You cannot start Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) 2.0 from certain media on a Windows Vista-based computer

When you try to start Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) 2.0 from certain media on a Windows Vista-based computer, Windows PE does not start. For example, this problem may occur when you try to start Windows PE from a thumb drive, from a small hard disk, or from similar storage media.

When Windows PE is started as a raw disk that is loaded on the media, Windows PE creates a hive log on the media. Then, Windows PE tries to write content to the hive log. If the media from which Windows PE is started is locked, Windows PE cannot write to the media.

A hotfix is available to resolve this problem. After you apply this hotfix, follow these steps.

Note To apply this hotfix on an x64-based computer, replace x86 with x64 in the commands in steps 1 and 2.

1. Manually extract the files to a temporary location. To do this, run the following commands:
   Expand -f:* Path \Windows6.0-KB943360-x86.msu Target Path
   Expand -f:* Path \Windows6.0-KB943360-x86.cab Target Path
2. Mount the Winpe.wim file by running the Imagex.exe tool together with the /mountrw syntax. To do this, run the following command:
   IMAGEX.EXE /mountrw Path of the Winpe.wim 1 Staging area
3. Copy the updated Ntkrnlpa.exe and Ntoskrnl.exe files to the System32\boot directory of the mounted Winpe.wim file.
   Note The x64-based version of the hotfix contains only the Ntoskrnl.exe file.
4. Unmount the Winpe.wim file by using the Imagex.exe tool together with the /commit syntax. To do this, run the following command:
   IMAGEX.EXE /commit

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for installing this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, x64-based versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

For more information about Windows PE 2.0, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: