i added my own applicaitons (AIM) into the UBCD4Win cd, it works fine, but i have to find the exacutable from a filesystem browser, it's not in the menu

how can i get it there?

oh yea - just a side note - i'm posting this on a computer running UBCD4Win from CD right now

COOL!!

Anyways.....it depends on your XML file. You need to modify and/or set it up correctly.
Basically you need it set up to a "Menu ID" that is included in the menu structure for UBCD4Win.

Here is an example:


Those are the first three lines of the XML file for Avast. The 3rd line is the key.
For your plugin switch the 3rd line to this:

where's the XML file on cd?

If you look at the plugin folder where the plugins are, and look in any of the plugins... You will see INF and XML files. That is where you will want to look. Basically it needs to be there prior to build so it will be put into the CD properly.

ok - i added these applications with a application called MagicISO. the ones that are only executables and don't require any install work.

the ones that you have to install will not work


do you know how to fix this?

You can't add files via Magic ISO and then add them to the menu. If you need to add to the menu you have to build the entire CD from scratch with PEBuilder and add use the inf and xml files.

See FAQ 10 on how to build a plugin.

yes, i know i have to rebuild it to get it in the menu. but do you know why my applicaiton is not working when i just add the program folder (that way i don't have to totally rebuild the thing each time i add a random application)?

Unfortunately you have to rebuild it each time... That is one reason why I use VPC to test each ISO I make prior to even booting a machine up with a CD. I make the iso and load it up and test the functionality of any additions I make to my custom cd. You might be able to add stuff to the ISO but you have to recompile the cd every time.

Some ISO utilities are good about not disturbing an existing CD but some say they can do it but they FUBAR it. I use UltraISO personally but I almost never edit a ISO file itself. If I do that, then I extract the ISO to a folder and do my changes then make a new ISO with the additions and load the boot file and etc and THEN I have a working CD again. If you do not know which file is the boot loader file then I do NOT suggest following this last paragraph. It is only for those people who understand how a CD actually is made bootable. Saving the boot partition from inside of those ISO apps is not the way to find out either... I found that out the hard way when I first got into bootable media and started making my own stuff.

Bottom line...

If you add any apps whether they show on the menu or not, make a new ISO every time. Test it with a emulator first prior to burning. Burn to a CDRW to make sure that it actually works. Then burn to CDR and keep in your util box for when needed. This is the basic step tree to modding the UBCD4Win disk. Anything short of this little tad of info WILL screw up your disk.

I abdicate my soap box now...