88 replies to this topic

[wimb]

@amalux

Thank you for giving us ASuite package with the handy collection of portable apps

It is a very nice extension to LiveXP and the programs of U_XP_SET can be launched as well from ASuite.

It is good to keep a lot of portable apps outside the LiveXP BootSDI.img so that LiveXP is loading fast and the portable apps can be used from any environment.
And it is not necessary to change LiveXP BootSDI.img so often anymore.

The approach corresponds to the use of PStart, but your ASuite package is already nicely filled with a lot of handy apps

[amalux]

.. ASuite package is already nicely filled with a lot of handy apps

Many more tools included in next package, including your wonderful U_XP_SET!

[wimb]

Many more tools included in next package, including your wonderful U_XP_SET!

Very Good

Besides adding USB_XP_Setup folder to ASuite\Apps it might be interesting to Add:

System Information Viewer SIV - http://rh-software.com/
CPU-Z - http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
HD Tune hard disk utility - http://www.hdtune.com/
Unknown Devices - http://halfdone.com/...UnknownDevices/
SaveHwids.exe from http://driverpacks.s...acks/Nightlies/
ExplorerXP displays the total size of each folder - http://www.explorerxp.com/
WinUpdatesList - http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wul.html

More WinTools Info:
http://www.dirk-loss.de/win-tools.htm
http://users.pandora...USBMemStick.htm
http://www.portablefreeware.com/

HDClean does not do anything (I hope ),
but gives a Runtime error.

[wimb]

Setting up an external USB HD - This requires a different setup and PeToUSB won't work here. You also need source files from a NON-BootSDI build;

Actually you can use Make_USB.exe or BOOT_IMG.exe to Install LiveXP BootSDI.img as Boot option on e.g. 30 GB USB Harddisk Primary partition, previously Formatted with NTFS FileSystem using Windows XP Disk Management.

Or you can use Make_USB.exe for the case of USB Harddisk partition formatted with NTFS by Vista Disk Management.
The BOOTMGR-type Bootsector is proposed to be changed to the compatible NTLDR-type Bootsector in this case.

It boots quite well from USB-Harddisk this way.

[amalux]

Actually you can use Make_USB.exe or BOOT_IMG.exe to Install LiveXP BootSDI.img as Boot option on e.g. 30 GB USB Harddisk Primary partition, previously Formatted with NTFS FileSystem using Windows XP Disk Management.

Or you can use Make_USB.exe for the case of USB Harddisk partition formatted with NTFS by Vista Disk Management.
The BOOTMGR-type Bootsector is proposed to be changed to the compatible NTLDR-type Bootsector in this case.

It boots quite well from USB-Harddisk this way.

Thanks for catching that wimb, I'll update with new info

[amalux]

Very Good

Besides adding USB_XP_Setup folder to ASuite\Apps it might be interesting to Add:

System Information Viewer SIV - http://rh-software.com/
CPU-Z - http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
HD Tune hard disk utility - http://www.hdtune.com/
Unknown Devices - http://halfdone.com/...UnknownDevices/
SaveHwids.exe from http://driverpacks.s...acks/Nightlies/
ExplorerXP displays the total size of each folder - http://www.explorerxp.com/
WinUpdatesList - http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wul.html

More WinTools Info:
http://www.dirk-loss.de/win-tools.htm
http://users.pandora...USBMemStick.htm
http://www.portablefreeware.com/

HDClean does not do anything (I hope ),
but gives a Runtime error.

Excellent, I'll have a look at these tools and see what's going on with HDClean. I'm working through a backlog of 3-400 program-ports (more?) and a script to use ppAppsGenPE (thank you soporific!) to load all scuts in PE's Start menu as an option. Very cool stuff!

[wimb]

Hi amalux,

Thank you for lxpAcx.exe and ppApps.exe

LiveXP BootSDI.img is booting fine from HD with Portable Apps in LiveXP Programs Menu

[amalux]

Hi amalux,

Thank you for lxpAcx.exe and ppApps.exe

LiveXP BootSDI.img is booting fine from HD with Portable Apps in LiveXP Programs Menu

Thanks for testing - glad you like it

[wimb]

Thanks amalux for 7Tools Partition Manager 2005 of Paragon in ppApps.

It is very handy to have as Portable available such a good partitioning program.

After partitioning e.g. resize partition, it can in LiveXP environment update properly the Operating System, whereas Acronis Disk Director 10 fails to update parameters in LiveXP OS.

[was_jaclaz]

Thanks amalux for 7Tools Partition Manager 2005 of Paragon in ppApps.

Is it Freeware/redistributable?

jaclaz

[amalux]

@wimb

You're welcome, glad it's useful


@jaclaz

Is it Freeware/redistributable?

jaclaz

It's part of an 'archived' collection put out by Tucows, I thought it would be OK to include.

Tucows, Inc has graciously donated a copy of this software to the Internet Archive's Tucows Software Archive for long term preservation and access.

http://www.archive.o...rtition_Manager

[was_jaclaz]

@jaclaz

It's part of an 'archived' collection put out by Tucows, I thought it would be OK to include.

http://www.archive.o...rtition_Manager

Sure , that's the demo/trial.

Though it's License seems like EXACTLY prohibiting the use intended on LiveXP.

More than that, according to it's doc's:

This demo version will let you evaluate all the functionality of Partition Manager without physical realization of changes on hard disk.

(this comes from the version directly downloaded from Archive.org).

There are three possibilities as I see it

• you LIED! the app in the LiveXP package is NOT the demo (and is covered by the License that prohibits redistribution and usage on more than one computer)
• wimb LIED! and the app doesn't actually work
• paragon LIED! and the app is not a demo but a fully functional app (but even if this is the case, License still holds)

http://www.housemd-g.../houserules.php

"Everybody lies." First said: [#101], later this is referred to in almost every episode and also has the following corollaries:
"I don't ask why patients lie, I just assume they all do." [#107]
"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what." [#121]

jaclaz

[amalux]

Well, I wasn't under oath

There's no way to buy the 2005 version, morally I'm OK with using sw that is no longer available for purchase; the legality I leave to others. There's nothing in it for me, if you want me to pull it, consider it gone

[was_jaclaz]

Well, I wasn't under oath

Sure , you made a try at it (and failed ).

There's no way to buy the 2005 version, morally I'm OK with using sw that is no longer available for purchase;

Can we start distributing DOS 6.22, Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows 98 or () Millennium Edition?

Or NT 4.00 or Win2K?

You cannot buy them anywhere AFAIK.

Can we throw in the pack Autocad 2000, 2002, and 2006?

It may be morally acceptable to you, and for your own use, but distributing it is definitely NOT, and I doubt that you will be able to convince the BSA and whatever Law Enforcement may be interested in the matter of the validity of your opinions.

Paragon produces a brand new version, 2009:
http://7tools.paragon-software.com/pm/
that you can buy allright, I am sure they will allow a licensed user to "retrograde" to the 2005 version, which is much more compact.

the legality I leave to others. There's nothing in it for me, if you want me to pull it, consider it gone

As far as I am concerned, which means noticeably when we are on boot-land, it should go poof in no time.

Why don't you try adding Swissknife?
It's Freeware, has no partition "resizing/changing" capabilities, but is a valid solution for a GUI formatting app.
http://www.compuapps.../swissknife.htm



jaclaz

[Lancelot]

Why don't you try adding Swissknife?

Well a bit out of subject since Amalux package(s) are for portable collection. Just informing i plan to script Swissknife for LiveXP (well need to check if there exists one written too, not noticed yet) in a short while . Very handy tool with having some very nice features, need to make some more tests and find time .

[amalux]

Offending example package removed, sorry for any trouble caused

[was_jaclaz]

@Lancelot:
Alternative:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=6394

Swissknife was very easy to add to XPCLI:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=3717

and edborg made a .script for it a long time ago:
http://www.boot-land...p?showtopic=493
http://edborg.boot-l...x.../OtherApps/



Reports are conflictual:
http://www.boot-land...?showtopic=4539
but the oldish .script should be useful, at least as a base...



jaclaz

[Lancelot]

Thanks jacklaz

alternate is already in Livexp Extra

Yep i noticed notes about swissknife at XPCLI topic (read on previous day(s)), reading raised my motivation to make a script which was in my mind for a while
ps: I need to read 3 times more

Thanks for edborg page, which i missed (looked for signature but after didnt force seach since i am making other tests frequently)
Maybe you can put http://edborg.boot-land.net to edborg signature (maybe not).... seems to me he is inactive for a while.


Well yes, starting with edborg script will be the best, "Dedicated to edborg"

[felix]

@amalux

Your idea of "portable" apps on a PE is great.
I have a suggestion:
Instead of using "ppApp.ini" + setups.reg + setups.cmd for everything, why not use INFs ?
With INFs you could do everything:
1) name it as "setups.inf" to be used as a tag file.
2) add registry entries.
3) add shortcuts.
4) register DLLs
5) launch apps with optional commandline.

Attached Files

•  INF_Files.doc   71.5KB   85 downloads

[amalux]

@amalux

Your idea of "portable" apps on a PE is great.
I have a suggestion:
Instead of using "ppApp.ini" + setups.reg + setups.cmd for everything, why not use INFs ?
With INFs you could do everything:
1) name it as "setups.inf" to be used as a tag file.
2) add registry entries.
3) add shortcuts.
4) register DLLs
5) launch apps with optional commandline.

Hi felix

Thank you for your suggestion, it reminds me of some early investigations...
http://www.robvander...shortcutinf.php
http://www.robvander...b_shortcuts.php
etc.

I have a greater familiarity with command tools usage and batch setups in general than I do with inf, so I naturally gravitate towards those solutions and with 600+ programs setup this way, a re-work is unlikely, however, I will look at the inf more closely (in light of your excellent documentation) for possible use in future setups.

[Lancelot]

Hi amalux,

I just find time to test this nice package (I did not notice there is a new pakage, I guess I missed the annoucment, I noticed at another post 6 of another topic )

One thing is important, !Fundamentals.Script must be updated, else there comes error about source.
Here is the one I tested (by making the settings in your package) that worked fine
http://lancelot.winb...undamentals.rar

And a suggestion:
I feel better to indicate that this is a special package at main interface, and better to give a link for trouble shooting.

http://lancelot.winb...01513_amalux.7z

And a reminder:
Newcomer's Tutorial - LiveXP with Optional BootSDI & WimBoot

A very nice package, Thanks a lot, Good work

[amalux]

Hi Lancelot

Thank you for nice words and fine suggestions - I'll take a look and implement strait away

[Iamnuts]

Hi amalux,

great tutorial, though i have a few questions, sorry if this is not the correct place to post this.

On the first page you have 2 pics of what is possible with livexp. the 2nd of which shows livexp themed (which i managed thanks to the script by JFX) However you have your user name and a user picture, I've searched but have been unable to find how to do that. Also You have opera outlook express and internet explorer pined to the top of the menu. None of the scripts ive seen enable you to pin to the startmenu in that way.

any pointers appreciated.

[amalux]

Hi Iamnuts

Sorry, I 'fooled' Lancelot with that shot as well , it's actually VirtualBox (script or portable), running full-screen in LiveXP. Thank you for the nice words and I'm glad you found the tutorial helpful.

[MedEvil]

However you have your user name and a user picture,

Those are just 2 Registry settings. Just search in your XP for the path to your user picture and your user name and then write them to your LiveXP.

Also You have opera outlook express and internet explorer pined to the top of the menu. None of the scripts ive seen enable you to pin to the startmenu in that way.

Just create shortcuts directly in Startmenu and you get what you want.