Boot Litestep from USB and Windows PE 2.0 Thread last updated on 2008-02-29 09:33:39

Posted by member 28522 on 2008-02-26 12:54:53

I need some assistance.

I used to run Litestep ALONG time ago when I was on windows 95-windows 2k.

It's obviously changed alot since then so I'm struggling.

I have just finished creating a thumbdrive that boots Windows PE 2.0.

For those of you familiar with Windows PE 2.0 it doesn't run a shell and starts a command prompt that allows you to execute 32 bit applications.

It's limited in it doesn't have Explorer or Internet Explorer built in.

I've created the winpeshl.ini file that launches litestep as the shell.

[LaunchApp]
AppPath="%SystemDrive%\Program Files\LiteStep\litestep.exe"
[LaunchApps]
wpeinit

Has anyone gotten Litestep working with Windows PE? Are there any dll's I need to grab from the install.wim?

My goal is to get a bootable shell which I can use to deploy ghost images and do basic support.

I will only need a right click popup menu, shortcut bar and system tray.

On the shortcut bar I would have ghost, firefox, notepad, filezilla, and possibly two to three other apps.

Thanks for any advice or help provided.

Posted by member 31 on 2008-02-27 13:12:02 link

what fails when you try to do so?

Posted by member 28522 on 2008-02-27 13:36:15 link

I was a bit frustrated yesterday, but I think most of my problems were due to crap themes.

I had to disable a few modules because they just don't work on PE 2.0 with no explorer.

After working on this for about 4 hours I finally having a working start menu with the programs I need to run, a task bar, system tray and thats it.

I was primarily trying to feel out if anyone else had done this before, and if so what their experience was. All the documenation I've seen for using Windows PE and Litestep is in regards to VISTAPE which is a script/addon for Winbuilder and is already all pre-packaged.

Posted by member 1 on 2008-02-27 14:21:00 link

Someone had talked about running LS from a jump drive but never checked back.

What modules did you have a problem using?

Posted by member 28522 on 2008-02-27 14:46:52 link

I'm not in front of that computer right now but ..

The modules that poll system information were a little flaky, especially cpu/memory related stuff or just failed to display any information.

The Calendar would not display.

The desktop mod I turned off because none of the explorer links would work.

The popup menu I had to remove most links that were explorer related.

I know there were a few other quirks but I can't remember since I've pulled them out of the install already.

If you need exact module names I can research when I have free time later on.

Might be good to have a process of what to expect for other users who try to use Litestep on Windows Preproduction Enviroment.

My current issue at hand is to inject video drivers for all the different peices of hardware we use at our company. Resolution is 640 x 480 now and the fonts look like crap :(

Posted by member 1 on 2008-02-27 20:30:15 link

System info I can understand to a point...but not because of explorer...mbm might not be there.

"Desktop mod" would depend on windows file locations...which you probably wouldn't have.

The popup is again looking for windows file locations that probably don't exist.

As for your display problem...good luck with that. 640x480x16 sux

Posted by member 28522 on 2008-02-28 09:42:20 link

I injected the latest nvidia and ati drivers into the install.

I then found a program named Multi-res which I added to the startup ini. It allows me to set resolution via a command switch. WOOT!

Everything works great now except for one issue which I'm going to work on today. The text on the taskbar such as clock and tasks is small and blurry/blocky looking. I'm new to Litestep again but I think it must be something to do with the label mod. I'm sure this will be something simple compared to everything else :)

Posted by member 31 on 2008-02-28 12:55:45 link

perhaps missing a font?

Posted by member 1 on 2008-02-28 20:37:38 link

I second the motion.

Posted by member 28522 on 2008-02-29 09:33:39 link

I increased the size substantially and it looks better but I think it was due to a missing font. I need to figure out where it looks for the font , path wise, because I tried changing it to "Arial" or "Tahoma" but it didn't change.

I don't wan't to waste any more of your guys time, as I can find that out I'm sure in the xlabel docs.

Thanks again for your suggestions, and support :)

The funny thing is, I think I remember both of your names from when I was using litestep around 8-10 years ago.