PE Builder update (past a milestone)

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 5:32 pm

I finally figured out how to make my own plugins and added a few. I also rewrote a couple of plugins by other authors that weren't working, and they work now.

Here's a couple of screenshots of my new desktop and plugins.

A recap of what I can do from CD

1. All programs in the start menu work.

2. VB 5 and 6 runtime support.

3. Windows scripting host support.

4. FTP and Browser (Network support)

5. Once I get ALL my programs into this CD, I'll be able to do anything I would do in windows

I have been working in this CD for a few days now, and am almost there. I created the images from the CD, (printscreen works too) converted to jpg using MS Paint, FTP'd them up to my freespace, used mozzilla firebird to post this thread, and link to the pics.

I'm loving this

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 5:34 pm

I started on it last night. Started with something easy, like importing the new Mcaffee virus plug-ins.

I'll probably have some questions sooner or later.

:2cool:

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 5:58 pm

Gonna start mine tomorrow!

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 6:49 pm

A couple of things to know....

1. Running more than one VBasic app at a time doesn't seem to work.

2. Some plugins have to be downed from other sites, see the list at PE site. Also, if you google PE Builder plugins, you'll find even more.

3. My start menu and task bar are made by the geo plugin. Looks better than Barts.

4. In each plugin's dir there is a help.htm file (not always named help, but is always an htm file) Read these files, they tell you what files you need to add, and where.

5. If you opt for the "WS_FTP_SE" plugin, or the "Eraser" plugin from another site, be warned, they don't work. I had to rewrite those 2.
FTP Explorer is a nicer app, but I had to write my own.

6. You can multitask, but there are limits. It depends on the resources each app uses. Not sure yet what the limit is, but I have hit the wall a few times. Just close some apps, sometimes ALL apps in order to open the one that is having trouble opening.

7. Full Fat32/NTFS support.

8. If you use the screen lock plugin, read the inf file that comes with it . The password is in there. Also, you can edit it to whatever password you like.

9. Using adaware, you have to go into the settings to customize what drive(s) to scan. By default it scans the %homedrive% (which in this case is the CD)

more in future......

drdoug99 · Post by **drdoug99** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 8:38 pm

I've been thinking of trying to build my own PE disk...but I want to know it's purpose?

it's for troublshooting right? you wouldn't use the PE disk as your personal OS for your computer...but in cases where a computer has a virus, or some other problem where you don't want to boot from the hard drive....this PE disk totally eliminates using the hard drive, yet still enables you to have a fully functional operating environment, in order to better fix the problem right?

Norm, do you have a webpage up of all your plugins you did? I know you have your XP Tools which is great...but do you have a site of other stuff like that? Maybe you could do a page like Bart does...you seem to have a knack for taking something and making it better, such as writing your own plugins and all that...that is way beyond me.

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 8:54 am

ERD Commander?
ahem...
(on Tony's xmas wish list)

Norm,
This is what I have been foolin with lately, got it installed on a HD on my test box and running smooth:
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org

And used the apt-get utility to d/l and auto install packages and programs like nmap, ethereal and other network utilities.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 4:19 pm

Wow, lots to choose from, still need to pick my email program of choice

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 4:29 pm

Awesome Norm! You really have put some time into this.. I may have to borrow a few .inf & .xml files..

I'm still having trouble getting the network services to start the NIC.. factory.exe gives me that stupid winbom error everytime. I've got the network files in the right location (plugin folder).. Maybe I need a different version of factory.exe.. I can't remember where I got mine at the moment.

Another problem I've had with it is blue screen errors upon boot. If the PC in question is having the slightest hardware issues, I'm often SOL even with PEBuilder.. OS issues though, no prob.

All my experiences with PEbuilder have been on the compaq's here at work, so maybe it just doesn't work well with compaq.

Eventually I'll have time to play around with it more.

Thanks for the headsup..

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:30 pm

so basically u just need to write a nu2 menu file and edit the setup files of a program u want, stick them in a plugin folder and test it out?! hmmmm

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 5:30 am

Rock On! it worked!!

think my scrset plugin didnt tho, but i can play with it.

gotta work on my fasttrak200 driver too.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 7:37 am

For anyone trying to store tons of files(DLLs, SYSs, OCXs, COMs, or whatever) you run out of room real quick with a full library. I'm using CabPack to make cab files for all mine, its got a good compression.

you can get it here:

http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/english.htm

EDIT: heres a link to get 7zip and the 7zip plugin for pebuilder:

http://www.patrick-binnendijk.nl/files/Pe/7-zip.htm

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 10:14 pm

YoS, and koldchillah, how about a couple of screenshots of your menu and desktops from PE Builder. You can use the print screen button and MS Paint (edit>paste)
Just curious to see what you guys have so far.

koldchillah your network problem is a known glitch. I've been reading about it at the CD Forums. Try making your CD with 'automatically starting the network. I believe the new version of PE fixes the problem.
btw - Latest version is now 3018, just posted today.

[edit] P.S. if you want FTP Explorer, ReNameIT, wnntipcfg, hexeditor, resource hacker, convert, process viewer, and Ping n TraceRoute plugins I made up, let me know.

DrDoug, you can use this CD for repairs, or you can run your system from it. I've had it running from CD for a few days without problems.
I still need to boot my main rig though, until I get more apps working. I need some apps that I haven't got on the CD yet. Plus even though it works great, it isn't quite as fast as using a HD boot. It takes a little time accessing the CDRom while it spins up.

btw - I'm working on getting XNView working. It's a multi file type graphic viewer, from bmp's, to mpegs

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:00 pm

<bump>

Come on YoS, koldchillah, pay attention will ya?

I will be asking questions later.

Lets see your screenies.....

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:07 pm

Norm PM me i'm off to work, the PM will remind me in the morning, thanks.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:09 pm

Originally posted by YARDofSTUF
Norm PM me i'm off to work, the PM will remind me in the morning, thanks.

Will do.

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:36 pm

I really need to get back on this, this weekend. Now quit poking me with a fork, OK, Norm?

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:41 pm

It takes a while RoundEye, do a bit at a time.

I've been playing with the XPE plugin. It uses the 'explorer' shell, and Internet Explorer.
It has lots of bugs, must keep an eye out for any new updates.

Screenie...

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 9:34 pm

sorry Norm, I haven't had time to play around with it much lately.. I'm working on a few rigs for some old on-site clients of mine and work has been crazy lately. If I get a moment at work I'll fire up my designated PEBuilder testing rig and get you that screenshot.. You've got everything I have working and more so there isn't really much to see.

I did check the site earlier today for a sec.. I'll be downloading the latest version and playing around with as soon as I get the chance..

Awesome screenshot btw..

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 12:31 pm

Not a lot done, but its something.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 7:08 pm

Looking good there YoS.

Are all the programs working?

btw - I wouldn't recommend the XPE plugin ........yet. It has too much NOT Working presently. Wait till it gets better. It also causes a resource problem (I think) It seems to. I don't have a resource problem when I use the nu2menu alone.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 7:13 pm

ya all working, its a pain getting the rocket raid driver and promise tx2k to work tho!

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:22 pm

(bump)

Norm, If you have a moment, I need to pick your brain..

I finally got around to taking another crack at it..

version 3.0.30 ( I see .31 is out now.. I'll try that too)

I have all my plug-ins working, including Nero, ERD Commander 2002, & Easy Recovery Pro 6. the .iso is around 280MB Also the NIC drivers are working on every PC I try.

Only problem is that I want to get explorer & winlogon working properly and thats where I'm stuck.. I disabled the nu2menu as was recommended by the explorer plugin, but I get this error when the explorer loads:

"Error loading E:\i386\system32\iernonce.dll
The specified module could not be found"

then I click OK and everything finishes loading.. explorer comes up everything seems fine EXCEPT.. when you go to the start menu and choose programs, none are listed.. I have to manually browse to the .exe files to load the plug-ins. Also I don't know how to access the "system" stuff that was in the Nu2menu..

I've burned about 10 CD's so far and while most work to some extent, I just can't seem to perfect it.. something goes slightly amiss each time.

Also what plug-in or .inf file do I edit to add my own custom wallpaper & windows explorer settings? I'm tired of that nu2 wallpaper.

My enabled plug-in list looks like this:

A43 File Management Utility
Ad Aware 6
Adaptec ASPI
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 - Firefox Plugin v1.1
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 - v1.1
Aida32
Analyzer
Background info (bginfo)
BartPE Harddisk Installer
Bart's Stuff Test (free edition)
Boot Fix (enabling "press any key to boot from CD")
Check Disk (chkdsk.exe)
Dependency Walker
DOS 16-bit app support for WinPE
Drive Snapshot
DSK: Promise FastTrak TX4000/S150 TX Series
Easy Recovery Pro 6
ERD Commander 2002
Explorer
Foundstone Security Utilities
IrfanView
Keyboard Layout
McAfee Stinger
McAfee VirusScan for Win32
MMC
Mozilla Embed
Nero Burning ROM
Network Support [bartpe/penetcfg]
Network Support [bartpe/penetcfg] [autostart]
Network Support [factory/netcfg/penetcfg]
Network Support [factory/netcfg/penetcfg] [autostart]
NIC: 3Com Gigabit LOM (3C940/3C2000) Driver
NIC: Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller (bcm4sbxp) driver
NIC: Broadcom BCM57xx NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet (b57xp32) driver
NIC: Intel PRO 100/1000 Adapter driver
Off by One Browser
PCI Tree
Profiles folder
PuTTY
RAMDisk (QSoft)
Remote Desktop Client
RPCSS Service Security Patch (KB824146)
Serial Mouse
Show Interfaces
Show Traffic v1.0
Startup Group
Tight VNC Viewer
Tiny Hexer
VNC Neighborhood 1.1.8
Windows Scripting Host [AvB]
Winlogon resource patch
WinPcap Library v1.0
WS_FTP LE

Do all 4 of those network support entries need to be enabled?

Do I have the correct plug-ins for customizing the explorer shell?

Do I really need both Adobe Acrobat reader plug-ins such as firefox?

Any plugins not listed that you recommend? A small mail client would be awesome.. The ability to check your email from any PC and never leave a trace behind is pretty slick..

Would a USB card reader work? I'd like to have a portable flash drive or something to go hand in hand with the boot CD.. I could then store my user profile on a 1 GB flash card along with some misc tools & drivers. Then I would just have to find a plugin that can load a user profile into explorer.exe..

That would rule.

Any tips or recommendations will be appreciated..

TIA

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:56 pm

I stayed with version 30.24 so anything after that could have problems with some of my configurations in certain plugins.

Version 30.31 had one update. Bart forgot to put the correct version of penetcfg.exe in it, Download version 30.31 and swap your penetcfg.exe with the new one. It may take care of some of your network problems. Also, don't use all 4 network settings enabled. Go with one, and not automatic. Then as you boot, let XPE finish before clicking ok to start network services.

Pimmy email client is a nice small one.

I can't help you very much with plugins really. Mine are all customized with my own custom menu. Plus as the Bart PE versions progressed, changes that were made cause troubles with some plugins. Too many, and too complicated to go into.

I recommend using Nu2menu, and don't add anything to XPE menu. Just use whats in XPE as default, like defrag. It gets to be a lot of work editting the XPE menu, and registry all for show. Nu2menu is far less bloated (no icons etc)

I'm not at home, so I don't have my files to look at, but I'll get back to you with some nice plugins you might like.

My CD is now multiboot and I now have the boot passworded as well for security. In the wrong hands this CD could be devastating

Boot options include:
1. Barts PE
2. My old Dos boot CD as an option (tons of Dos apps in a menu)
3. A version of Knoppix Damnsmall Linux called florix
4. Dos 7
5 Linux NT password recovery
6. Norton Ghost
7. F-Prot
8. Fdisk
9. 4 Different HD manufacturers hardrive Tools
Some others but without my CD and my younger memory, I can't think hehe

When in Bart PE, I have over 120 plugins I think.

Plus my CD is an autostart if used in a normal windows environment with everything from virus tools to spyware removals, and resource hacking tools to process viewers, partitoning tools, etc etc etc. You name it, if it's free and useful, I have it on there. All in a nice buttoned menu.

I have about 50MB left for adding new stuff I think.
I went all out on this project, used everything I know and have to make this CD the best thing in my arsenal.

I need a DVD burner real soon

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:58 am

I have about 50MB left for adding new stuff I think.

here ya go!

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 4:30 pm

thanks Norm.. I've got it workin' now.. Just trying to gather up some extra stuff to throw on the CD and I'm all set... for now.

oh, almost forgot. what do you use to password protect your CD's?

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:29 pm

Originally posted by koldchillah
oh, almost forgot. what do you use to password protect your CD's?

Bootable CD Wizard