boot from VHD without parent OS

[Symbiot]

Hi

I'm trying to figure out how to create an installation that will let me use bootmanager to boot different VHD files WITHOUT having installed a parent OS.

So NO windows 7 installation or similar.. only a bootmanager that lets me select different VHD OS's...

Make sense? any suggestions are welcome!

[DanielV]

To get started you will primary necessitate to make a Windows 7 WinPE USB Disk (this can be done by means of the Windows 7 AIK)

1. Boot the machine from the USB Drive as of WinPE
2. Format C: /q — This is elective, but make certain you remove c:\bootmgr
3. Copy Windows 7 VHD file to any place on the hard disk [In this case I copied it to C:\VHD\Win7.vhd]
4. Copy Bootmgr from the USB disk– Very significant step, just the windows 7 Bootmgr will permit boot from VHD
5. Type the below commands in the WinPE command window
   
   • C:\>DISKPART
   • DISKPART>SEL VDISK File=C:\VHD\Win7.vhd
   • DISKPART>ATTACH VDISK
   • DISKPART>LIST VOL
   • DISKPART>Exit
   • C:\>Bcdboot F:\Windows

Now the system is prepared, just Reboot the system and this will catch you directly into your VHD.

[Symbiot]

Hi Daniel

thanks.. I'll look into creating a winPE boot disk..

Tell me.. what if I add more vhd files? I need to be able to boot to several different OS'...