HowTo Integrate Acronis tools to a Multiboot CD/DVD

I am using EasyBoot to make my multiboot CD/DVD and I here I discuss some various method to integrate Disk Director and True Image as part of my project. I will focus on three methods: easiest, regular and cleanest.

Easiest - the fastest way to get it working (with Acronis Selection Menu)
Regular - a standard (obsolete?) way (with Acronis Selection Menu)
Cleanest - a way to launch from your menu (without Acronis Menu)

To get the files requires with this tutorial, you'll need to use the Acronis Media Builder which is part the program installation (unless you deselected it). We'll use it to build our ISO files or Floppy disk Images. Launch the media builder from your acronis folder or use the menu inside your favorite Acronis program.

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Easiest

Advantages
 + fastest method
 + simplest method
 + easy to keep up to date
Disavantages
 - dependency on BCDW (Bootable CD Wizard)
 - require more space than cleanest method
Requirement
 1 - Latest version of EasyBoot which include the BCDW module

Steps

A - Use the Acronis Media Builder and choose the products you want and save it as an ISO file (name with 8 or less caracter). Copy to your ezboot folder
B - Make sure the bcdw.bin file is present in your ezboot folder
C - In your EasyBoot menu, use the following command to launch the ISO:

bcdw /ezboot/acronis.iso

Now you can compile your project and test with free virtualization product like VMware Server (recommended) or MS Virtual PC. This will allow you to test and make sure it is working properly before burning to a real CD and using it on various computer.

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Regular

Advantages
 + no dependency on BCDW
 + method used for a long time
 + relatively easy to keep up to date
Disavantages
 - requires UltraISO
 - method which requires the most disk space
Requirement
 1 - Latest version of EasyBoot which include the BCDW module
 2 - Latest version of UltraISO

Steps
A - Use the Acronis Media Builder and choose the products you want and save it as an ISO file (name with 8 or less caracter). Copy to your ezboot folder
B - Open your ISO file with UltraISO and select "Save Boot File..." from the "Bootable" menu. You will be prompted for the location to save this BIF file so select your ezboot folder.
C - Still using UltraISO, select the CD-ROM icon in the left pane (upper left corner) and press F4 (or right click folder and select "Extract To...") and you will be prompted for a location to extract the visible files and folders in the ISO (if any, like the Recovery Manager folder). Theses files or folders must be at the root of your CD (usualy Disk1) not inside the ezboot floder.
D - In your EasyBoot menu, use the following command to launch the ISO:

bootinfotable;run acronis.bif

Now you can compile your project and test with free virtualization product like VMware Server (recommended) or MS Virtual PC. This will allow you to test and make sure it is working properly before burning to a real CD and using it on various computer.

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Cleanest

Advantages
 + launch Acronis program directly from your menu (no Acronis selection menu)
 + lowest disk space usage
Disavantages
 - longest method! (I warned you!)
 - harder to maintain
 - requires floppy disks or a virtual floppy drive
Requirement
 1 - Latest version of EasyBoot which include the BCDW module
 2 - Latest version of WinImage

 3 - 1.44MB floppy drive and disks OR a virtual floppy drive (like FileDisk included with WinImage)

Steps
A - Use the Acronis Media Builder and choose only 1 product you want and insert your first empty floppy (or use a virtual floppy drive). Let the media builder finish the first diskette and copy the files from the floppy drive to a temporary folder named SOURCE. The thing you will notice is that Windows still have those files in memory so there is no actual reading of the floppy!
B - Do the same for the rest of the floppy required for your Acronis product.
C - Use EasyBoot to create a floppy image of the FIRST diskette (under "Tools" select "Make Floppy Image...")
D - Use EasyBoot to create a floppy image to the size required by the number of diskettes and use the floppy image you created at step D as the SEED image (under "Tools" select "Create New Floppy Image...").
E - Open this new oversized floppy image (empty) with WinImage
F - use the INJECT option and add all the files from the SOURCE folder
G - save
that's it! No more tampering with diskettes.
H - In your EasyBoot menu, use the following command to launch the ISO:

run acronis.img

Now you can compile your project and test with free virtualization product like VMware Server (recommended) or MS Virtual PC. This will allow you to test and make sure it is working properly before burning to a real CD and using it on various computer.

Comments

[thuun]

what about isolinux??

[maxrealqnx]

Thanx a lot mate for comment :D

[Hamy]

Thank you ;-)

[Lee Armstrong]

Hi There,

I would like to create a bootable cd with both acronis apps, and hirens boot cd, Can you help me?

Kind Regards,

Lee