User:Petr-akhlamov/RAM from HD

In this article will described actions for running of ReactOS from HDD as in this video.

You, to realization this idea needed:

• GRUB2-bootloader
• hybridCD-image
• primary FAT32-partition for ReactOS

Partition for ReactOS

Since ReactOS can loaded only from primary partition, his need create.

In the article will example from image. On the image at ReactOS - thirdy primary partition, formatted to FAT32: (0,3). At you he can differ.

ISO-image

For boot to you come in handy any hybrid-image. Download and extract it to FAT32-partition, which you created for ReactOS.

You can download hybridcd r66083 here.

Work with files

We don't need all files from image. Do next actions:

• move iso-image from folder livecd to disk root
• delete folders livecd and bootcd
• delete file readme.txt
• if you want ReactOS partition with icon then edit the file autorun.inf, to the next view:

[autorun]
icon=icon.ico

if not, delete files autorun.inf and icon.ico

• edit the file freeldr.ini to the next view:

[FREELOADER]
DefaultOS=LiveCD_RamDisk_Screen
TimeOut=10

[Display]
TitleText=ReactOS Hybrid-CD
StatusBarColor=Cyan
StatusBarTextColor=Black
BackdropTextColor=White
BackdropColor=Blue
BackdropFillStyle=Medium
TitleBoxTextColor=White
TitleBoxColor=White
MessageBoxTextColor=White
MessageBoxColor=Blue
MenuTextColor=Gray
MenuColor=Black
TextColor=Gray
SelectedTextColor=Black
SelectedColor=Gray
ShowTime=No
MenuBox=No
CenterMenu=No
MinimalUI=Yes
TimeText=Seconds until highlighted choice will be started automatically:   

[Operating Systems]
LiveCD_RamDisk="LiveCD in RAM"
LiveCD_RamDisk_Debug="LiveCD in RAM (Debug)"
LiveCD_RamDisk_Screen="LiveCD in RAM (Screen)"
LiveCD_RamDisk_File="LiveCD in RAM (Log file)"

[LiveCD_RamDisk]
BootType=Windows2003
SystemPath=ramdisk(0)\reactos
Options=/MININT /RDPATH=livecd.iso /RDEXPORTASCD

[LiveCD_RamDisk_Debug]
BootType=Windows2003
SystemPath=ramdisk(0)\reactos
Options=/DEBUG /DEBUGPORT=COM1 /BAUDRATE=115200 /SOS /MININT /RDPATH=livecd.iso /RDEXPORTASCD

[LiveCD_RamDisk_Screen]
BootType=Windows2003
SystemPath=ramdisk(0)\reactos
Options=/DEBUG /DEBUGPORT=SCREEN /SOS /MININT /RDPATH=livecd.iso /RDEXPORTASCD

[LiveCD_RamDisk_File]
BootType=Windows2003
SystemPath=ramdisk(0)\reactos
Options=/DEBUG /DEBUGPORT=FILE: /SOS /MININT /RDPATH=livecd.iso /RDEXPORTASCD

Bootloader configuration

For RAM-image loading we are will use GRUB2 (Linux-bootloader or Grub2Win).

In Linux

To the file /boot/grub/grub.cfg with using text editor or Grub Customizer add next strings:

menuentry "ReactOS" {
	set root=(hd0,msdos3)
	chainloader +1
	parttool (hd0,msdos3) boot+
	multiboot /loader/setupldr.sys
}

In Windows

1. Download Grub2Win from official site and extract it to disc C:
2. Run the file grub2win.exe. To you system will install bootloader GRUB2. Close Grub2Win.
3. In the folder grub2 open grub.cfg via text editor.
4. After "bracket" "# start-grub2win-auto-menu-section **** - # end-grub2win-auto-menu-section *** add next:

#
#  Menu Item 1       Windows Boot Loader
#
menuentry "ReactOS"{
			set root=(hd0,msdos3)
			chainloader +1
			parttool (hd0,msdos3) boot+
			multiboot /loader/setupldr.sys
}

5.Save text file

LiveCD update

Now, for update ram-image to new revision, need to download livecd-dbg (non usual livecd) nightbuild iso-image, extract it, rename it to "livecd.iso" and replace file in disk root.