Hello everyone...
I've just got UBCD up and running - I'm really impressed. Everything (almost) I could want or need on one bootable disc...
I do have a couple of questions though. In the ISO image, there is an empty folder called 'etc.'. what is that actually for? I was hoping I might be able to fill it with copies of some of the more important system files from my installed copy of XP - stuff like HAL, NTOSKERNAL, BOOT... there are probably loads of boot-critical files which occasionally get corrupted/lost and where copying a new version of the file into the windows installation might quickly get things up and going again. I was going to have a go, but I can't find the folder in PEBuilder313, from where I assumed it would be copied into the ISO build... Any ideas, anyone? Thanks...

The "Etc" folder is created by something that was added to the project a while ago. It's been a while so I actually can't remember, sorry.

I would suggest creating a plugin to backup your system files. It will automatically pull all of your files everytime you build a new ISO image. Navigate to your "pebuilder\plugin" folder and create a new folder there, name it something like "mysysbackup." Now go in that folder and create a new txt document, name it "mysysbackup.inf." Edit the file and put this in it:


Now the files you want to include in your backup are at the end of the file. I only have 2 examples listed to give you the idea of how to set them up. You can add whatever files you want to include in the backup, just make sure the path is correct for the files.

Also notice I do not mention an XML file, it's not necessary for this operation....you don't really need a menu listing for this. The files will be placed on your CD and you can use one of the explorers to view them.

Hope this helps you.

Quick reply! Thanks

That looks pretty good - I'm looking forward to trying it. Now all I have to do, is find a good selection of files to add...

Would it be appropriate to ask your members if they have any particular favourite system files which they think would be worth having in this folder? I'm thinking in particular of files which are not specific to a particular setup (no good for helping a friend with a broken PC), but which might be the target of virus attack or general corruption and which mess things up when they are missing.

I'm going to have a bit of a dig around myself - if this sounds like a good idea and micr*s*ft or yourself don't object, I'll get back to you with what I discover.

Again, many thanks!

Hi there,

The folder ‘ etc ‘ is a system folder that is created by the NwDskPE plugin during the build process of the disk. This is not present prior to the building of the disk.


Snowtime

I know you said not files specific to your own setup, but if you do want such files, the Windows\system32\config folder is a great thing to backup.

Go ahead and do whatever you wish. Maybe you could start a new post asking what files users think should be included in a backup. Please report back your findings. I find this a bit interesting and think it's a pretty good idea in some cases. A lot of people use this to fix many PC's and may argue that this "backup plugin" would only work on the system it's built from. That may be true, but at least you are ready if anything bad happens to your main PC. Then others could argue that there are better ways to backup a system. While this is also true and I would still strongly recommend regular backups, it's sometimes nice to be able to FIX your system instead of having to resort back to an old backup version. You may not be able to recover your system after every bad spyware outbreak or virus infestation, but at least you have files and tools to try!!

Thanks for your replies SteelTrepid, LittlBUGer and snowtime...

I'd like to take up your offer SteelTrepid, and start a new post asking for ideas for system folder backups.

Whilst I was thinking about it, it also struck me that there might be some good ideas out there for bookmarks to go into the 'Favourites' folder of any browsers that people have running as plugins (I have an old version of Mozilla, as well as the standard offerings). It would be cool to have immediate access to web-based resources and test sites to help someone find solutions to problems they have run into. It's all well and good having a really good tool to fix things, but I reckon many of us might need help working out what to fix and what to leave well alone, as well. I'd suggest this site (obviously), as well as some port scanning/virus scanning sites, a good selection of forums (cybertechhelp are always good), maybe a dll download site, micr*s*ft, and perhaps some links to the free software sites we all know and love - this could be really useful for installing the latest software updates/diagnostics/security tools onto a system under repair...

I guess 'Suggestions and Requests' might be the best place to put a request for ideas. does that sound about right to you?

Now I feel like I'm pestering you...

I haven't been able to get your plugin to plug in. It doesn't appear in the list of available plugins when PE Builder is started, and therefore doesn't get onto the ISO. I have no idea why. (but I am a noob!)

To try and get around the issue, I did try putting some files in the PEBuilder313\Bart PE\i386\Profiles\Default user\My Documents folder before rebuilding. I thought they might copy across with the My Documents folder, but obviously, it doesn't work like that!

oh, well...

Did you create the new folder in your "pebuilder313\plugin" folder, and did you place the INF file there?

You need to modify the [SourceDisksFiles] section to include the files you want in the backup. They have to be directed to the exact folder where the files exist on your system.

Adding the folder in the proper place


When creating the file you will get this message, select YES


Now edit the document and put this code in it


Now you should be able to run PE Builder and the plugin will be listed and will run. Double check by clicking the "plugin" button and make sure it is listed. If any of the files you referenced do not exist, you will get an error when you click "close".

I'm an idiot...

I had the 'hide extensions to known filenames' thing checked, so the file was called 'mysysbackup.inf.txt' and I couldn't see it. That also explains why the icon didn't change...

It now appears in the plugins OK. I'll let you know how I get on when I build the ISO with my first collection of files. Thanks...

PS 'Suggestions and Requests' or somewhere else, to ask for some member feedback on this?

It works fine. I now have a nice collection of files in a handy folder on my UBCD disc, just where I can get to them. Thanks for your help!

New post started in 'Suggestions and Requests'...