BootIt NG (Next Generation) . . . WAY OVER PRICED

[Pawluk]

Hi!

About a month ago, I received a new DELL computer for my birthday. Lately,
I became interested in adding new partitions to my 320GB HDD and posted a
query in that regard. Several individuals responded, and once again, I wish
to thank them all, including a MS MVP whom suggested that I download BootIt
Next Generation (BING).

After installing the software, I have an issue with BING.

I downloaded BING as suggested and followed the instructions included in a
PDF file, which included the necessity to also downloaded MakeDisk. Next,
per BING's instruction, I created an ISO disk, backed up my files on DVD,
and changed my BIOS settings to boot from my CD/DVD-ROM drive first. Last,
I installed the BING software, but did not complete the partitioning
process.

I did not complete the partitioning process because when BING installs in
its own partition (as recommended by BING's software prompts), BING installs
a boot "menu" and therefore every time I turned on my DELL, or rebooted, I
had to choose either DELL Diagnostics or Windows XP. Sadly, DELL
Diagnostics is on a non-removable FAT-32 partition, and Windows XP is on a
separate C:\ partition, on the 320GB HDD. In addition to my HDD (with C:\
drive at 298GB), my system includes a DVD-ROM and DVD+/-RW drive presently
configured as D:\ and E:\ respectively.

Given my desire to create two (2) new logical drives, it seems reasonable to
conclude that this BING boot menu would force me to then choose from one of
four (4) drives, DELL Diagnostics, C:\ or D:\ or E:\ drives and THAT is
simply NOT ACCEPTABLE..

Prior to executing the partitioning process, I do not understand why BING
required me to choose between DELL and Windows XP because Windows XP is on
the C:\ drive and that is the boot drive. As a result, given the choices
associated with the pre-partition install, I chose to DUMP BING!!!

I chose to DUMP BING because if I am not happy with the results after 30
days, and I sure as hell would not be happy if I have to deal with a BING
BOOT MENU every time I turn my PC on or reboot it, I must uninstall the
software and return to my current setup. And given the sophomoric
appearance, and EGA (or less) GUI resolution, plus the additional software
download(s) required, and disc creating requirements, in addition to BING's
"bullshit" BOOT MENU, their $35 price tag, in this consumer's opinion, is
WAY TO EXPENSIVE!!!

I suppose its reasonable to conclude that I may have done something wrong.
Perhaps once installed, the BING menu BULLSHIT goes away. In addition,
though I have no evidence, its entirely possible that once the 15 to 30 day
trial period expires, BING may automatically disable the HDD if the user
elects not to pay $35 and register the software.

As a result, and am no better off than I started when I first posted my
question, less a CD-R (used for the startup disc) and a DVD-R (used for
backing up my files).

Perhaps I should spend a few minutes and locate an older version of
PartitionIt or Partition Magic (for less than or equal to BING's $35 price
tag). Of course, while I am on the fence regarding BING, I am still
somewhat open to additional comments, criticisms and suggestions.

Thanks,

Pam

 

[Toast]

Pam,

Your frustration is palpable! Settle down and relax for a while. BING is a wonderful
tool for managing partitions and multibooting any number of different operating systems
from the same computer. Although the interface is a little plain it is very powerful
and, when you get the hang of it, easy to use.

The first thing I recommend you do is watch the example video tutorials at these web
pages:

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/examples.html
http://www.heffy.com/image.htm

Download and watch ALL of them. Viewing them is the best way to demystify BING; they're
much more helpful than reading that dry manual over and over. They will help you develop
a satisfying competency with BING very quickly. When you get rolling you won't look
back.

What you do next depends on how you plan to use your HDD.

If you want to multiboot a number of operating systems then BING should be installed to
a partition on your HDD. Ditto if you want to use BING to enable more than four primary
partitions (uncheck limit primaries in 'Settings') -- this is perhaps BING's most
powerful feature, it's amazing!

However, if you're going to have the standard limitation of up to four primary
partitions and you plan to run only one OS then BING does not need to be installed to
your HDD, it can be run as a live CD. It can still be used to create, delete, resize and
image partitions as a live CD, and it boots in a few seconds.

How many partitions will you need? The FAT32 Dell Diagnostics partition is a primary.
The partition where WinXP is installed makes two primaries. If you install BING to it's
own partition (better than doing a shared install -- messy and complicated) that counts
that's a third. This leaves one primary which can be the extended partition in which you
will be able to create the two logical volumes you're after. So if you'd like to BING
can still be installed to the HDD.

If all you want to have for the time being is the Dell FAT32 partition, your WinXP
bootable partition and an extended partition containing two volumes then I would not
bother installing BING.

First you should uninstall BING from your system. Also make sure you have imaged the
WinXP bootable partition as insurance against unexpected disaster. When you've done with
those preliminaries reboot the PC with the BING CD. The first screen to appear will
invite you to install BING again. Click 'Cancel'. On the next screen choose 'OK' to
enter 'Maintenance Mode'. Now you should be at the BootitNG desktop. Note that the icon
for 'Boot Edit' is missing. That's OK, you want 'Partition Work'. This is where you can
resize your WinXP bootable partition and create the extended volume in the available
free space, and within it create your logical volumes. The videos will show how to do
this. Just remember that BING cannot format the partitions -- the best way to do that is
to boot into WinXP and find the Disk Management console. Format the new partition from
there. It's a good idea to leave a bit of free space at the end of the HDD incase you
want to install BING later, 8 MB is enough.

More comments interspersed with your latest post below.

David.

Hi!

About a month ago, I received a new DELL computer for my birthday.
Lately, I became interested in adding new partitions to my 320GB HDD
and posted a query in that regard. Several individuals responded, and
once again, I wish to thank them all, including a MS MVP whom
suggested that I download BootIt Next Generation (BING).

After installing the software, I have an issue with BING.

I downloaded BING as suggested and followed the instructions included
in a PDF file, which included the necessity to also downloaded
MakeDisk. Next, per BING's instruction, I created an ISO disk, backed
up my files on DVD, and changed my BIOS settings to boot from my
CD/DVD-ROM drive first. Last, I installed the BING software, but did
not complete the partitioning process.

I did not complete the partitioning process because when BING installs
in its own partition (as recommended by BING's software prompts), BING
installs a boot "menu" and therefore every time I turned on my DELL,
or rebooted, I had to choose either DELL Diagnostics or Windows XP.

If you leave BING installed you don't have to see the screen where the relevant 'Boot
Item' is selected. To avoid it use 'IT Mode'. Read how to set this up in the manual.
Part of the process involves making your WinXP partition the default boot item. It's
easy. The help file on the BING live CD or installation has this info too.

Sadly, DELL Diagnostics is on a non-removable FAT-32 partition, and

No, it's not non-removable. It can be deleted but if you do this then the boot.ini file
in WinXP will have to be altered. Method is clearly explained in the videos.

Windows XP is on a separate C:\ partition, on the 320GB HDD. In
addition to my HDD (with C:\ drive at 298GB), my system includes a
DVD-ROM and DVD+/-RW drive presently configured as D:\ and E:\
respectively.

Given my desire to create two (2) new logical drives, it seems
reasonable to conclude that this BING boot menu would force me to then
choose from one of four (4) drives, DELL Diagnostics, C:\ or D:\ or
E:\ drives and THAT is simply NOT ACCEPTABLE..

When you've partitioned the drive using BINB as explained earlier when you boot the
system the Dell partition will not be visible to WinXP so it does not get a drive label.
WinXP will still call it's own (bootable) partition C:\. The volumes of the extended
partion will be labelled D:\ and E:\. You can't stop that from happening to the drive
labels -- WinXP makes those rules, not BING. Your CD/DVD drive will be relabelled F:\
and G:\ No big deal, they'll still work. If you can't cope with this then you should not
implement your idea of extra partitions in the first place.

Prior to executing the partitioning process, I do not understand why
BING required me to choose between DELL and Windows XP because Windows
XP is on the C:\ drive and that is the boot drive. As a result, given
the choices associated with the pre-partition install, I chose to DUMP
BING!!!

You can configure the boot items any way you want. You can get rid of the Dell boot item
in BING without having to delete the Dell partition.

I chose to DUMP BING because if I am not happy with the results after
30 days, and I sure as hell would not be happy if I have to deal with
a BING BOOT MENU every time I turn my PC on or reboot it, I must
uninstall the software and return to my current setup. And given the
sophomoric appearance, and EGA (or less) GUI resolution, plus the
additional software download(s) required, and disc creating
requirements, in addition to BING's "bullshit" BOOT MENU, their $35
price tag, in this consumer's opinion, is WAY TO EXPENSIVE!!!

Actually, it's a bargain. If muggers like Symantec ever bought out Terabyte Unlimited I
bet they'd try to retail it at closer to a hundred bucks a pop.

I suppose its reasonable to conclude that I may have done something
wrong. Perhaps once installed, the BING menu BULLSHIT goes away. In
addition, though I have no evidence, its entirely possible that once
the 15 to 30 day trial period expires, BING may automatically disable
the HDD if the user elects not to pay $35 and register the software.

I don't know what happens when the trial period expires but think it would be most
unlikely that your HDD would be locked. Although you probably would be invited to
uninstll BING with nag screens.

As a result, and am no better off than I started when I first posted
my question, less a CD-R (used for the startup disc) and a DVD-R (used
for backing up my files).

Perhaps I should spend a few minutes and locate an older version of
PartitionIt or Partition Magic (for less than or equal to BING's $35 price tag).

The open source PartedMagic or GParted are even cheaper again -- but BING is better.

 

[Pawluk]

Settle down? F.U., David.

I watched your tutorials and example, like your sophomoric, EGA (or less)
GUI resolution (which looks NOTHING like the GUI shown in the tutorials), is
poorly communicated and clearly designed and produced
for individuals familiar with your OVERPRICED PRODUCT.

I wonder why you did not sign your posted reply fully and expose whom you
truly are . . .

Regards,
--
David F.
TeraByte Unlimited
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com

With due disdain,

Pawluk

 

[Toast]

Settle down? F.U., David.

I watched your tutorials and example, like your sophomoric,
EGA (or less) GUI resolution (which looks NOTHING like the
GUI shown in the tutorials), is poorly communicated and
clearly designed and produced for individuals familiar with
your OVERPRICED PRODUCT.

I wonder why you did not sign your posted reply fully and
expose whom you truly are . . .

Regards,
--
David F.
TeraByte Unlimited
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com

With due disdain,

Pawluk

Pam

Last night was the first time I've had a look through this
newsgroup. I saw your post and since I'm using BING
successfully I replied to help you.

I have no affilliation of any kind with Terabyte Unlimited
aside from being a well satisfied customer.

Copying David F.'s signature to your post indicates you have
previously contacted Terabyte for support. Perhaps you are
posting your query about implementing BING in a Windows XP
newsgroup because you wore out your welcome at Terabyte. Maybe
you're frustrated and angry because the level of support
provided by Terabyte did not satisfy your needs. In this
instance, though, the problem does not originate with your
shiny new Dell computer or with BootitNG or Terabyte
Unlimited. No, it's you.

It's of no concern of mine why you have sh8t on your liver and
why you choose to purge it in anonymous public forums like
this. I didn't come here for the pleasure of being flamed or
trolled. Why don't you cheer up? If you can't manage that at
least try not be so miserable.

David