Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.



3012 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

Topic # 111071 23-Oct-2012 13:17 Send private message

Hi,

I'm trying to set up Windows 8 to boot from VHD. In 7 I'd boot from the DVD, press Shift-F10 then type:

diskpart
create vdisk file="C:\win7.vhd" type=expandable maximum=100000
select vdisk file="C:\win7.vhd"
attach vdisk
exit
exit

I'd then install to the newly-accessible VHD. All good.

I'm trying to do the same in Win 8. As some of you will be aware, Windows 8 is localised into proper English and it therefore defaults to a UK keyboard layout. On the first screen of the installer you can select NZ and it'll swap to the US layout... but this doesn't seem to affect the Shift-F10 command prompt. I'm getting stuck on the second command because the \ key types # instead!

I've been through all the key combinations that I can think of and can't find any way to type a backslash. Does anyone know:

1. How to type a backslash, or
2. How to change the keyboard layout to US, or
3. Some other way of creating/attaching a VHD?

Thanks :)

Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer Create new topic
1327 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Subscriber

  Reply # 705074 23-Oct-2012 13:31 Send private message

some google pictures of UK KBs have the \ on the pipe | key, but down down between the left shift and Z key.



3012 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  Reply # 705076 23-Oct-2012 13:33 Send private message

Yeah, that doesn't really help when there's no physical key there :)

1813 posts

Uber Geek


  Reply # 705078 23-Oct-2012 13:36 Send private message

You don't need to do anything from the command prompt in Win8 to setup a boot to vhd.
I did it in my Win8 to dual boot to a server 2012 vhd just by using Disk Management.




1821 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
Trusted
Subscriber

  Reply # 705080 23-Oct-2012 13:36 Send private message

UK Keyboard by any chance? Seems to be mentioned here: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/GuideToInstallingAndBootingWindows8DeveloperPreviewOffAVHDVirtualHardDisk.aspx in the comments.




Samsung Galaxy SII (I9100T)
ROM: Omega v20.1 - XWLSD 4.1.2 JB
Kernel: Philz
Modem: XXLS8

1327 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Subscriber

  Reply # 705095 23-Oct-2012 13:47 Send private message

BigHammer: UK Keyboard by any chance? Seems to be mentioned here: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/GuideToInstallingAndBootingWindows8DeveloperPreviewOffAVHDVirtualHardDisk.aspx in the comments.


for those that don't want to read the whole thing

"
4. Since I have a UK Keyboard, when I was in the command window I couldn't type a "\" char for the file path used in DISKPART's 'create vdisk' command. Luckily, I could copy/paste the char from some previous text within the cmd window.

"



3012 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  Reply # 705106 23-Oct-2012 13:57 Send private message

Thanks for that. Indeed, copy/pasting the \ from "X:\Sources" was successful and it's currently installing :)

CYaBro, it sounds like you may have an easier system that I could use in the future but can you please be more specific than "just by using Disk Management"? I can (probably) manage to create a VHD in there but how would I attach that VHD from the Win 8 installer without using the command line?

1821 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
Trusted
Subscriber

  Reply # 705109 23-Oct-2012 14:03 Send private message

The posted link may give you a few suggestions and point you in the right direction. Kinda the reason I posted the link, and not just a bit of text telling you to copy/paste. Similar in a way to putting the Windows 7 Pro install files on a USB stick to install on a netbook. Between that and google, looks easy enough.




Samsung Galaxy SII (I9100T)
ROM: Omega v20.1 - XWLSD 4.1.2 JB
Kernel: Philz
Modem: XXLS8

1813 posts

Uber Geek


  Reply # 705113 23-Oct-2012 14:07 Send private message

Behodar: Thanks for that. Indeed, copy/pasting the \ from "X:\Sources" was successful and it's currently installing :)

CYaBro, it sounds like you may have an easier system that I could use in the future but can you please be more specific than "just by using Disk Management"? I can (probably) manage to create a VHD in there but how would I attach that VHD from the Win 8 installer without using the command line?


I follow this to install server 2012 as a boot to vhd in Win8:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/haroldwong/archive/2012/08/18/how-to-create-windows-8-vhd-for-boot-to-vhd-using-simple-easy-to-follow-steps.aspx
I forgot that you do still need to do some things from a command line but as you'll be in your Win8 install with the proper keyboard setup it isn't an issue.






3012 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  Reply # 705120 23-Oct-2012 14:16 Send private message

After reading that, I think I'll stick with my tried and true method :P

Posting this from Win 8!

Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer Create new topic





Twitter »
Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new discussions are posted in our forums:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when news items and blogs are posted in our frontpage:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new jobs are posted to our jobs board:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when tech item prices are listed in our price comparison site:




News »

Trending now »
Hot discussions in our forums right now:

Sky outbid for EPL rights (Premier League Pass discussion)
Created by JonnyCam, last reply by JarrodM on 19-Jun-2013 18:49 (204 replies)
Pages... 12 13 14


Orcon Genius Go discussion
Created by freitasm, last reply by ptinson on 19-Jun-2013 18:19 (40 replies)
Pages... 2 3


Slingshot Global Mode announced
Created by freitasm, last reply by sonyxperiageek on 19-Jun-2013 18:15 (36 replies)
Pages... 2 3


Condenser Dryer: anyone has one?
Created by joker97, last reply by graemew on 18-Jun-2013 21:08 (31 replies)
Pages... 2 3


Slow YouTube Response
Created by SneakerPimps, last reply by mercutio on 18-Jun-2013 21:34 (23 replies)
Pages... 2


Anyone else watching paint dry?
Created by gnfb, last reply by sonyxperiageek on 19-Jun-2013 18:20 (39 replies)
Pages... 2 3


Suggestions for good Windows FTP client please?
Created by freitasm, last reply by Regs on 19-Jun-2013 17:17 (19 replies)
Pages... 2


Calling all mazda 3/Axela owners in NZ
Created by coolcat21, last reply by Kingy on 19-Jun-2013 09:51 (37 replies)
Pages... 2 3



Geekzone Jobs »
Most recent NZ jobs in technology:

Applications Support Consultant
Posted 19-Jun-2013 18:38

Senior Business Analyst
Posted 19-Jun-2013 18:38

Software Development Manager
Posted 19-Jun-2013 18:38

Project Manager
Posted 19-Jun-2013 18:38

Technical Writer - 6 month contract
Posted 19-Jun-2013 18:38

Junior/Intermediate C#.Net Developer
Posted 19-Jun-2013 18:38

Enthusiastic Service Desk Analyst
Posted 19-Jun-2013 18:38


Geekzone Live »
Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.

Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.

Alternatively, you can receive a daily email with Geekzone updates.