OS Selector not recognising drive

[Chrinoc]

I have a Vista partition followed by an XP partition on my HDD. OSS only recognises the XP partition.

Have tried the wizard to add OSes manually but it says that it doesn't find any on the Vista partition.

Any help appreciated.

[Chrinoc]

Is there to be no help from Acronis support? All I want to do is use a feature that I paid for and was one of the reasons I chose this product over partitioning software that did not come with boot managers.

As well as not showing Vista it also doesn't show an option to boot into a bootable CD when one is in the drive, but I can live with that. At present if I want to boot into the OS that is not currently active I have to wait for the other one to load then use ADDS to make the other one active then reboot. A hassle.

[MudCrab]

OSS has a problem finding non-Microsoft or brand-name OEM Vista installations. They have to be added manually.

Can you attach a copy of the BOOTWIZ.OSS file (instructions can be found here (http://www.themudcrab.com/acronis_oss_bootwiz.php))?

Also, let me know which partition is the Vista partition.

OSS can't see some CD/DVD drives. As far as I know, it depends on the chipset used in the computer. It has the same problem on my P965/JMicron chipset board. I don't mind because I wouldn't install or boot CD/DVD's through OSS anyway.

[Chrinoc]

Thank you for the reply.

Earlier today I reinstalled OSS but this time chose custom install and installed to the first logical drive. This time no OSs where found at all. It also wouldn't let me deactivate since there was no OS it could set as active for the next reboot, so I had to use the boot CD to uninstall. Bizarre.

Anyway, I shall try installing with the default install setting again, and see if it allows me into any OS so that I can see the required Bootwiz file and copy it.

[MudCrab]

If OSS installs, but doesn't find anything and you're going to have to get access to the files (like BOOTWIZ.OSS), just boot to a Windows CD and do an MBR repair. This will deactivate OSS and leave the files intact. If you uninstall OSS, the files will be lost.

Since it's only finding XP, I would recommend that when you install OSS that the XP partition is set as the Active partition and that XP is booting normally before you install OSS.

[Acronis Support]

Hello Chrinoc and MudCrab,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 (http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/)

Please accept our apologies for the delay with the response.

In this situation it's recommended to fix Master Boot Record of your hard drive, it will make your XP system bootable.

Please boot up from the Windows Bootable CD, then go to the Recovery Console (the
first Repair option you come to).

From the command prompt please type:

FIXMBR C:
FIXBOOT C:
BOOTCFG /rebuild

After that, please reboot your computer.

If you prefer to fix MBR using a CD, then please download special Acronis utility (http://download.acronis.com/support/mbrautowrite_en.is). Use it to create a CD and boot the machine from the CD.

The MBR will be rewritten once you boot the computer from the created media and confirm that you want to fix the MBR.

Please do not use the instructions above for Vista systems.

Thank you.
--
Alexander Nikolsky

[Strangeman]

May we have a similar instruction that does work for Vista, please ?

[MudCrab]

-{ Quote: "May we have a similar instruction that does work for Vista, please ?" }-
The basic procedure:

Boot to a standard Vista DVD.
Select the Repair Mode.
Cancel any automatic repair.
Start the Command Prompt.
Enter the following commands at the prompt (<ENTER> means to press the ENTER key): bootrec /fixmbr <ENTER>
bootrec /fixboot <ENTER>
Close the Command Prompt window and reboot the computer.


More information on using bootrec can be found here (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/).

[Strangeman]

Thanks, Mudcrab, however the point I was hoping to make was that surely Acronis know enough about this problem and the fact that many of us do not have a Vista DVD from which to boot, that they ought to give us the means to download something which we can then use to burn our own bootable disk in order to get our machines back up and running. As far as I can see, all solutions require one to be in possession of a Windows Vista DVD.

[MudCrab]

You can download the Acronis MBR Fix tool (http://download.acronis.com/support/mbrautowrite_en.exe). I think the "don't use with Vista" comment was for the XP RC commands. Personally, I don't like the Acronis MBR (unless they've updated it recently -- I haven't checked).

If you have TI, you can also just restore the MBR from any previous backup image of the drive. This doesn't require a Windows CD/DVD and you'll get back the original MBR.

[Strangeman]

I got the MBR fixed yesterday when my friend finally remembered to get be a Vista Disk, and now I can start my laptop once again.

So ... I've made my recovery disks, created a bootable CD using DD (which won't boot, it gives an error and then Vista starts of the hard drive).

Anyway, I decided to uninstall OSS, but it tells me that there is no Operating system to boot into after the uninstall, so I'm a bit reluctant to proceed without knowing what is likely to happen (my friend wasn't able to leave his disk with me as he'd borrowed it from work). Not sure what to do for the best ...

[K0LO]

Strangeman:

You can make your own Vista repair CD. Here's (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-make-a-windows-vista-repair-disk-if-you-dont-have-one/) an article with instructions.

[MudCrab]

If you have TI or another program capable of making a backup of the MBR, create one before you do anything else. You can even use DD to make a backup of Sector 0, if you want. Just understand that restoring it will also restore your partitioning setup. This is not a problem if you didn't make any changes. You can also just save the MBR code portion of the sector.

To uninstall OSS when it can't find any OS on the computer, you have to do it from the DD/OSS CD. If your DD CD doesn't include the OSS programs, create a new CD using Media Builder and include them. Then boot the CD, select the OSS Setup option and uninstall OSS. It should put the original MBR back (I think it saves it). It's really stupid that OSS won't uninstall and set the system back to its original state regardless of what it "thinks" is on the drive when you try to do the uninstall from Windows or from in OSS.

[Strangeman]

Thanks for the replies - I will follow up that link, but for now I managed to find out that hitting the f8 key a lot got me to the 'proper' vista repair bit where I could repair stuff, and I'm almost back in control again now.

Still haven't managed to get that DD CD to boot though ...

[heimo]

-{ Quote: "OSS has a problem finding non-Microsoft or brand-name OEM Vista installations. They have to be added manually.
---

hallo

I have the same problem:


I attach a copy of the BOOTWIZ.OSS file
and of the Partitions and Drives as to see in Diskdirectory

--
Also, let me know which partition is the Vista partition.
----
At this time I boot from the first C: named Partition with 60 GB,
on the second C: Drive partition Y of 50 GB is an Image restored with TrueImage of the same OS than on C:, but older date.

I want now to install OSS to switch between my actual OS-Vista and the BAckup older Version.



OSS can't see some CD/DVD drives. As far as I know, it depends on the chipset used in the computer. It has the same problem on my P965/JMicron chipset board. I don't mind because I wouldn't install or boot CD/DVD's through OSS anyway." }-


thank you very much for your assitance.
hermann

[MudCrab]

heimo,

Would it be possible for you to post a screenshot of DD (in Manual Mode) showing the partition graphics for your drives?

Can you confirm that the 50GB "Y:" partition is a Logical partition? If it is, note that, in some cases, OSS has problems booting Vista from a Logical partition.

Is OSS currently deactivated or did you uninstall it? I need to know the state of the OSS files.

What build of DD/OSS are you using?

What version of TI did you use to restore the image to the Y: partition?

[heimo]

-{ Quote: "heimo,

Would it be possible for you to post a screenshot of DD (in Manual Mode) showing the partition graphics for your drives?

YES:
It looks like, that the upload did not work,
I attached two Hardcopy of it to my first inquiry.
So I try to copy it herein:
---
sorry does not work,
So I attach it again, I hope you will get it now.

----
The problem is not the Y Partition.
The problem is the C: Partition with the Original OS-System.
OSS did not yet discover my only and one original VISTA.

If this problem is solved I will look for the second OS-Vista on Y:

___________-
Can you confirm that the 50GB "Y:" partition is a Logical partition?
YES, it is, because, no primary is free.
If it is, note that, in some cases, OSS has problems booting Vista from a Logical partition.
------------------
I do not yet have the problem to boot from Y:,
but your oss did not recognize any OS.
NEither C: nor Y:,
althought I boot without oss directly from C:
-----
Is OSS currently deactivated or did you uninstall it? I need to know the state of the OSS files.
---
It is deactivated!

---------
What build of DD/OSS are you using?
--
Hardcopy attached:
Vers. 10.0 build 2.161, the last download from your homepage.

..…......
What version of TI did you use to restore the image to the Y: partition?
--
HOme 2009 build 9646
---
But I am wondering about your question:
The os Selector did also not work before I made the Parition Y:
This was before only an empty partition as free space for reservation, and OS did not recognice my VISTA on C;
So what should Version of TI interwork with this Problem???
THis looks very mystery for me.
yours
hermann

[heimo]

hallo,

It looks that your upload does not work correct,

Now I see, that only one Attachment is visible.
So I try the second again here.
Did you receive with my first post any Attachment?
so the bootwiz.txt file?

yours
hermann

[heimo]

again try attachment.

[heimo]

sorry attachment upload does not work,
please advise me how.

hermann

[MudCrab]

You might make sure the filesize of the image isn't too large to attach. It should just be a standard JPG file. If that still doesn't work, just type it out like this:
[C: Vista, NTFS 60GB Primary][D: Data, NTFS 20GB Primary].....[Y: Vista Logical, NTFS 50GB Logical]

The version of TI only matters if it was TI 10 or earlier. TI 11 and later will make changes to Vista's BCD file to allow Vista to boot.

Since OSS is deactivated, I will add the C: Vista entry to the file. I will wait to add the Y: (Logical) entry until we know if the C: version boots okay. Keep a copy of the original BOOTWIZ.OSS file and then use the attached version in its place (make sure to rename it to BOOTWIZ.OSS). Then, reactivate OSS and see if you can boot into your C: Vista.

[heimo]

new trial for uploading,

looks good, at the moment,

first time the upload windows shows the files
I hope you now can read it.

yours

hermann

[heimo]

ahllo,

I see, now upload works,
maybe your server was overloaded.

therefor, additional a copy of OSS screen:

yours.

hermann

[MudCrab]

Is the OSS screenshot one created after using the BOOTWIZ.OSS file I attached in Post #21?

[heimo]

Hallo,

no it ist he OSS after installation of OSS and searching for VISTA OS.

Before reactivating and trying your new BOOTWIS.oss please advise, what to do and how to deactivate OSS, if your file does not work.

It is very critical for me again to copy the bootsector over by hand.

please mail me today the second bootwiz file with bootentry for drive Y, so I can try both files on weekend.
THis is best time for me for testing it.

thanks a lot.
yours
hermann


yours

[MudCrab]

Make sure you have the OSS programs included on the DD CD. If they aren't, create a new DD CD with Media Builder and include them. When you boot the CD, you can select the Acronis OS Selector Setup option and then choose to deactivate OSS.

OSS can also be deactivated by repairing the MBR. This can be done by restoring the MBR from a TI image backup or by booting to the Vista DVD's Repair Mode's Command Prompt and issuing the following command:
bootrec /fixmbr

I will post the new BOOTWIZ.OSS file shortly. If you're going to use the new one, there's no reason to try the other one first. Just use the new one.

[MudCrab]

Here's the new BOOTWIZ.OSS file. However, I wouldn't try booting into the "Vista Logical" entry until it's ready.

Many things need to be corrected before booting that partition has a chance of working: The BCD file needs to be checked, the Hidden Sectors value in the boot sector needs to be changed, the MountedDevices C: drive letter assignment needs to be manually assigned to the Logical partition, etc.

I would recommend you read through the following threads as they deal with using OSS and Windows in Logical partitions:
Using OSS with XP on Logical partition (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=184826)
OS Selector help needed (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=245806)

[heimo]

hallo mr. support!

thanks a lot,
your configuration file worked correct and fine.
I have nothing more to do, as you supposed to read a lot of mystery things I may or should have to do, before Vista will boot from a logical Partition.
Boots immediately and again and again.
So problem is solved.

Conclusing Question:
What is to concern, if I change anything at the paritions?
For example: Drive Letter, partition size, place of partition,
or adding a forther OS for example XP?
Do YOU always have to make me a new config file?
Or is an other WAY to do and solve this ?


----------------------------------

No I have a new Post:

[heimo]

My new Problem for the super Support EXpert!

I use a Netbook with SSD harddrive of only 4 GB.

I made a Image with TI to a USB Stick, and tried to write it Back, to see if it works.
But astonished, it does not.
Following appears.
As I know it from my desktop, TI says after a few steps,
Have to boot now.
then the os boots into a Linux version with TI and makes the restoring of the image, and then again with the new image the OS boot from the harddrive.
But here this bootstep does not work,
always the original OS boots - and not the TI _Linx or what Os boots. nor the image is restored.
It keeps the original partition.
What is that?
Reason with SSD instead of a phyisacal Harddrive??

Let me know!

2.
I made an RESCUE USB stick with TI,
but it does also not boot.
I tried several brands of Sticks on 3 different PC,
nothing works.
I formated the usb stick with the HP formatter with boot sector writer, also invain.
I think you have a solution.

thanks a lot

yours

[MudCrab]

-{ Quote: "thanks a lot,
your configuration file worked correct and fine." }-
You're welcome. I'm glad the file worked for you.

-{ Quote: "What is to concern, if I change anything at the paritions?
For example: Drive Letter, partition size, place of partition,
or adding a forther OS for example XP?" }-
If you move the starting position of the Logical partition, you will need to update the BCD file and update the Hidden Sectors offset in the boot sector. OSS should still recognize it since it tracks by the ID value.

-{ Quote: "Do YOU always have to make me a new config file?" }-
No. If changes are necessary, you can make them yourself. Once you learn how, it's not difficult.

---

-{ Quote: "I use a Netbook with SSD harddrive of only 4 GB.

I made a Image with TI to a USB Stick, and tried to write it Back, to see if it works.
But astonished, it does not.
Following appears.
As I know it from my desktop, TI says after a few steps,
Have to boot now.
then the os boots into a Linux version with TI and makes the restoring of the image, and then again with the new image the OS boot from the harddrive.
But here this bootstep does not work,
always the original OS boots - and not the TI _Linx or what Os boots. nor the image is restored.
It keeps the original partition." }-
Boot with the TI CD or flashdrive and see if TI can properly see the drives involved. Usually, when you start a restore in Windows and TI needs to reboot to finish it and no changes get made, TI can't see one or more drives. This requires a custom build of TI that includes the necessary drivers and booting this custom build instead of trying to start the restore in Windows.

Using the build you have now, have you tried the quiet acpi=off noapic option detailed in Section II of the PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU POST (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=55317) thread?

If you don't have the latest build of TI, you might try updating it and seeing if the newer build provides support or the computer's hardware.

Alternate options include creating a BartPE or WinPE-based TI CD so you can use any required Windows drivers instead of the Linux drivers used by TI's Full Mode version.

-{ Quote: "I made an RESCUE USB stick with TI,
but it does also not boot.
I tried several brands of Sticks on 3 different PC,
nothing works.
I formated the usb stick with the HP formatter with boot sector writer, also invain." }-
I never had any success with the HP formatting program.

Since you have Vista, I would try resetting the flashdrives back to a clean state (you can follow the guide here (http://www.themudcrab.com/acronis_diskpart.php)). If that doesn't work, there are other options, such as using Grub4DOS (http://www.themudcrab.com/acronis_grub4dos.php).

[heimo]

I THINK, I was missunterstood:


I use a Netbook with SSD harddrive of only 4 GB.
This Netbook , as most Netbook does not have a CD or DVD drive. So I CAN NOT BOOT from CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
So your advise. READ before post.... was not helpful for this problem!!!!!!

AGAIN THE PROBLEM:

I made a Image with TI onto a USB Stick, and tried to write it Back, inside or from the running OS XP-HOME System -
to see if it works.
But astonished, it does not.
Following appears.
Normaly:
As I know it from my desktop, TI starts restoring the IMAGE (I did not write this in my first inquiry, as I hoped you know how TI works)
and says after a few steps,
TI has to boot now,
then the os boots into a for my unknown version of OS with TI and makes the restoring of the image, and then again with the new image the OS boot from the harddrive.

But here this bootstep does not work,
always the original XP-OS boots - and not the TI _xxxx or what Os boots. nor the image is restored.
It keeps the original partition.

THAT is the problem, nothing with CD or graphical interface or floppy or last build or what ever.
THIS procedure works fine on 4-6 PC I know in my neighbourhood. ON 3 Desktop PC of my OWn, but not on the new NETBOOK.
My the REASON, I ASK THIS HERE AGAIN be the SSD Harddrive??

yours.

[heimo]

I made an RESCUE USB stick with TI,
but it does also not boot.
I tried several brands of Sticks on 3 different PC,
nothing works.
I formated the usb stick with the HP formatter with boot sector writer, also invain.
---
LOT´s of question again:

1.
Is a flash drive the same as a USB Stick?


2.
All the USB stick were clean and fresh formatted with VISTA,
before I installed the TI RESCUE on to it.
So what should diskpart do more than your own RESCUE procedure?

3.
Why does your RESCUE procedure not work without doing such difficult thins like diskpart and so on?

I am very concerned about this troubles.

4.
somethere in your forum I read something about "BOOTImages" für USB sticks?
What is about it?
Can you mail me such an Image for TI Vers. 2009? last build?
yours.

[MudCrab]

-{ Quote: "I THINK, I was missunterstood:" }-
From reading this post, it seems you're asking the exact same questions I already answered in my previous post.

-{ Quote: "I use a Netbook with SSD harddrive of only 4 GB.
This Netbook , as most Netbook does not have a CD or DVD drive. So I CAN NOT BOOT from CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
So your advise. READ before post.... was not helpful for this problem!!!!!!" }-
It should be able to boot from a USB drive. This can be a flashdrive or USB CD/DVD drive. If the flashdrive doesn't boot properly on any computer, fix it using the Vista DISKPART method (linked in my previous post) and try again.

Using the F11 (add Linux parameters) option from the boot media works just as well from a flashdrive. It doesn't have to be booted from a CD.

-{ Quote: "AGAIN THE PROBLEM:" }-
The problem is that TI probably can't see the drives correctly or isn't loading properly. Most likely, the chipset isn't supported by the Linux-based version of TI. This is the same version that gets used when Windows needs to reboot and the one that boots from the CD/flashdrive. The thing is, regardless of what the TI documentation states, it's usually better to do any restores that require a reboot by booting to the TI CD/flashdrive and doing them instead of starting them in Windows. When you start them in Windows and something goes wrong, TI aborts and you have no idea what happened.

-{ Quote: "THAT is the problem, nothing with CD or graphical interface or floppy or last build or what ever.
THIS procedure works fine on 4-6 PC I know in my neighbourhood. ON 3 Desktop PC of my OWn, but not on the new NETBOOK.
My the REASON, I ASK THIS HERE AGAIN be the SSD Harddrive??" }-
Using the latest build is recommended because Acronis most likely has provided more support for newer hardware than previous builds.

Just because it works on other computers doesn't automatically mean it will work on another. Each computer is different.

I don't think the problem has to do with the drive being an SSD drive.

---

You can't do any troubleshooting by starting the restore in Windows and letting TI reboot. You can't tell what's going on or where it's failing. When you boot to the CD/flashdrive, you can tell if TI can load up properly, if it can see your drives, if it can successfully validate the image, if it can start the restore, etc. If it fails, you can tell where it fails and proceed to try and fix the problem.

You could also download and install the SafeMedia version of TI and create a new TI CD/flashdrive that includes it. It may work if the Full Mode version doesn't.

[heimo]

-{ Quote: "From reading this post, it seems you're asking the exact same questions I already answered in my previous post.

It would helpful for me to understand your answer, if you quote it according to my numbering, so that I can understand to what question of mine your answer concern.
SO:

1.
Please link me:
Where or what is the previous post???
Where do I find the answers?
It is difficult to understand for me, what you write,
because I am not a PC Specialist.
---------------------------


2.
It should be able to boot from a USB drive. This can be a flashdrive or USB CD/DVD drive. If the flashdrive doesn't boot properly on any computer, fix it using the Vista DISKPART method (linked in my previous post) and try again.
--
Where or what is the previous post???
Where do I find the answers?

3.
Using the F11 (add Linux parameters) option from the boot media works just as well from a flashdrive. It doesn't have to be booted from a CD.
---
Where and When can I use F11 ???
No idea?

4.
Why starts an normal Linux System form USB without problems?
But your Linux not?

---
5.
You could also download and install the SafeMedia version of TI and create a new TI CD/flashdrive that includes it. It may work if the Full Mode version doesn't." }-


Where can I download SAFEMEDEA?
What is this?

thanks a lot for your patience.

yours

hermann