M
MICHAEL
http://www.apcstart.com/site/jbanna...iny-version-of-windows-for-system-maintenance
Few people know it, but when you boot off the Vista install DVD, you're booting into a
different version of Windows altogether: Windows PE 2.0.
It's based on the Vista kernel, but it's extremely compact. It provides read/write access to
NTFS filesystems, a wide range of 32- and 64-bit hardware drivers, network connectivity and the
ability to run both 32- and 64-bit applications.
However, stripped away from the Vista installer, it's also a very versatile tool for
administrators. It allows troubleshooting, installation and system recovery, and its small size
means it can be run from CD, USB key or even via network boot.
PE has actually been around since the release of XP, but most administrators have avoided using
it, instead preferring more mature third-party management and installation tools.
The newest version of Windows PE (version 2.0), is different. Along with tools which I've
discussed previously, ImageX and System Image Manager (SIM), Windows PE 2.0 is bundled in the
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), and is an integral part of both the WAIK and Vista
itself.
How to get Windows PE
To use Windows PE 2.0, you need to get your hands on either the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit
(WOPK), the WAIK or the Windows PE Kit media.
Unfortunately it's a tool aimed at business users, so at this stage it's not included in the
normal Vista beta installation media.
There's clearly strong enthusiast interest in it, though, because Windows Automated
Installation Kit (WAIK) is being widely illegally distributed on P2P file sharing networks.
For the purposes of this post, I'm using the WAIK [legally obtained from Microsoft!].
Finding WinPE on your machine
Once the WAIK is installed, the WinPE folder structure is available in C:\Program Files\Windows
AIK\Tools. The main folders needed are the architecture folders (x86, ia64 and amd64), and the
PETools and Servicing folders.
Building your own bootable WinPE 2.0 environment
The next step is to create the actual WinPE tool, based on the architecture you require. This
is done using the COPYPE.CMD command, which resides in the PETools folder. Navigate there in a
command window, or just launch the "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt" link from Start, Program,
Microsoft Windows AIK.
continued.......
http://www.apcstart.com/site/jbanna...iny-version-of-windows-for-system-maintenance
Few people know it, but when you boot off the Vista install DVD, you're booting into a
different version of Windows altogether: Windows PE 2.0.
It's based on the Vista kernel, but it's extremely compact. It provides read/write access to
NTFS filesystems, a wide range of 32- and 64-bit hardware drivers, network connectivity and the
ability to run both 32- and 64-bit applications.
However, stripped away from the Vista installer, it's also a very versatile tool for
administrators. It allows troubleshooting, installation and system recovery, and its small size
means it can be run from CD, USB key or even via network boot.
PE has actually been around since the release of XP, but most administrators have avoided using
it, instead preferring more mature third-party management and installation tools.
The newest version of Windows PE (version 2.0), is different. Along with tools which I've
discussed previously, ImageX and System Image Manager (SIM), Windows PE 2.0 is bundled in the
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), and is an integral part of both the WAIK and Vista
itself.
How to get Windows PE
To use Windows PE 2.0, you need to get your hands on either the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit
(WOPK), the WAIK or the Windows PE Kit media.
Unfortunately it's a tool aimed at business users, so at this stage it's not included in the
normal Vista beta installation media.
There's clearly strong enthusiast interest in it, though, because Windows Automated
Installation Kit (WAIK) is being widely illegally distributed on P2P file sharing networks.
For the purposes of this post, I'm using the WAIK [legally obtained from Microsoft!].
Finding WinPE on your machine
Once the WAIK is installed, the WinPE folder structure is available in C:\Program Files\Windows
AIK\Tools. The main folders needed are the architecture folders (x86, ia64 and amd64), and the
PETools and Servicing folders.
Building your own bootable WinPE 2.0 environment
The next step is to create the actual WinPE tool, based on the architecture you require. This
is done using the COPYPE.CMD command, which resides in the PETools folder. Navigate there in a
command window, or just launch the "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt" link from Start, Program,
Microsoft Windows AIK.
continued.......
http://www.apcstart.com/site/jbanna...iny-version-of-windows-for-system-maintenance