Bart PE How-to

Author: Fred DeVault;
Created: 04-May-2004
Updates: 14-Sep-2004; Note re XP/2K3 builds

I. What is it?

"Bart PE" is the name of a free, bootable CD that runs a cut-down version of Windows XP or 2003. You build the CD yourself from downloadable components. Bart PE has a plug-in architecture that allows for the addition of most programs that run under Windows XP. The Bart PE OS differs from regular Workstation XP in that only core components are included (storage, video, networking and related API's), the maximum uptime is limited to 24hrs, and the maximum number of simultaneous processes is limited to six. None of these limits interfere with the intended purpose, which is next-generation system support for Windows admins.

II. What can Bart PE do?

1. Load under a running instance of Windows 2000 or XP, allowing a fast, easy way to access a number of support tools in the field without having to download and install them.

2. Boot on any system capable of booting XP, and thereby provide a clean environment from which to run virus or malware scanners, create backups or perform data recovery, and other chores. For example, with the addition of Ghost32 to your Bart PE CD, you can perform Ghost'ed backups of drives or partitions on the local host to any free disk space on the network. Just map your target drive in the GUI, launch Ghost32, and make the backup. Because the job is running on a 32-bit host with XP drivers, rather than16-bit DOS and DOS drivers, the task can run 2-3X faster than standard Ghost.

III. What do I need?

1. The latest PE Builder download, from Bart's site. At the time of writing, this is version 3.0.32.

2. Access to the XP Service Pack 1(Pro or Home) installation files, or Windows 2003 installation files. (The latest versions of PE Builder can utilize an XP source that has been slip-streamed with Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 1.) I have found that XP builds boot from CD significantly faster than 2003 builds, but that 2003 builds are required if you need to access Windows 2000/2003 mirrored volumes.

3. A running instance of Windows 2000, XP (Pro or Home), or 2003 under which to perform the build.

4. A CD-burner and software (Nero Burning ROM recommended) for burning the ISO file that PE Builder outputs.

IV. Where do I learn more?

1. Bart PE Home (http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder)

The site of Bart PE's creator, Bart Lagerweji.

2. "The CD Forum: PE Builder" (http://www.911cd.net/forums/index.php?s=0229b00e750122ddcf639be332c74f36&act=SC&c=8)

The "forum of record" for Bart PE enthusiasts.

IV. Tips & Tidbits

1. Nomenclature 1:"PE Builder" is Bart's name for the download he offers that you use to build a Bart PE CD. The program consists of the PE Builder executable along with the various files and default plugins required for a "base" version of Bart PE.

2. Nomenclature 2: "Bart PE" is Bart's name for the CD-based OS that is created when using his PE Builder program and downloads.

3. Nomenclature 3: "nu2menu" is Bart's name for the default shell (menu) included with PE Builder. Alternative shells are available, including the popular "XPE" menu developed by perhaps the finest creator of Bart PE plugins, Sherpya. However, these alternative shells can bring their own set of incompatibilities and issues, so I suggest avoiding them until you've got all your intended plugins running.

4. The big trick with getting Bart PE going is the acquisition and incorporation of the plugins. There's a great temptation at first to round up all the cool looking plugins made by others. I suggest starting more slowly: Build a Bart PE CD with just the the default plugins provided by Bart, and after getting that working, start to incorporate the other plugins that interest you.

5. HOT TIP: Maintain 2 directories in your "build space": One for the extract of PE Builder, another for your "plugin overlays"—the set of plugin directories which contain those plugins and plugin files not contained in the PE Builder download. This allows you to maintain and grow a set of preferred plugins independently of the various releases of the PE Builder. At build time, you merely need to make an extract of the current PE Builder download, then overlay it's plugins directory with a copy of yours. All the new and different plugin files then fall into place in the build source. Here's an illustration of my directories:

PE Builder extract:

PE Builder extract directory structure

"plugin" overlay:

PE Builder plugin overlay directories

6. The default "nu2menu" is authored in XML and therefore fully customizable. My own near-term goal is to categorize the plugins into menu branches that reflect the main purposes to which I put Bart PE, e.g.: