I have a general question concerning building a BartPE disk. I've done this several times with an XP disk and used it to image a computer and install over a network. But I see lots of references to using files from the SP 1 of Server 2003 and wondered what these additional files provide in terms of utility. Bit of a warning, I'll probably have follow-up questions: I'm a little bit of a nit-picker when it comes to wrapping my brain around this stuff.

Thanks for any help you can be.

Without knowing which files specifically you are referring to, it's not easy to give you any answers.

Sorry, kinda assumed others had encountered these same instructions. The files from Windows Server 2003 SP 1 are:

ntdetect.com
ramdisk.sy_
setupldr.ex_
startrom.n1_

My question is: I've built an XP BartPE disc without these files and it worked fine. What additional need is there for these files. There are lots of references on the web to using these additional files when building the BartPE without an explanation of what functionality they serve. Thanks.

They are not "additional" files they are if you don't have the xp versions.

I do think however the server version's ramdisk file supported a large ramdisk than the one distributed with xp.

This is where it gets confusing. The instructions that I'm referring to use both an XP disk and these additional files. Kinda hard to imagine XP without ntdetect but you might be on to something with the ramdisk.

Disambiguation.

A PE can be booted as a "plain" set of files OR through a RAMDISK mapping an image (.img or .iso).

If you are using the "plain" files approach you have NO need for those files, which are however NEEDED for the "traditional" RAMDISK approach.

Additionally the files you listed are NOT for a "normal" RAMDISK booting bit for PXE booting, which is a "special" form of RAMDISK booting.

Please read this thread (AND links in it):
http://reboot.pro/4952/
and particularly:
http://reboot.pro/4952/page__st__6
to understand the issue at hand.

jaclaz

Okay so the articles I was reading were, though unstated, in reference to building a BartPE for PXE boot (sometimes the finer points like that get left out). But just to drill down a little bit further (and I appreciate your indulgence in this): The articles referencing using the Server files for an XP/BartPE deployment to a USB are for the RAMDISK file? Thanks.

Yes, that's EXACTLY what the given post:
http://reboot.pro/4952/page__st__6
(and links given in it)
tries desperately to point out.

Nowadays there are different (better?) ways to RAMDISK boot WITHOUT using those files.

In a nutshell, you can boot:

1. "local" without any RAMDISK
2. "local" through mapping an image to a RAMDISK
3. from LAN (PXE) only through mapping an image to a RAMDISK

Next time, if you could provide a link to the tutorial(s) or article(s) you have been reading, it would greatly help, a good half of the ones you can find around are:

• incomplete
• deceiving
• inaccurate
• outdated

and someone may be able to "fill the gaps" or state the wrong/inaccurate parts.

If you have enough ram, RAMDISK booting has a few advantages (and drawbacks):

• booting will be generally slower (expecially on big images and slow media/bus)
• once booted the PE will be blazingly fast
• it is easier (MUCH easier) to create multi-boot thingies

jaclaz