Bragging rights - how many OS's do you boot with your USB stick? Options

[Rootman]

I've been tooling around with my 8GB USB stick for a few months and now have a LOT of utilities on it. I was wondering how many OS / Tools / versions of PE you guys out there boot off ONE USB stick.

I've got a luck 13 items on my Grub4DOS menu. Here they are:

• BartPE
• MS Disaster Recovery Toolbox (.iso boot on own partition)
• Knoppix Linux (own partition live CD image file)
• Puppy Linux
• HDDRegen (.img file)
• Partition Magic 8 (.img file)
• PartEd (Linux)
• Paragon Partition Manager (.ima file)
• Ranish Partition Manager (.img file)
• Wipedisk (.img file) [quick automated wipes]
• Darik's Boot-N-Nuke (.img file) [better disk wipes]
• Memtest (.img file)
• DOS 98 (.img file)

I've got 3 partitions on it and the removable storage bit flipped so it shows up as a fixed drive.

How many OS's do YOU have?

This post has been edited by Rootman: Jun 11 2007, 01:50 PM

[wanderer]

Hi Rootman

Very interesting what you achieved here.So far i can boot BartPE as a iso,but it takes about 15Min to load

I have usb 2.0 on my PC,but i only can boot from a usb 1.1 port.

Do you have BartPE as a iso or as a minint directory?I always get txtsetup.sif or biosinfo.inf errors trying minint.

How did you get 3 partitions on your stick?I'm experimenting at the moment with usboot from www.usboot.org

Would you be so kind,to put your menu.lst and the partition\directory\files structure here,so hopefully i can learn from it


Thanks in advance and greetings from the Netherlands.

wanderer

[jaclaz]

How did you get 3 partitions on your stick?

I've got 3 partitions on it and the removable storage bit flipped so it shows up as a fixed drive.

Some reference is here:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=19875
and given link therein:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=15776

Or the "software" workarounds, reference here:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?...1218&st=213
links:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=14292
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...181&st=1954

jaclaz

[Rootman]

jaclaz gives a good list of references.
Remember PartEd is your friend (http://www.gnu.org/software/parted/index.shtml) it can do many things Windows can't.
Here's my menu.lst:

CODE

timeout 4
color red/light-gray red/black

title DEFAULT: BartPE
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
chainloader /grub/setupldr.bin

title MSDrT
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find  --set-root /grldr
root (hd0,1)
chainloader /setupldr.bin

title Knoppix
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
kernel (hd0,2)/boot/isolinux/linux ramdisk_size=100000 init=/etc/init lang=us apm=power-off vga=791  noeject noprompt dma home=dev/sdb3/knoppix.img myconf=/dev/sdb3 splash initrd=minirt.gz nomce quiet BOOT_IMAGE=knoppix
initrd (hd0,2)/boot/isolinux/minirt.gz
boot

title Puppy Linux
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
root (hd0,0)/
kernel /vmlinuz  root=/dev/ram0 initrd=initrd.gz PMEDIA=usbflash PKEYS=us noeject noprompt dma
initrd /initrd.gz

title HDDRegen
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/HDDREGEN.IMG

title Partition Magic 8
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/PQMAG8.IMG

title PartEd
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
root (hd0,0)/
kernel /bzImage noapic initrd=piinitrd.gz root=/dev/ram0 init=/linuxrc ramdisk_size=100000 skip
initrd /piinitrd.gz

title Paragon Partition Manager
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/paragon.ima

title Ranish Partition Manager
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/ranish.img

title Wipedisk
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/wipedisk.img

title Darik's Boot-N-Nuke
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/DBAN.IMG

title MEMTEST
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/memtestp.img

title DOS 98
password --md5 SecretPasswordHashHere
find --set-root /grldr
kernel /grub/memdisk
initrd /BootImages/Floppy/dos98.img

I run Bart's from the minint directory, being that this is a forum popular with Reatogo I have to admit that I could never get it to boot with Reatogo based BartPE, it will always halt with a "Session5_initialization_failed CODE STOP 0x00000071" error. So I used UBCD4WIN for the USB key - I use Reatogo on my CD's.

I used the second partition for Knoppix - it will run from the first but I just wanted to keep it clean and avoid naming conflict with other Linux files. The third partition is just for an ISO version of Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=19676&hl=). I couldn't get the USB key to boot an ISO AND a minint version of PE without separating them somehow.

[Ed_P]

The third partition is just for an ISO version of Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=19676&hl=). I couldn't get the USB key to boot an ISO AND a minint version of PE without separating them somehow.

I don't see the DRT in your menu. Am I missing something?

[Rootman]

I don't see the DRT in your menu. Am I missing something?

Third item, abbreviated MSDrT

[Ed_P]

That's how one boots an ISO!! It looks like you copied the ISO files to the partition. I think I'm still missing something.

[chuckr]

I've been tooling around with my 8GB USB stick for a few months and now have a LOT of utilities on it. I was wondering how many OS / Tools / versions of PE you guys out there boot off ONE USB stick.

I've got a luck 13 items on my Grub4DOS menu. Here they are:

• BartPE
• MS Disaster Recovery Toolbox (.iso boot on own partition)
• Knoppix Linux (own partition live CD image file)
• Puppy Linux
• HDDRegen (.img file)
• Partition Magic 8 (.img file)
• PartEd (Linux)
• Paragon Partition Manager (.ima file)
• Ranish Partition Manager (.img file)
• Wipedisk (.img file) [quick automated wipes]
• Darik's Boot-N-Nuke (.img file) [better disk wipes]
• Memtest (.img file)
• DOS 98 (.img file)

I've got 3 partitions on it and the removable storage bit flipped so it shows up as a fixed drive.

How many OS's do YOU have?

ONE - Bart PEBuilder with XPE 1.0.6, but I have more than enough software on it to fix almost anything.
And, if my manual inspection of the MBR and available boot sectors show nothing, I have more than
enough utilities to see/save whatever is salvageable from the hard drive prior to any repair attempts.
I have binary samples of most HDD boot sectors (and floppy) to be able to 'insert' one if necessary,
or at least make a binary comparison between the "bad' guy and known working good ones. Also have
various binary samples of MBRs for automated comparison and analysis, with ability to patch/repair down
to the -bit- level.

If I decide that more information is necessary and do not have the 'proper' tool, I can always
"write my own", from a choice of:
3 C/C++ compilers, 3 FORTRAN compilers, 2 Pascals, 2 Assemblers, COBOL, FORTH, SNOBOL,
with 2 Dis-Assemblers to analyze any possible problems from the guys above. All have been installed and
are now runnable from the virtual ramdrv and/or a virtual FAT-formatted Q: drive (thanks to OLOF).

I have the entire Win XP Pro Help system available at a single click, in case I need some help from
the 'Microsoft team', including their support tools help and help for all compilers.

Not much, but it's bootable from SD postage stamp, USB sticks, CD/DVD (with plenty of room for
growth if something useful comes along). On DVD, had Linux and/or Ultimate Boot CD for DOS, and/or
UBCD4Win but decided that I don't 'trust' unknown s/w from unknown individuals, therefore just the one...

Refreshing my memories of the FORTH language because of it's compactness and absolute power.
Will program some useful BIOS and DOS interrupts in Intel assembler (under FORTH) to try some
neat 'stuff' later on, with single lines of FORTH code...

What do you DO with your 13 ?

Best regards,
chuckr

[Rootman]

What do you DO with your 13 ?

Just like a Boy Scout - BE PREPARED. I got a good deal on the stick and it seemed a waste to not use it all. I've also got a full copy of the Windows XP and Office XP install files on it as well as a raft of portable apps available directly from the stick on a TrueCrypt encrypted file. Oh, and I also carry copies of all my legal documents, will, living will, copies of medical records etc in another TrueCrypt encrypted file.

Actually all of it (save the two Linux's) have come into use at one time or another. I'm beginning to really take a shine to PartEd and forsake Partition Magic but I've had PM for so long and used it so much I just can't seem to part with it.

Knoppix is a good all around Linux that I fiddle with but Puppy is LIGHTNING fast as it loads totally into RAM.

[wanderer]

@Rootman

Thank you for your answer,the menu.lst is verry useful for exploring Grub4Dos further.
I use Grub4Dos on a 2.5 inch USB harddrive,and there i can boot BartPE from minint and also the setup for XP and the recoveryconsole.

Gparted Livecd is a verry good partition Manager,it sees the USB-stick as where Partitin Magic and Paragon don"t.
Sometimes il recommand it,when people having problems with the MBR,so they can use Testdisk when they have no floppydrive.

Are you familiar with Austrumi?I would like to now if it's possible to boot it with Grub4Dos,but i'm not familiar with Linux like OS.Could you help me with this?

Austrumi boots up fast,you have EmelFM2 and Midnight Commander as filemanagers.
For people unfamiliar with Linux as i am,it's verry convenient that all drives are allready mounted with startup.

http://cyti.latgola.lv/ruuni/index_en.html

@jaclaz

Thanks for your answer also.I tried the Lexar tool but i can't "flip" the Removable/Fixed bit on my PQI 512MB,so i have to stick with usboot a little longer.

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=15923


Sorry for my bad language and greetings from The Netherlands.

wanderer

[jaclaz]

Thanks for your answer also.I tried the Lexar tool but i can't "flip" the Removable/Fixed bit on my PQI 512MB,so i have to stick with usboot a little longer.

You are welcome, but, you see, the "Lexar" tool is, well, "Lexar" so ti only works on Lexar sticks or on sticks that use the SAME controller Lexar uses.

Do post in this thread:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=15776

the data of your stick, I may (or may not) be able to give you a link to the specific manufacturer tool.

jaclaz

[wanderer]

Thanks again jaclaz,

Data is posted.


Greetz wanderer

[Rootman]

@Rootman
Are you familiar with Austrumi?I would like to now if it's possible to boot it with Grub4Dos,but i'm not familiar with Linux like OS.Could you help me with this?

Sure, I am not familiar with it. I tested this out but was not able to actually get the image to load. I suspect your either need to remove or replace the keyword "dolivecd" in the kernel line.

Use something like 7ZIP to unpack the ISO's contents, you'll have 3 directories, boot, isolinux and [BOOT]. Put these in the ROOT directory of your USB stick. Put the following in your menu.lst:

CODE

title Austrumi
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/bzImage initrd=initrd.gz dolivecd cache aufs rw 4
initrd (hd0,0)/boot/initrd.gz
boot

You'll have to experiment with the kernel line, it is seeking the boot image on a CD rather than the USB stick. There is bound to be someone that has done it before and knows what keyword (or NO keyword) to get it to seek the image on the boot device.

Good luck!

This post has been edited by Rootman: Jun 13 2007, 09:57 AM

[jaclaz]

@wanderer
Unfortunately I seem NOT to be able to find any data linking the two VID/PID you have with a particular chip manufacturer.

First one appears as PQI, as you stated, second one appears to be related to "VALUEDISK", see this:
http://my.opera.com/eexpress/blog/?startidx=16

However valuedisk:
http://www.valuedisk.com/
seems not to produce this kind of hardware, and could not find any vendor ID list with an entry for 13E0

PQI has been reported to use different chips in their sticks, so I have no way to give you a working solution, however trying a couple utilities should make no harm.

Just read this:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...14292&st=24
and therein linked posts

Should links not be working, google for following files:
RecoverDisk1103.zip
ap_UFD_Utility_v21400.zip
pdx8_2k_v327.zip

jaclaz

[wanderer]

@Rootman

Thanks for putting me on the right track.Austrumi starts up with "dousb" as in syslinux.cfg and the isolinux directory of course.

CODE

title Austrumi
kernel (hd0,0)/isolinux/bzImage initrd=initrd.gz dousb cache aufs rw 4
initrd (hd0,0)/isolinux/initrd.gz

@jaclaz

The tool ap_UFD_Utility_v21400 won't start up and with pdx8_2k_v327 i really don't no what to do?

I can't find a download for RecoverDisk1103.zip to try change the removable/fixed bit.
Hopefully you can help me with this?

I'm planning to buy a Sony Microvault Midi USM4GR 4GB usb stick.

Read 32.15 and write 16.15 MB/s speed.

What is most importand for a "recovery' usb stick,read or write speed or is it both?

Thanks for your time.

Greetz wanderer

This post has been edited by wanderer: Jun 14 2007, 12:36 PM

[docinthebox]

I also have a 8GB USB flash drive. It's an A-Data PD7 200x, which is one of the fastest 8GB sticks in the market. Here in USA, it sells for about $80 and has the best price-performance ratio among all 8GB sticks IMHO.

I also use grub4dos on a single partition. Here's what I have on the USB flash drive:

Sidux 2007-02
Puppy Linux 2.16.1
Knoppix 5.1.1
BartPE (with Partition Magic 8.0, Acronis True Image 10, and Acronis Disk Director 10)
Damn Small Linux 3.3
Kubuntu 7.04 Live
Fedora Core 7 Live
SystemRescueCD 0.3.6
GParted 0.3.4-7
Acronis True Image 10.4942 (linux boot CD)
Acronis Disk Director 10.2160 (linux boot CD)
RIPLinux 2.9
Trinity Rescue Kit 3.2 Build 279
Ghost 2003 (DOS image)
Partition Magic 8 (DOS image)
PTEdit (DOS image)
Memtest86 3.3

The ones I use the most are Sidux, Puppy, BartPE, and Acronis TI and DD.

My next additions would be a defrag BartPE plugin - either Diskeeper or Perfectdisk, and a Nero BartPE plugin, either 5.5 or 6.3 or 7. Still looking for good deals on those software.

[docinthebox]

By the way, has anyone been able to boot UBCD in grub4dos on a USB flash drive? I tried it but the BartPE image came out to > 500MB in size and the ramdisk trick didn't work for such a big image.

Also, has anyone been able to boot HirensCD in grub4dos on a USB flash drive?

IMHO, those two utilities would be very handy to have on the USB stick.

[hilander999]

By the way, has anyone been able to boot UBCD in grub4dos on a USB flash drive? I tried it but the BartPE image came out to > 500MB in size and the ramdisk trick didn't work for such a big image.

Also, has anyone been able to boot HirensCD in grub4dos on a USB flash drive?

IMHO, those two utilities would be very handy to have on the USB stick.

To boot a UBCD4WIN ISO you will have to disable enough plugins to bring it below the 500mb limit.
For starters all the multiboot options are based on bcdw and will not work this way so they can go.

Next look at the Virus scanners and other duplicate tools, web broswers..ect and choose your favorite programs. There are many duplicate programs that do the same thing so there is plenty of room for the user to customise it to exactly what they need.

[docinthebox]

Thanks Hilander.

The other question I have is: is it possible to multiboot among different bartpe iso files within a single partition? I have an existing bartpe iso on my USB stick with Acronis True Image and Disk Director, and Partition Magic, and there's no way I can squeeze these apps into the UBCD iso and still keep < 500MB, not to mention there are other BartPE plugins I would like to use within my USB stick as well.

The grub4dos entry for the ramdisk method of booting bartpe is simply:

chainloader (hd0,0)/grldr

So grub4dos is not going to be multibooting among different bartpe iso's. Would it be possible to have a boot.ini or the winnt.sif to do the multibooting? Would grldr and the ramdisk approach be able to look at the boot.ini to figure out which iso to load into ramdisk?

[docinthebox]

Knoppix is a good all around Linux that I fiddle with but Puppy is LIGHTNING fast as it loads totally into RAM.

Knoppix is still one of my favorites but Sidux is quickly taking over because:

1. It's been quite a while now and Knoppix has not had any new release.
2. The Knoppix forum (the one at knoppix.net) is pretty useless. Questions beyond the most obvious newbie ones, do not get answered at all. It's apparent that none of the more hard core Knoppix developers read the forum.
3. Sidux has much better forum support and also better performance. It's basically a continuation of the previous kanotix effort which at the time had one of the best hardware support among the various live distros.

Agree that Puppy is the best lightweight live distro. Sidux and Puppy are pretty much the main linux live distros I use right now. I've tried Damn Small Linux also but for some reason, they insist on sticking with the 2.4 kernel instead of moving onto 2.6 and I have some software that will not work with the 2.4 kernel.