Solved Install from ISO

[vaikz]

Hi, I found a lot of topics on how to install Windows 8 from usb but what I really want is to install from ISO using grub4dos ISO mapping.
What I mean is boot the ISO using grub4dos then install. Just like the way Windows 7.
Is this possible?

 

[SIW2]

Do you mean use grub to boot the iso frm the HD - then when boot.wim loads, install in the usual way using Windows Setup?

You should be able to do that.

The lazy way is to use Easybcd to add the iso to windows boot menu ( easybcd uses neogrub to do that )

You would probably need the iso on a separate partition - not sure how much ram you would need - there is a run from disk option in easybcd - might be worth using that.


Or do you mean you want to make the iso with mkisofs and have a grub menu ?

Something like this , I think:

title Windows Setup
chainloader /BOOTMGR

title Load Microsoft Windows Vista/Win7/Win8
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/bootmgr

title Find and Load NTLDR of Windows NT/2K/XP
find --set-root /ntldr
chainloader /ntldr

title Find and Boot Linux with menu.lst
find --set-root /sbin/init
configfile /Boot/grub/menu.lst

title CommandLine
commandline

title Reboot
reboot

 

[vaikz]

Do you mean use grub to boot the iso frm the HD - then when boot.wim loads, install in the usual way using Windows Setup?

You should be able to do that.

The lazy way is to use Easybcd to add the iso to windows boot menu ( easybcd uses neogrub to do that )

You would probably need the iso on a separate partition - not sure how much ram you would need - there is a run from disk option in easybcd - might be worth using that.


Or do you mean you want to make the iso with mkisofs and have a grub menu ?

Something like this , I think:

title Windows Setup
chainloader /BOOTMGR

title Load Microsoft Windows Vista/Win7/Win8
root (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)/bootmgr

title Find and Load NTLDR of Windows NT/2K/XP
find --set-root /ntldr
chainloader /ntldr

title Find and Boot Linux with menu.lst
find --set-root /sbin/init
configfile /Boot/grub/menu.lst

title CommandLine
commandline

title Reboot
reboot

do I need to extract all the files on a folder first before doing this?
I want to install windows 8 from my USB HDD.

My USB HDD is loaded with live cd ISO's and boot this using Grub4dos ISO Mapping and I would like
to do it this way. Boot the Windows 8 ISO from my usb hdd and install. The reason I don't follow all
the instructions and tutorials how to install windows 8 from usb coz I don't want to reformat my
usb hdd.

I haven't done like this in Windows 7 ISO coz I used the winnt 6 fast installer to install windows 7.

 

[FuturDreamz]

if your computer supports EFI, then I'd just extract the contents of the .iso to a 4gb partition, then in the EFI shell found and launched the bootloader.

 

[fafhrd]

I use this:

YUMI - Multiboot USB Creator (Windows) | USB Pen Drive Linux

The image shows the iso files on the 4GB USB drive, and the menu.lst file and in notepad, the related grub menu entries which may work in your case, as long as the path is referenced correctly

 

[vaikz]

Thanks a lot for all the replies.

Actually I was able to install windows 8 using this tutorial.

However I still want to achieve my goal to boot directly on the iso.

I use this:

YUMI - Multiboot USB Creator (Windows) | USB Pen Drive Linux

The image shows the iso files on the 4GB USB drive, and the menu.lst file and in notepad, the related grub menu entries which may work in your case, as long as the path is referenced correctly

Thanks fafhrd, I too been using YUMI for awhile now, I just don't know it yet if it supports windows 8.
Thanks anyway.

 

[Tepid]

I have had some success with booting and installing direct from ISO. But, I don't recommend it. Installs do not perform well after installing from an ISO like you want, or they fail completely. However, try this code I tested with an All In One image......

title Windows 7 AIO ISO
find --set-root /images/Win7sp1AIO.ISO
map /images/Win7sp1AIO.ISO (hd32)
map --hook
root (hd32)
chainloader (hd32)

The All In One Windows 7 ISO I did create, does work, but works flawlessly when extracted and run using,,,

title Windows 7 AIO Installer
find --set-root /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr