running windows programs in bartpe

[miniboss]

Bart pe is a very cool program, well done. I know that you can set up Bart pe to recognize USB devices. There are also programs out there that can turn a would be installed program, into a portable program, that just runs as an executable, no installation required. Now, I was thinking of booting with bart pe, but actually run the specific programs from the thumb drive, that could be used for defragging a HD, virus scanning and removal, but most importantly, for recovering data from a drive that's been partially formatted, or some other circumstance like that. I have a fantastic data recovery program, and was thinking of making it "Portable", and running it from my thumb drive, while in Bart pe. Is this theoretically possible? Can you run programs that would normally have to be installed in the Windows environment, in bart pe? A separate question, There is a portable version of VLC media player that seems to give me errors when I try to run it under bart pe, could someone possibly clue me in to as why? Thank you.

[pam123]

I would have to say no.
Given that Bart PE is a live cd, if you want to add another function you'd have to add it when you "build" the cd.
No competition allowed when it's running things.
It will "see" a usb stick and it will transfer files to one but that's it.

Bart PE will not support vlc.
Following the instructions on the web site either install vlc on a usb stick/drive or burn it to a cd on it's own.
It runs from within windows.

[glc]

If you like BartPE, take a look at UBCD4WIN - it's based on Bart and has all kinds of neat stuff.

[miniboss]

another question along the same lines. Would it be possible to install software to the thumbdrive, as long as the drive letter remains consistent, and create a plugin for bartpe, so the program will function? Thanks.

[pam123]

Can your computer boot from a usb drive?

[miniboss]

No., at best, from a cd.

[pam123]

Either build it into the cd when you create it, and make sure it's a program that does not need to run within windows, or forget it.
An idea for your next build though, get a motherboad that will allow you to boot from a usb drive.
That way you can use a 1 or 2 GB flash instead of a cd.

[miniboss]

Why not make a bootable DVD, I only have 2gb thumdrives, dvd will give me 4+ gigs. Why exactly, won't programs meant to run under windows, not run under bartpe since you need windows to build bart pe? Answering part of my question, it's got something to do with the DLL files, doesn't it? I apologize for my ignorance, I am a computer enthusiast, no formal education in this field, and I get some crazy ideas sometimes, and I wrack my brain trying to make them happen. I appreciate the advice from a person of your position(PAM123), thanks.

[glc]

For most programs to run, they have to be installed in Windows and they make registry entries. You can't write to a BartPE CD once it's built. You will be restricted to programs designed to be run standalone from thumb drives and programs that can be built into Bart with plugins.