E2B Users Forum

eNtering Rescue mode. Grub rescue

I don't How or whY this happened! I did add another 5 isos & ran wincontig. When I last used it it was Good. I'd rather not start again because it's got about 150 isos on a 128 GB Flash Dr. So it'll be painful reconstructing those isos contiguously. I've already looked on your Errors page... Please How 2 Fix this? & Thanx 4 a Handy Tool, Happy 2020 ;-)K

http://www.easy2boot.com/faq-/repair/

LMDE 3 "Cindy" - Cinnamon (64-bit) is not working with .isopersist file extension.
Error: ISO file does not contain casper directory

Does this Debian version support the 'persistent' cheat code as a casper-rw volume?
Try using a .mnu file to see if it works.
I think it needs a special ext3 persistence file, volume name 'persistent' and needs to contain a live-persistence.conf file.
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=105155
So it is not suitable for .isopersist - you must use a .mnu file which has instructions for a debian persistence file.
https://rmprepusb.blogspot.com/2015/08/add-debian-live-iso-with-persistence-to.html

Hi, i get all of my imgptn files corrupted after switching to any of them and back (sha1 mismatch). I have used different flashdrives on different pcs but still happening. Anyone else experiencing this?

This is normal. When you boot to grub4dos, the CSM menu will update some files on the new partition to save a copy of the MBR, etc.
The image is not corrupted, just altered slightly.

I thought so, but, for example, an imgptn windows installation fails during file copy, so something else (install.wim?) was altered (corrupted?)... I just noticed that the sha1 of an ISO file is not the same (do ISOs get updated too?)... Any hints?

Some versions of E2B will alter the ISO so that it does not prompt the user to 'Press any key to boot from DVD'. Either that or you have a bad ISO or bad USB drive. Are you using E2V v1.B8?
re. .imgPTN, try using USB 2 port - could be corrupt wim file, bad flash drive or bad USB I/O data corruption.

v1.B7, anyway, thanks for the pointers, i will try with the usb 2 port and keep investigating. Thanks a lot!

Hi) I am using Easy2Boot_v1.B9a_Beta.zip
When i trying install win10(LTSC) Enterprise -
17763.107.101029-1455.rs5_release_svc_refresh_CLIENT_LTSC_EVAL_x64FRE_en-gb.iso
At first stage of installation i have this error message "windows cannot find the microsoft software license terms"
When i trying another keys i have this message "no image are available"
Can you help me?

If you use an XML file, use either the No Key XML or use the Choose a Key and then pick the correct key which must match the key used by that ISO.
However, it may be easier just to press ENTER after you select the ISO file when prompted to 'Press a key to run Setup\Repair' and it will run Setup as normal.

Thanks for quick reply!)

>If you use an XML file, use either the No Key XML or use the Choose a Key and then pick the correct key

I was try use all Enterprise keys from here
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys
https://pastebin.com/raw/MKAPepK9
No one help me

>it may be easier just to press ENTER after you select the ISO file when prompted to 'Press a key to run Setup\Repair'

I have new trouble message - "a media driver your computer needs is missing" at start install process

See FAQs
Did you see the blue console box appear when it booted? Did it load the ISO from the USB drive as a virtual DVD?
This usually indicates that Win10 Setup (WinPE) cannot access the USB drive because it does not have the correct USB drivers for your (new?) system. Try unplugging and re-connecting the USB drive into a USB 2 port or use a USB 2 extension cable.
Alternatively, use a later version of the ISO which may include the required USB 3 drivers for your system - OR - boot to a Windows 10 Retail 2019 Install ISO, run WinNTSetup.exe and install the LTSC ISO using that. http://www.easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/windows-install-isos/winntsetup/

Output from ProduKey after installation shows:
===
Product Name : Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 Evaluation
Product ID : 00425-10000-00000-AA840
Product Key : N7HMH-MK36Q-M4X93-76KQ2-6JHWR

Thank you! Your serial is applied. Installation is starting. But at finish stage of installation i have error - "Windows Setup encountered an internal error while loading or searching for an unattend answer file" Its appear on two different official win10 ISOs.

I don't get any issue (I made and used a .key file with that key and the same ISO) and I have not heard of that before. Can you continue or does that stop the install? Any reason why your hardware would be different from everyone else? Write-protected USB? Using a VM? Strange PC or USB drive, etc?
Contact me via Online Chat if you need more help.

I am send you message through contact form http://www.easy2boot.com/contact-us/

This appears to be due to a bug in v1.B8. It is fixed in E2B v1.B9b Beta.
https://rmprepusb.blogspot.com/2020/01/e2b-v1b9b-with-bugfix-for-unattend.html

Hi Steve! Very interesting article, thank you!
One question: I understand the benefits of grubfm for UEFI, but regarding Legacy, is there any functional advantage in using:
E2B>grubfm.iso>payload
versus just using
E2B>payload
Also, is loadfm file actually required in an E2B drive? (seems to be a renamed grldr)
Always thank you for expanding our minds.

For MBR, E2B\grub4dos is best. In fact grubfm often calls grub4dos to do MBR stuff!
Since grubfm uses a file called 'loadfm' it needs to be included.

I have tried on 2 occasions now to purchase to purchase 4 eBooks with my Visa card. I put in the required info and then click 'purchase'. It asks me for my email address, but won't accept any typing in the required field.
Not sure what to do next.

1. Ensure pop-ups are enabled in your browser (do you see that Chat icon on RHS of this page? If so pop-ups are enabled).
2. Disable any Ad blocker (allow ads).
3. Try 'Incognito' mode in your browser.
4. Try a different browser or different system

Thanks Steve.
Enabling the pop-ups worked.
I downloaded 4 pdf files but when I call them up in FoxIt Reader the links don't seem to work.
Any ideas?

I solved the problem.
Opened the 'pdf' file in Chrome and all is well.
Thanks Steve for your quick reply.

Make sure your current cursor is in Hand tool mode before clicking the links. You can find the Hand tool under HOME menu in Foxit Reader.

That works also.
I can't believe I couldn't figure that out.
Thanks

https://rmprepusb.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-iodd-mini-is-now-available.html

I have got a ASROCK J4105M board with only UEFI possible. To change from an old BIOS only E2B USB-stick, first I installed the newest E2B version. Then I have deleted the 2nd partition on the stick and resized the first and added 2nd partition with 4GB. I have formated this with FAT32 an copied hirens-boot to this partition. It's possible to boot from the 2nd partition. Then I have renamed the memtest imgPTN to imgPTN23. After running SWITCH_E2B I'm able to boot memtest and switch back to normal E2B partition.
Then I converted a manjaro-lxqt-18.1 iso to imgPTN23 and tried to boot this one. But I got "unknown filesystem" and a grub prompt.
I checked the iso twice and build a USB stick with YUMI. There everything works normal.
So I guess there ist a problem when converting to imgPTN.
But how to get it work?

Manjaro has strange EFI boot files which don't work for FAT32. Please ALWAYS read the 'List of tested ISOs' page - there (in UEFI section) you will find instructions for UEFI with this particular ISO.

Hi, how are you? i've been using e2b since 2015 or 2016 if i recall correctly, it was a life saving for me since i always have used a 16gb usb flash disk and space was always always limited and i had to re-flash it with other isos when i needed them. that was until i've read about e2b and whew, no more reflashing.
i was given a 128usb stick from a dear friend and i wanted to give a good try to e2b on this stick and was even more surprised of the capabilities of this software. therefore i wanted to say thank you for your hard work!
Now, the real question. i know how uefi and bios/mbr works. And i wanted to fully exploit the capabilities of uefi and e2b so i want to get the book #3. the thing is: the payment method. i live in venezuela so pay with foreign currency is a (let's just say) a pain in the ass.
Are there other options available? because i really really really want to get that book and study it.
with nothing else to say, i sincerely say thank you and best regards - luis

Most people have a credit card or a bank account or a bitcoin account or friends which have them. Payhip accept CCs and PayPal payments or you can donate the equivalent amount via BitCoin (see donate page) and I will send you a 100% off voucher.
I don't want to start a trend because I would end up giving the entire population of Venezuela loads of free stuff.

Hello.
I made an E2B usb drive from a Sandisk Ultra 128GB usb drive. It works perfectly on my old HP laptop but doesn't on newer MSI PC. when I boot E2B drive it shows the following:
"/_ISO/e2b/grub/E2B.cfg is MISSING!"
if I press Enter botton, some texts appears and then a command prompt where I could enter commands like reboot, to reboot the system.
Is there anyway to fix this problem?
any response would be appreciated.

I haven't heard of this problem for ages - did you update to E2B v1.B7? I think it happens due to grub4dos not liking the way one of the internal disks is formatted. Can you try disconnecting all the internal disks (or disabling them in the BIOS) just to see if the error goes away? Can you give exact details of the Motherboard Model number and the BIOS revision?

Thanks for your response.
E2B version:1.77
Motherboard:MSI B85M-E45

I disconnected hard disk from motherboard and the E2B booted. so the problem is the hard disk , which is defective and the installed windows on it doesn't boot and I managed to retrieve some file on it with help from E2B drive and Knoppix.
I wonder is there anyway to boot E2B drive when the hard disk is connected?

Thanks in advance.

v1.77 is very old! Please update to v1.B7.

You said 'I managed to retrieve some file on it with help from E2B drive and Knoppix.' but you also said it won't boot to E2B??? Please explain!

Thanks for your response.
Sorry it was just a mistake, actually I figured out to retrieve files on the hard disk.
After all I booted into knoppix , E2B drive connected to another PC. Then attached E2B drive back to the defective PC and it booted into knoppix. Then I accessed to the hard disk within knoppix environment. Then I formatted the hard disk then reinstalled Win 7 on it. Now it works. Thanks E2B and knoppix.
I'll update E2B as soon as possible.

Thank you for your help.

I have a 128GB USB FLASH drive, with files on it and an FS that my cell phone can read (I love that feature). I'd love to make it /also/ boot Ubuntu. I'm trying to follow the instructions on
http://www.easy2boot.com/make-an-easy2boot-usb-drive/noerase/
But I can't figure out how to make the partition smaller, or to add a second partition. In Windows 7 (my primary OS) the Disk Manager doesn't seem to want to allow me to shrink the existing partition. Those options are greyed out. Are their other means of managing the partitions?

Use EaseUS Home Partition Master (free).

Tried it, exact same issue. Won't allow me to make any changes other than format, delete, wipe... Other drives, like the actual hard drives in the machine, can all be modified by either, but the USB FLASH drive apparently can not be changed, so I know it's not a permissions issue.

It sounds like that usb drive has a problem. What error messages do you get? Can you re-partition it or erase it? What is on the usb drive?

The USB drive was formatted by my cell phone so I can use it when I'm on the road. It has the standard DCIM folder and I added a "Downloads" folder with some files I wanted to have handy (Installer for Arduino IDE, etc...). Yes, as I said, the options to delete, erase, etc... ARE available and I've done that before and formatted NTFS as recommended, but then the phone won't read it.

Well I don't have much to go on. Why do you want to create a 2nd partition? Why not just copy the E2B files to it and install grub4dos?

Does the drive have partitions? if so are they MBR or GPT partitions?
How are the partitions formatted - exFAT? FAT32? etc.
Is there plenty of free space inside the partitions (you obviously can't reduce a partition if there is no free space)?
What does RMPrepUSB - DriveInfo - 0 and P1 show? email me the files to [email protected]
Why don't you wipe, partition and format the drive using Easeus parttion master and put E2B on the first FAT32 partition and see if the phone recognises it.
You can always install an Android NTFS driver (e.g. Paragon NTFS - but I haven't tried it myself).

So I have a 'fixed' 920 GB HDD I want to use with E2B, but the system I plan to use is UEFI-only. I also plan to use Win 7 (I realise you have to extract the boot64 from install.wim) I decided on a 80 gb .imgPTN file (Should it be imgPTN23?) Your current WinToGo tutorial works to a certain point. When I use SWITCH_E2B (I'm on Win10), it tells me the files are in the wrong order for UEFI booting and will ask to reorder them. Eventully, it runs out of space. I even re-formatted/re-installed E2B to give it the full capacity of the HDD and it still runs out of space! Is this a nescarry step of your tutorial or does it need to be corrected?

Yes. The partitions need to be in the correct order as most UEFI BIOSes will refuse to see/boot from a disk with out of order partitions. This is not mentioned in the UEFI spec. but nevertheless we have to live with it!
The imgPTN file is the smaller file and the one without an extension is the larger file. Do you have them named corrrectly?
Win7 as WinToGo has lots of issues and I don't recommend it.
If you could give details of the exact tutorial you are trying to follow - there are many on the E2B page for WinToGo and also others in my blog and RMPrepUSB site...

I followed the tutorial here: http://www.easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/wintogo/

I determined that the larger file was to have .imgPTN. I think the tutorial may need a little touch up. If I do it this way, will I have to reorder them? This whole time I have tried Rufus, WinToUsb, and even the old INSTALLER.cmd in tutorial 47 on RMprep. I just want to say my final goodbyes to Win7 while being able to boot to other windows versions! Thanks!

When you use SWITCH_E2B it lists the partition start values - as long as these are in ascending order then it should work OK.

I've all around 4 the Latest BugFixed v1.99, But I can't find it. I've looked on several Websites. Please direct me Thanx. I Really like your Program, Thanx

Just use the current latest version (v1.B6).

I Accidentally Corrupted the Boot Sector I think when I Defragged 3 Non Contiguous iso files, I've followed the instructions on the website. But it's not working, I'm not sure if it's related 2 the BugFix. I guess I'd better start again, I was Trying 2 Avoid it because it amounts 2 More than 80 Linux isos ( mostly Puppy Linuxes ), a Dozen or so Utilities, & a handful of M$ Virus Magnet OSes on a 120 GB USB Flash Dr... ( that's B4 I include a Couple of MacOS X Dmgs & Raspberry Pi aRm imgs that I'm Planning 2 Testes on a 16 GB USB Flash Dr... ;-)K

I'm Sorry again Please Don't misunderstand me, I Mean't I Followed the Repair instructions ( because I'm such a Slow Reader & my comprehension is Often Challenged Unfortunately I eNd Up in these predicaments! ) But again I Do Appreciate your Support, Thanx!

Hi,
i use a background image, 800x600.
But there are different Screens, 16:9 and 4:3.
So the image is distorted / cropped. How get i the image always in right size (800x600) ?

Thanks!

Well if the bmp\jpg is 800x600 then the BIOS will be outputting 800x600 but the monitor is stretching the signals. Try using the monitor menu settings to see if there is a non-auto zoom mode?
E2B and most BIOSes do not support hi-res 16:9 modes.

Please can I Boot MacOS Dmg installer w/ E2B & if so which Folder do I put the MacOS Dmg installer file in Please?
Similarly, can I Boot Raspberry Pi installer w/ E2B? & Where do I put those files Please?
;-)K

Use the SITE MAP to find OS X page.
Not quite sure what you mean about Raspberry Pi Installer? Is this a bootable image or ISO for x86 CPUs?
See also https://rmprepusb.blogspot.com/2019/06/raspberry-pi-3-multiboot-e2b-usb-drive.html

Hello,
SWITCH_E2B.exe v1.1.26 does not work on newer PC and reports error:
Err.Number=52 Err Description=Bad file name or number
GetPhysDriveNo(Sdrive) Erl=0
PC: AMD X370, Ryzen 1800X, Samsung NVME M.2, WIN10 Pro
On older PCs with Win7 Pro and Win10 Pro it works.
Do you have an idea?

Hi
The latest version has a debug feature. Double-click on the red text 'Double-click on a .imgPTN file to switch to the CSM Menu' which is just above the large window. It will tell you where the log file will be stored. Please send me the log file to [email protected] Someone else also reported this issue but I can't reproduce it!
P.S. New version in v1.B7c should fix the issue.

Hello,
Sandisk extreme Pro 128GB,
OS: Windows 10 Pro
Easy2Boot_v1.B6
Partition 1: 60GB, Volume Label: SanDisk
Partition 2: 59GB, Volume Label: Data
Control with RMPrepUSB Strg-O:
1 B Type=07h Start=2048 (visible to Windows) (E2B)
2 Type =07h Start=125829120 (data)
Launch WinContig - Defragment - Contiguous files: 1.130 (E2B)
Use SWITCH_E2B.exe - Access Partition 2 on a Removable drive
Remove Sandisk USB drive and reconnect
Use RMPrepUSB: Volume Label: SanDisk (not data)
Control with RMPrepUSB Strg-O:
1 Type =07h Start=125829120 (visible to Windows) (Data)
2 B Type=07h Start=2048 (E2B)
Launch WinContig - Defragment - Contiguous files: 1.130 (E2B)
Use RMPrepUSB Strg-O-2
Remove Sandisk USB drive and reconnect
Use RMPrepUSB: Volume Label: Data
Control with RMPrepUSB Strg-O:
1 B Type=07h Start=2048 (visible to Windows) (E2B)
2 Type =07h Start=125829120
Launch WinContig - Defragment - Contiguous files: 189 (Data)
It's confusing.
Can you test it to confirm the error?
thanks

What do you mean by 'Launch WinContig'?
Do you mean run WinContig.exe from Windows?
Why are you switching partitions? Windows 10 can see both partitions - there is no need to switch them. Windows will get confused if you switch partitions - you must remove and re-insert the USB stick each time if you want to do this (but there should be no need).
RMPrepUSB only displays one entry for each drive - e.g. drive 0, drive 1, etc. and shows a 'random' volume label for that drive (because there may be more than one volume but it only shows one volume+label). SWITCH_E2B.exe lists ALL volumes (not drives) and so each volume appears in the dropdown list.

I mean RMPrepUSB, Drive, Launch WinContig.
I used E2B on Windows 7 with visible data partition.
Under Windows 10 I want to add an Iso.
Then I use RMPrepUSB, Drive, Launch WinContig to make the data contiguous.
But for this I have to change the partitions.
Or do I see it wrong?
Why is there the option: Access Partition 2 on a Removable drive?

The option to swap partitions is for Win7, 8 and older Win10 systems because they only give a drive letter to the first partition on a Removable USB drive.
The E2B partition contains \MAKE_THIS_DRIVE_CONTIGUOUS (run as admin).cmd - so just double-click it.
If you use Wincontig from RMPrepUSB, it will choose the volume letter that is shown in the RMPrepUSB drive field - this may not be the one you want (Windows will decide on the letter).
To ensure the correct drive letter is used by WinContig, either run the .exe directly and choose which volume you want, or copy the \_ISO\docs\Wincontig folder to the DATA volume and run \_ISO\docs\Wincontig\MAKE_THIS_DRIVE_CONTIGUOUS.cmd as Admin from that volume, or install Defraggler on a Win10 system and just right-click on the file you want to defrag.

Hello,
First i need to say that you do an excellent job with Easy2boot. It is really an amazing tool and should have much more recognition.

Now, I have been using for some time WindowsToGo VHD/VHDX like on this tutorial: http://www.easy2boot.com/add-payload-files/wintogo/
Would it be possible to Easy2boot/grub4dos create a RamDisk with the VHD and then boot it from the RamDisk?
I understand that i would lose any data on a reboot.

A Windows To Go VHD would need to be of the fixed type and at least 15GB in size and would need to contain the boot files and BCD. It would also have to load into memory using grub4dos which would be very slow (on some systems may take 30 minutes or more). There is a .vhdmem file extension which you can try (use v1.B7a or later as I just found a bug in .vhdmem!).

Adding Acronis Image AllInOne with menu.lst to MainMenu

Greetings Steve and others!

I have the image of ATI_2015_v18_ADD_12_AUR_2015_v11.5_BootCD_USB_x86_64UEFI_Ru.ISO.
How can I add its contents to the E2B(v1.B5) main menu not through an .imgPTN image?
This image has a menu.lst file with the following contents:
---------------menu.lst begin-------
color black/brown yellow/brown

timeout 6

title Acronis True Image 2015 v18.0 Build 6525
kernel /ATI2015/1.krn vga=791 quiet
initrd /ATI2015/1.fs

title Acronis Disk Director 12.0.3223
kernel /ADD12/dat5.dat vga=791 quiet
initrd /ADD12/dat4.dat

title Acronis Universal Restore 2015 v11.5 Build 38938
kernel /AUR2015/1.krn vga=791 quiet
initrd /AUR2015/1.fs

title Acronis True Image 2015 v18.0 Build 6525 (x64)
kernel /ATI2015/dat9.dat vga=791 quiet
initrd /ATI2015/dat8.dat

title Acronis Disk Director 12.0.3223 (x64)
kernel /ADD12/dat7.dat vga=791 quiet
initrd /ADD12/dat6.dat

title Acronis Universal Restore 2015 v11.5 Build 38938 (x64)
kernel /AUR2015/2.krn vga=791 quiet
initrd /AUR2015/2.fs

title Reboot
reboot

title Halt
halt
---------------menu.lst end------------------

and this directory structure:

-------image structure begin--------------------
[BOOT]\
ADD12\
ATI2015\
AUR2015\
boot\
boot\grub\
boot\grub\i386-efi\
boot\grub\i386-efi\cfg\
boot\grub\i386-pc\
boot\grub\THEMES\
boot\grub\THEMES\---others files---
boot\grub\x86_64-efi\
EFI\
EFI\BOOT\
[BOOT]\Boot-NoEmul.img
ADD12\dat4.dat
ADD12\dat5.dat
ADD12\dat6.dat
ADD12\dat7.dat
ATI2015\1.fs
ATI2015\1.krn
ATI2015\dat8.dat
ATI2015\dat9.dat
AUR2015\1.fs
AUR2015\1.krn
AUR2015\2.fs
AUR2015\2.krn
boot\grub\grub.cfg
boot\grub\i386-efi\---there are a lot of files---
boot\grub\i386-pc\---there are a lot of files---
boot\grub\THEMES\---there are a lot of files---
boot\grub\UNICODE.PF2
boot\grub\x86_64-efi\---there are a lot of files---
EFI\BOOT\bootia32.efi
EFI\BOOT\bootx64.efi
EFI\BOOT\grubx64.efi
grldr
menu.lst
--------image structure end-------------------

Are you saying that you added the .ISO file to the \_ISO\MAINMENU folder and tried to boot it in the E2B menu system and it did not work?
If not, did you try the .isomem file extension?

P.S. I have modified E2B v1.B6e Beta - if you use the file extension .isogrub, it should work OK.

You can always simply extract the contents of the ISO to the root of the E2B drive and make a .mnu file from the menu.lst file that is inside the ISO. The \boot and \EFI folders will not be needed and can be omitted.

Hi Steve, Can you please expand the F7 "Boot First HDD" functionality to a more general menu that supports "Boot drive X partition Y"? It would be very useful. I already know that I can achieve this task manually by invoking a grub4dos shell (shift-P, enter "easy2boot" as passwd, shift-C to get shell, then enter command "chainloader (hdX,Y)+1", then command "rootnoverify (hdX,Y)", then command "boot"). However manual operations are cumbersome, there is the complication you need map (hdX) (hd0) when X!=0, and perhaps other complications that makes the task somewhat ardous. So an automated system would be much better and more accessible to non-experts.
Bonus points if the "Boot driveX PartitionY" menu has an optional command to generate a list of possibilities that includes useful hints such as fstype, e2label/volname or other indicators/reminders as to what is stored on each partition.
How does that sound?

Well there is a sample menu for booting to the 2nd hard disk.
$Boot_to_Disk_2.mnu
Does that work?
It boots by default to the MBR on that disk. You can always change the last line to boot to a particular partition.
Let me know if the menu works for you first...

I don't know where to copy a sample menu to make it active. Can you explain? Long story(*).
(*) I'm on linux, hence no access to E2B_editor.exe. I'm using a SATA SSD drive, not USB drive, so even if I get a windows machine (win7) I have to reboot each time for it to find the SSD when I want to change the menu system. It's complicated ;).

It's a .mnu file. Just copy it to the \_ISO\MAINMENU folder.

I made two new .mnu files in _ISO/MAINMENU. They do not appear in the main menu when I boot. Is there something more I have to do?

Well, your system has to contain two hard disks.

LOL, I fixed the iftitle line. It used to say

iftitle [cat --hex --length=1 (hd2)0+1 >nul] Boot from Disk 2\nBoot from second disk

Now the whole file is called \$Boot_to_hd0_part1.mnu
and contains

iftitle [cat --hex --length=1 (hd0)0+1 >nul] Boot (hd0,1)
errorcheck off
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
chainloader (hd0,1)+1 || chainloader (hd0,1)+1 || chainloader (hd0,1)/bootmgr || chainloader (hd0,1)/ntldr

Thanks.

Hi Steve.
I've been using a Sandisk Ultra 3.0 32GB with E2B for a few months, maybe close to 12 months now.
During this time I created a Manjaro KDE imgPTN install and used every now and then, mostly at weekends.
A couple of days ago I upgraded to the latest E2B version and right after that I loaded another 4 or 5 isos that I tend to need on occasions.
Suddenly the disk stopped permitting me to write on it. My Windows 7 hadn't been rebooted for 4 or 5 days in a row and I decided to reboot it. After that it still didn't allow me to copy or delete any files on the disk.
Tried diskpart that says the disk is write protected. Not even a diskpart clean will clear the write protection.
Reading about it on the internet, it appears that Sandisk will lock a disk with WP if the disk presents any sign of degradation. This way Sandisk guarantees the data present in the disk.
Do you think it could be something like that?
When I decided to go imgPTN I knew that I would be wearing the disk but I thought these disks would allow more time doing this. I was expecting maybe 3 or 4 years doing this.
To your knowledge, is there anything I could do to minimize the wearing? Like booting to ram, running everything from ram and only writing the changes to disk once a day or when we issue the shutdown command.
Would WindowsToGo be as bad for disk wearing as linux on imgPTN?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers

I am surprised a Sandisk Ultra is fast enough to run a full OS.
So when you boot to E2B then E2B reports that the drive is write-protected? If not, then what you are seeing may be something to do with Windows and the drive is not write-protected in h/w.
If you are talking about running a full linux installation or a full Windows (WinToGo) installation from USB, then it is going to perform many write operations every day. AFAIK, SanDisk do not warranty their flash drives if used in such a manner. This is because flash drive controllers do not have the advanced (static) wear levelling support in the controllers. AFAIK, most SanDisk controllers in their flash drives should have dynamic levelling (others may not), so writing to LBA0 every time you switch to a .imgPTN file should have no discernible affect. Corsair may use static levelling in some of their drives (but they won't say which ones!) but seem to stick with their 10 yr warranty even if used as WinToGo\Linux.
If you are running a full OS every day, then you really need to use an SSD or M.2 USB drive that is intended to be used with a full OS.
See also:
https://www.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/54---how-to-fix-write-protected-disks

ISO9660 are not easily modifiable, it's necessary to unpack all, change a single file and repack them, which is harder than modifying a file in a file system such as FAT or EXT4 (just mount it to a loop device).

What is a suitable file format for bootable file such that it is modifiable?

Would an ISO that contains an image of a bootable disk with a partition table works, or should I use the makepartimage tool to make a .imgPTN file (how to run this from Linux? I read the persistent tutorials but makepartimage is required in all of them.)

I tried to make a file with `dev if=zero of=file.img bs=...`, format it with `mkfs.ext4` or `mkfs.vfat` (tried both) and copy the iso content over but it does not work (just return to E2B menu, doing nothing or show a corrupted label name).

PowerISO (Windows) can be used to remove\add files to an ISO but keep its boot code intact.
If you want to work on a bootable linux USB then making a .imgPTN file might be a good way if you just have it all on one partition. You can then just directly add/remove files.
MakePartImage.cmd is a Windows only tool - you will need a real or virtual Windows system.
You haven't explained what you are trying to do or what the target payload/ISO is, so it is difficult to guess at your requirements...

I have several bootable ISOs working quite well from within E2B v1.B5, but there is one that will not boot from within E2B (even after trying the suggested changes to the .iso file extension). When I attempt to boot that iso from within E2B I get the message: "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" (???). At that point pressing any key results in total lock-up and the only recourse is to power-down!!

To test the integrity of that ISO I have written the ISO image onto a separate UFD (by itself) and it boots up just fine!

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

Look up the iso on the 'list of tested isos' page. Tell me what iso it is ( or am I supposed to guess!).

Steve, it's not on the list of tested isos or I would have told you. It's a WinPE/RE multiboot that with x86 and x64 versions of Terabyte's IFW on it.

How did you write the image to a USB drive? Did you use their utility to make a new flash drive?
Look at the USB drive. If it has a single MBR partition you should be able to drag-and-drop it onto the MPI_FAT32 shortcut to create a .imgPTN file from the drive. If it is not a straight-forward single MBR partition, then it is not a normal WinPE ISO. Unless I can get the ISO it is difficult to reproduce the problem and fix it. If you just want to MBR-boot and it only contains a boot.wim file, then just copy the boot.wim file to the E2B drive.

Thanks for replying - Yes, I used E2B to make a new UFD. Re your suggestion to make a .imgPTN file, isn't when using UEFI (which I am not doing)??? S

No boot.wim - it seems to me that E2B is finding something with the ISO's bootmgr it doesn't like.

If its WinPE\RE then AFAIK they always have one or two .wim files. Look in \sources folder or maybe \x86\sources and \x64\sources?
.imgPTN is not only for UEFI, it is used for many different purposes where a 'flat-file' is wanted. It is just that UEFI BIOSes are required to boot from a FAT32 partition, thus using a .imgPTN file which has a FAT32 format is useful for UEFI booting.

Steve, this is 'way above my paygrade'. Can I get the iso to you (in a secure manner)?

Sure, just upload it to DropBox or Google Drive or MS OneDrive and send the shared download link to [email protected]

Sent via Google Drive. ;)

[The ISO worked fine for me and also booted using QEMU. Seems to be a BIOS compatibility issue with the users systems]

Hello,
what is the difference or change between SWITCH_E2B v1.1.25 and
SWITCH_E2B_Paquet_TEST and SWITCH_E2B_MakeSFXTEST ?
Sorry, I couldn't find a description.
Thank you

They are just test files for a specific user who had problems with the standard switch_e2b.exe. He found that on one system it gave errors and would not show any drives, but we found that it was due to the self-extracting exe package used. So these TEST examples are just packaged using different SE tools. If WinRar or SFX is used then it worked on his system (but those exe files give loads of false positives on antivirus packages). The standard download and the pacquet version did not work on his system but dont give loads of AV warnings.

The easy2boot downloads contain numerous copyrighted works by others (e.g. memdisk, grldr) which are redistributed apparently without a legal license and the required offer for the source code. Is this some kind of oversight or is easys2boot simply pirating other peoples work?

Hi Marc
I have worked with the developers of grub4dos (grldr) for many years (some of my code is in it) and as far as I know it is open source and free to use by anyone. The developers don't have a problem so why do you?
The offer of source code is only required if GPL code has been used within my code. This does not apply here since none of the code in my utilities contain GPL code and the compiled GPL utilities are distributed without alteration - see GPL wiki entry below.
I am unaware of any issue with memdisk as it is included in 100s of distributions of llinux and other utilities. If you can point to any specific T&Cs which I have contravened, please point them out and let me know what you think I need to do.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License#Use_of_licensed_software
https://repo.or.cz/syslinux.git/blob/HEAD:/memdisk/memdisk16.asm

Not understanding the GPL doesn't mean you are free from it's requirements: nothing else gives you the right to redistribute the software - first, e2b is clearly a derived work and thus the GPL would apply to it and you would have to distribute your derived work under the GPL as well (if you think its not derived, remove the GPL components to see if it still works). Secondly, neither the GPL nor the wikipedia link support your false claim that you can distribute "unaltered" binaries without heeding the license. Lastly,
the fact that some people don't care about illegal redistribution doesn't suddenly make it legal (and do you really claim you have asked _all_ copyright holder of syslinux, grub4dos and other software you include for different license conditions? Where is the documentatoon for this?).

So, as it stands, you have no right to distribute the works of others without following their license, and according to the terms of the GPL, e2b is clearly pirating other people's hard work without even giving credit. None of which you are allowed to do under the GPL.

Asking me which "T&C" you violated is also disingenous - you have to have the right to redistribute the software, the default is that you are not allowed to do it. The GPL allows you to redistribute software under certain conditions that you are clearly not implementing. Nothing in the grub4dos or syslinux licenses allow you to claim credit as your own (as you do) not inform receivers of your software about the license, not offering receivers of your software the same rights according to the GPL and not offering source code.

If you really want a T&C clause, take section 4 of the GPLv2, which disallows redistribution except as stated in the license, which you do not implement.

If you were honest about this you could have pointed out which section of the GPL you wrongly think allows you to redistribute the binaries without source/license/credit/or source offer, rather than point to a random link in wikipedia that doesn't support your claim at all.

And if you want to become honest, it would be high time to stop stealing other peoples work and follow their license, especially given that e2b wouldn't exist without their hard work.

The reason why I so aggressively hum on the "honest" here is that if you were honest, you wouldn't see a problem with giving credit where credit is due and following the license - you would just do it. Your weaseling around is just dishonest.

And if anybody wonders about the wikipedia link given in defense, it clearly contradicts the claims made by the e2b author:

For sales or distribution, the entire source code need to be made available to end users, including any code changes and additions—in that case, copyleft is applied to ensure that end users retain the freedoms defined above.

But of course, wikiepdia doesn't own the works nor does it make the rules, so the final arbiter is the licensed of the software, although wikipedia does a good summary.

Neither wikipedia nor the GPL license itself is hard to understand - both are written in plain english. Following it is not hard, and clearly is the morally right thing to do.

From the Wiki page:

Communicating and bundling with non-GPL programs
The mere act of communicating with other programs does not, by itself, require all software to be GPL; nor does distributing GPL software with non-GPL software. However, minor conditions must be followed that ensures the rights of GPL software is not restricted. The following is a quote from the gnu.org GPL FAQ, which describes to what extent software is allowed to communicate with and be bundled with GPL programs:[71]

What is the difference between an "aggregate" and other kinds of "modified versions"?

An "aggregate" consists of a number of separate programs, distributed together on the same CD-ROM or other media. The GPL permits you to create and distribute an aggregate, even when the licenses of the other software are non-free or GPL-incompatible. The only condition is that you cannot release the aggregate under a license that prohibits users from exercising rights that each program's individual license would grant them.

----

Since no program in the E2B project includes GPL code but merely calls separate GPL programs, I don't think I am required to provide source code for my own programs. So I may perhaps be guilty of not including a text file of the GPL licence and another file stating which of the included programs are GPL licensed. I also may be guilty of perhaps not mentioning the GPL programs on the E2B website Licensing page too.
http://www.easy2boot.com/contact-us/licensing/

The free E2B project, web site, forums and blogs have always made it clear that the Easy2Boot menu system is based on an (unaltered GPL) version of grub4dos.
http://www.easy2boot.com/contact-us/howe2bwasborn/

I will try to rectify these oversights ASAP and hope that will satisfy you.

As I said, if you think you are not creating a derived wokr and merely bundling separate programs together. remove the gpl parts from the e2b distribution and see if it still works. Obviously, it won't work, proving that you are not merely aggregating separate programs, but instead create a new derived work.

"Merely including a text file" is still not enough.

I find your continued attempts at weaseling around very disingenous.

Read the license of the programs you are illegally redistributing and follow it - it is not very hard to do so.

Also, you are restricting user freedoms by claiming people must not sell or e2b, as at the very least the gpl parts of it are freely redistributable, and you have to provide source.

And if you can't remove the GPL parts from e2b and still have a working software, you are clearly depeneding on it, and thus create a modified distribution and a derived work.

OR in other words, you are stealing other people's work that has made your work possible and deprive users of their rights.

I would also like to point out that you woulöd have to jave done all this work first, and not only when people complain and point out you what you are doing is illegal.

I would really suggest following the license instead of pirating other people's work, and not continously try to weasel yourself out.

Citing wikipedia as if it were in any way relevant is a good example - you are misunderstanding wikipedia and pretend that wikipedia is somehow an authority, but it is not.

The only thing that counts is the license of the programs you are using.

And this license does not allow you to redistribute derived works under an incompatible license, put extra restrictions on derived works, remove copyright notices of the real authors and relieve you from the requirement to provide all sources.

If you think e2b is a mere aggregatioon you should be able to prove this by making a working distribution of e2b without the GPL-licensed parts - this would prove that it is an independent work.

Which of course it isn't, because you are incorporating modified versions of grub4dos, syslinux and probably other saoftware in your product.

Really, read the license and implemeent its requirements, stop weaseling around and qauoting wikpedia as if it had any relevance.

I also take note that my challenge to provide documentation that you indeed have asked all the copyright holders for permission has been ignored by you, which makes me think you made it up, and you don't really know that the copyright holders are ok with you redistributing their software under another license. IF you think I am wrong, it's easy to prove me wrong, but you continously fail to do so...

You said:
'because you are incorporating modified versions of grub4dos, syslinux and probably other software in your product.'

BUT I have said several times that I have NOT modified any version of any GPL s/w. It is not 'derived' from any GPL sources. It just contains unmodified original GPL binaries, the source code to which is freely available from the original authors. The main bulk of Easy2Boot consists of my own grub4dos batch files which are in plain text and are therefore, in themselves, the source code. Perhaps you do not fully understand how E2B works?

I will endeavour to clarify the licensing in future and include GPL licence text files with the download. Authors of any of the aggregated s/w are free to contact me if they still have a problem (though no one has so far in over 6 years).

Over the years I have asked as many copyright owners as I can if it is OK to distribute their binaries with E2B before I have used them (mostly via forums/bulletin boards) but I have not kept specific records for all the s/w and I don't see why I have to show you the records anyway. I have tried to be careful to not include any s/w which I was not allowed to freely distribute. If there is an issue, then that is between me and the authors and it is nothing to do with you.

I don't understand why you spread your accusations in the forum and don't email the E2B author.
You accuse the author of being a pirate and want to publicly denounce him in the forum.
The developers of e.g. grub4dos have worked with the accused for a long time.
It would be the right and the task of the grub4dos developers to inform the E2B author about a license violation.
Easy2Boot is now very well known and the developers who were cheated in your opinion would have contacted the E2B developer long ago.
What causes you to play police here?

Hello,
Sandisk Extreme Pro 128GB / E2B v1.B5 with PC Legacy BIOS
I use updating date and time string and display disk sizes.
For Sandisk Extreme PRO shows WIN 10 Explorer and RMPrepUSB 119GB.
E2B Display disk size shows 116GB, also for HDD1 there is a difference of the capacity. It is not important but is it normal?
UEFI PC also displays 116GB for USB. For SSD NVME 500GB, 2048GB is displayed but is PCIe.
% B64% system RAM shows only 12946MB instead of 16318MB.
USB capacity is read correctly on UEFI PC but not RAM?

1GiB = 1024x1024*1024 and 1GB = 1000*1000*1000
HDD sizes will be rounded down to nearest 4GiB.
The E2B menu shows the values reported by the BIOS in GB (not GiB) it is nothing to do with UEFI since we are in Legacy\CSM\BIOS mode.
So Disk size will depend on disk geometry reported by BIOS and RAM size will depend on what is reported by the BIOS in normal real mode as usable free RAM - often the graphics uses memory and there are unused 'holes' in the memory. If I create a VM in VBOX with 2560MB RAM then E2B reports 2560 for B64.
As for the NVME - I am not quite sure why that is showing as 2TB - possibly because the BIOS does not 'see' it and so the next hard disk you have in your system is 2TB or larger? Some BIOSes only 'see' a PCIe M.2 drive in UEFI mode.
P.S. Try latest 1.B6a Beta - it should be more accurate for HD sizes.

Hello,
the new E2B v1.B6a does not change the HDD capacity display.
Would the display disk sizes string in the My2B.cfg also need to be adjusted?
But you are right. If you round the capacities to 4GB, the display is correct. In the display on UEFI PC, I have made a mistake, here is not 2048GB but 2044GB displayed and no other hard drive installed.
The displayed RAM is correct on 2 Legacy BIOS PC 24GB: BIOS = 24574MB E2B = 24574MB
and 12GB: BIOS = 12280MB E2B = 12280MB
UEFI PC 16GB: UEFI BIOS = 16318MB E2B = 12946MB

Please re-download v1.B6a - I updated it yesterday without changing the version letter.
UEFI may be able to use more RAM than the Legacy BIOS. Since grub4dos boot via Legacy BIOS, E2B just reports what is reported by Legacy BIOS.

Hello,
unfortunately the revised E2B v1.B6a leads to the same result.