Making SDI file for PXE boot as small as possible.

Posted: 07-30-2004, 09:05 AM

David Harris

Guest
Posts: n/a

My requirement is to make a post-FBA SDI file for use when PXE booting as small
as possible.
A few months ago I think I found a procedure that allowed me to make an SDI
image smaller than the actual size than the HDD boot partition used to create
the post-FBA image. However since then I have lost my notes of exactly what I
did due to a machine crash.

As far as I can remember the method I used was as follows ...

1. Create image in TD designed for a 75/100/125MB boot device.
2. Deploy image to HDD on target (partition was ~200MB FAT32).
3. Run image thru FBA.
4. Use SDILoader to setup 75/100/125MB SDI file (FAT32 format).
5. Copy post FBA image from HDD into 75/100/125MB SDI file.
6. Create a new SDI file using SDIMGR
7. Import 75/100/125MB partition from the first SDI file into
the new SDI file using SDIMGR readpart.
8. Load SDI as ramdisk via PXE boot

The step I cannot remember how to do exactly is step 5 (copy the post-FBA image
from the 200MB HDD into the 75/100/125MB SDI created by SDILoader). Can anyone
point me in the right direction, or is my memory failing me and it is not
possible?

David

Responses to "Making SDI file for PXE boot as small as possible."

Bing.Chen

Guest
Posts: n/a

Re: Making SDI file for PXE boot as small as possible.

Posted: 07-30-2004, 09:48 AM

Dear David,

For step 5, you just need to copy files from post FBA image to the
virtaul drive.

The virtual drive is created by SDILoader.

--
Best Regards,
Microsoft MVP for Windows Embedded
Bing Chen
Advantech Co., Ltd.

"David Harris" <dh_at_daharris_com.NoSpAm> ¦b¶l¥ó
news:uQTQmvgdEHA.384@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl ¤¤¼¶¼g...

> My requirement is to make a post-FBA SDI file for use when PXE booting as

small

> as possible.
> A few months ago I think I found a procedure that allowed me to make an

SDI

> image smaller than the actual size than the HDD boot partition used to

create

> the post-FBA image. However since then I have lost my notes of exactly

what I

> did due to a machine crash.
>
> As far as I can remember the method I used was as follows ...
>
> 1. Create image in TD designed for a 75/100/125MB boot device.
> 2. Deploy image to HDD on target (partition was ~200MB FAT32).
> 3. Run image thru FBA.
> 4. Use SDILoader to setup 75/100/125MB SDI file (FAT32 format).
> 5. Copy post FBA image from HDD into 75/100/125MB SDI file.
> 6. Create a new SDI file using SDIMGR
> 7. Import 75/100/125MB partition from the first SDI file into
> the new SDI file using SDIMGR readpart.
> 8. Load SDI as ramdisk via PXE boot
>
> The step I cannot remember how to do exactly is step 5 (copy the post-FBA

image

> from the 200MB HDD into the 75/100/125MB SDI created by SDILoader). Can

anyone

> point me in the right direction, or is my memory failing me and it is not
> possible?
>
> David
>
>

David Harris

Guest
Posts: n/a

Re: Making SDI file for PXE boot as small as possible.

Posted: 07-30-2004, 10:24 AM

I thought that copying the files using XCOPY or explorer would not work. A
post-FBA filesystem will contain licensing information and permission settings
that may not be correctly transferred by a simple filesystem copy.

David

"Bing.Chen" <bing.chen@advantech.com.tw.NO_SPAM> wrote in message
news:OXNzIIhdEHA.2520@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

> Dear David,
>
> For step 5, you just need to copy files from post FBA image to the
> virtaul drive.
>
> The virtual drive is created by SDILoader.
>
>
> --
> Best Regards,
> Microsoft MVP for Windows Embedded
> Bing Chen
> Advantech Co., Ltd.
>
>
> "David Harris" <dh_at_daharris_com.NoSpAm> ¦b¶l¥ó
> news:uQTQmvgdEHA.384@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl ¤¤¼¶¼g...
> > My requirement is to make a post-FBA SDI file for use when PXE booting as
> small
> > as possible.
> > A few months ago I think I found a procedure that allowed me to make an
> SDI
> > image smaller than the actual size than the HDD boot partition used to
> create
> > the post-FBA image. However since then I have lost my notes of exactly
> what I
> > did due to a machine crash.
> >
> > As far as I can remember the method I used was as follows ...
> >
> > 1. Create image in TD designed for a 75/100/125MB boot device.
> > 2. Deploy image to HDD on target (partition was ~200MB FAT32).
> > 3. Run image thru FBA.
> > 4. Use SDILoader to setup 75/100/125MB SDI file (FAT32 format).
> > 5. Copy post FBA image from HDD into 75/100/125MB SDI file.
> > 6. Create a new SDI file using SDIMGR
> > 7. Import 75/100/125MB partition from the first SDI file into
> > the new SDI file using SDIMGR readpart.
> > 8. Load SDI as ramdisk via PXE boot
> >
> > The step I cannot remember how to do exactly is step 5 (copy the post-FBA
> image
> > from the 200MB HDD into the 75/100/125MB SDI created by SDILoader). Can
> anyone
> > point me in the right direction, or is my memory failing me and it is not
> > possible?
> >
> > David

Bing.Chen

Guest
Posts: n/a

Re: Making SDI file for PXE boot as small as possible.

Posted: 07-30-2004, 10:41 AM

Dear David,

Plug the disk with post FBA image to another XP system.

And create SDI virtual drive in the XP system.

You can easily use copy and paste to transfer the files.

--
Best Regards,
Microsoft MVP for Windows Embedded
Bing Chen
Advantech Co., Ltd.

"David Harris" <dh_at_daharris_com.NoSpAm> ¦b¶l¥ó
news:OSyyKchdEHA.3016@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl ¤¤¼¶¼g...

> I thought that copying the files using XCOPY or explorer would not work.

> post-FBA filesystem will contain licensing information and permission

settings

> that may not be correctly transferred by a simple filesystem copy.
>
> David
>
> "Bing.Chen" <bing.chen@advantech.com.tw.NO_SPAM> wrote in message
> news:OXNzIIhdEHA.2520@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Dear David,
> >
> > For step 5, you just need to copy files from post FBA image to the
> > virtaul drive.
> >
> > The virtual drive is created by SDILoader.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Best Regards,
> > Microsoft MVP for Windows Embedded
> > Bing Chen
> > Advantech Co., Ltd.
> >
> >
> > "David Harris" <dh_at_daharris_com.NoSpAm> ¦b¶l¥ó
> > news:uQTQmvgdEHA.384@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl ¤¤¼¶¼g...
> > > My requirement is to make a post-FBA SDI file for use when PXE booting

> > small
> > > as possible.
> > > A few months ago I think I found a procedure that allowed me to make

> > SDI
> > > image smaller than the actual size than the HDD boot partition used to
> > create
> > > the post-FBA image. However since then I have lost my notes of

exactly

> > what I
> > > did due to a machine crash.
> > >
> > > As far as I can remember the method I used was as follows ...
> > >
> > > 1. Create image in TD designed for a 75/100/125MB boot device.
> > > 2. Deploy image to HDD on target (partition was ~200MB FAT32).
> > > 3. Run image thru FBA.
> > > 4. Use SDILoader to setup 75/100/125MB SDI file (FAT32 format).
> > > 5. Copy post FBA image from HDD into 75/100/125MB SDI file.
> > > 6. Create a new SDI file using SDIMGR
> > > 7. Import 75/100/125MB partition from the first SDI file into
> > > the new SDI file using SDIMGR readpart.
> > > 8. Load SDI as ramdisk via PXE boot
> > >
> > > The step I cannot remember how to do exactly is step 5 (copy the

post-FBA

> > image
> > > from the 200MB HDD into the 75/100/125MB SDI created by SDILoader).

Can

> > anyone
> > > point me in the right direction, or is my memory failing me and it is

not

> > > possible?
> > >
> > > David

>
>

Guest
Posts: n/a

Re: Making SDI file for PXE boot as small as possible.

Posted: 07-30-2004, 04:14 PM

David,

Licensing information is in registry and when you [x]copy files - you copy
registry too.
Permission settings... user account information is is registry as well. FS
permissions - you do not have one, you mentioned FAT32.

KM

> I thought that copying the files using XCOPY or explorer would not work.

> post-FBA filesystem will contain licensing information and permission

settings

> that may not be correctly transferred by a simple filesystem copy.
>
> David
>
> "Bing.Chen" <bing.chen@advantech.com.tw.NO_SPAM> wrote in message
> news:OXNzIIhdEHA.2520@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Dear David,
> >
> > For step 5, you just need to copy files from post FBA image to the
> > virtaul drive.
> >
> > The virtual drive is created by SDILoader.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Best Regards,
> > Microsoft MVP for Windows Embedded
> > Bing Chen
> > Advantech Co., Ltd.
> >
> >
> > "David Harris" <dh_at_daharris_com.NoSpAm> ¦b¶l¥ó
> > news:uQTQmvgdEHA.384@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl ¤¤¼¶¼g...
> > > My requirement is to make a post-FBA SDI file for use when PXE booting

> > small
> > > as possible.
> > > A few months ago I think I found a procedure that allowed me to make

> > SDI
> > > image smaller than the actual size than the HDD boot partition used to
> > create
> > > the post-FBA image. However since then I have lost my notes of

exactly

> > what I
> > > did due to a machine crash.
> > >
> > > As far as I can remember the method I used was as follows ...
> > >
> > > 1. Create image in TD designed for a 75/100/125MB boot device.
> > > 2. Deploy image to HDD on target (partition was ~200MB FAT32).
> > > 3. Run image thru FBA.
> > > 4. Use SDILoader to setup 75/100/125MB SDI file (FAT32 format).
> > > 5. Copy post FBA image from HDD into 75/100/125MB SDI file.
> > > 6. Create a new SDI file using SDIMGR
> > > 7. Import 75/100/125MB partition from the first SDI file into
> > > the new SDI file using SDIMGR readpart.
> > > 8. Load SDI as ramdisk via PXE boot
> > >
> > > The step I cannot remember how to do exactly is step 5 (copy the

post-FBA

> > image
> > > from the 200MB HDD into the 75/100/125MB SDI created by SDILoader).

Can

> > anyone
> > > point me in the right direction, or is my memory failing me and it is

not

> > > possible?
> > >
> > > David

>
>

Slobodan Brcin \(eMVP\)

Guest
Posts: n/a

Re: Making SDI file for PXE boot as small as possible.

Posted: 07-31-2004, 10:04 PM

Hi David,

5. Copy post FBA Image from HDD to first partition on virtual SDI disk.
6,7 are one step import will create sdi file with PART blob.

Now you have SDI file with data that are compacted on beginning of partition and rest are zeroes.
8. You will have to trim your file size to remove all trailing zeroes.
9. Custom boot loader that you make can load all sdi data to ram and zero rest of above memory.

Regards,
Slobodan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do have an opinion on the effectiveness of Microsoft Windows Mobile and Embedded newsgroups? Let us know!
https://www.windowsembeddedeval.com/...ity/newsgroups
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"David Harris" <dh_at_daharris_com.NoSpAm> wrote in message news:uQTQmvgdEHA.384@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

> My requirement is to make a post-FBA SDI file for use when PXE booting as small
> as possible.
> A few months ago I think I found a procedure that allowed me to make an SDI
> image smaller than the actual size than the HDD boot partition used to create
> the post-FBA image. However since then I have lost my notes of exactly what I
> did due to a machine crash.
>
> As far as I can remember the method I used was as follows ...
>
> 1. Create image in TD designed for a 75/100/125MB boot device.
> 2. Deploy image to HDD on target (partition was ~200MB FAT32).
> 3. Run image thru FBA.
> 4. Use SDILoader to setup 75/100/125MB SDI file (FAT32 format).
> 5. Copy post FBA image from HDD into 75/100/125MB SDI file.
> 6. Create a new SDI file using SDIMGR
> 7. Import 75/100/125MB partition from the first SDI file into
> the new SDI file using SDIMGR readpart.
> 8. Load SDI as ramdisk via PXE boot
>
> The step I cannot remember how to do exactly is step 5 (copy the post-FBA image
> from the 200MB HDD into the 75/100/125MB SDI created by SDILoader). Can anyone
> point me in the right direction, or is my memory failing me and it is not
> possible?
>
> David
>
>

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display Modes

« Wireless Zero Configuration | Image & BIOS read »

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads You may post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts BB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On HTML code is Off Trackbacks are On Pingbacks are On Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need help with configuring file sharing for small LAN	Joe	Windows XP Accessibility	1	09-12-2003 02:02 AM
making a boot CD for driveimage 2002	jim	Windows XP Basics	5	08-17-2003 03:51 PM
system 32 corrupt making pc unable to boot	Frankie Deschacht	Windows XP New Users	3	08-14-2003 02:59 AM
paging file too small error on startup	shelly	Windows XP Performance & Maintenance	3	08-06-2003 09:40 PM
making a boot diskette	Todd	Windows XP Setup	1	07-31-2003 10:08 PM

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90