How to Create a Device Recovery CD by Using Windows PE and SDI
5/10/2007
To create a recovery CD, you can package Microsoft® Windows® Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE), a System Deployment Image (SDI) file, and SDI tools. With this recovery CD, you can use Windows PE to boot the device, and then restore the image on your device by installing an image from an SDI file. Once the recovery image is installed, you can reboot the device from the recovery image. This recovery process does not repair individual files; rather, it installs the complete image as it was on the device when it left the factory. All existing files, data, and settings on the device, as well as any changes made since it left the factory, are replaced by the image.
With a few modifications to this process, you can use Windows PE and SDI to deploy Windows XP Embedded to a device or upgrade an existing device in the field. The recovery CD is not a method for deploying or upgrading individual components, settings, or QFEs.
To track your progress in the following table, select the check box next to each step.
| Step | Topic |
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1. Review the tools and programs you will need to create a recovery CD. |
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2. Build and deploy your Windows XP Embedded image to a test device. |
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3. Boot and test until you are satisfied with the master image. |
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4. Create an SDI file on your development computer, and initialize the SDI file as a disk drive. |
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5. Choose which version of Windows PE you want to use, the self-contained version provided on the Windows XP Embedded installation disk, or a customized version you build from the separately licensed Windows PE toolkit or OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK). |
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6. Copy the SDI file, Windows PE, and SDIMGR.WSF to a working folder. |
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7. Create a bootable recovery CD. |
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8. Test the recovery CD. Boot the device with the recovery CD, and install the image. |
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9. Once you have a CD that works flawlessly, you can duplicate it and distribute it with installation instructions. |
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10. (Optional) You can deploy your Windows XP Embedded image through a network. |
See Also
Concepts
Comparison of Windows PE to Bootable CD-ROMs
How to Create a Bootable CD-ROM