VistaBootPRO 2.0 User Guide
Introduction
Welcome to VistaBootPRO from PROnetworks! If you liked our first release of VistaBootPRO, you are sure to be excited about this upgrade release! Once you see what this exciting program has to offer, we know that you will decide to “Go PRO” with Windows Vista and VistaBootPRO.' Our Betas Team and Beta Testing forum members have worked hard to master the Windows Vista BCD Registry, where everything concerning the new Vista boot loader is stored and configured.
Designed for both beginners and advanced users, VistaBootPRO can be used to make "cosmetic" changes to the Windows Vista boot Menu such as changing the name of the Operating Systems shown in the boot menu and make advanced "functional" changes like adding an Operating System to the boot menu and repairing the Windows Vista boot configuration data. Advanced settings include backing up and exporting your boot loader configuration data and modifying various details for the entries.
The PROnetworks Betas Team and Beta Testing forum members have worked hard to master the Windows Vista BCD Registry, where everything concerning the new Vista boot loader is stored and configured. For those who have had to use the command line interface based bcdedit.exe in the past, you will be impressed with the ease of use and functionality that VistaBootPRO provides. We hope you continue to enjoy VistaBootPRO!
*Advisory: Before changing any settings with VistaBootPRO, it is highly recommended that you use the backup feature to create a backup BCD file in case of any problems.
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Contents
System Requirements
The Interface
Screen Descriptions
Basic Tasks
Advanced Jobs
VistaBootPRO FAQ
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System Requirements
VistaBootPRO 2.0 can run on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2000, Windows XP (Home, Professional, Media Center Edition 2005, x64), Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista (Ultimate, Enterprise, Home Premium, Home Basic, Business), or Longhorn Server (Windows Server 200x). All systems must have .NET 2.0 Framework (bundled with Vista and Longhorn Server editions).
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The Interface
The program interface in VistaBootPRO 2.0 has been completely redesigned from VistaBootPRO 1.0 in order to better suit newly added features and better organize all of the recurring features.
You may access program features at any time by using the corresponding buttons on the left hand side.
The Menu provides actions to rescan the BCD store, shutdown the computer, close the program, and access offline help. Help may also be accessed at any time by pressing the F1 key.
At any time, you may press the Online support button in the bottom left of the program to access the PROnetworks support forum for any questions you may have. (Registration is required to post and answer topics).
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Screen Descriptions
View Settings
View the Vista Bootloader current settings without making changes; the default setting is an “overview” with the “detailed” option for advanced users.
Configure
Allows users to configure the default OS, Vista Bootloader timeout settings, and to change the descriptive entry names for each OS.
Advanced
Allows users to configure advanced boot settings for Windows Vista OSes (Longhorn included). Sorry, no XP or earlier support in this section.
Manage Entries
Users can change the ordering of the OS list or add another Windows OS: Vista, XP, or earlier.
Back-up/Restore
Users can save their Bootloader configuration settings and restore them if it becomes necessary through system crashes and subsequent restores when the bootloader settings are lost.
Bootloader
Users can reload or uninstall the Vista Bootloader, a very handy feature when working with more than one Windows OS or a requirement to uninstall Vista from a system.
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Basic Tasks
Changing Default OS
This is the most basic task that can be done with VistaBootPRO. Click the button Configure and under the Bootloader Settings find the drop down list of OSes. Select the default OS desired (you may also change the amount of time that Bootloader times out before loading the default OS) and hit the highlighted Apply button; a message in the lower left of the VBPro window will state “Changes applies successfully!”
Changing the Entry Names
Click the ‘Configure’ button and go under the category ‘Entry-Based Settings’. Select the OS you would like to rename and rename in the provided text box. Click apply to save the changes; a similar success message will display in the same location.
Changing the order the OSes are displayed
Click the ‘Manage Entries’ button. Under the ‘Reorder Entries’ click the OS you would like to reorder and use the buttons on the right hand side to move the OS up or down. This will change the order on the Vista Bootloader and startup (Does not affect the Default OS selected earlier).
Adding a Windows OS to the Vista Bootloader
Click the ‘Manage Entries’ button. Under the ‘Add an Entry’ category select whether it’s a Vista OS (Longhorn Included) or a Legacy OS (95, 98, 2000, ME, XP). Insert the drive letter and enter the entry name. NOTE: This will not work to add a non-Windows OS such as Linux.
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Advanced Tasks
Backing up Bootloader Configuration
Saving your Bootloader configuration can be extremely usefully in those situations where you lose your data. To back up your settings click the 'Back-up/Restore' button and chose a location on your PC to save your file. Click save to complete the Back-up.
It is advisable to backup this file to the root of the system drive for easy access should recovery through WinRE be necessary. If you cannot boot into any OS upon a reboot, this backup file may be restored through the command prompt in WinRE (by booting the Vista DVD and selecting recovery options) by running the following command: "bcdedit /import c:\backup.bcd" (without the quotes, and where c:\backup.bcd is the location and name of the backup file which was created in VistaBootPRO.)
Restoring Bootloader Configuration
Restore your VistaBootPRO back-up by selecting the ‘Back-up/Restore’ button. Under the ‘Restore from Back-up File’ hit the ‘Choose a File’ button and select your back-up. Click restore it will restore saved configuration.
Reinstalling the Vista Bootloader
Some problems require a complete reinstall of the Vista Bootloader. To reinstall the Bootloader click the ‘Bootloader’ button and select ‘Reinstall the Vista Bootloader’. Click ‘Configure it’ to apply the changes.
Removing the Vista Bootloader
To uninstall the Bootloader click the ‘Bootloader button and select ‘Uninstall the Vista Bootloader (use to restore XP)’. Click ‘Configure it’ to apply the changes.
The Advanced Button
Under this button there are a number of tweaks and settings that can be customized for a Vista OS (Longhorn included). It is recommended that this button is left alone unless you are an advanced user (or receiving direction from an advanced user on the forum).
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VistaBootPRO FAQ
Why is VistaBootPRO trying to open a port?
A message from Vista's Firewall because the firewall is asking to block certain features in VistaBootPRO that require special admin privileges, including checking for updates. The check for updates is the only time that VistaBootPRO will need internet access, and this feature can only be activated by the user through the menu option. This function is not necessary for the program to function.
Why does VistaBootPRO ask me for admin privileges?
Windows Vista ships with a new feature called UAC (User Account Control) that asks the user for permission before making changes to your computer to ensure that you are making the changes and not someone else. VistaBootPRO accesses the BCD registry in order to make changes to the bootloader - this means a UAC dialog will be displayed at first run. To overcome (temporarily) right click on the icon and click 'Run as Administrator'. For a more permanent solution that will allow you to bypass UAC's blocking of VistaBootPRO, right click on the VistaBootPRO Icon, go down to 'Properties' and under the 'Compatibility' tab check "Run this Program as an administrator'.
Who develops VistaBootPRO?
VistaBootPRO is a collaborative group project from PROnetworks. The members of the Beta Testing Forum and the Betas Team are directly responsible for the development of the application, with additional input and help from many other PROnetworks staff members. By using the Team approach, we are able to more thoroughly test the application, and offer a much higher level of support.
I found a bug, where can I report it?
We have a bug reporting thread in our PROnet Developed Software Forum.
What is the future of VistaBootPRO?
PROnetworks plans on continuing the development of VistaBootPRO long after the release of Vista.
How can I help with VistaBootPRO?
Members can assist with VistaBootPRO in a number of ways. You can report any bugs that your have found, suggest features to be implented in future versions of VistaBootPRO, apply for membership in the Beta Testing Forum (Hanger 19), or donate to PROnetworks!
What is the BCD store?
The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store contains boot configuration parameters and controls how the operating system is started in Microsoft® Windows Vista™ and Microsoft® Windows Server™ Code Name "Longhorn" operating systems.
These parameters were previously in the Boot.ini file (in BIOS-based operating systems) or in the nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) entries (in Extensible Firmware Interface–based operating systems). You can use the Bcdedit.exe command-line tool to affect the Windows® code which runs in the pre-operating system environment by adding, deleting, editing, and appending entries in the BCD store.
Bcdedit.exe is located in the \Windows\System32 directory of the Windows Vista partition.
Why was there a change to BCD from Boot.ini?
BCD was created to provide an improved mechanism for describing boot configuration data. With the development of new firmware models (for example, the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)), an extensible and interoperable interface was required to abstract the underlying firmware. This new design provides the foundation for a variety of new features in Windows Vista (for example, the Startup Repair tool and Multi-User Install shortcuts).
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This User Guide is bundled with VistaBootPRO for offline use. Thanks for your interest in VistaBootPRO!!!
