!NEW BartPE To USB Flash Stick Utility, Utility Making A USBDisk Bootable Options

[CodeBeetle]

Hi,

For some time iv been trying to put BartPE on a USB disk. I downloaded all kinds of utilities for making my stick bootable. Some good some not so..

Once i found out which were good, i used them to successfully make a bootable stick and put BartPE.

After that i got fed up with using all these different progs each time i needed to rebuild my BartPE. So i decided to make my own...

PeToUSB.exe (not to be confused with pe2usb.com!) is a Windows GUI application that will format a stick to FAT16, edit the MBR and FAT boot sectors to make the stick bootable. And then optionally put all the bartpe files to the floppy disk.

It uses PE method of HD install. Therefore it will produce minint folder instead of I386.



So now creating my USB disk with bartpe is really easy.....

1. Use PEBuilder to build you BartPE files. (no need for ISO or recording)

2. Put you USB stick in the slot.

3. Run PeToUSB.exe

4. Set the path for the BartPE files.

5. Select your destination Drive.

6. Choose any options. (Format and Copy) if its the first time.

7. Press Start and Let it do it all for you!

If you want to try it download it here...
http://gocoding.com/page.php?al=petousb

Comments/Suggestions Welcome

[MrMatt]

Hi

I have tried 2 separate USB sticks - both Sandisk Cruzer 1GB but it does not detect them. Is a 1Gb stick too large? They are mapping as drive J: as I have a bunch of network drives. Could the drive letter be the problem?

Thanks - this looks really promising.

Matt

[CodeBeetle]

Hi

I have tried 2 separate USB sticks - both Sandisk Cruzer 1GB but it does not detect them.  Is a 1Gb stick too large?  They are mapping as drive J: as I have a bunch of network drives.  Could the drive letter be the problem?

Thanks - this looks really promising.

Matt

Iv tried 1Gig and no probs.

Silly question but, did you try pressing the [Refresh] button?

Wot OS and service pack are you using to run PeToUSB?

[MrMatt]

Yup have tried refresh - am using Windows 2K with SP4.

[CodeBeetle]

ah not tested it on w2k. i'll have a look into that.

Another silly question but, i presume ur running as administrator on the system. If not this may be the problem. If it is the issue then let me know otherwise disregard my silly question

[CodeBeetle]

Ok iv looked a the DeviceIoControl codes i use and it seems that they were introduced in XP.

Therefore id have to say that atm, its not compatible with window 2000.

Sorry

If i figure out a way to do the things i need that are compatible with 2000, ill update it and let u know.

[d4vr0s]

Some cool stuff on codebeetle.com

[jaclaz]

It looks like a really nice app.

It's a pity it won't work with 2k.

jaclaz

[CodeBeetle]

Thanks

Now cos i dont have w2000, changing it to that platform may be difficult. Because Microsoft is always giving conflicting advice on what is compatible with wot. So the only way to test is to try it on 2000.

If i manage to update it, i hope there will be some willing 2k testers

[Former_sage03sxt_post]

it works with my 1g lexar jump drives. even under win2k03 sp1.

a possible new feature...

give it the ability to write to usb connecte hdd's and it'll be awesome!!!!!


SaGE

[CodeBeetle]

@window2000 users

I managed to change on of the codes to one that according to MS is usable on windows 2000. Id appreciate some feedback as to whether this has solved the problem. Thanks

@sage03sxt

Does it not detect them already? ummm i can make it detect fixed disks, but i thought that may have been asking for trouble..... u know with the old C drive, and a tired pc user

[Former_sage03sxt_post]

yeah i can see where that would be a problem. perhaps add a block on the c:\

it doens't detect my usb-hdd at all. but as i said it detected every usbkey so far. and it detects my seagate 5g pocket drive. it ashame i can't run pe on it

so until it supports hdd's i'll stick to pe2usb-full for the hdd's and use your app on my keys! I like the "overwrite if newer" i can put a load on the key in a few mins instead of the 15-20 it takes now


SaGE

[MrMatt]

[QUOTE]
I managed to change on of the codes to one that according to MS is usable on windows 2000. Id appreciate some feedback as to whether this has solved the problem. Thanks


No joy on W2K still - i'm gonna build an xp machine and use that but am willing to help test further on W2K.

Cheers

Matt

[CodeBeetle]

yeah i can see where that would be a problem.  perhaps add a block on the c:\

i it would be better just to block wotever drive the system is running off. and where petousb is running. ill work on that so then you can hav access to HDDs.

I like the "overwrite if newer"  i can put a load on the key in a few mins instead of the 15-20 it takes now

Yep thats why i put it in. Got too tired of making drinks...

[CodeBeetle]

No joy on W2K still - i'm gonna build an xp machine and use that but am willing to help test further on W2K.

Thanks mat ill keep looking into it.

[Former_sage03sxt_post]

now if only i can talk bart into something like that.

have a folder of a default pe build.

another folder with processed plugins and regestries.

have make iso or another app combine the 2 when making the final build.

the amount of time save just by not having to copy files over every time you build would take 10 mins off a pe build


SaGE

[skippie]

@CodeBeetle

This looks great but it doesn't work for me on a USB that works with Fafot's update Bart method.

With your method i get a USB that gives the following error immediately upon bootup

Remove disks or other media.
Press any key to restart

Any ideas?

[CodeBeetle]

@CodeBeetle

This looks great but it doesn't work for me on a USB that works with Fafot's update Bart method.

With your method i get a USB that gives the following error immediately upon bootup

Remove disks or other media.
Press any key to restart

Any ideas?

um is the method that using the ramdisk.sys from w2k3?

If so then that's another problem alltogether. I tried using the ramsys way originally, but i always got setuptxt.sif missing or corrupt. If someone can help me solve that problem i could make petousb do either method...

[skippie]

um is the method that using the ramdisk.sys from w2k3?

No. This is the method that just makes the USB bootable and loads it as if it was a HD.

I just tried another USB stick and I get the same thing with it and yet it works fine with the other method.

[CodeBeetle]

Looks like he used the HP utility. That enables FAT16X. I heard a lot of bioss dont like it. But for compatabilities sake i added an LBA option that will make the format just like the HP utility one.

Also i put support in for Fixed disks. So now u can install to usb hard drives i hope. It will not show system drive in the list so that u cant accidently wipe ur running OS