Build a Windows PE for Windows 7 64 bit using Plus Pack.

Sorry if you found the tutorial too complicated. The problem is, I simply don't know how to make it much simpler. Ignoring Ashley's tutorial, if you just look at the first part of my tutorial, ignoring the stuff about A43, it boils down to this:

1. Download and install the WAIK from Microsoft. Yes, it would be nice if this was handed to you by Acronis, but it's not. If this is too difficult, I can't help any further.

2. Run the Acronis WinPE ISO builder, which assumes step 1. is completed.

3. Follow what is shown in the first part (posting #1 only) of the tutorial. Every screen is shown for this process with every response. I don't know how it is possible to make it any more explicit, really.

4. Burn the resulting ISO image file to a CD with appropriate software.

I apologize for any confusion. I really tried to lay it out as completely as possible.

Gary I appreciate your response and after rereading it and ignoring the first part I believe I can get it done. I'll have to start tomorrow cause that MS download is 1.66GB.

I downloaded the AIK for Windows 7 PE 3.0. The wAIKx86 will not install because I have a 64 bit system. I'll have to install the WAIKAMD64 for my system. My question is will this still work for a Win PE to use to run Acronis. Acronis is in my 32 bit program file.

You should be able to create a 32-bit build environment depending on the parameters given to the copype.cmd script, where the architecture is specified. It won't work any other way. The WAIK needs to be installed (in your case 64 bit) to make the build environment you choose (which should be 32 bit) from the command line - check the help file titled "WinPE" with the WAIK regarding the build environment - it is on the DVD you made from the download.

Thanks Gary for the information. I'll get back to let you know how it went.

Richard-

Unfortunately the screenshot showing usage of the copype.cmd script for making the build environment was left out of the first part of the tutorial (when it was made into a sticky). If I can find this screenshot when I get home later today, I'll attach it, along with other information that is also at home. Downloading the WAIK/installing/making the WinPE build environment are actually the hardest parts of the whole procedure - the rest is very easy.

I'll have to agree with you, I'm totally lost. I have Windows AIK loaded into my computer in Program Files which is 64 bit. I read the read me file and it will operate 32 bit programs, just have to know how to input the right stuff. If I get this part done the rest will be easy. Thank You for the help your giving and I really appreciate it. Will wait for your reply.

I try to keep in mind that most computer users these days are not as comfortable with command line operations as I tend to be, and some of the WinPE build environment commands are insanely cryptic. Also, the WAIK is actually a pretty huge package, and WinPE is only a part of the functionality. Microsoft has not made things easy, although they are kind in letting WinPE be widely used, where in the past is was very restricted. The Acronis part, though, is easy, thank to the WinPE ISO builder.

Richard-

The part you need to worry about is described in the WinPE.chm (or something like this with WinPE in the filename, one of the compiled help files) in the section titled Walkthrough: Create a Custom Windows PE Image, with the only part required being Step 1: Set Up a Windows PE Build Environment. You have to start the Windows AIK as described and run the copype.cmd script as shown in the attached screenshot. Then proceed with the steps in the tutorial after where it says to run the copype.cmd script. Hopefully, this screenshot will show you what to expect.

Your message Updating path... will not mention peimg or imagex - these are in 2.x while in 3.0 you have Dism in their place. So don't worry if your messages are a tad different

Found all the information now all I have to do is build it. I'll let you know how I make out. I'm a little slow so it will be awhile, want to read and get all my ducks in a row before I start.

Gary I've run into a problem right off the bat. I don't have a Windows AIK listed in my programs when I click start what I have is Windows System Image Manger. This command prompt they talk about is this the regular command prompt that is in system tools?It says to point to Windows AIK, right click Deployment Tools Command Prompt and select run as Administrator. If this is the regular command prompt I can just right click it and run as administrator and go. Your command script is the top line of that image. Is that correct?

With my XP system, I have Start->All Programs->Microsoft Windows AIK->Windows PE Tools Command Prompt (this is WAIK 2.1) to get to the prompt shown in the screenshot. Below the Windows PE Tools Command Prompt option I also see Windows System Image Manager, but that is not what you want. You would want the Deployment Tools Command Prompt. These are not the same as the regular command prompt - you should end up with something similar as shown, which according to the documentation that I see should be at C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools, and the proper environment variables set as described in item 1 under step 1. The command line for running the script is shown at the top of my screenshot for the x86 (32-bit) architecture. I don't know anything about Win 7, so I don't know how the Start works there. But I think we are looking at the same documentation, which to me shows that you should see Start->All Programs->Windows AIK->Deployment Tools Command Prompt. I don't know why you don't see an entry for Windows AIK. Seems like this Windows System Image Manager is from the AIK installation, but I don't know what this is for.

Maybe someone who has done this under Win 7 can offer some guidance.

Gary I got it all done, I was having a mental block so just disregard that last message. After I unblocked my mind I just had to remember to run everything as administrator and it went like clock work. The only problem I'm having now is burning it to a disk. What file do you burn the ISO file?

OK I'm all done and I burned the acronis image with windows burner. I shut my computer down and booted from the disk. I got a screen that said press any key to boot from CD or DVD. I pressed a key and I booted into a normal Windows. I didn't boot into the Acronis program. Since this is a 64 bit computer when I did the script maybe I should have copype amd64 instead of copype x86.

OK I re-burned the file using Image burn and everything is OK . I booted my system with it and it brought up the Acronis Program. The only problem I see is that my external drive is F and when I'm in the Acronis Program it shows up as J. Will this cause a problem if I use it to restore and have to select J where my backups are. Are we using Windows drivers in this program?

I want to Thank You for all your help and putting up with me. I had a lot of senior moments tonight. Thanks Again for all you've done.

The drive letters are normally different, especially the external ones. It is always best to give all partitions distinctive names - never rely on the letters, they mean something only within your regular Windows system, and since WinPE uses its own registry which is a bit different with regards to drive "letters" every time it comes up, the drive "letters" change session to session. You can always click the Browse button to seach for where your backups are. This is completely normal (at least for me). And WinPE uses Windows drivers, based on Vista core 32 bit APIs.

Remember than WinPE has no built-in GUI, so when you exit out of True Image, you get to a command prompt. Just type exit, hit Enter, and your system will reboot. I always have True Image shut the computer off after finishing a backup. Or if you want, since WinPE is just a big RAM disk, you can just power off your system if you don't want to reboot.

Thanks again for your help and you should add those other items you gave me to that sticky.

I have been unable to build a working WinPE3 Acronis TI Home 2010 using amd64 for Windows 7. Using x86 works well but not 64 bit. Always at boot up I get the "cannot find "windows\system32\snapman.sys" and things stop.

All examples I've seen appear to be the x86 stuff. How about Acronis providing a way to do this with 64 bit Windows 7?

There is no support for 64 bit, only 32 bit. Of course 64 bit does not work.

Yes I realize "there is no support for 64 bit". Which begs the question, why not?
It seems that Windows 7 64 bit is becoming more popular all the time. Your x86 version does very well for some things on my 64 bit machines but I'm leery of performing some disk operations Acronis is capable of while using the x86 version.
You might also consider that scripts like wimb's Make_PE3 offer very good user interfaces and useful applications when coupled with your winpeiso.exe script to prduce your Acronismedia.iso. That is where your 64 bit support falls over as well as with the straight winpe3 build.
I've used Acronis for several years and been pleased with it. One way or another I'll keep using it as I can if not in the way I'd prefer.

Looking forward to an eventual update that supports 64 bit Windows 7 Professional.

And with the advent of 2011 TIH and PP, it still doesn't work! I wasted money upgrading 2010 on what appears to be false advertising from Acronis. Technical support from Acronis on 2010 is laughable. I wish I could look forward to better with 2011.

I will cheerfully eat these words and kowtow to any "guru" who can build and demonstrate via a link with photos of a bootable Acronismedia.iso built from the winpe_iso.exe in PP2011 from the Windows 7 WAIk amd64 branch of a Winpe3 installation.

I am using 64-bit Window 7, and was able to create acronismedia.iso. When I burn it on a CD, it works fine. But, I want to have it on a bootable USB so I can easily carry it. What is the easiest way to make a bootable iso on a USB?

You can "clean" the flash drive and then copy the files from the CD to it. You could also use Grub4DOS and have it boot the ISO file.

MudCrab, it works very well. Thank you.

JY Lee, did you build with WinPE3 x86 or WinPE3 amd64?
I've found that the x86 works but my amd64 branch does not boot. Just curious and thanks for posting.
:-)

Bill, I built with Win PE3 x86. Sorry to hear that amd64 does not work.

OK, thanks for the reply. If you haven't tried it, go to the link below and check it out.
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=11852&st=220

Build the PE x86 iso with the extra tools you want, including any special drivers for networks, etc. and check it out with vmware or Virtual Box and if it does what you want try the following:

Extract the .iso to an empty folder with win.rar or 7Zip.
Open the acronis winpe_iso.exe and follow the prompts to build the Acronismedia.iso as you already do.
Test the new iso as before and you'll have the tools plus Acronis available.

This works equally well with 2010 or 2011 plus pack add on. I returned the 2011 for a refund because I couldn't make it build on the amd64 branch of Winpe3 either.

Unfortunately not all the x86 Setup tools (in the root "X:" will work on 64 bit windows but will of course work on x86 windows.