Saturday, September 14 2013 / 12:33 AM

Table of content

Table of content
1

Software presentation................................................................................1
1.1

Purpose of this software......................................................................1

1.2

What it can do..................................................................................... 2

1.3

What it cannot do................................................................................ 2

1.4

Functionalities..................................................................................... 3

1.4.1

Windows 7..................................................................................... 3

1.4.2

Windows 8..................................................................................... 4

1.5

Requirement........................................................................................ 4

1.6

Select the right package version.........................................................5

1.6.1
1.7

Supported partition layout...................................................................6

1.7.1

MBR WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8).......6

1.7.2

UEFI WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8).......6

1.7.3

MBR WIM on the last partition (Windows8 only).........................6

1.7.4

UEFI WIM on the last partition (Windows 8 only)........................6

1.7.5

Partition types...............................................................................7

Installation................................................................................................. 8
2.1

Preparing the USB drive.......................................................................8

2.2

Installing Windows...............................................................................8

2.3

Installing the recovery tools................................................................9

2.4

Step by step installation....................................................................10

Testing scenario....................................................................................... 16
3.1

Windows 7......................................................................................... 16

3.2

Windows 8......................................................................................... 16

Upgrading................................................................................................ 17
4.1

Using Windows 8? Read this!.......................................................5

Windows 8 WIM on the last partition...............................................17

Settings file explanation..........................................................................17

5.1

Windows 7......................................................................................... 17
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5.2

Windows 8......................................................................................... 18

Splash Image (Logo)................................................................................ 19

Translation............................................................................................... 19

Frequently asked questions.....................................................................20

Technical support..................................................................................... 21

10

Change log............................................................................................ 21

11

Credits and thanks................................................................................23

12

Licensing............................................................................................... 24

ii

1 Software presentation
1.1 Purpose of this software
Computers, we use them every day. To check our mails, play games, do
homework. We used them so much that, sometime, we forget that they are
like car and that they may broke, suddenly, without warning, and this
normally happen when you have something important to do.
Now, your computer does not boot anymore. What can you do? Reinstall
Windows? It will take hours with the time required to reinstall all your drivers
and required apps. And if you don't know how to do it, you will have to bring
it to the computer store. But, it may be closed or they may have too much
computer to repair and you will have to wait several days.
It would be easier to repair it automatically whit the press of a button or by
connecting an USB drive, no?
Well, that is exactly what I am offering you. A small software that can help
you automatically repair and reinstall your Windows installation. And as a
bonus, it can do all that without deleting your personal data. And if you can't
wait to complete the recovery process, you can still access your files off-line
to copy them to an USB drive so you can continue working on another
computer.
But be warned! This solution is not made to do full system backup. Rather, it
has been made to allow you to bring back your Windows installation to the
working state it was when the recovery image was made. If you made it 6
month ago, you will have to reinstall everything that changed since then. The
only exception here is under Windows 8 that supports custom "Refresh" point,
which is a custom recovery point for your Windows installation.
Also, this recovery image must be done during a new installation of Windows.
If Windows is already installed on your computer, you won't be able to create
the recovery image.

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1.2 What it can do

This software will allows you to create a one-time image of a base installation
of Windows 7 or Windows 8 and copy this image to a hidden partition on the
first drive of your computer. If, for any reason, Windows cannot boot anymore
or you just want to revert back to this image, you will be able to use Windows
Recovery Environment to completely reinstall Windows based on this image.
It is up to you to decide what this image will contain. Will it be only Windows
with its drivers, Windows with its drivers and all your personal applications?
You decide. But chose wisely as the image CANNOT BE upgraded later. It is
not a backup. It is a recovery image.

1.3 What it cannot do

Like I just said, this application creates a recovery image. Not a backup. So
dont use it to create a recovery image with all your personal files. Use
backup software for that.
Also, dont waste your time personalising your settings. The Administrator
account used during the preparation of the recovery image will be deleted.
Dont waste your time.

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1.4 Functionalities
1.4.1 Windows 7
Under Windows 7, the recovery tools will give you the following options:

A central place from where you can access recovery options, including
o Recovery media creator
Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computer
o Launch recovery environment
Reboot the computer in the recovery environment
o Launch Windows backup
This will allows you to backup your personal files,
programs and settings

The recovery environment, either booted from the recovery partition or the
USB recovery media will give you the following options:

Option to repair your computer

o Repair boot option
o Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows
System recovery
o Use a custom recovery image you may have created using the
backup software built into Windows
Reinstall Windows
o Move the previous installation and you personal file to the
Windows.Old folder and then reinstall Windows from the
recovery image on the recovery partition
DoubleCommander file browser
o Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot
and you dont have time to repair it right now. This will allows
you to copy your personal file to a USB key to continue working
on another computer.
o For security reason, the file browser will require you to
authenticate with an administrator account from the Windows
installation

Please note that Windows 7, opposed to Windows 8, does not gives you the
option to do a full reinstall. Previous installation of Windows will be always
moved to Windows.Old folder. If you want to completely erase all data and
trace of previous installation, you can either use a recovery media created on
the computer, use the FullRestore.cmd script that can be found in
C:\Windows or use the Full system recovery from the Advanced tools
under the Recovery Environment.

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10

1.4.2 Windows 8
Under Windows 8, the recovery tools will give you the following options:

A central place from where you can access recovery options, including
o Recovery media creator
Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computer
Can create DVD ISO that can be used to restore the
computer
o Launch recovery environment
Reboot the computer in the recovery environment
o Launch Windows backup (File History)
This will allows you to backup your personal files,
programs and settings
o Create a custom recovery point
Allows to create a custom recovery point, delete it or
create a new one
A recovery point will replace the recovery image when do
you a Refresh of your pc. A refresh reinstall Windows
without deleting your files
A custom image cannot be used to Reset the computer,
which completely delete all files

The recovery environment, either booted from the recovery partition or the
USB recovery media will give you the following options:

Option to repair your computer

o Repair boot option
o Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows
Refresh Windows
o Move the previous installation and you personal file to the
Windows.Old folder and then reinstall Windows from the
recovery image on the recovery partition
o If a custom recovery point was created, it will be used.
Otherwise, it will use the recovery image
Reset Windows
o Completely erase the computer and reinstall Windows
DoubleCommander file browser
o Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot
and you dont have time to repair it right now. This will allows
you to copy your personal file to a USB key to continue working
on another computer.

1.5 Requirement
This software will run only under Windows 7 or Windows 8. It does not work
under Windows Vista or Windows XP.
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Any computer that can run Windows 7 or Windows 8 can use this software,
although a specific partition layout must be respected. Also, you will have to
choose between two (2) version of the package for Windows 8, each with
their pros and cons.
The following section will explain the different partition structure supported
by this program. All the files (XMK, script, etc.) for these scenarios are
included with this package.
For Windows 7, you will need to provide the ImageX.exe file, both for the
32bits (X86) and the 64bits (AMD64) version. Microsoft does not allows the
redistribution of these files. They can be obtained from the Windows
Automated Installation Package. Simply copy them in the right place in the
ImageX folder in the Windows 7 tools.
o

1.6 Select the right package version

This software comes in two (2) versions, one with the recovery image (WIM
file) on the same partition as the Recovery Environment and one with the
WIM file on the last partition.
The first version is the only one which works with Windows 7. As for Windows
8, it works with both versions.
1.6.1 Using Windows 8? Read this!
When using the version with the recovery image on the last partition,
Windows 8 will allows you to delete this partition and regain the space when
you create a recovery media (USB key). If the recovery image is on the
same partition as the Recovery Tools, this option will not be
available.
Although it would seems natural to select the second package (WIM on the
last partition), please note that all the scripts use partition number to find
their required files. This means that if you resize your Windows
partition to create a new partition, the partition number of the last
partition (with the recovery image on it) will change, making system
recovery impossible.
Also, since the recovery partition cannot be created during the
installation process of Windows, it will be created during the capture
process, making the process longer. The size of the recovery partition
can be set in the SettingsRE.txt file.

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1.7 Supported partition layout

1.7.1 MBR WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8)
Partition
1
2
3
Default size
12gb
150mb
All
Partition type Primary
Primary
Primary
File system
NTFS
NTFS
NTFS
Role
Recovery
Boot
Windows
manager
Active
No
Yes
No
1.7.2 UEFI WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8)
Partition
1
2
3
4
Default size
12gb
150mb
128mb
All
Partition type Primary
EFI
MSR
Primary
File system
NTFS
FAT32
N/A
NTFS
Role
Recovery
Boot
System
Windows
manager
reserved
Active
No
Yes
No
No
1.7.3 MBR WIM on the last partition (Windows8 only)
Partition
1
2
3
Default size
1gb
150mb
All
Partition type Primary
Primary
Primary
File system
NTFS
NTFS
NTFS
Role
Recovery
Boot
Windows
manager
Active
No
Yes
No
1.7.4 UEFI
Partition
Default size
Partition
type
File system
Role
Active

WIM on the
1
1gb
Primary
NTFS
Recovery
No

4
12gb
Primary
NTFS
Recovery
image
No

last partition (Windows 8 only)

2
3
4
150mb
128mb
All
EFI
MSR
Primary

5
12gb
Primary

FAT32
Boot
manager
Yes

NTFS
Recovery
image
No

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N/A
System
reserved
No

NTFS
Windows
No

1.7.5 Partition types

1.7.5.1MBR
All partitions are of type 07 (ID = 07) except the recovery partition (and the
recovery image partition) which are of type 27 (ID = 27).
1.7.5.2UEFI/GPT
Recovery partitions (and the recovery image partition) are of type
{de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac}. MSR, EFI and Windows
partitions dont have any particular type.

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2 Installation
2.1 Preparing the USB drive
1. From the AutoUnattend folder, under either the GPT or MBR
folder, copy the AutoUnattend.xml file to the root of a USB
2. From the Settings Examples, under either the GPT or MBR
folder, copy all files to the Settings folder
3. Run the Update_Settings.cmd script
4. Copy the configured package (INSTALLER folder) to the USB key
5. All other files can now be discarded, as the INSTALLER folder and the
AutoUnattend.xml files are only required for this software

2.2 Installing Windows

1. Connect the USB key to the target computer and start Windows
installation
a. Use only RETAIL or MSDN media
b. Dont use media that came with your computer as they may
contains scripts that will prevent this software from working
correctly
2. Select to install Windows
3. If you are using a media with more than 1 operating system available,
select the one you want to install
4. Wait during the installation process
a. All data and partitions of the first drive will be deleted
b. Partitions will be automatically created
5. Proceed to the installation of all your software, drivers, updates, etc.
a. Never use the SYSPREP screen. It will prevent the use of this
software.

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2.3 Installing the recovery tools

When everything is working as expected, you can then install the recovery
tools to create the recovery partition
1. You should copy the installation folder on the hard drive in case
something goes wrong and file access is lost to the USB drive
2. If copying the tools from a CD, remove the read-only attributes of the
files on the computer
3. You should create a full backup of the computer, using Ghost or similar
software, prior creating the recovery partition. If something goes
wrong, you will be able to recover your base installation without having
to do it again
4. Launch the Install script and wait for the SYSPREP and capture
process

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2.4 Step by step installation

This section will show you how to install the recovery tools under Windows 8.
For this scenario, we will be using the package that creates the recovery
image on the last partition, on a MBR/BIOS computer. The process is similar
for Windows 7 or other package version of Windows 8.
Ste
p
1

2
3

5
6

Description

Image

Unzip the software package on a

computer and select which version
of the package you want to use. In
this case, we will be using the
WIM Last partition version.
Open the Autounattend folder.
Select the configuration that suits
you need. In this scenario, we will
be using the MBR package for
BIOS computer.
Copy the Autounattend.xml file
to the root of the USB drive you
will be using for the installation.
You will need a USB drive even if
you are using a DVD media to
install Windows.
Now, open the Windows 8
Recovery tools folder.
Go to the Settings Examples
folder and then into the MBR or
GPT folder. You must use the
same folder as in step 3!
Select all the files and copy them
to the Settings folder.

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Now, execute the

Update_Settings script.

You should see this if everything

went correctly. If it is now the case,
STOP NOW!
In case of errors, check for Read
Only attributes on the files.

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Copy the Installer folder to the

same USB key on which you
copied the AutoUnattend.xml
file.
Your drive should look like that.

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11

Connect the USB drive to the

target computer and boot the
Windows 8 installation media. The
USB drive must be connected prior
entering the setup screen.
Select your locale settings and
click Next.

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Select your Windows version and

click Next.

13

Wait while taking a beer or a

coffee.

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If everything went correctly,

Windows 8 should boot to this
screen. As you can see, regular
Metro apps are not present and
you are logged-in with the
Administrator account.
Now, click on the Desktop tile.

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15

Close this window.

ALWAYS close this window.
Do NOT PRESS OK ON THIS
WINDOW!
Dont touch it. Ever!

16

From your USB drive, copy the

Installer folder on your desktop.
Install all your apps, drivers,
updates, etc.

17
18

Continue to next step when ready.

Launch the Install script.
Wait during the creation of the
recovery partition.

19

This will takes some time. Please

be patient.

20

Computer will reboot to capture

the Windows installation.

21

Capture in progress

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22

Capture done. Go to next step to

test everything.

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3 Testing scenario
Now that everything is installed, you must test everything. You dont want to
give something not correctly working to your customers, dont you?
Here are some tests that should be performed before giving the computer to
the customer.

3.1 Windows 7
Boot the computer and complete OOBE process. Then test the following:

Entering Recovery Environment by using the Recovery Tools inside

Windows
Entering Recovery Environment by using the F7 key
Reinstalling Windows from the Recovery Environment
o Retest previous component to be sure they still works
Creating a recovery media and recovering Windows from it
o Retest previous component to be sure they still works
Test the FullRestore.cmd script
o Retest previous component to be sure they still works
If all test are OK, restore the computer one last time by using the
FullRestore.cmd script and give the computer to the customer

3.2 Windows 8
Boot the computer and complete OOBE process. Then test the following:

Entering Recovery Environment by using the Recovery Tools inside

Windows
Reinstalling Windows from the Recovery Environment (Reset and
Refresh)
o Retest previous component to be sure they still works
Creating a recovery media and recovering Windows from it (Reset only)
o Retest previous component to be sure they still works
If all test are OK, restore the computer one last time by using the
Reset option or the recovery media and give the computer to the
customer

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4 Upgrading
Starting at version 1.3.6, an update script is available to upgrade the
recovery tools to the latest version.
The local recovery tools, the one in the recovery image and tools of the
recovery environment will be upgraded.
You should make a new recovery media after upgrading; otherwise using a
previous recovery media will roll-back the changes made.

4.1 Windows 8 WIM on the last partition

You cant upgrade the recovery tools if you deleted the recovery image from
the last partition. The process will fail.

5 Settings file explanation

This software requires lots of settings files to work correctly. You must be very
careful if you do any modification to them.

5.1 Windows 7

ResetPartitions.txt
o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition
the hard disk
o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt file
Settings.ini
o This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery
tools
SettingsRE.txt
o This is the file used by CMD script to load the partitions, format
them, etc.
o It must match the settings of the ResetPartitions.txt and file
o WINLOAD parameter
Must be equal to Winload.efi on UEFI computer
Must be equal to Winload.exe on BIOS computer
o BOOTFS parameter
Must be equal to FAT32 on UEFI computer
Must be equal to NTFS on BIOS computer
Sysprep.xml
o File used to prepare Windows for capture
o Used to keep drivers and not delete them

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5.2 Windows 8

ResetPartitions.txt
o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition
the hard disk
o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt,
ResetConfig.xml and file
o Must NOT include Select Disk or Clean commands
ResetConfig.xml
o Used to tell recovery image location (partition number, etc.) in
the recovery environment
o Used to tell the name of the ResetPartitions.txt file
o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt,
ResetPartitions.txt and file
Settings.ini
o This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery
tools
SettingsRE.txt
o This is the file used by CMD script to load the partitions, format
them, etc.
o It must match the settings of the ResetPartitions.txt,
ResetConfig.xml and file
o WINLOAD parameter
Must be equal to Winload.efi on UEFI computer
Must be equal to Winload.exe on BIOS computer
o BOOTFS parameter
Must be equal to FAT32 on UEFI computer
Must be equal to NTFS on BIOS computer
Sysprep.xml
o File used to prepare Windows for capture
o Used to keep drivers and not delete them
WinRE.xml
o Used to rename the DoubleCommander file browser to Off-Line
file browser

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6 Splash Image (Logo)

Starting in version 1.3.10, there is now a splash image for the recovery tools
inside Windows. This splash image does not apply to the recovery tools when
booting on the recovery media or the recovery partition.

The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 7

Windows 7 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\

The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 8

Windows 8 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\
Once the file copied, you must edit Settings.ini file to enable it and change
the following parameters:
Parameter
LogoFile
LogoWidth
LogoHeight
LogoTime

Description
Filename of the logo.
Must be JPG or BMP.
Width of the logo
Height of the logo
Time, in seconds, to
display the logo.

Default Value
Logo.jpg
400
200
0

7 Translation
All the language strings are saved in the Settings.ini file. Windows will
automatically detect the current language and tries to load it from the file. If
the current language is absent the software will rollback to English as the
default language.
When booting on the recovery media for Windows 7, the end-user will have to
select the language he wants to use.
Starting in 1.3.10, you can use a semi-colon (;) as a carriage return to split
a line on multiple lines.

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8 Frequently asked questions

1. My computer crash after the image capture
a. Can be due to a driver error. Try to isolate the driver in question
and install it using SetupComplete/FirstLogon script
b. Be sure to have the computer unplugged from the network while
installing the recovery tools
c. Disable your anti-virus when installing the recovery tools
2. Can I upgrade my recovery image?
a. Windows 7: No
b. Windows 8: Not exactly. You can create a custom recovery point
using the recovery tools
3. In your previous software (Legacy 2.1.1), there was an option to
create DVD recovery media. Will you give this option back in a future
release?
a. This option is currently only available for Windows 8. Support for
Windows 7 may be added in a future version.
4. I already have a working installation of Windows. Can I use your tools
to create a recovery partition now?
a. No. You can only create a recovery image and partition during a
fresh installation of Windows 7 or 8.
b. Under Windows 8, you can always create a custom Refresh
image of your computer by using the RECIMG command line
tool.

9 Change log

1.3.16
o Added : DVD Media Creator for Windows 8
o Removed : All language except French/English for Windows 8
due to new menu made for DVD recovery
1.3.15
o Added : UEFI support under Windows 8 32bits (still not
supported under Windows 7 32bits)
1.3.14
o Added : Italian under Windows 7 Recovery Tools
o Added : New version for Windows 8 where recovery image is on
the last partition of the computer, allowing the user to delete it
after the creation of a recovery USB key
o Updated : Instruction manual
1.3.13
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o
o
o

Modification to capture and reinstallation script to prevent

phantom recovery drive under Windows
Added : Full system recovery option in Recovery Environment
under Windows 7
Added : Access to basic repair tools in Recovery Environment
under Windows 7

1.3.12
o Windows 8: Now using a FirstLogon script since SetupComplete
was not working with OEM key. The script is configured to run by
using the Sysprep.xml file.
o Minor translation error in English fixed
1.3.11
o Fixed bug with the path of the splash screen image
o Fixed bug in Windows 7 recovery. Not more variable errors.
1.3.10
o Added line-splitting in settings.ini. See translation section
o Added auto-reboot at the end of the recovery process for
Windows 7
o Added support for splash image under Windows (not recovery
media)
1.3.9
o Added : Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic in Windows 7 tools
o Added : Hebrew in Windows 8 tools
o Modified recovery media creator script under Windows 7 to
make the boot drive Active.
1.3.8
o Fixed a bug in the Update script relating to SetupComplete
script
Updates from 1.3.X to 1.3.7 will lose the ability to rename
the off-line file browser in Windows 8
Updates from 1.3.X to 1.3.7 will lose the ability to
dismount automatically the recovery partition in Windows
7/8
Clean install of 1.3.7 will not have the problem
Updating to 1.3.8 should fix that
1.3.7
o Added a script (both in Windows 7 and Windows 8) to dismount
the recovery partition from Windows at the end of OOBE
1.3.6
o Added update tools for Windows 7 and 8
You can upgrade from 1.2.0 and 1.3.X
You must recreate the recovery media after upgrade
You must configure the settings file to match your
configuration
1.3.5
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o
o

Removed ImageX from the package, as required by Microsoft

EULA
New set of icons for the menus, which are not made by
Microsoft

1.3.4
o Fixed a bug with the SetupComplete.Cmd script under
Windows 8 to identify the File Browser
o Updated the file browser to latest version
o Added instruction guide (this guide)
1.3.3
o Fixed Windows 8 recovery media. No more error about missing
partitions
1.3.2
o Modified installation script so Recovery partition is now hidden
in Windows 7
1.3.1
o Added some checkups (Winre.Wim file exist, etc.)
1.3.0
o Initial release of this version which include Windows 8 support

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10 Credits and thanks

Also, thanks to my entire beta tester.

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11 Licensing

All scripts, either the one made for command line (CMD). These files
can be freely distributed and modified.

The Hard Drive icon used in the software was found on Internet. Source
unknown. If you are the owner of this icon, please contact me (support
forum) so I may remove it from this software or gives you credits for
your works.

Icons used in this software seem to be licensed for redistribution. The

icons package is under the Source folder.

If you are a computer manufacturer/store/seller, you can use my tool

without any compensation (free laptop may be cool though!). But, I
would really appreciate if you can send me a message telling me that
you are using my software. Also, please give me credits on your web
site or instruction manual.

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