VistaPE
Common API
Contents
Overview
VistaPE-CAPI is built to be a simple and
flexible tool for System Administrators and advanced users. VistaPE
can be loaded on a regular or crashed system. It allows the user to
get full access to all disks in order to restore data, check for
viruses, fix system boot problems, or transfer data over via network and the Internet.
This project is meant
to be a universal tool with the flexibility to grow with your needs.
VistaPE-CAPI is created as a project
(set of scripts) for WinBuilder.
You are free to customize it in any way you want. All you need for this
project is a licenced copy of Microsoft Windows Vista
(any edition) or the free download of the Windows
Automated Installation Kit (WAIK). This version is an updated version
of the original Nightman VistaPE updated to work with the common API. It is also
actively developed where as the original Nighman version has not been updated
since late 2008.
Main Functionality
- support for a big number
of SATA/RAID/SCSI/NIC drivers
- capable to read and write on NTFS/FAT32/FAT partitions
- full support for
networking
- automatic definition of
hardware devices
- booting from WIM images
- booting from
CD/HDD/UFD/Network
- compatibility with
Microsoft Windows Vista
- no uptime and starting
processes limits
Compatibility
- For the build source you will need a Microsoft Windows Vista DVD or installed Windows
Automated Installation Kit
(WAIK) to create a working VistaPE. To make things convenient and let
WinBuilder it's recommended that you to copy the content of the DVD
disk to
the hard drive. You can create only basic builds with WAIK, it does not include Windows explorer.
- An installed copy of the Windows
Automated Installation Kit
(WAIK) is required to provide the tools for mounting and creating WIM files
and to inject additional drivers.
- VistaPE requires at least 256Mb of RAM (though we
recommend 512Mb)
- About 2Gb of free space on hard disk will be needed during the
creating process.
- This project only runs from NTFS partitions to allow handling WIM images.
Usage
Important
building steps
- Download the VistaPE-CAPI project. This is done by adding the
vistape.winbuilder.net to the available servers on the winbuilder
download page.
- Open the second tab in WinBuilder marked "Source" and browse
to the folder containing the Windows Vista or WAIK files (Source directory).
- If the WAIK is not installed to the default location then select the
Base \ Preconfig script and update the the path to the installed WAIK. Note
even if the WAIK was selected in the previous step this is still necessary
if the WAIK is not installed to the default location.
- Click on the "Play" button to start Building "VistaPE-CAPI".
More detailed information about this project and its internal functions can be
found on this page: How
it works?.
Note about virtual computers
For better
results it is recommended to use the free
VMware
Player /
VMWare
workstation, Sun VirtualBox,
Microsoft VirtualPC
or test VistaPE builds on a real computer.
Bugs
VistaPE-CAPI needs to mount WIM files with write permission. This is
only possible running this winbuilder project from an NTFS partition.
Some users also reported success after using a shorter pathname for
their winbuilder folder, such as C:\WinBuilder or C:\VistaPE.
Eliminating spaces from folder paths may also assist in debugging.
FAQ
Q: How to start networking
support?
A:
"Wpeinit.exe" is used to find the network adapter and start networking
support. If a network adapter is found, networking support will start
automatically.
Q: How to configure a static IP
address?
A: You can configure network settings
with the latest PENetCfg
Q: VistaPE doesn't load using Qemu.
A: It is not possible to load
VistaPE using Qemu at the moment.
Q: Error loading winload.exe
A: This error is most probably induced
by mistakes in building process. Check for errors while running
WinBuilder in the log.
If you still have any questions, you are welcome to search for answers in our
Forum.