Plugins and Sherpya Options

[Hard Nut]

when starting to explore and prepare to build I came across something that I could not figure out, and I am hoping that you can help me.

The question is this: There are many plugins that reference "Sherpya".

I managed to figure out that Sherpya is someone who extends the original BartPE to include Windows features, and that there is Sherpya Software.

Do I need to include the Sherpya software in the Bart PE Build - in order for those plugins to work ?

You see, I don't want to master yet another system (Sherpya's) - and I would like to avoid any 3rd party plugins that require a 4th party (Sherpya's) add-ons.

I 'd be very grateful if you could Help me clarify this point.

HN


This post has been edited by Hard Nut: Jul 9 2006, 11:57 AM

[LittlBUGer]

Err..., I think the answer is No, but I'm a bit confused on exactly what you mean as well. If you download the UBCD4Win, there's nothing else that you need and you can add any plugins that you like to it, if you want. (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The UBCD4Win is also a Windows "Live CD" so-to-speak, and the best one around. (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Hard Nut]

there's nothing else that you need and you can add any plugins that you like to it, if you want. (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hello LittleBUGer,

Thanks for replying.

I'll try to clarify my question:

I need to include one additional plugin, which is very important to me.

When serching for the plugin, I began to notice plugins with .inf files that have something like the following WinRAR example:

[Software.AddReg]
0x2,"Sherpya\XPEinit \Programs","Utilities\WinRAR","%SystemDrive%\Programs\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe"
0x1, "Classes\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WinRAR",,"{B41DB860-8EE4-11D2-9906-E49FADC173CA}"
0x1, "Classes\.ace",,"WinRAR"
0x1, "Classes\.arj",,"WinRAR"
.
.
You see, there's some reference to "Sehrpya".

Apparently, Sherpya is working on a project called "XPE", which is intended to add such things as dynamic registry and other "full WindowsXP" support to Bart, and the result is impressive.

Hence : XP + PE = XPE

Sherpya and others - have been also writing popular plugins for BartPE Builds - as seen in this WinRAR example above (which is by someone else, not Sherpya).

My question is - I want to use the particular plugin template that I have found,
and I have the software files to put in this plugin.

However, Does that mean that I have to include yet more plugins that provide the support for Sherpya's (and other's) extention to PE ?

The guy who wrote the particular plugin that I need, which references Sherpya as in the above example - (and other plugin authors as well) - provide no explanation whatsoever about this.

It is as if everybody in the world, except me, already know everything there is to know about this... (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/no.gif)

Thnx,
Hard Nut


This post has been edited by Hard Nut: Jul 9 2006, 05:30 PM

[hilander999]

Sherpya is the creator of the XPE plugin along with many other plugins.

XPE is an explorer shell plugin & is not needed or compatable with the current ubcd4win version.



The registry example you posted above is nothing more than a menu entry for use in windows explorer.

You need to create a nu2menu.xml file to add the menu entry for your program to the menu in ubcd4win.



Look at any of the plugins included in the download as an example & use them for a guide on how to make the menu entries you need for whatever program you are adding.



Take a look at www.nu2.nu for more information on the nu2menu xml format.

[Hard Nut]

The UBCD4Win is also a Windows "Live CD" so-to-speak, and the best one around. (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hi LittlBUger,

I have also built and tested the latest version of UBCD4Win.

I have many inputs about severe problems and performance issues.

However, I do not want to destract from the focus of this particular forum - and my question above.

So where can I take all that feedback to ?

BTW, yes, it's true... I am a complete newbie... (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/worthy.gif)

So, I probably have noticed plenty more than some of the folks who are veterans in this project,

and I also would like to emphasize that my comments should be viewed as constructive, taking none of the plenty of credit that this project deserves.

Hard Nut

[Hard Nut]

Sherpya is the creator of the XPE plugin along with many other plugins.

Hi hilander 999,

Please allow me to explain that XPE has nothing to do with a shell.

In fact, the .xml file is identical.
It uses the same exact format of BartE, which is also used in UBCD4Win.

XPE is a complete add-on system, that enhances the BartPE environment and enables a "look and feel" which is much closer to the Windows environment.

For example, you can create desktop shortcuts and icons,
you can use context-menu handlers,
in fact - it looks and feels like a complete Windows installation, using the same shell as in Bart.

Hard Nut.

[SteelTrepid]

XPE is a complete add-on system, that enhances the BartPE environment and enables a "look and feel" which is much closer to the Windows environment.

For example, you can create desktop shortcuts and icons,
you can use context-menu handlers,
in fact - it looks and feels like a complete Windows installation, using the same shell as in Bart.
[/color][/font]

Close, but not quite. Bart PE by default uses Nu2Menu as the shell, XPE DOES use explorer as the shell....it does not use the same shell as a default BPE build. Explorer as the shell is the reason why XPE builds look so much like the "real" XP and generally take a long time to boot.

UBCD4Win uses GeoShell as our shell for the project. Because it isn't a resource hog like explorer is and allows for quicker boot times and can handle being booted on a slower older system. Our focus for the project is to create the best and quickest recovery tool. I think XPE (don't get me wrong it's good and I don't want to start a fight or anything) lost the vision and focus that Bart originally had for BPE......as a RECOVERY tool. You should really only be using BPE for that reason anyways, it isn't supposed to be a replacement OS or an easy way to pirate XP.

I understand you have tried your best to read up on everything, but you do not have all the facts straight.

[rdsok]

IMO

I might add that hilander999 IS currently one of the leading experts in this area... it wouldn't be wise to argue with what he has said. He is the driving force behind UBCD4Win's current core components and has put together the existing core from many different sources.

[Hard Nut]

I think XPE (don't get me wrong it's good and I don't want to start a fight or anything) lost the vision and focus that Bart originally had for BPE......as a RECOVERY tool. You should really only be using BPE for that reason anyways, it isn't supposed to be a replacement OS or an easy way to pirate XP.

Hello SteelTrepid,

We are in complete agreement, regarding XPE.

this is why I am trying to strip the plugin template that I found - from any "XPE" context,
and still be able to use the plugin - in original "Bart" context.

This is what my original question has aimed at - namely:
I have a plugin with a .inf file that references Sherpya, but I do not want to study nor use Sherpya's XPE system -

therfore I asked for advice on how to use that plugin (or rather - the lengthy rest of it - which is in BartPE format).

I'd still be happy if someone can help with this.

Thanks,
Hard Nut

Hello rdsok and hilander999,

Please allow me to clarify that Sherpya did produce one component, which is an alternative, or "replacement" shell to Bart's shell.

However, this shell is not mandatory for the XPE environment.

XPE can (and does) run with Bart nu2 shell just as well (albeit maybe less "fancy").

HN

This post has been edited by Hard Nut: Jul 9 2006, 06:51 PM

[rdsok]

I think you missed a lot of the points that were provided... namely not all references to Sherpya's XPE mean that XPE itself are required. The very example that you provided was one of those examples, it was simply used for the shell's ( ie explorer ) menu and that is all.

Therefore you will find many plugins that have similar references that are simply there to support the menu normally used with XPE. Plugins that do require XPE will generally explicitly mention it in the help or readme file that may be provided with it.

Since you mentioned the XML... lets cover it. As you already stated this is for the Nu2Menu... so in your example you have a plugin that supports both XPE shells ( ie explorer ) and the Nu2Menu menu as well. Generally this type of plugin will only need the XML file tweaked slightly to allow it to properly work in UBCD4Win... If the INF isn't done correctly the worst thing that will happen is that you will end up with duplicated menu items and will need to make a correction and rebuild.

To see examples of XML's that are properly structured for UBCD4Win... you need go no further than to look at a few of the existing plugins XML files to see how they are done. If you still can't figure it out... you will need to post the one you are having trouble with.

Learning the INF and XML stuctures will take time... but the only way to learn them is to try it yourself after reading what you can about them. You have already been given a link to the XML menu stucture info... that is where you may need to start.

[Hard Nut]

Hi rdsock,

I think that you have just provided the answer that I was looking for (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Namely, the pluging is written to support both Shells.

Here is the .xml file from the particular example:

<!-- Nu2Menu entry for WinRAR -->
<NU2MENU>
<MENU ID="Programs">
<MITEM TYPE="ITEM" DISABLED="@Not(@FileExists(@GetProgramDrive()\Programs\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe))" CMD="RUN" FUNC="@GetProgramDrive()\Programs\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe">WinRAR</MITEM>
</MENU>
</NU2MENU>

Please correct me if I have gotten it wrong.

Any suggestions as to lines that need to be commented out, or modified ?

Thanks ! (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[rdsok]

Since I always think its best that a user learn a little while doing this stuff.. right now I'm only going to point you in the right direction but not give you the answer straight out ( at least not yet )... I think you will find this one real easy... so I don't think you will have to work hard on it...

Go into an existing Compression plugin that UBCD4Win has now... there are 2 right now, I'll select just one for the one to look at.... go to [UBCD4Win dir]\plugin\File\Compression\7-zip ... now look at that XML file and see if you can see the differences between the one you have and the 7-Zip one... obviously the command line for the menu should be different... but the other differences are where you want to focus...

I would post the 7-Zip XML here.. but I feel the wordwrap will make it more difficult for you to see the differences... and I'm not trying to make this one difficult from something like that.

If you can't figure it out.. just post back.. I don't mind providing the info.. I just think learning a simple thing like this is important

[Hard Nut]

Since I always think its best that a user learn a little while doing this stuff.. right now I'm only going to point you in the right direction but not give you the answer straight out ( at least not yet )... I think you will find this one real easy... so I don't think you will have to work hard on it...

Go into an existing Compression plugin that UBCD4Win has now... there are 2 right now, I'll select just one for the one to look at.... go to [UBCD4Win dir]\plugin\File\Compression\7-zip ... now look at that XML file and see if you can see the differences between the one you have and the 7-Zip one... obviously the command line for the menu should be different... but the other differences are where you want to focus...

Hi there, rdsok... <I've returned rather quickly... (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) >

Well, from looking at the 7-Zip example, it seems to me that the difference is nesting.

This means that 7-Zip is not immediately available from the main menu -
but rather -
you have to open one or more Popup Sub-Menus from the main menu - to get to 7-Zip.

Whereas in the "WinRAR" example - the application is available from the main level of the menu.

I couldn't figure out any other difference... Am I right ?

Is this cascading of sub-menus - available only in the UBCD4Win GeoShell -
or does the Bart Nu2 Shell - support such cscading menu also ?

Cheers!

[rdsok]

You've got it... Nu2Menu supports the submenu's as it it... Since UBCD4Win has well over 150 utilities included with it.. it only make sense to utilize the sub-menus and categorize all of it to keep things organized a little.

So for the rest of the users that aren't following along, here is the WinRar XML changed to follow a typical UBCD4Win menu structure...

CODE

<!-- Nu2Menu entry for WinRar -->
<NU2MENU>
    <MENU ID="Programs">
        <MITEM TYPE="POPUP" MENUID="File Management">File Management</MITEM>
    </MENU>
    <MENU ID="File Management">
        <MITEM TYPE="POPUP" MENUID="Compression">Compression</MITEM>
    </MENU>                
    <MENU ID="Compression">
        <MITEM TYPE="ITEM" DISABLED="@Not(@FileExists(@GetProgramDrive()\Programs\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe))" CMD="RUN" FUNC="@GetProgramDrive()\Programs\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe">WinRAR</MITEM>
    </MENU>
</NU2MENU>

Now one last thing that isn't so obvious but I referenced before.... let's assume the above has an error in the way it was made... where the first "<MITEM TYPE="POPUP" MENUID="File Management">" is at... let's say it actually said "<MITEM TYPE="POPUP" MENUID="File">" instead... then the SortMenu option would actually break because the MENU ID that is referenced should have been File ( in the new example ) instead of File Management.... what would happen is that from that point on... SortMenu would no longer be able to run and the rest of the menu would then have duplicate entries... So if you even see duplicates... then you would just have to find the typo or whatever caused this to happen.

[Hard Nut]

Thanks for the profound lesson, rdsok (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/clapping.gif)

One thing that is unrelated - but perhaps you can help -

I burnt the UBCD4WIN - but upon Boot - there was a cryptic "Shell Options" menu -

and I couldn't find anywhere - instructions on how to use it.

I just noticed that I had very little RAM left, and reponse times were terrible (IMG:http://www.ubcd4win.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Off-Main-Topic here, but can you help ?