Multiple bootable apps on single USB drive?

[S3NTYN3L]

I'm in the process of turning my odd computer repairs for coworkers, family and friends into a proper side-business. Business is really starting to pick up. Jus thtis past weekend, I had four machines in need of some "proper" TLC of one sort or another. (With any luck it'll "take off" and I can get out from "under the table", as it were, in the near future).

Anywho, I stumbled across this site while looking for portable diagnostic/repair apps to load on my USB drive. Since I can't seem find an answer to my particular question, I thought I'd sign up and ask...


I'm wanting to know if there is a way to have several bootable diagnostic/repair applications on one USB drive and have the option on which to load.

I'm wanting to load UBCD, Hiren's Boot CD, OPHCrack, etc on it...


For example;
You'd boot from the USB and see a menu like,

Select an application to boot:
1. Ultimate Boot CD
2. Hiren's Boot CD
3. OPHCrack

_ :Make selection and press Enter.



On top of that, I'd also like the USB drive to have "normal" portable apps on it. You know, those which require you to have Windows up and running. Stuff like DeepBurner (which I found on this site) as well as others...

ANY insight into making this happen would be appreciated.

 

[14049752]

I think the easiest way would be to build your own UBCD4Win with the multiboot plugin. Customize it with your own images that you want in the multiboot menu.
Then, once you have that done, follow the instructions here:
http://ubcd4win.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9630

 

[S3NTYN3L]

Thanks, I'll look into it...

From glancing over the thread in question, it looks as though this setup will just add the extra tools to UBCD's menus.

I'm looking for it to add a menu before the UBCD boots into its own menu.

It probably wouldn't matter much, but I like things organized and dislike the idea of having a boot CD within a boot CD...


Anyone else have another method or suggestion?


ETA:
I just realized that I've probably posted this in the wrong forum section.
Mods, feel free to move this thread to its proper place...

 

[14049752]

I'm looking for it to add a menu before the UBCD boots into its own menu.

UBCD4Win's multiboot menu does exactly what you want.
Also, UBCD4Win is not UBCD. The multiboot plugin IS a menu/boot cd loader. It just happens to be a part of the UBCD4Win builder.

 

[S3NTYN3L]

Umm, forgive my ignorance but, does UBCD4Win include UBCD?
UBCD4Win looks like it need to be run from within Windows and not outside of it... <undecided.gif>

Perhaps I should forgo the Hiren CD and just include images of other tools?

Maybe a little hand holding is in my future, I'm somewhat lost seeing all these novel-sized "guides" on various sites...

 

[seedubya]

UBCD4Win is a PE-type environment. It does not require Windows to boot.

 

[14049752]

And, once again... That's what the multiboot plugin is for. UBCD4Win's builder will build you a boot menu that allows for booting multiple disc images. We don't have time to hold your hand through every step of the process. I pointed you to exactly what you're asking for, now it's up to you to figure out how to build it.
Download the UBCD4Win builder and try it.

 

[Crgky127]

You will see a blue screen, which if left alone will take you to UBCD4Win. On that screen are options like memtest, which is where you can add other options.

 

[S3NTYN3L]

OK, I've got UBCD4Win running from my USB drive.
How am I to add OPHCrack to it?


@Crgky127:
You lost me, I see no blue screen upon inserting my USB UBCD4Win into a port and powering on the machine...

 

[Sgt.Stryker]

On top of that, I'd also like the USB drive to have "normal" portable apps on it. You know, those which require you to have Windows up and running. Stuff like DeepBurner (which I found on this site) as well as others...

My suggestions would be to look at Technibble's USB Repair Tool Kit, Portableapps.com, and Liberkey.

Also, you might want to check out the Mike Tech Show (miketechshow.com), if you haven't been by Mike's site yet. I've seen quite a few good links on his site, and it's a great podcast to listen to.

 

[S3NTYN3L]

Thanks for the input Sgt.Stryker...
The Repair Toolkit offered here is fine, but doesn't include the tools that UBCD does. Judging from the screenshots, it requires the user to have Windows loaded. I'm sure it'll come in handy, but not for when a system in unbootable... <undecided.gif>



OK, I've added OPHCrack.iso and SpinRite.img to the syslinux/images folder and edited the syslinux.cfg file like so:

[codebox]LABEL SPINRITE
MENU LABEL SpinRite V6
KERNEL memdisk
APPEND initrd=\syslinux\images\SpinRite.img
TEXT HELP
Repairs Bad Harddrives
ENDTEXT

LABEL OPHCrack
MENU LABEL OPHCrack for XP
KERNEL memdisk
APPEND initrd=\syslinux\images\ophcrackxp.iso
TEXT HELP
Password Recovery
ENDTEXT[/codebox]


Upon selecting either and pressing enter, I get taken back to the top of the menu and the tool doesn't load...

What am I doing wrong?

 

[14049752]

The images go in the multiboot folder.
It's ubcd4win\plugins\multiboot-003

You essentially just make a folder in the multiboot folder for each bootable image you want on the menu. So, if you're adding Ophcrack, make an ophcrack folder, put the image in it, then edit the inf and ini folders accordingly.
You do this before you build your image and put it on your flash drive. The multiboot plugin makes your boot menu for you. Have I said multiboot enough times?

Here's a template with comments to help explain what to edit and change.

 

[S3NTYN3L]

I do not have a multiboot folder.
I followed the guide you linked to originally...

I'm currently in the process of starting from scratch.
I'm still extracting the UBCD4Win setup files as I type this...


ETA:

Just reread your post...
I was looing on the USB for the multiboot folder.
Like I said, I'm in the process of redoing everything.


I'm wondering why the author of that guide says I'm able to add tools/images after the fact...
You're implying that this is impossible, yes?

 

[14049752]

I do not have a multiboot folder.
I followed the guide you linked to originally...

I'm currently in the process of starting from scratch.
I'm still extracting the UBCD4Win setup files as I type this..

Grrrr....sometimes I wonder why I even bother.
You have to use the UBCD4Win builder to do this. The guide I linked to was to put the built ISO file onto your flash drive, with the assumption that you'd download the builder and use that to create your own iso image.

Edit:

You're implying that this is impossible, yes?

No, not impossible. I'm not quite sure why the guide says the syslinux folder, honestly.
To add stuff to the menu, after it's built, edit the bcdw.ini in the bcdw folder.... Then store your images in the images folder.
I think the builder makes it easier, personally...but I guess that's just personal preferences. The builder also automatically updates virus defs and everything else, compiles them to the iso, etc. Since a lot of systems don't support booting to USB, it makes sense to build the iso, burn it, then copy it to your usb drive if you want.

 

[S3NTYN3L]

The guide I linked to was to put the built ISO file onto your flash drive, with the assumption that you'd download the builder and use that to create your own iso image.

I understand that, now...
You didn't explain that before...

Quote from the author:
You are done! If you need to add or remove programs from the boot menu, you will need to edit syslinux.cfg in the syslinux folder (it may be hidden). The disk images for the programs are stored in the /syslinux/images directory.


Note in my previous post:
ETA:

Just reread your post...
I was looing on the USB for the multiboot folder.
Like I said, I'm in the process of redoing everything.



Forgive me for being an idiot when it comes to this stuff.
I can't stand writing/editing code and I HATE dealing with linux type stuff...

I wish there was some way to just get this done without the need to jump through all these hoops...

 

[S3NTYN3L]

Since a lot of systems don't support booting to USB, it makes sense to build the iso, burn it, then copy it to your usb drive if you want.

Now you're saying that I needn't follow that guide?
I can just add the stuff like suggest and extract the ISO to my USB?

 

[14049752]

You didn't explain that before...

I guess I just thought I was being clear enough in saying "build your own" and mentioned the builder a few times, etc.

I apologize for probably coming off as a jerk, or whatever.... sometimes it's just because I don't think about how things would be interpreted when I type them.

But, yeah...what you were asking wasn't really a simple task. I don't know of anything else that builds a boot menu as easily.

Now you're saying that I needn't follow that guide?
I can just add the stuff like suggest and extract the ISO to my USB?

No, you still have to follow that guide. AFTER you've already followed the guide, and loaded it to your usb drive, then you can edit the menu right on the flash drive.

 

[S3NTYN3L]

AFTER you've already followed the guide, and loaded it to your usb drive, then you can edit the menu right on the flash drive.

Understood... (for the most part)

I'm currently in the plugins window of the builder/compiler and I see the tools I've added.

So, if I'm wanting to add tools later, I'll need to run the all over again with the newer stuff added? Or, will the builder allow me to add/update without the need to start over at the beginning?


Thanks for your patience in dealing with me.
I can be pretty dumb when it comes to certain things, especially things I find tedious or loath (like linux)...


Umm, one last thing.
I assume that the builder will work with Vista as well, yes?

I'm building this using XP, but more and more people are using Vista as time goes by...


I'm sure I'll have more questions on this in the near future...
Thanks again for your patience

 

[S3NTYN3L]

Umm...

I don't get it.

I don't see the two tools I've added (SpinRite and OPHCrack) anywhere on the USB.

It's not in the boot menu either...


I received no errors while compiling with the builder.


What's next?

 

[S3NTYN3L]

Never mind, I got it working.

I had to include the stuff in the builder like you've said AND include them in the syslinux/images folder as stated in the guide...


Now, do you know of a way I can create an .img file?

The boot CD doesn't like .iso files...

I'm running a 64bit OS and I can't use Rawread to do the job.
I was going to try Floppy Image but I can't find it for download...