I'm trying to configure a running Windows 10 system to boot Windows PE from RAM but so far no luck.
I've read the documentation but my understanding of the boot parameters are a bit lacking.
This is what I have right now:
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438}
device ramdisk=[C:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
path \windows\system32\winload.efi
description Windows PE
osdevice ramdisk=[C:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
systemroot \windows
nx OptIn
detecthal Yes
winpe Yes
I created this boot option with the following commands:
bcdedit -create /d "Windows PE" -application osloader
bcdedit /set {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438} device ramdisk=[C:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
bcdedit /set {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438} path \windows\system32\winload.efi
bcdedit /set {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438} osdevice ramdisk=[C:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
bcdedit /set {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438} systemroot \windows
bcdedit /set {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438} winpe yes
bcdedit /set {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438} nx optin
bcdedit /set {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438} detecthal yes
Then I set a one-time boot:
bcdedit /bootsequence {a84dfb42-1b85-11ec-b7bc-b42e99f68438}
Finally, to test and reboot:
shutdown /r /f /t 0
Upon restarting, when the system boots I hear the fans start but then they stop following a few seconds of silence.
The system then starts again with the fans at full speed it sounds like but nothing is displayed on the monitor.
I then have to power it off 1 or 2 times to let the normal boot procedure kick in so I can get back into Windows.
I created the Windows PE files from the Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment from the Windows ADK and WinPE add-on.
The boot.wim is a copy from c:\winpe_amd64\media\sources
Also, I noticed I don't have any .sdi file specified.
What does the .sdi do and what is it for?
Also, It just hit me, do I need to make any changes to the BCD store located in the boot.wim?
Or is configuring the currently running operativ systems BCD enough?
To my understanding the above settings should:
- Create a RAMDISK
- Load boot.wim
- Access \windows\system32\winload.efi after boot.wim has been mounted to load Windows PE
Please correct me if I'm wrong or missing anything.
EDIT: After checking the {ramdiskoptions} with:
bcdedit /enum {ramdiskoptions}
I noticed it was empty:
Setup Ramdisk Options
---------------------
identifier {ramdiskoptions}
So I added some more information after some research:
bcdedit /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdidevice partition=C:
bcdedit /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdipath winpe_amd64\media\Boot\boot.sdi
Using this configuration gives me the boot error:
Status: 0xc000000f "A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed."