder creates larger than original .wim file?

Just to clarify

When I point just a directory C:\winpe_x86\ as a source, then pressing next Builder shows me the warning that created image will not be bootable.

When I force program to proceed and pointing a destination file as C:\winpe_x86\AcronisMedia.wim

The summary page looks as follows:
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/acronis2.png

After this operation the content of C:\winpe_x86\
looks like on attached picture:
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/acronis3.png

when I copy:

C:\winpe_x86\AcronisMedia.wim to c:\winpe_x86\ISO\Sources\ as a boot.wim

then either if I do:

oscdimg -n –bC:\winpe_x86\etfsboot.com C:\winpe_x86\ISO C:\winpe_x86\winpe_x86.iso

Then I get error:
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/acronis4.png

or If I try to use again a builder

I also get error:

http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/acronis5.png

What should I do next?

Thank you in advance
BR_JeRRy_

>When I point just a directory C:\winpe_x86\ as a source, then pressing next Builder shows me the warning that created image will not be bootable.

It seems that you need to point to C:\winpe_x86\ISO *folder* as a source, not a wim file. It will find winpe.wim in parent folder automatically.

The problem with oscdimg is that some dashes (-) in userguide are real n-dashes, not minus signs that software recognizes as parameter switches. Change all of them to '-' and it will work.

chapeau bas :-)
It did work.
If I can suggest something - the manual is misleading (at least to me).
AcronisMedia.wim file was not created in c:\winpe_86\ folder but in c:\winpe_86\ISO\

If I would have made the manual, I would have pointed precisely that source location should be c:\winpe_86\ISO
and the option on the next screen should be wim (not iso)

Anyway, maybe I am not intelligent enough :-)

Now we go to next problem :-)

My configuration of the system is as follows:

-----
Computer
Model : OEM System Product Name
Serial Number : System Serial Number
Chassis : Desktop
Mainboard : ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME
BIOS : AMI (OEM) 4503 10/18/2013
Total Memory : 32GB DIMM DDR3

Storage Devices
5x Hitachi HDS723030ALA640 (2.2TB, RAID0/SATA, SCSI-4, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 2TB (D:), AVD Adaptec Array V1.0 (6.8TB, SCSI) : 6TB (E:)
2x Samsung SSD 840 PRO Series (RAID0/SATA600, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, SSD), Intel Raid 0 Volume (973GB, RAID, SCSI-5) : 906GB (C:)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (D:) : 2TB (NTFS) @ 5x Hitachi HDS723030ALA640 (2.2TB, RAID0/SATA, SCSI-4, 3.5", 7200rpm)
Reserved by system : 100MB (NTFS)
Extend (E:) : 6TB (NTFS) @ AVD Adaptec Array V1.0 (6.8TB, SCSI)

Disk Controller : ASUS Patsburg SATA RAID Controller
Disk Controller : Adaptec Series 6 - ASR-6805 - 8 internal 6G SAS ports
Disk Controller : ASUS Asmedia 106x SATA Controller
Disk Controller : ASUS Asmedia 106x SATA Controller

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 6.01.7601 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 7.8
-----

Let's skip for a time being the issue of the "acronis secure zone" - which is being created under windows
then windows ask to reboot immediately - otherwise all the changes will be discarded. If i confirm, then computer reboot, acronis starts from boot
"making something...." showing graphic screen, and then reboot. with no effect - like reserved volume on the drive beyond 2TB.

I have followed kb.acronis.com/atih2014/vddriver/ advice - downloaded and installed virtual disk setup, and nothing, still no reservation of the space on the disk for secure zone.

Now, as I have mentioned, for a time being more important for me is to see a disk "above" 2TB on 8TB array i.e. drive E - 6TB.

What kind of driver I have to install in c:\winpe_x86\winpe.wim in order to see and use it?

Of course we are still talking about standalon wersion run on USB stick, and ISO file creation.
Under windows all disks are visible in ATI2014, however (next topic to discuss) secure zone on drive E: cannot be created.
I feel that both issues are linked together, therefore I have described them in somehow hectic post.
I do not know which issue comes first....

Thank you in advance
BR
_JeRRy_

If the operating system is Windows 7 (and your WinPE media based on WinPE 3.0 is based on W7 too) it should see 6-TB volumes normally, without the need of virtual disk driver. VDD is only needed to access the space beyond 2 TB on MBR disks.
Are your disks visible in TrueImage run from WinPE-based media? What happen if you create ASZ from WinPE media?

I see 6TB volume under windows 7 - the access to it was made initially with Asus Disk Unlocker and the volume was created as GPT disk.
When I have installed ATI2014, and was playing with options. Once have ran Acronis Extended Capacity Manager command, followed instructions, but at the end of the process cancelled/exited this option. Anyway after restart of the system partition E: (6TB) disappeared.
I had to initiate and format it from the beginning. Have restored all the files from external backup (not acronis), but then when I have uninstalled ATI2014 disk disappeared again. When installed ATI2014 back, disk apeeared (unchanged) again.
Hope it is not complicated to much.

Just want to point out that In my opinion ATI2014 has taken over handling of partition above 2TB from Asus disk unlocker.

>Are your disks visible in TrueImage run from WinPE-based media? What happen if you create ASZ from WinPE media?<

The whole disk is 8TB adaptec raid array divided 2TB + 6TB.
Under WinPE ThrueImage I see only 2TB. Since I want ASZ to be placed on 6TB part I didn't try to create it under WinPE, only under Windows.

Thank you in advance
BR
_JeRRy_

If the volume is GPT, Windows 7 can natively without any third-party programs ( True Image or Disk Unlocker) access its full capacity. Acronis bootable media can access its full capacity too. I'd look into solution in eliminating traces of all such tools to work with a 'plain' GPT disk. Can you post screenshot of windows disk management screen and disk report file from system information collected by True Image - http://kb.acronis.com/content/44345 .

Additional info - maybe important.
Partition D: (2TB) was created during windows setup/installation, since I have used unattend file to modify files locations
like users folder and Program Data to disk D: therefore is maximum available size in windows 2TB.

If I would have created full 8TB disk, I would not have been able to move folders to D: location during win7 installation
requested info attached
I also attache unattend.xml file - with txt extension

thank you in advance
BR
_JeRRy_

I know no definite answer here. It seems that the (Disk2) is still provided as a separate disk by Disk Unlocker or Extended Capacity Manager from the remaining 'unallocated' space of disk0. I think it's possible to convert it to a regular gpt disk with this 2 TB partition and another 6 TB partition after it - then it will be seen from media the same way it's seen from windows. But as your users folders are located there it may complicate things.

Many thanks for your help so far.

>I think it's possible to convert it to a regular gpt disk with this 2 TB partition and another 6 TB partition after it - then it will be seen from media the same way it's seen from windows. But as your users folders are located there it may complicate things.<

This configuration is still under development, and I do not have a problem to clean it up and to build/reinstall from scratch.
I was trying to make one disk 8TB under adaptec manager, then to divide it in two partitions 2TB and 6TB, and then to install win7 on that configuration having systen on raid0 Intel 908GB, user and program data on D: 2TB disk, and the rest of my trash on 6TB 3rd logical drive, but...
Unfortunately Windows installer do not see that 2TB disk, and install program data and users in standard location on disk C - not following unattend instructions. Also in windows installer these disks are not visible.

If you see and/or know how to do it as you have suggested above, let's do the try together.
At least we will gain an experience, and will be able to advice to the others.
Thank you in advance
BR
_JeRRy_

I have tried to access Acronis Secure Zone on WinPE disk.
Although Virtual disk driver is installed in windows on drive C: (Intel raid0), when I click ASZ item the window pops with message pointing to:

http://kb.acronis.com/atih2014/vddriver/

still want to build wim file with all necessary drivers.
I have Intel driver - for Raid0
I have adaptec driver granting me access to first 2TB of adaptec array

Question:

Is there a standalone version of acronis virtual disk driver in the form of *.inf file which can be build in wim - > WinPE ISO file?

I still cannot use ATI2014 according to my needs and expectations.
Thank you in advance
BR
_JeRRy_

You may try to extract vididr.x86.* from TrueImage's .msi file cached in windows\installer folder. It may be nested inside some other .msi.