Windows 7 Live CD?

[spearace]

I found a video on the net that claims to show how you can make a Windows 7 live CD - has anyone tried such a thing? I use Linux live CDs to help fix PCs when they can't boot, but Windows 7 running from a CD/DVD/USB stick would be fantastic.

[ame="[MEDIA=youtube]3R8vicCSTsE[/MEDIA]"]YouTube - Make Your Own Windows 7 live Cd! 100% FREE AND LEGAL[/ame]

 

[krokousdan]

It's simple

Just download the Windows AIK for Windows 7 and my script.
Download WAIK for 7
I recommend to install to C: \ Program Files \ WAIK

Edit Set by you and save it as LiveW7.bat.
Insert DVD into the drive, Windows 7.
Run the script as an administrator.
Cook a cup of coffee and 7 - 10 minutes is done.

@Echo off
%SystemDrive%

Set tools=%[B][COLOR=Red]programfiles%\waik\tools[/COLOR][/B]
//if  you have WAIK installed in another directory, so you have to put the  path in quotation marks and write in two rows.Eg.
//[COLOR=Red]Set tools=%programfiles%\Windows AIK\Tools[/COLOR]
//[COLOR=Red]Set tools="%programfiles%\Windows AIK\Tools"[/COLOR]

Set architecture=[B][COLOR=Red]x86[/COLOR][/B]
[COLOR=Red]//change your  architecture[/COLOR]

Set tarch=%tools%\%architecture%

Set mech=[COLOR=Red][B]e:\[/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR=Red]//DVD drive with  Windows 7[/COLOR]
Set dvd=%systemdrive%\W7wim

Set projekt=%systemdrive%\[COLOR=Red][B]Projekt[/B][/COLOR]
//[COLOR=Red]You can  enter your name without spaces[/COLOR]

Set pi=%projekt%\install
Set pb=%projekt%\boot

Set iw=%pi%\Windows
Set bw=%pb%\Windows
Set is=%iw%\System32
Set bs=%bw%\System32
Set ISO=%Projekt%\ISO
Set Av=%iw%\schemas\AvailableNetwork
Set BAv=%bw%\schemas\AvailableNetwork

Set ISOname=[COLOR=Red][B]LiveW7[/B][/COLOR].iso
//[COLOR=Red]You can  write your name with no spaces[/COLOR]

Set lang=[COLOR=Red][B]cs-CZ[/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR=Red]//Set your language[/COLOR] [COLOR=Red]en-US[/COLOR] [COLOR=Red]etc.[/COLOR]

md %pi%
md %pb%
md %ISO%\sources
md %dvd%

cd %tarch%
copy imagex.exe %projekt%

robocopy "%mech%\boot" "%ISO%\boot" /mir
robocopy "%mech%\efi" "%ISO%\EFI" /mir
copy /y "%mech%\bootmgr" "%ISO%" 
copy /y "%ISO%\boot\etfsboot.com" "%projekt%"
copy /y "%mech%\sources\install.wim" "%dvd%"
copy /y "%mech%\sources\boot.wim" "%dvd%"


cd %projekt%
imagex /apply %dvd%\boot.wim 2 %pb% 
imagex /mount %dvd%\install.wim [COLOR=Red][B]1[/B][/COLOR] %pi%
//[COLOR=Red]1 is the x86 Home, 4 is the x64 Home, etc. You can check by running DISM.exe[/COLOR]

del /q "%pb%\setup.exe"

md "%bw%\schemas\AvailableNetwork"
md "%bs%\config\systemprofile\Desktop"

attrib -r -h "%pb%\Users\Default"
attrib -r -h "%pb%\Users\Default\AppData"

copy /y "%iw%\inf\ndisuio.inf" "%bw%\inf"    
copy /y "%iw%\inf\netnwifi.inf" "%bw%\inf"    
copy /y "%iw%\inf\netserv.inf" "%bw%\inf"    
copy /y "%iw%\inf\netvwifibus.inf" "%bw%\inf"    
copy /y "%iw%\inf\netvwifibus.PNF" "%bw%\inf"    
copy /y "%iw%\inf\netvwififlt.inf" "%bw%\inf"    
copy /y "%iw%\inf\netvwifimp.inf" "%bw%\inf"    
copy /y "%iw%\L2Schemas\LAN_policy_v1.xsd" "%bw%\L2Schemas"    
copy /y "%iw%\L2Schemas\LAN_profile_v1.xsd" "%bw%\L2Schemas"    
copy /y "%iw%\L2Schemas\OneX_v1.xsd" "%bw%\L2Schemas"    
copy /y "%iw%\L2Schemas\WLAN_policy_v1.xsd" "%bw%\L2Schemas"    
copy /y "%iw%\L2Schemas\WLAN_profile_v1.xsd" "%bw%\L2Schemas"    
copy /y "%iw%\L2Schemas\WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd" "%bw%\L2Schemas"    
copy /y "%iw%\L2Schemas\WWAN_profile_v1.xsd" "%bw%\L2Schemas"    
copy /y "%Av%\AvailableNetworkInfo.xsd" "%BAv%"    
copy /y "%is%\activeds.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\activeds.tlb" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ADSLDPC.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\apphelp.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\atl.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\authfwcfg.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\AuthFWGP.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\bfe.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\browser.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\cabinet.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\cfgbkend.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\cfgmgr32.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\clbcatq.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\clusapi.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\cmifw.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\compmgmt.msc" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\comres.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\credui.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\crtdll.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\devmgmt.msc" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\devmgr.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\diskmgmt.msc" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmdlgs.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmdskmgr.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmdskres.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmintf.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmocx.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmutil.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmvdsitf.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\dmview.ocx" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\filemgmt.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\findstr.exe" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\Firewall.cpl" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\FirewallAPI.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\FirewallControlPanel.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\config\SOFTWARE" "%bs%\config"
copy /y "%is%\ExplorerFrame.dll" "%bs%"
copy /y "%is%\fmifs.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\fsmgmt.msc" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\fsutil.exe" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\fwcfg.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\fwpuclnt.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\FwRemoteSvr.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\hhsetup.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\hnetcfg.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\icacls.exe" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\icfupgd.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\icmp.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ifmon.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ikeext.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ipsecsnp.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\IPSECSVC.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ifsutil.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ifsutilx.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\kerberos.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\lanman.drv" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\lpk.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mfc42u.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mlang.dat" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mlang.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mmc.exe" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mmcbase.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mmcndmgr.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mmcshext.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\msacm32.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\msafd.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\msxml3.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\msxml3r.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\msxml6.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\msxml6r.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\mycomput.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ncsi.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\netlogon.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\netman.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\netplwiz.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\netprof.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\netprofm.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\nlasvc.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\nsi.dll" "%bs%\"    
copy /y "%is%\nsisvc.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ntmarta.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ntshrui.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\nshwfp.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\samsrv.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\sens.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\oleacc.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\oleaccrc.dll" "%bs%"
copy /y "%is%\oledlg.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\oleres.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\osuninst.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\polstore.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\RpcEpMap.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\Sens.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\services.exe" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\services.msc" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\shfolder.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\shrpubw.exe" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\srvsvc.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\sscore.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\urlmon.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\usp10.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\webio.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wfapigp.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\WfHC.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\winhttp.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\WinSCard.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\winsockhc.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlanapi.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlanhlp.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlaninst.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlanmsm.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlansec.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlansvc.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlanui.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wlgpclnt.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wmi.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\ws2help.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\wshelper.dll" "%bs%"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\nwifi.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\srv.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\srv2.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\srvnet.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\tcpipreg.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\vwifibus.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\vwififlt.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\vwifimp.sys" "%bs%\drivers"    
copy /y "%is%\drivers\en-US\srv.sys.mui" "%bs%\drivers\en-US"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\adsldpc.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\apphelp.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\atl.dll.mui" "%bs%\en-US"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\bfe.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\cfgbkend.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\compmgmt.msc" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\comres.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\credui.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\devmgmt.msc" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\devmgr.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
Cls
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\diskmgmt.msc" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\dmdskres.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\dmocx.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\dmutil.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\filemgmt.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\fsmgmt.msc" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\fsutil.exe.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\fwpuclnt.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\ICacls.exe.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\ifmon.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\ikeext.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\ipsecsnp.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\kerberos.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\MFC42u.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\mlang.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\mmc.exe.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\mmcbase.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\mmcndmgr.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\mmcshext.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\msxml3r.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\msxml6r.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\mycomput.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\nshwfp.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\ntmarta.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\oleaccrc.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\polstore.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\services.exe.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\services.msc" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\srvsvc.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\urlmon.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\webio.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\winhttp.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%WinSCard.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%\winsockhc.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%is%\%lang%wshelper.dll.mui" "%bs%\%lang%"    
copy /y "%iw%\Explorer.exe" "%bw%"
copy /y "%iw%\explorer.exe" "%bs%"
copy /y "%projekt%\imagex.exe" "%bw%


cd %projekt%
imagex /capture /compress max /boot %pb% %ISO%\sources\boot.wim "boot"  
rd /s /q %pb% 

imagex /unmount %pi%
rd /s /q %pi% 

cd %tarch%
Oscdimg -n -b%projekt%\etfsboot.com %projekt%\ISO "%projekt%\%ISOname%"
rd /s /q %ISO% 

del /q %projekt%\etfsboot.com
del /q %projekt%\imagex.exe

Cls
DTCZ
Exit

If you find someone who can read and edit the hive cmd, I'll be very happy.

I apologize for my English, I'm from Czech Republic
If you need assistance in explaining the script, just let me write on my website.
www.danten.cz

 

[Core]

Doesn't this break the EULA, though? I know virtualization is ok, but isn't this in effect skirting around the whole purpose of activation?

 

[krokousdan]

Doesn't this break the EULA, though? I know virtualization is ok, but isn't this in effect skirting around the whole purpose of activation?

No not. Not only with winpe.wim from WAIK. Adding applications to your own copy is not restricted. If I want to use your own program, so I need some DLLs from the installation media. It also is not against licensing.
The Live CD or Recovery CD? License?

 

[catilley1092]

Apparently, the rules are a bit different in other countries, as I've never heard of running Windows OS's on Live CD. I've run many Linux distros this way, but have never seen or heard of Windows running like that. This is a new one for me. The only way that I'll try this, is if a lot of others are doing it, with no legal problems.

 

[krokousdan]

Apparently, the rules are a bit different in other countries, as I've never heard of running Windows OS's on Live CD. I've run many Linux distros this way, but have never seen or heard of Windows running like that. This is a new one for me. The only way that I'll try this, is if a lot of others are doing it, with no legal problems.

It's exactly the same as used from the Windows AIK winpe.wim and tools etc. DISM.
Licenses and configuration will remain. Used only basic WinPE and after 72 hours using restarts. If you need to fix Windows system to deploy on multiple PCs, such as a CD is legal.
Legal problems are not, otherwise as creators WinBuilder, BartPE ... been long in prison.

 

[linuxdudex12]

Interesting Information

 

[Core]

I'm still not convinced that this doesn't break the EULA.

I know the virtualization bit in the EULA states that you can run 7 in a virtualized environment on a machine for which you have a license, so long as you do not run both at the same time. In other words, if you're running XP and buy a copy of 7 for your PC, you can run the copy of 7 in Virtualbox without breaking the EULA. But as I understand it, you're not allowed to use the one license to run Windows 7 simultaneously both on the hardware AND in a virtual environment.

One of the things that activation does is prevents copies of Windows from being installed on several different machines. That's why you run into problems with activation when you install it on one PC, then a different one, and another, and another...

So if you create a live CD of Windows 7 for purposes of using it to "help fix PCs when they don't boot," does that not imply that the same copy will be used, even if not simultaneously, on multiple different computers with various hardware configurations? You would not be able to normally install Windows and activate it on all those machines; sooner or later you'd fail activation.

Therefore you would probably have to find a way to bypass activation, yes? Or use that copy of Windows without activating it.

I'm just not sure this is what Microsoft had in mind when they adjusted the Windows EULA to include virtualization.

Don't get me wrong - I don't really give a crap about the EULA. But I also don't want people to think that this is on the level if it in fact is not.

Your thoughts?

 

[catilley1092]

I went to the website that was posted, it had very few English words. Something isn't right about this, no matter how it's worded. I hope that no one on this forum reads this and actually attempt to run this type of thing. Looks like a lot of reverse engineering to me. After viewing the video, it looks even more fishy. A lot of that You Tube stuff is a bunch of BS. I've tried many a trick from that site, mostly it was a total waste of time.

 

[krokousdan]

I put here the script directly from Windows AIK using winpe.wim.
Can feel free to upload as an attachment the original tree and my winpe.wim boot.wim.
After comparison find it only added only a few dll and those used for recovery.
You read one Windows AIK documentation?
You know what a WinPE WinRE?

You do not understand ?

 

[krokousdan]

My question was:
Can someone via the command line to control a mount registry?

Otherwise, there is both promise script and documentation.
Documentation for the Windows AIK is available for download here.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...35-4190-4D7C-B193-19123141EDAA&displaylang=en
Here you will find many answers to your questions.
Or use the Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Automated_Installation_Kit

Here is a script drawn from Help Windows AIK. I added only the variable "Set", I did not write a long path to folders.

@Echo off
%SystemDrive%

Set PEWAIK=%ProgramFiles%\WAIK
Set PETools=%PEWaik%\Tools\PETools
Set Architecture=x86
Set PEDest=%SystemDrive%\winpe_x86
Set ISOName=winpe_x86.iso

CD %PETools%

pushd %PETools%

call copype.cmd %Architecture% %PEDest%

Set PEISO=%PEDest%\ISO
Set PEMount=%PEDest%\mount
Set PEIBoot=%PEISO%\boot
Set PEISrc=%PEISO%\sources
Set PEFps=%PETools%\%Architecture%\WinPe_FPs
Set PEImageX=%PEWAIK%\Tools\%Architecture%

Dism /Mount-Wim /WimFile:%PEDest%\winpe.wim /index:1 /MountDir:%PEDest%\mount

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-hta.cab"

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-legacysetup.cab"

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-mdac.cab"

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-pppoe.cab"

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-scripting.cab"

REM Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-setup.cab"

REM Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-setup-client.cab"

REM Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-setup-server.cab"

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\winpe-wmi.cab"

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:"%PEFps%\cs-cz\lp_cs-cz.cab"
//Locale package

Dism /image:%PEDest%\mount /Set-AllIntl:cs-cz
//Setting  locale

copy "%PEImageX%\imagex.exe" "%PEMount%\Windows\System32\"

Dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:%PEDest%\mount /Commit

copy %PEDest%\winpe.wim %PEDest%\ISO\sources\boot.wim

del /q %PEDest%\ISO\boot\bootfix.bin

oscdimg -n -b%PEDest%\etfsboot.com %PEDest%\ISO %PEDest%\%ISOName%

Cls
DTCZ
Exit

Here are the promised tree two projects.

I still do not understand. what do you see fraudulent!
I note that this is not a fully functional OS. 100% functional as the command line.
If you want to get into the Explorer environment, so just enter CMD in the "notepad" and select "open all types. Then you can use the right mouse button as a normal OS.

You need to delete a protected folder or file? Need to remove a virus? You need to partition? Need to deploy CHKDSK? ...... So this is the right solution?

 

[Core]

You know what, I think this is on the level. There's no reverse engineering from what I see...just a customized WinPE environment.

Having access to Windows recovery tools and CLI without having to boot into an infected system would definitely be useful. Particularly if you could edit the registry...that would be cool.

I think this shows a lot of promise, Krokousdan.

 

[krokousdan]

You know what, I think this is on the level. There's no reverse engineering from what I see...just a customized WinPE environment.

Having access to Windows recovery tools and CLI without having to boot into an infected system would definitely be useful. Particularly if you could edit the registry...that would be cool.

I think this shows a lot of promise, Krokousdan.

Thank you for your consideration.
Just working on the registry. I hope that I can decipher it, and certainly with you so I will share.

 

[voodew2u]

I'm still not convinced that this doesn't break the EULA.

I know the virtualization bit in the EULA states that you can run 7 in a virtualized environment on a machine for which you have a license, so long as you do not run both at the same time. In other words, if you're running XP and buy a copy of 7 for your PC, you can run the copy of 7 in Virtualbox without breaking the EULA. But as I understand it, you're not allowed to use the one license to run Windows 7 simultaneously both on the hardware AND in a virtual environment.

One of the things that activation does is prevents copies of Windows from being installed on several different machines. That's why you run into problems with activation when you install it on one PC, then a different one, and another, and another...

So if you create a live CD of Windows 7 for purposes of using it to "help fix PCs when they don't boot," does that not imply that the same copy will be used, even if not simultaneously, on multiple different computers with various hardware configurations? You would not be able to normally install Windows and activate it on all those machines; sooner or later you'd fail activation.

Therefore you would probably have to find a way to bypass activation, yes? Or use that copy of Windows without activating it.

I'm just not sure this is what Microsoft had in mind when they adjusted the Windows EULA to include virtualization.

Don't get me wrong - I don't really give a crap about the EULA. But I also don't want people to think that this is on the level if it in fact is not.

Your thoughts?

I think you just reasoned away Windows PE. If you are using 1 installation per key at a time then there is no problem. Even if you installed your original Windows CD to one computer at a time, (no booting from the previous installation) and had to call M$ to install on different hardware configurations, they'd still validate the installation. Why? M$ welcomes migration and you're not violating their EULA by migrating from system to system.
If you have a valid m$ OS, it can be run on any system but only 1 instance can be running at a time since that's what you paid for. That's why M$ made Windows PE. M$ didn't create the PE to violate their EULA. It was made to satisfy developers and technicians.

 

[Core]

I think you just reasoned away Windows PE. If you are using 1 installation per key at a time then there is no problem. Even if you installed your original Windows CD to one computer at a time, (no booting from the previous installation) and had to call M$ to install on different hardware configurations, they'd still validate the installation. Why? M$ welcomes migration and you're not violating their EULA by migrating from system to system.
If you have a valid m$ OS, it can be run on any system but only 1 instance can be running at a time since that's what you paid for. That's why M$ made Windows PE. M$ didn't create the PE to violate their EULA. It was made to satisfy developers and technicians.

I had changed my position by the end of the thread, but I assume you didn't get that far before you decided to necro it.

 

[iTpHo3NIX]

I read this looking up information about creating a Live CD disk because they can do much more then that. I'm not sure if any of you are familiar with the Geek Squad MRI disk.

It contains a list of diagnostic software, then also includes a VLC copy of windows vista for the LiveOS which has tools and scripts to help Geek Squad employees fix your computer (although they aren't real technicians since all thye do is point and click with a tool)

HOWEVER, I would like to make one, and there is a way to mount the registry as password reset tools and others (such as the Trinity Rescue Kit)

Also I wanted to create my own LiveCD using WinPE from the WAIK.

For system technicians, imagine a USB, this USB (we'll say an 8GB) has several memory, hardware debugging, harddrive diag, recovery software, etc. Plus a Windows Live environment where you can browse files on the hard drive easily, add/remove startup stuff (on the host machine)

I remember working on this lady's computer that she had set up for her kids, her kids are grown and old but she couldn't remember the password to get past the OS loading (the second the OS loaded it would lock out and require a password. What I ended up doing was popping in the MRI disk and then I was able to locate the startup registry entry from the application and was able to manually remove it from the system (deleting registry information and files) then ran a cleanup (pretty much an embedded ccleaner)

Pretty much what I'm saying is M$ added the ability to do this with the WAIK and they document step by step on how to accomplish it. What I know is I'm going to create a boot disk with several tools so I just keep it updated