1.) Install Vista as normal on a lets say 20 GByte NTFS partition.
Dont install anything (driver, programs, updates) on this Vista because Microsoft gives you then Machinekeynumbers, that cant be copied with the Explorer (but with Winhex hihi...).
I use an IDE harddisk.
2.) Boot the
same compi up from another XP ( I use an USB XP).
The harddisk with Vista stays connected.
3.) Copy all the files and folders from that Vista installation to a folder called Vista32.
Dont build the Vista32 folder on the partition with Vista, because this partition is deleted later!
Make sure, that in folder options all the system files are set visible.
hiberfil.sys, pagefile.sys, System Volume
Information copy not.
4.) When you get a message, that a file cant be copied, use the program Beyond Compare 2 to look,
what has happend. You can do those copyoptions also by hand.
When you found that file or folder (I found 3, for example "Server") that cant be copied,
build this file or folder by hand and let it empty .
5.) Make a backup of your original Vista installation. I use Winhex and copy
simple Byte by Byte of the installationsharddisk
including the bootsector to a file called vista32.dat.
Remember, that on a Fat32 partition no single file can be larger than 4,1Gbyte.
So, this vista32.dat has to stay on a NTFS partition because it is about 20Gbyte large.
I tested this image and it works.
6.) Before you delete the partition with the original Vista on it with Partition Magic 8,
notice the exact size of this partition. Ok, delete this partition and build a new Fat32 partition at the same place with the same size as before on the same harddisk.
Set it aktiv.
7.) Now copy all the files and folders back from the Vista32 folder to that empty Fat32 partition.
Copy the Boot folder first and the Windows folder last.
8.) Disconnect your USB XP and/or any other harddisk.
Only the harddisk with the new Fat32 partition and the files and folders of Vista on it stays.
9.) When you try to
start from that harddisk you get a message like no OS found.
10.) Put the Vista DVD in and hit any key.
11.) Chose install of Vista, but at the next place
choose "Systemwiederherstellungsoptionen".
In the
english version it must be like "systemrepair".
12.)
Select a keyboard layout.
13.) Hit STRG ALT DEL and then choose no. (Means no restart of Vista)
14.) Hit "next", and then choose Command Prompt.
15.) Type cd and then the way to your DVD drive with the Vista DVD in it,
for me it is E: .
16.) Type there cd E:\boot .
17.) Then type there
bootsect /nt60 C:
A message is shown, that a new bootsector for
FAT32 is written!
18.) Put the Vista DVD out and shut the compi down.
When you boot up the next time, dont think that nothing happens. The harddisk seems to sleep
about 2 minutes. But then
break through the light, voila there is the Vista Desktop with Fat32.
hiberfil.sys, pagefile.sys, System Volume Information have also been build new.
