I wanted to
build this website for two simple reasons.To learn web technology,
through building a powerful database driven website, while providing
users with the information that they need, to build their customized
version of a bootable resue media (Floppy, CD, DVD).
I will be concentrating on the creation of bootable CDs rather than
other media since CD's are widely available and can hold a lot more
(and hence do more) than a floppy. In as far as bootable CDs are
concerned, not many tools are there to provide a Win32 environment.
This is where BartPE comes in.
WinPE and BartPE:
WinPE (Windows Preinstallation
Environment) is a stripped down version of WinXP or Win2003 that can be
booted from the CD. It provides a win32 environment and can
acccess both FAT and NTFS volumes. But it is only available for
microsoft OEM customers. As a replacement with enhanced functionality,
Bart Lagerweij has created PEBuilder which can build a similar environment using WinXP or Win 2003 installation CD. This created environment is called BartPE.
BartPE can do everything WinPE can do and more. It supports plugins(search BartPE Plugins),so
that you can add your custom applications that run in a Win32
environment such as EasyRecovery 6, antivirus such as Mcaffee, Nod32,
and other applications such as Drive Image 2002, Symantec Ghost 8 and
more into the CD. This allows us to create a complete disaster recovery
solution in one CD. This is the reason that this site has more content
of BartPE than any other solution. The current status of the BartPE
plugin database is always displayed on the left of this page.
MultiBoot CD: A multiboot CD
is simply one which upon booting, presents a selection of bootable
options such as BartPE, WinPE, 911CD, R.I.P. Linux, DOS bootfloppy
images, and more. The user can then select the appropriate option to
continue booting. This allows us to create one CD or DVD which can hold
a number of seperately bootable components such as BartPE, or one of
the Acronis bootable Media or more. I have written a basic tutorial
which describes the process of creating one such multi-bootable CDs
using one of the best tools available - Bootable CD Wizard by
reanimatolog.
Everything else:
Apart from these, there are other recovery solutions such as ERD
Commander 2003 and several Linux distributions that can boot and run
from the CD. These solutions are also present at this site to varying
degrees. I have personally found ERD Commander 2003 to be a very good
useful utility. I have, and will add extra content to the site
periodically. If you know of a good bootable solution (commercial or
otherwise), that is not mentioned in this site, please let me know. I
cannot list all the content of the site on this page, so take a look
around the site and enjoy yourself! Please use the menu for navigating
around this site, because all the important pages are invariably added
there.
If you want
more content, or have any specific doubts/problems, or just want to
comment on the site don't hesitate to mail me. I take your ideas very
seriously and will always respond. Just remember that you are the
reason this site exists!!
{SEPTEMBER 19, 2005}
[New Domain] Well, bootcd.us is now accessible via a new domain: www.bartpe.org! I got a chance to freely register a new domain, and guess what? I used it..
{April 18, 2005}
[User Registration]
Just found out a problem with user registration - A small but really
bad bug was cleared up. Now users can register without any problems. My
sincere apologies for all affected users! Register yourself!
{April 11, 2005}
[Plugin Area Update] Well, now you can comment and rate any BartPE
plugin at Bootcd.us! All you have to do is to register yourself at
Bootcd.us! Add your comment!
{April 11, 2005}
[Major Site Update] The user management system is finally in place!
Users can now register themselves at bootcd.us and get enhanced
services such as commenting and rating on BartPE plugins! Register now!
{April 11, 2005}
[Plugin Update] Around 30 plugins were updated and 1 new plugin was added a few days back. Sorry for the late news :) Check it out!
{February 20, 2005}
[Repository Update] Added a few more plugins. Plugin count comes to
524! Also updated the Add your plugin (Demo) form - approaching final
release state! Link
{February 17, 2005}
[Site Update] Updated Browser Tips, and added a bootcd.us Site FAQ to
it. BartPE Plugin database update: Database currently holds 506
plugins! Link
{February 15, 2005} BartPE Plugin Repository Update: Added Plugin listing by
Author. Now when you click the author name on any plugin list, the
plugins built by only that particular author is displayed in a new
Window! Also a few other small changes. View
