Full featured XPe build.

[Guest]

Problem:
I am trying to build/load and XPe system that has all of the functionality
as XP Pro i.e.: "my computer", control panel, regedit, network wizard, etc. I
want to do this for development purposes. I want to be able to do things like
editr the registry and install applications. Just for test/development
purpsoses I am doing this on a standard PC.

Scenario:
Using Target Designer I start with the "Information Appliance" and then add
software components that seem reasonable. I follow all the usual steps of
dependency checking, building, SDI Load, etc. When I boot the system for the
first time I get a DRIVER_IRQL BSOD just before the XP Embedded screen is
displayed. I then cycle power and the system seems to go through the initial
setup using FBA and then start up just fine except that I don't have any of
the features such as control pane and "my computer".

Questions:
1) Should I be using a different template besides "Information Appliance"?
2) I am assuming that once I get the BSOD the system somehow disables the
other components of interest. Do you suppose this is true?
3) Is it even possible to build a full features XPe system? If so then what
is the best way to go about this?
4) Is there a better way of going about this?

Thanks,
dale

 

[Slobodan Brcin \(eMVP\)]

Hi Dale,

You can find some templates that resemble XPP on www.xpefiles.com
Also search this NG old archives trough:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...F-8&group=microsoft.public.windowsxp.embedded

If you need only Regedit, Device Manager, and Add New Hardware Wizard then add just them and resolve dependencies (You don't need
full XPP like image since it will take you too much time to build and deploy).

BTW:
What third party (non MS) drivers do you use.


Regards,
Slobodan

 

[KM]

Dale,

Look at the XPProEmulation project from www.xpefiles.com (Development Utilities/Main folder).

You will have to add the platform support, though. Just run TAP, import PMQ, open XPPRoEmulation and add your platform.

The DRIVER_IRQL BSOD seems to be a different question. Could you give us more info about the crash?

 

[Guest]

Thanks again for yourr extremely helpful advice!

To answer your question I am developing some PnP drivers for some custom PCI
hardware.

Thanks,
Dale

 

[Slobodan Brcin \(eMVP\)]

Hi Dale,

To answer your question I am developing some PnP drivers for some custom PCI
hardware.

Ah, this is now completely different story.
You should not simulate XPP, but rather make XPe image based on minlogon that is bare as possible (to ease boot times and handling
difficulties).
All that you will need are devcon.exe and remote debugger RS232 connection.

Drivers are and should be independent of any Win32 world so you could even test some or most of functionality in correctly set up
image that is 5 MB in size trough remote debugging.

For IRQL problem: (DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL)
Try disabling pagefile support to see if you are using valid memory that is paged out while you are on raised IRQL >=DISPATCHER
LEVEL.
Or it is just bad memory pointer problem.

Regards,
Slobodan

PS:
Developing drivers on XPe is much easier that on XPP, and in the end it works on both platforms