using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

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lvw
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:46 am

using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by lvw »

Im using wimlib to capture running c: and apply it to d: (same disk),

but after apply the wim file and bcdboot setting, I can't boot into windows with black screen;

another test with dism++(they said cbs based) to apply wim file (capture by wimlib),

it boot successfully with bcdboot setting.

Any idea or suggestion on this situation? thanks.
Tokener
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:18 pm

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by Tokener »

Hello Ivw
I had this case before, interesting!
Please check "D:\Windows\System32\config" folder. (after you applied with wimlib)
Must be (~about) equal to "C:\Windows\System32\config".
I remember that wimlib messed up files inside when applying. Maybe because locked Registry hives are applied.
If you boot Win system (with dism++ applied), what letter does Windows partition get, and what is your starting partition?

Regards T.
lvw
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:46 am

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by lvw »

Hi Tokener,

Did you mean after copy/replace the config, windows could successfully boot?
---------
After replace the whole config folder, still not working when select D: to boot.


With dism++ and bcdboot set, windows boot entry would display 2 windows;
and switch different entry (partition) to boot, the drive letter would be like C: & D: (D: & C:).
Tokener
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:18 pm

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by Tokener »

Hi Ivw
Did you mean after copy/replace the config, windows could successfully boot?
Unfortunately: No

Just saying there was a malfunction when applying(?).

I will repeat the test with dism++ and report back asap.

Regards T.
Tokener
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:18 pm

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by Tokener »

Hi Ivw
some information would be useful:
what version of Windows did you capture with what tool?
how was the time difference between the capture-events?
regards T.
lvw
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:46 am

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by lvw »

Hi Tokener,

windows 10 1909 pro capture by wimlib,
and
apply with wimlib --> fail
apply with dism++ --> success

their apply time very close, and both of them after apply,

I would do bcdboot setting manually.
Tokener
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:18 pm

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by Tokener »

Hi Ivw
I could reproduce the error discribed, using Win10 22H2 -OS base.
Wimlib2_400x300.jpg
Wimlib2_400x300.jpg (1.38 KiB) Viewed 4191 times

For me both ways of capturing (Wimlib-captured and dism++-captured) failed the same way.
Even starting in safe mode ended in an eternal error-loop.
Wimlib2_SafeMode 1.jpg
Wimlib2_SafeMode 1.jpg (266.33 KiB) Viewed 4191 times
Wimlib2_SafeMode 2.jpg
Wimlib2_SafeMode 2.jpg (27.7 KiB) Viewed 4191 times

But:
Both images (Wimlib-captured and dism++-captured) are valid.
Applying images from an other OS (I used wimlib on Win7-U) and writing BCD from Win10-XPE-system made both Operating Systems boot and run without error.

I, for me, draw the conclusion that the error / fault happens when the image gets applied or the BCD entry is written.
Maybe Win10 is restrictive when it comes to cloning OS on same PC.

Best regards T.

P.S.
just noticed that applying with dism++ succeeded.
did not try this, maybe something to investigate ....
Last edited by Tokener on Wed Jan 18, 2023 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tokener
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:18 pm

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by Tokener »

Dear Ivw
I apologize for inaccurately reading your post.

You wrote:
- You captured OS with wimlib-imagex (snapshot)

- You applied with two different tools (running online Windows):
dism++ -> success
wimlib -> failed

- BCD entry was written OK

I could reproduce your scenary and found:
following files were not accessed / modified when booting the (wimlib-applied) OS:
All in C:\Windows\System32\config\
BBI
DEFAULT
SAM
SECURITY
SOFTWARE
SYSTEM

after copying these files from the one time booted (dism++-applied) OS to the (wimlib-applied) OS the (wimlib-applied) OS started and worked OK.
the procedure of copying these files was done on external OS (Win7-U_x64).

Hope it helps. T.
JFX
Posts: 40
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 3:59 pm

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by JFX »

If you apply windows to a different partition, you need to change registry accordingly.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices, \DosDevices\C:
Tokener
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:18 pm

Re: using wimlib apply wim file cannot boot

Post by Tokener »

Hello JFX
If you apply windows to a different partition, you need to change registry accordingly.
Does Dism++ do this?

Regards T.
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