Adding Windows 7 to OSS
For users of OSS that want Windows 7 added, please post in this thread. Please do not start another thread unless you have a unique setup that is going to require repeated posts.
Please attach a copy of the BOOTWIZ.OSS file and a screenshot of what DD shows (in Manual Mode). Also, indicate clearly which partition is the Windows 7 partition. Instructions on obtaining the file can be found here: How to Find and Create a Copy of the BOOTWIZ.OSS File
Make sure you're using build 2,160 or later. Earlier builds don't support booting Vista or Windows 7 normally.
I'm working on some instructions, but don't have them finished yet. I'll post a link when they're ready.
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Updated 08-18-2009 - Here is the link for the guide:
Manually Adding Vista or Windows 7 to OSS
If you have problems with it, please post or send me a PM so I can make any necessary changes/corrections.
It's because Acronis made the detection method so strict that it doesn't work if anything is not what it's expecting. It only takes a few seconds to change a detectable Vista system into one that isn't detected.
Hello again and sorry for the errors in the writing because I use a translator and please understand.
Here is my bootwiz us from my computer and ask you to overhaul it so that I can run my Windows 7 OSS Selector.
Windows 7 is installed on partition 2 partition the first HDD symbol D 18.55 GB in size. Thanks in advance for your help.
At this point there is Windows 7. This is line 2 of my BOOTWIZ OSS.
Preview of my made a partition installed in my earlier post.
At this point there is Windows 7. This is line 2 of my BOOTWIZ OSS.
Preview of my made a partition installed in my earlier post.
Jan,
Looking at the previous screenshot and now looking at the BOOTWIZ.OSS file, it looks like you converted the Windows 7 partition from a Primary to a Logical. Can you confirm this?
If there was not a specific reason for the conversion, it's much better if you have it as a Primary partiton.
Windows 7 is installed on 2 partitions on 1 HDD symbol "D" Seven.
Initially it was a logical partition on an extended partition.
Then I changed this from a logical partition on the primary.
Now, this is currently a primary partition - D 18.55 GB.
Please precise questions as there are errors in the translation and it is difficult to understand the meaning.
Thanks for your help.
Sorry for the confusion with the translation. I will try to phrase my responses more clearly.
I can not make any changes to the BOOTWIZ.OSS file without knowing the current state of the partitioning. Your screenshot shows Windows 7 is on a Primary partition and the BOOTWIZ.OSS file says it is on a Logical partition. One of them is incorrect.
Can you please post a new (current) screenshot from DD showing the partitions?
Can you please answer the following questions?
Is OSS currently activated?
Can you boot into XP from OSS?
I know where to have it.
To explain from the beginning.
When installed OSS selector to D partition where Windows was installed 7 was the logical partition.
Description bootwiz us to the shows.
Then I could not run Windows 7, the logical partition. NOTE! Then D has a partition with logical partition on a primary partition. The image of my drives and partitions that I sent is already done when the logical partition on the primary.
Hence, to have it.
Now, this is because the primary partition so I changed it. I think that explained it quite thoroughly.
The program which I made to
Acronis Director Suite 10.0
oss-bootwiz logical partition image
D-change from logical to primary
HDD partition-D image is already primary.
OSS is now activated.
Yes you can run XP with OSS
Now I can run any operating system with the OSS.
Yours.
Jan,
Please attach the current BOOTWIZ.OSS file to a new post.
If I'm understanding you correctly, the Windows 7 partition was Logical when you installed Windows 7. If that's the case, the booting files for Windows 7 will be in the XP partition.
When you boot XP, do you get another menu asking if you want to boot XP (Previous version of Windows) or Windows 7?
Excuse me confused now.
Previous Bootwiz OSS was sent before I changed to a logical partition on the primary.
Now this bootwiz us, my computer is correct. Bootwiz picture of us up to date in the file.
Sorry for the confusion.
When you run XP, there is another menu with a question.
From XP starts immediately - no questions.
This bootwiz us is good.
When you run XP, there is another menu with a question.
From XP starts immediately - no questions.
These two statements seem to contradict each other.
What "other menu" do you get when you run XP?
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In this BOOTWIZ.OSS file, the Windows 7 partition is a Primary partition. However, it's still not clear to me if Windows 7 is booting from its own partition or if it's booting from the XP partition. From what you describe, it sounds like it may be booting from the XP partition.
When you installed Windows 7, was the Windows 7 partition set Active and was the XP partition hidden?
When you look at the root folder of XP partition, does it contain the bootmgr file and the BOOT folder (these are hidden so you may need to enable viewing of hidden and system files to see them)?
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I've attached a modified BOOTWIZ.OSS file that has the Windows 7 entry. If Windows 7 is booting from its own partition, it should work. Let me know.
How to change that. ((When you installed Windows 7, Windows 7 was the set active partition and the XP partition was hidden?)) - It does not get it.
Jan,
Can you send me a Private Message (PM) that is not translated? Perhaps I can translate it and understand it better. Let me know what language you are using.
I can't understand the last part of your previous post. Also, you didn't state which partition contained the booting files for Windows 7.
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Original BOOTWIZ.OSS file: BOOTWIZ.OSS
Attached BOOTWIZ.OSS file: bootwiz_oss_jan_kowal_b.txt
To use the new file, replace the existing file with it. For example: Rename "bootwiz_oss_jan_kowal_b.txt" to "BOOTWIZ.OSS". Make sure you have a backup copy of the exiting BOOTWIZ.OSS file before you replace it.
Orginal bootwiz oss
Jan,
Did you not understand my previous post?
Why you need the OSS at all? when you install Windows 7 on to the top of XP or Vista it will crete boot menu automatically. I'm happy with that ))))
Why you need the OSS at all? when you install Windows 7 on to the top of XP or Vista it will crete boot menu automatically. I'm happy with that ))))
In this particular case, Linux is being booted too. Also, Microsoft's boot manager doesn't allow for isolated installations of Windows or hidden partitions. Part of the problem here is because of that.
The question is not really one of Why OSS? but of Why use a third-party boot manager?. There are many reasons, some of which can just be personal preference.
In some cases, people already have OSS installed and working and have been using it successfully for a long time. The last thing they want is to screw up their system with Microsoft's method.
I have added Windows-7 on a separate hard disk to a machine also running Windows XP.
How can I multiboot betweeb WXP and W7 using Disk Directoe-10 (upgraded)?
I have reinstalled the product as suggested by OS Selector.
Thanks
Jan,
OSS assigned a new ID value to the Windows 7 partition (as I expected it would).
Here is the updated BOOTWIZ.OSS file. Try it and see if it works.
I have added Windows-7 on a separate hard disk to a machine also running Windows XP.
How can I multiboot betweeb WXP and W7 using Disk Directoe-10 (upgraded)?
Is XP still booting normally (no Microsoft sub-menu)?
I have reinstalled the product as suggested by OS Selector.
What was the suggested procedure?
Are the Windows 7 booting files on the Windows 7 partition or did they end up on the XP partition?
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If you want me to look at the setup, please attached the files as described in post #1.
I was unable to send either the directory BOOTWIZ or the file context.oss as the system would not allow.
I am not sure that my comments reached you, so I will repeat them. Sorry for the delay.
I installed WXP and W-7 on separate disks, each when the other disk was disconnected.
I installed Disk Director on the WXP disk when both disks were connected, so that all partitions on both disks were visible.
Do you want anything else?
Michael
The link to How to Find and Create a Copy of the BOOTWIZ.OSS File does not work, (or does not work for me.)
Neither does the PHP file 'Manually adding...etc.'
Well Windows 7 is installed. Thank you for your help.
You're welcome.
The link to How to Find and Create a Copy of the BOOTWIZ.OSS File does not work, (or does not work for me.)
Michael,
I sent you a PM.
I deleted Disk Director and reloaded it into the XP disk with the W-7 disk visible.
After that the boot selector screen appeated on start-up, but the only option was 'Boot from Floppy'.
So I used a tools option to disable the program in order to start XP.
BOOTWIZ now contains more files than before I reloaded DD. I attach bootwiz.oss.txt.
Michael,
Try the attached file and see if it will work (you will need to reactivate OSS after replacing the file).
Thank you Mudcrab:
That worked. I can now see and reach all systems.
Michael Grimes
Hi Mudcrab,
Attached is a text copy of my bootwiz.oss file named bootwiz-oss_Jerry_Smith.txt
and a snapshot of my Diskdirector screen named DiskDirector_Jerry_Smith.jpg.
The Windows 7 partition is called Main7.
If you can add Win 7 to it I would be VERY grateful...
Thanks,
Jerry
Jerry,
Try the attached file. I assume that when you installed Windows 7, the Windows 7 partition (MAIN7) was set Active and, hopefully, the XP partitions were hidden.
Hi Mudcrab,
I overlayed the bootwiz.oss file and now I get a Win7 icon to select when I boot up OSS.
However I did some messing around prior to this point in time and at that time I was getting the
MS boot loader selection between WinXP and Win7. I reinstalled Acronis OSS and then only showed
my WinXP (main2) and WinXP (main3) selections.
Win7 partition is still there, but when I select Win7 (main7) I get a blank dark screen. I think I have
messed up the contents of the BOOTWIZ directory inside my Win7 (main7) partition.
Could you rar/zip up your Windows 7 BOOTWIZ directory and send it to me so I can have a look?
Also what files do you have in your Windows 7 C: directory? I am in hopes that I will not have to
re-install wimdows 7 if I can just fix this "little" problem.
Many thanks for all the help,
Jerry
Jerry,
It sounds like the booting files for Windows 7 are on the XP partition. This would happen normally if you left the XP partition Active and unhidden when you installed Windows 7. The fix is to get the files onto the Windows 7 partition. I think the procedure is the same as for Vista, but I haven't tried it with Windows 7 so I can't say for sure.
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It's also possible that you may be able to boot the Windows 7 DVD and do a repair and have it fix the problem (this was posted recently). If you try this, make sure to do the following first. Otherwise, you'll probably make the problem worse.
- Make sure your DD CD has the OSS programs included on it. If it doesn't, create a new one using Media Builder and include them.
- Deactivate OSS (don't uninstall it). Select your XP installation as the default OS.
- Boot to the DD CD and start DD (select Manual Mode).
- Set the Windows 7 partition as Active and the XP partitions as hidden. Apply the changes.
- Put the Windows 7 DVD into the DVD drive and exit DD. The computer should reboot.
- Press a key (if needed) to allow the Windows 7 DVD to boot.
- Select the Repair option.
- See if Windows 7 will boot directly.
- Boot to the DD CD and select the option to reactivate OSS.
Mr. Mudcrab,
IT WORKS!!!
THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Jerry
[ comments added below ]
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Jerry,
It sounds like the booting files for Windows 7 are on the XP partition. This would happen normally if you left the XP partition Active and unhidden when you installed Windows 7. The fix is to get the files onto the Windows 7 partition. I think the procedure is the same as for Vista, but I haven't tried it with Windows 7 so I can't say for sure.
[ sure seems like this was the case. It should be stressed that other OS partitions should be hidden
when doing this sort of thing ]
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It's also possible that you may be able to boot the Windows 7 DVD and do a repair and have it fix the problem (this was posted recently). If you try this, make sure to do the following first. Otherwise, you'll probably make the problem worse.
- Make sure your DD CD has the OSS programs included on it. If it doesn't, create a new one using Media Builder and include them. [ had it already ]
- Deactivate OSS (don't uninstall it). Select your XP installation as the default OS.
- Boot to the DD CD and start DD (select Manual Mode).
- Set the Windows 7 partition as Active and the XP partitions as hidden. Apply the changes.
- Put the Windows 7 DVD into the DVD drive and exit DD. The computer should reboot. [ in my case it did not ]
- Press a key (if needed) to allow the Windows 7 DVD to boot.
- Select the Repair option. [ first time thru button for RESTORE YOUR COMPUTER was hot, second time USE RECOVERY TOOL was hot ]
- See if Windows 7 will boot directly. [ second time it did, first time just blank screen on boot ]
- Boot to the DD CD and select the option to reactivate OSS. [ then select each boot icon and hide other OS partitions ]
Jerry:
Thanks for posting your results. It would seem that Microsoft has improved the automatic repair feature from the Windows 7 DVD (compared to Vista). But could you do one additional test? Windows 7 automatically installs the repair components on the DVD to the hard disk. I would be very interested to see if the repair was smart enough to fix the links to the repair environment also.
Could you boot to Windows 7 again, and this time keep hitting the F8 key until you see the screen that lets you select between starting Windows normally, in Safe Mode, etc. The first choice in the menu should be "Repair Your Computer". Select this and see if you boot into the repair environment.
Thanks,
Hi Mark,
Did a OSS boot into Win7 and kept hitting the F8 key, but it did not do anything. Just booted up Win7.
Tried this twice.
There is a selection I came across to create a System repair Disk. I did that and re-booted from that cd
and it looks just like the repair selection on the Win7 dvd.
Hope this info helps,
Jerry
Just a random thought...
I install Acronis OSS into a working partition, not an OS partition. That way when I want to make changes to an OS I do not have to redo OSS. Also you can backup the BOOTWIZ directory and save it...
Jerry
Jerry,
You should still be able to get the Safe Mode menu. Are you pressing F8 immediately after pressing ENTER on the Windows 7 OSS menu entry? Windows only gives you a fraction of a section to send the F8 key because the boot manager (OSS, in this case) is jumping directly to that part of the Windows booting process.
BOY... U got to be quick.
F8 did bring up a menu and the first selection is "Repair your Computer".
When I selected that I got another menu as follows:
SYSTEM REPAIR OPTIONS choose a recovery tool
Startup Repair
System Restore
System Image Recovery
Windows Memory Diaganostic
Command Prompt
box-1 Shutdown box-2 Restart
I did not go any farther as I did not want to invoke anything...
Hope this helps,
Jerry
Jerry,
Thank you. And, yes, you do have to be very quick on the F8.
Just a thought here.
IF you installed a second WinXP I would expect OSS would find it and add it to the bootwiz.oss file.
If you then installed Win7 over the top of the partition where you had installed WinXP would OSS let
you boot Win7?
This might be a short cut method...
Jerry
Jerry,
That's a good idea, but it won't work. OSS is too strict about the contents of the partitions (especially the OS booting files) and doesn't allow setting up a direct-partition-boot entry (a feature that would allow the user to specify the partition to be booted and OSS would boot it regardless of what may or may not be on the partition).
Hi Mudcrab,
pls I need your help :)
I've created the bootwiz.oss but OSS doesn't recognize it... Can You check my file for errors ?
Thank You so much !
Bye !
[SOLVED!!!]
I've written: <oses /> Correct: </oses>
Now all work ! Thank's for your guide!
Hi,
after 2 hours trying to add windows 7 I need help.
On my first disk I´ve installed 2 windows xp os.
I´ve hide all xp os, installed windows 7 on my second disk, first partition without problems.
After installing the os selector (version v10 build 2161) my both xp os are in the menu and working fine.
I´ve tried to ad manually the windows 7 without luck.
ANGO,
When you installed Windows 7 to the second drive, did you make that drive the booting drive or did you leave the XP drive as the booting drive?
Can you verify that the bootmgr file and the BOOT folder both exist on the Windows 7 partition?
The problem may be that those files ended up on one of the XP partitions.
Hello Mudcrab,
I leave the XP drive as the booting drive.
The BOOT folder and the bootmgr file are in the first drive, on the fourth partition named "Drive_E" (you can see it on dd.jpg).
Drive_E was the only visible partition at the installation of windows 7. All other partitions where hidden.
ANGO,
Thank you for the additional information. Please try the attached file and see if it works.
Thank you very much. It´s working now ;)
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.