RAM Disk For Boot Problems

When the computer won't boot from the USB flash drive, it's often because the motherboard initializes all USB ports during start-up. A RAM disk often provides an effective remedy in such cases.

A RAM disk works like a virtual disk drive and copies all of the files from the flash drive during boot-up, before it's fully initialized. That RAM disk also replaces the flash drive as the boot medium. To use a RAM disk you need Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 (free) and the program Pe2usb.cmd (Freeware). Download Service Pack 1 (it's approximately 350 MB in size) into a folder of your choosing (for example, C:\server2003sp1". Create a subdirectory in your PE Builder folder ("C:\Program Files\pebuilder313") named srsp1 and copy the file named "C:\server2003sp1\i386\setupldr.bin" into that directory.

Open a Command window using the "Start, Run..." menu sequence, typing "cmd" into the Open: dialog box, then click OK. Extract the file named "ramdisk.sy_" into the same folder as follows:

expand -r C:\server2003sp1\i386\ramdisk.sy_ \pebuilder313\srsp1

Reformat your flask drive. To do this, click through the following menu sequence "Start, All Programs, HP Company," then select the "USB Disk Storage Format Tool". Select the USB flash drive from the "Device" list, select FAT at the file system, then click "Start".

Download the "Pe2usb" tool into the PE Builder file on your hard disk ("C:\Program Files\pebuilder313". Inside Windows Explorer, navigate to that directory, then drag the file named "Pe2usb.cmd" into a Command window and drop it there. The file with a complete path specification appears on the command line. Add the drive letter for the USB flash drive to this line, then launch the command with the Enter key:

\pe2usb :

After that, the USB flash drive is ready for booting.

Björn Fröhlecke
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • The link to the HP Flash drive format program is broken - 404 error
    Reply
  • you should try puppy linux on a usb stick, its not windows, but its got its benefits, its free, secure and we,, you'll might enjoy one of the fastest linnux distros about
    Reply
  • http://bootableusb.lichy.ca/
    Reply
  • follow above link, it works!!! only comment, in Step 3 it refers you to step 1, instead it should be referring you to Step 2 command prompt window. Also, there is no need to download their software, i haven't used it to create a boot key, just start with step 2 right away! Best of luck and Thanks for the link post!!!
    Reply
  • looking for a"FREE" Mini Windows XP ISO for install on a Mini Netbook with only 3Gb HD .. PLease Advise
    Reply
  • I have windows xp sp3 iso with I386 folder size = 800mb
    Reply
  • dvijaydev46
    Have you tried SARDU? You can create a multi OS USD drive with that tool. It's not only limited to Wondows, but also can you add Linus, antiviruses and other troubleshooting tools.
    Reply
  • dvijaydev46
    Have you tried SARDU? You can create a multi OS USD drive with that tool. It's not only limited to Wondows, but also can you add Linus, antiviruses and other troubleshooting tools. http://mytechencounters.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/create-a-multi-bootable-usb-drive-with-linux-and-windows/
    Reply
  • gosim05
    Step "Install Windows" the sentence "Open Windows Explorer and erase all files on the USB flash drive."
    DO NOT erase all files, leave BOOT.INI, NTLDR, and NTDETECT. Otherwise peinst.bat won't start the installation.
    Reply