Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Evening All
I'm possibly looking for something that doesn't exist but I wondered if anyone uses a utility which can create a bootable USB HD, but the loader needs to be able to read iso's on the fly. The idea being that once the loader is on the USB HD, I can copy new images onto it and the loader will dynamically read an Images folder and build the list in the loader screen without having to recreate the loader on the HD.
I've had a bit of a Google and have come across a couple of things which 'might' do this. I just wondered if any of your are actively using anything like this already?
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
have a look at this
its a hard drive caddy that has a built in virtual dvdrom that can read iso images, i have it with 15 o/s imiges on it a can tell the device what i want to boot from usb
i have a 60gb SSD drive in it, can boot fresh install windows 7 on a new machine in 7 minutes. maybe it will do what you want. it has a menu that shows all iso's & i can pick what i want from it.
hope it helps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKSF...VFkV62NWRtQKyw
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Grub4DOS will load ISO via a MEM load - take a look at www.reboot.pro, i use that site all the time for any boot style information!
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
when you install Grub4DOS you have to create a Menu.lst - here is an example of mine booting ISOs;
Code:
# This is a sample menu.lst file. You should make some changes to it.# The old install method of booting via the stage-files has been removed.
# Please install GRLDR boot strap code to MBR with the bootlace.com
# utility under DOS/Win9x or Linux.
color blue/green yellow/red white/magenta white/magenta
timeout 30
default /default
title WinPE
fallback 8
find --set-root /boot/boot.iso
map /boot/boot.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/boot.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title WinPassword
fallback 8
find --set-root /boot/cd110511.iso
map /boot/cd110511.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/cd110511.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title Ping ISO
fallback 7
find --set-root /boot/ping.iso
map /boot/ping.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/ping.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title Win8PE
fallback 7
find --set-root /ISO/Win8PE_x86.ISO
map /ISO/Win8PE_x86.ISO (0xff) || map --mem /ISO/Win8PE_x86.ISO (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title Windows8
fallback 9
find --set-root /boot/windows8.iso
map /boot/windows8.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/windows8.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title Hiren's Boot CD
fallback 1
find --set-root /boot/hiren.iso
map /boot/hiren.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/hiren.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title DOS Boot
fallback 4
find --set-root /boot/DOS_Boot.iso
map /boot/DOS_Boot.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/DOS_Boot.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title WindowsXP Install
fallback 5
find --set-root /boot/WindowsXPSP3.iso
map /boot/WindowsXPSP3.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/WindowsXPSP3.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title reaverpro.iso
fallback 5
find --set-root /boot/reaverpro.iso
map /boot/reaverpro.iso (0xff) || map --mem /boot/reaverpro.iso (0xff)
map --hook
chainloader (0xff)
savedefault --wait=2
title OphCrack 2.3.1 Password Cracker (lowram - slower for Vista/Win7 systems)
find --set-root /ophcrack/ophcrack_xp/boot/bzImage
kernel /ophcrack/ophcrack_xp/boot/bzImage rw root=/dev/null vga=normal ophcrack=lowram lang=C kmap=uk screen=1024x768x16 autologin
initrd /ophcrack/ophcrack_xp/boot/rootfs.gz
title OphCrack 2.3.1 Password Cracker (>512MB RAM and faster)
find --set-root /ophcrack/ophcrack_vista/boot/bzImage
kernel /ophcrack/ophcrack_vista/boot/bzImage rw root=/dev/null vga=normal lang=C kmap=uk screen=1024x768x16 autologin
initrd /ophcrack/ophcrack_vista/boot/rootfs.gz
title reboot
reboot
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
would the ziaman drive work with OSX images?
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
consoles
would the ziaman drive work with OSX images?
i dont see why not as long as the mac can boot from external rom.
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Thanks very much for your suggestions people :D
The Zalman device looks like a decent and well thought out piece of kit. Sadly, this is to try and make my life easier at work and being in the public sector at the moment, I've no chance of them buying me one of those. I consider myself lucky that I've got a USB HD! We're not supposed to burn discs and to be honest, discs are a pain in the arse and the extra throughput of USB 3.0 vs a CD / DVD drive helps when time is precious!
Grub4Dos looks like a solid 'free' option that will only cost a bit of time to setup. I'll have a play this weekend.
Thanks again :D
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
I have the iodd which is what zalman bought out, it's fantastic. Other options are to use Yumi to make a multi boot USB, you can custom load iso's into it but they must be bootable. Not all disc images boot ok but most do and it has loads of options built into it already.
I used yumi to make a multi boot USB which I carry in my pocket with stuff like konboot, memtest, clonezilla, UBCD, OS installers etc on.
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
WRATH OF BOD
have a look at this
its a hard drive caddy that has a built in virtual dvdrom that can read iso images, i have it with 15 o/s imiges on it a can tell the device what i want to boot from usb
i have a 60gb SSD drive in it, can boot fresh install windows 7 on a new machine in 7 minutes. maybe it will do what you want. it has a menu that shows all iso's & i can pick what i want from it.
hope it helps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKSF...VFkV62NWRtQKyw
I remember this when you got it what's cost of one of these at min ?
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mobileman
I remember this when you got it what's cost of one of these at min ?
Can be had for about £30 on FleaBay. Nice device by the look of it but I'm not fronting the money when I know I won't get it back.
I've actually got Grub4Dos, SuperGrub2Disk, and Yumi on my laptop and have had a bit of a play this evening. SuperGrub2Disk looks like it will read iso's dumped into a 'boot-iso' folder but this has dependacies on a .cfg file to load the kernal from the os - ok for Linux as some distros such as Ubuntu ship with support for this, Windows and other utils do not.
I'm going to have more of a play around at the weekend when I've got some more time - even though I'm supposed to be rebuilding my XBMC server this weekend :-/
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Just ordered the vm300 the newer one with usb3 👍
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mobileman
Just ordered the vm300 the newer one with usb3
what did you pay, i think i paid around £38 + 40 for an SSD
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
£32 on silver but I wanted black one £34.95 then I will have hunt around for ssd when arrives
Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
anyone got any links for good iso's or ones im missing, so far i've grabbed these below and guess probably need few office ones if poss 2007, 2010 etc
xp sp3
win7 home and x64
win 7 pro and x64
win server 2012
memtest
offline nt
ultimate boot cd
Hirens
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mobileman
anyone got any links for good iso's or ones im missing, so far i've grabbed these below and guess probably need few office ones if poss 2007, 2010 etc
xp sp3
win7 home and x64
win 7 pro and x64
win server 2012
memtest
offline nt
ultimate boot cd
Hirens
all win 7 32/64
http://www.w7forums.com/threads/offi...wnloads.12325/
vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/30...n-dvd-usb.html
http://www.memtest.org/
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
WRATH OF BOD
i should have worded that better, i have those on my list mate but any others worth having :)
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mobileman
i should have worded that better, i have those on my list mate but any others worth having :)
LOL
if you can find it, Office 2010 black edition pre cracked iso.
got mine from a torrent early in the year.
all those in your list i also have on my zalman
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
Im building my zalman
Currently have:
Win 7 (32/64)
Win 8 (32/64)
Win XP (32/64)
Server 03
Server 08
Server 12
Windows 8.1 Dark edition
XP Live CD
Hirens
Clonezilla
konboot
anyone recommend any others I work as an IT Consultant
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
pretty much same here but not grabbed win 8 yet, have to say though this zalman is cracking bit of kit
quick tip for anyone with this was having trouble installing server 2012e onto my n54l after bollocks'ed up previous install anyway it was failing at creating a partition but worked out it was because the zalman was in dual mode, soon as stuck it in ODD mode only and it worked fine.
Re: Bootable USB HD for Multiple Images
one thing to remember when installing windows from it
dont delete you zalman partition when deleting you O/S
when i have been in a rush i have done it twice lol
that will teach me not to concentrate
another iso i have his the latest DRIVER MAN 15.5 i think it is.
all drivers for xp,vista,win7, win 8, 8.1.