[MadBoy]

WinPE Made Easy is a project that is supposed to lower amount of steps needed to create and maintain one or more Windows PE Custom CD/USB images. The program should work with Windows PE 2.0 and Windows PE 2.1.

How to use it in 3 simple steps:
1) Download and install WAIK 2.1 or WAIK 2.0 (either one should work)
2. Run the program, follow the necessary steps
3. Create USB Pendrive or Generic CD (.iso image) or Custom CD/DVD using instructions given.

Abilities of this little proggy:
- add builtin (HTA,VBS etc) components,
- add drivers,
- add files/folders to BOOT.WIM (inside) or just copy files/folders to dir structure (for example to USB/DVD drive),
- remove files/folders from to BOOT.WIM (inside) or just remove files/folders from dir structure (for example from USB). Things like fonts directory, unnessecary .exe's etc
- create startup file
- load/save settings to file to reuse when needed.

Tips & Tricks (Section - StartUp)
1. Program uses starnet.cmd to start it's own created startnet.exe (therfore starnet.cmd will be overwritten and have one value)
2. When adding programs to startup startnet.au3 is created and then compiled into .exe
3. File startnet.au3 is left inside \Windows\System32 folder next to startnet.cmd so you can verify it's contents yourself (might be removed later on)
4. When you add programs to StartUp listview don't forget to add X:\winpeinit.exe as this is nessecary for drivers to be detected
5. When you add programs to StartUp listview don't forget that the order does matter. Program will start programs from top to bottom so don't put winpeinit.exe last ;-)
6. Program by default hides the first CMD window therfore if you want to use console add 'cmd.exe' to StartUp

Tips & Tricks (Section - Loading/Saving)
1. Program by default looks for directory called Configuration in same dir as the .exe file. If you put your config files there then you will have ability to find them easier

Tips & Tricks (Section - Creating WinPE)
1. Program when creating USB PenDrive will delete all files from the USB device. Keep that in mind!

Change log forVersion 1.0.0.4
- Fix for x64 startnet.exe
- Removed incorrect HTA Package option
Change log for Version 1.0.0.3
- Fixed bug where boot.wim wouldn't be mounted at all (code was accidentally deleted)
- Changed WAIK Path. It required full path to PEToolS in WAIK\Tools directory instead of just WAIK directory
For example instead of C:\Program Files\Windows AIK it required C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\PETools
This has now been changed.
Change log for Version 1.0.0.2
- Added logging to file. All actions that are visible in the log window can now be found at winpe_made_easy.log located in programs directory
- Fixed bug where boot.wim wouldn't be created (2KB boot.wim empty wim file was created instead)
Change log for Version 1.0.0.1
- Fixed bug where Generic and Custom .ISO would be created even thou check boxes weren't checked

Things to do:
- Configuration of logging (whether there should be file created or not)
- Copying file process improvements (to not try to copy something that doesn't exists - but that's how the .cmd's in WAIK were predefined)
- Add WinPE 7 functionality


Download program from this location.

This post has been edited by MadBoy: 06 December 2009 - 02:33 PM

[geemail.email]

Madboy....I anxiously await the release...this looks great!

[`Felix`]

Any idea when this tool will be available?

[MadBoy]

`Felix`, on Mar 8 2008, 07:12 PM, said:

Any idea when this tool will be available?

Got lazy latly and had to pass some exams I'll see what i can do but everytime i start doing things on it someone tells me to do other things

[gadget]

I take it you are studying politics

This post has been edited by gadget: 10 March 2008 - 02:55 AM

[sprack]

Any progress on this project?

[MadBoy]

sprack, on Apr 24 2008, 10:16 PM, said:

Any progress on this project?

I'm doing some final tests as the application is functional now. Just adding few touches here and there.

[MadBoy]

Version 1.0.0.0 is out. This is first version so have mercy. I didn't yet included full instructions on how to use the program but hopefully you guys can find it out. If not lemme know and i'll try to update.

First post updated with relevant information! Enjoy

[MadBoy]

Anyone tried it? Any comments? Is it working? Does it need more explanation from my side? Any bugs? Feature requests?

[Svend Rugaard]

Hello.

The tools is a great thing , and tried it out now.

I have installed WAIK 2.1 on Vista x64.

I have tried to make just a "basic" winPE boot from USB, but i cant get it to boot.

I have usually my Custimized Vista Installation on a USB stick, so its not because i dont know how to make a Bootable USB.

But it seems when i want it to boot it actually skips the USB Stick as a boot device as when it isnt present. And just go to next boot priority there is my Harddrive.

So actually it doesnt work for me.

I have tried boot the AMDx64 option and the x86 option. Its the same ..

When i put only my USB flash drive for booting it says BootMgr missing .. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE .. so my guess is something in your script isnt configure correct to make the boot sector being copied correctly over. In that i think you probaly not configured to copy files over as a systemfile in there attributes. I Probaly havent explain it right, but im not that good in english

I hope you maybe have a clue what is going wrong, because i really love the tool and the GUI interface, its easy as h... to use

[MadBoy]

Svend Rugaard, on May 9 2008, 02:02 PM, said:

Hello.

The tools is a great thing , and tried it out now.

I have installed WAIK 2.1 on Vista x64.

I have tried to make just a "basic" winPE boot from USB, but i cant get it to boot.

I have usually my Custimized Vista Installation on a USB stick, so its not because i dont know how to make a Bootable USB.

But it seems when i want it to boot it actually skips the USB Stick as a boot device as when it isnt present. And just go to next boot priority there is my Harddrive.

So actually it doesnt work for me.

I have tried boot the AMDx64 option and the x86 option. Its the same ..

When i put only my USB flash drive for booting it says BootMgr missing .. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE .. so my guess is something in your script isnt configure correct to make the boot sector being copied correctly over. In that i think you probaly not configured to copy files over as a systemfile in there attributes. I Probaly havent explain it right, but im not that good in english

I hope you maybe have a clue what is going wrong, because i really love the tool and the GUI interface, its easy as h... to use

Have you tried it on XP? I didn't tried it on Vista so wonder where could be problem. Can you list the files copied to usb by my program ?

[Svend Rugaard]

T:\bootmgr
T:\efisys.bin
T:\efisys_noprompt.bin
T:\bootmgr.efi
T:\boot
T:\boot\bcd
T:\boot\boot.sdi
T:\boot\etfsboot.com
T:\boot\efisys_noprompt.bin
T:\boot\efisys.bin
T:\boot\bootfix.bin
T:\boot\fonts
T:\boot\fonts\wgl4_boot.ttf
T:\boot\fonts\kor_boot.ttf
T:\boot\fonts\chs_boot.ttf
T:\boot\fonts\cht_boot.ttf
T:\boot\fonts\jpn_boot.ttf
T:\EFI
T:\EFI\microsoft
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot\bcd
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot\fonts
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot\fonts\wgl4_boot.ttf
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot\fonts\kor_boot.ttf
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot\fonts\chs_boot.ttf
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot\fonts\cht_boot.ttf
T:\EFI\microsoft\boot\fonts\jpn_boot.ttf
T:\sources
T:\sources\boot.wim

No i havent tried in Windows XP, and it wouldnt be possible anyway because i dont have x64 XP .. and its the x64 i need to have to work.

But here is the file / folder listing.

I have also tried to make a xcopy of the bootmgr from my windows installation so se if it would work.

This post has been edited by Svend Rugaard: 09 May 2008 - 09:37 AM

[MadBoy]

Something is not right with mounting the image boot.wim. I will investigate that. It works fine on my system but when i try to test it on virtual vista and xp it doesn't work. Hopefully new version will be out soon

[Svend Rugaard]

MadBoy, on May 12 2008, 02:01 AM, said:

Something is not right with mounting the image boot.wim. I will investigate that. It works fine on my system but when i try to test it on virtual vista and xp it doesn't work. Hopefully new version will be out soon

Thanks .. THen its not me there have done anything wrong, and i wasnt sure about it, but it seem as you say something is not right .. I was also about to think you was abandon me .. Because i am the only one actually comment on how it works ..

[MadBoy]

New version out. Refer to download link to first post.

Version 1.0.0.2
- Added logging to file. All actions that are visible in the log window can now be found at winpe_made_easy.log located in programs directory
- Fixed bug where boot.wim wouldn't be created (2KB boot.wim empty wim file was created instead)
Version 1.0.0.1
- Fixed bug where Generic and Custom .ISO would be created even thou checkboxes weren't checked

Tnx to Svend Rugaard for testing :-) Hope this works for you.

[MadBoy]

New version out. This time hopefully the critical bugs were fixed.

Changelog for Version 1.0.0.3
- Fixed bug where boot.wim wouldn't be mounted at all (code was accidentally deleted - SIC!)
- Changed WAIK Path. It required full path to PETools in WAIK\Tools directory instead of just WAIK directory
For example instead of C:\Program Files\Windows AIK it required C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\PETools
This has now been changed.

Please use the newest version. 1.0.0.2 and 1.0.0.0 won't realy work.

[Svend Rugaard]

MadBoy, on May 17 2008, 06:27 AM, said:

New version out. This time hopefully the critical bugs were fixed.

Changelog for Version 1.0.0.3
- Fixed bug where boot.wim wouldn't be mounted at all (code was accidentally deleted - SIC!)
- Changed WAIK Path. It required full path to PETools in WAIK\Tools directory instead of just WAIK directory
For example instead of C:\Program Files\Windows AIK it required C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\PETools
This has now been changed.

Please use the newest version. 1.0.0.2 and 1.0.0.0 won't realy work.

Hey madboy, and thanks for the update .. i havent got time the last few days because of work .. but now i have try it .. i am actually coming further except now its just "hanging" when it should boot up to the WinPE via USB the cursor thing is just flashing and nothing more happen , it dont com to the logon.

I am little confuse about this because i have use it as states earlier to install Vista from and have even use the VistaPE project on it.

So something isnt working correct .. i have now tried at this moment when i write added drivers to see if this help ... is shouldnt normal not be necesarry

[MadBoy]

@Svend Rugaard

I must say I am a bit lost here. You are speaking about VISTA. DO you mean WAIK 2.1 or 2.0. Did you install it? Also can you send me the log file that the new version produces? Does the generic iso works for you? (not speaking about USB device now) but the created cd or dvd images? Have you tried creating manually winpe from WAIK 2.1 or 2.0 and running it on the same machine?

[lenova]

Hi there,

First off, just wanted to say 'thanks' for this program. It looks brilliant! I've ran into a few problems trying to run it, however. I'll step through my setup process first:


WinPE Setup Tab:

- Using WAIK 2.1
- Installing HTA, MDAC, Scripting, WMI, XML packages

WinPE Drivers Tab:

- Added about 100 drivers from the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows distribution

WinPE StartUp Tab:

- Added 'cmd.exe' to startup list

WinPE Create Tab:

- Installed to a USB Key


The problem:

- The packages, drivers, and image are created and copied to the USB key successfully.

- I can boot up into WinPE and open the command prompt

- However, it fails to load startnet.exe. I receive the following error message:

"AutoIt Error

Line -1:
Error: Unable to execute the external program.
The system cannot find the file specified."

Then it returns to the command prompt.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[MadBoy]

lenova, on May 30 2008, 09:40 PM, said:

Hi there,

First off, just wanted to say 'thanks' for this program. It looks brilliant! I've ran into a few problems trying to run it, however. I'll step through my setup process first:


WinPE Setup Tab:

- Using WAIK 2.1
- Installing HTA, MDAC, Scripting, WMI, XML packages

WinPE Drivers Tab:

- Added about 100 drivers from the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows distribution

WinPE StartUp Tab:

- Added 'cmd.exe' to startup list

WinPE Create Tab:

- Installed to a USB Key


The problem:

- The packages, drivers, and image are created and copied to the USB key successfully.

- I can boot up into WinPE and open the command prompt

- However, it fails to load startnet.exe. I receive the following error message:

"AutoIt Error

Line -1:
Error: Unable to execute the external program.
The system cannot find the file specified."

Then it returns to the command prompt.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Can you please send me the log file from the program? Also can you mount the copied .wim file and copy the files from \Windows\System32
- startnet.au3
- startnet.exe
- startnet.cmd

Also is the cmd.exe started properly? Is it the CMD.EXE with startnet.cmd in the title or more likely it's CMD.exe that you defined in the startup tab? Can you try adding wpeinit command or so to initialize the drivers (as this also should be added as a part of startup).

I'll take a look tommorow (going to sleep now and uni in the morning).