Winbuilder update on USB External links Options

[klausf]

Hi all,
I was wondering if it were possible to make an udateable version af winbuilder on a USB stick.
That way it is possible to update antivirus & -spyware definitions.

Or maybe to make a absolute minimal version that has the ability to install programs in it.

Opnions ??

/klausf

[amalux]

Hi klausf, welcome

Updatable PE's are generally not possible due to changes saved in RAM (lost at reboot) or non-writable boot media etc. There is (partially) a way around this but requires a different setup described here under 'Adding Portable Apps to LiveXP!' section. The name is somewhat misleading but I havn't been able to come up with a better one; you can use a type of 'portable' applications but this is optional. The main advantage is the ability to save virtually any changes to your PE (in this case LiveXP), including program updates, virus definitions, configuration changes etc. between sessions. Changes and updates made in PE are there, exactly as you left them next time you boot up! Take a look and see if this is what you're looking for, I'll be happy to answer any questions relating to setup

[MedEvil]

Amalux, if he doesn't use any kind of Ramboot, only registry settings would get lost after reboot. Downloaded files, like virus definitions, would stick.

[amalux]

Amalux, if he doesn't use any kind of Ramboot, only registry settings would get lost after reboot. Downloaded files, like virus definitions, would stick.

Can you explain a bit more how you set this up, save files on boot media (only usb/ufd/hdd I assume) or separate location? Limited to fixed location of stored files or show AV programs new location at each boot?

[MedEvil]

The setup is just like for a general CD. All the files are put plain on the USB drive. This way it is possible to add or change files from within a booted PE.

In theory it is also possible to save registry changes.
Though this amounts more to registry recreating.
One would need to export the hives in question from the running registry.
Fix the paths by a replace command.
Mount the hives on the stick, and import the previously, exported and changed hives to them.
Unmount the hives.

Default and Software could be saved without making the Stick machine dependant.
Changing syssetup.hiv may make the stick machine dependant or even prevent it completely from booting.

[amalux]

The setup is just like for a general CD. All the files are put plain on the USB drive. This way it is possible to add or change files from within a booted PE.

My experience has been that most (all) AV programs don't let you 'browse' to updated definition files. Are you talking about manually copying the files into the PE program folder? This isn't user friendly, most people wouldn't know where to get the files let alone how to process them.

One option is to setup batch updaters which update and then run the programs.


but there's no substitute for having them all ready to go from your PE Start menu

[MedEvil]

No you misunderstood Amalux.
One does install the Anti-Virus program into the PE by script, just like any other program.
Then one does boot into the PE-Bootstick connects to the i-net and updates the virus definitions from inside the anti-virus-program, just like it is done on a regular Windows.
This will update the PE itself, not the script or the Winbuilder environment. The next build will again sport the old definitions.

[amalux]

No you misunderstood Amalux.

Did I?

Amalux, if he doesn't use any kind of Ramboot, only registry settings would get lost after reboot. Downloaded files, like virus definitions, would stick.

This will update the PE itself, not the script or the Winbuilder environment. The next build will again sport the old definitions.

You cancel out your first statement with your last

[MedEvil]

You cancel out your first statement with your last

No i don't.
Read carefully.

This will update the PE itself, not the script or the Winbuilder environment. The next build will again sport the old definitions.

The next BUILD not the next BOOT.

The next build done with winbuilder, will create again a PE with the definitions which are in the script.
But the PE on the stick, which was updated, will stay updated!

[amalux]

No i don't.
Read carefully.

The next BUILD not the next BOOT.

The next build done with winbuilder, will create again a PE with the definitions which are in the script.
But the PE on the stick, which was updated, will stay updated!

Right, I assumed you meant the next boot; otherwise it's a meaningless statement in regard to this discussion. So I'm back to the original question, You stated that AV updates could be saved between boots in PE.

Amalux, if he doesn't use any kind of Ramboot, only registry settings would get lost after reboot. Downloaded files, like virus definitions, would stick.

The obvious implication is that these updated programs would be available (without having to update again) next boot. Is this the case? if so, please provide example of this setup.