Bootable USB Flash drive using PEBuilder

September 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Your motherboard/computer will need to support such options and also note that this may not work with ALL usb drives or memory cards.

We will be using PE Builder, HP’s USB Drive format tool, and Windows Server 2003 SP1 to do this. Lets get geeking.

First things first; we need to get our ingredients/applications.

-PE Builder
http://www.nu2.nu/download.php?sFile=pebuilder3110a.exe

-Windows Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=22cfc239-337c-4d81-8354-72593b1c1f43&DisplayLang=en

-HP USB Format utility
http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197 (finding link on HP site is impossible).

1. Install PEBuilder. Make a note of where you install it since we will be hanging out there a lot.

2. Download the Windows Server 2003 SP1 update. We will not be running this update but extracting 2 files from it.

If you have Winzip installed, you can just right-click on the .exe file, and choose to Extract to Folder. Once you have the update files extracted, go to the i386 folder and copy the file: setupldr.bin to the pebuilder folder\srsp1 (you will need to create the srsp1 folder in the pe builder folder, usually C:\pebuilder3110a\ )

To get the second file, we will need to bust out some command prompt and the expand command.

First, lets make this easier and copy ramdisk.sy_ to the srsp1 folder we just created and has the setupldr.bin file in (ie c:\pebuilder3110a\srsp1\ramdisk.sy_

Open up command prompt and change directory to c: by typing: cd\

then type: cd pebuilder3110a
type: cd srsp1
and finally type: expand -r ramdisk.sy_ ramdisk.sys

this will expand the file to the srsp1 folder. you may get an error in the command prompt, you can ignore that since it still will expand the file.

You can now delete the windows server 2003 sp1 folder that we extracted the .exe to. we only needed the two files from the whole SP1

3. Download the HP USB Format utility. You will not need to install it since its just an executable file that runs.

4. Connect your USB Drive or insert your memory card, i’ll use my 1GB SD card (since i have a pc that has a USB Memory card reader and my pc can boot to USB devices).

5. Run the HP’s USB utility. Hopefully your device shows up in the drop down, mine shows up as Z: (along w/my other memory card reader types).

Change the File System to FAT and give it a label and click Start.

Do a yes to the warning and let it format. It shouldn’t take too long and will show a results screen when done.

Click OK and then click on Close to exit the utility.

This utility basically will format the usb drive or memory card and also make the partition active (which seems to be key to getting it bootable and to work w/PEBuilder).

6. Open up PE Builder. It may ask to search for windows installation files, for now choose No.

7. Next, we will need to setup PE Builder to find our Windows XP source files. The easiest thing to do is just insert your Windows XP Setup CD and copy the i386 folder to your harddrive. I have all of my OS copied to my harddrive for backup and to run installs from.

Once you have the i386 folder copied, in PE Bulider click on the … button under Source and browse to the folder where you copied the i386 folder.

Leave the Output as is: BartPE

Then under Media Output, also leave that at None.

Finally, you can now configure any plugins you may want to add such as Adaware, Ghost8, Nero Burn, etc. This is nice for making diagnostic/fix boot discs.

Once your done, just click the Build button. This will now create the iso file we will use to make the USB Driver or memory card bootable w/the BartPE os.

8. Finally, we will need to open up command prompt again.

Type: cd\ to get to the root of the c drive.

then change directory to the pebuilder folder, ie cd pebuilder3110a

finally, type: pe2usb z:

where z: is the drive letter of my usb drive or memory card.

let it finish and now try out your bootable usb drive / memory card. remember to set your bios to boot from usb-fdd if possible or usb-hdd (which ever your usb drive shows as).

Again, this may or may not work with your usb drive/memory card depending on the card/drive and your motherboard and how it boots.

here is a link to the Help manual for PEBuilder at bart’s PE site
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/help/

also forum board for discussions:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=10806&st=1

–you can also format your usb drive using this command when you in the pebuilder folder:

c:\pebuilder3110a\pe2usb -f z:

the -f flag will tell the batch file to format the drive; this did not work for my Sandisk Cruzer USB Drive but the HP USB Utility did. I was able to boot it on a Dell C640 and X300 so far.

Posted by | Filed Under Windows, Networking, Troubleshooting

Easy arithmetic tricks

September 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

1. The 11 Times Trick

We all know the trick when multiplying by ten - add 0 to the end of the number, but did you know there is an equally easy trick for multiplying a two digit number by 11? This is it:

Take the original number and imagine a space between the two digits (in this example we will use 52:

5_2

Now add the two numbers together and put them in the middle:

5_(5+2)_2

That is it - you have the answer: 572.

If the numbers in the middle add up to a 2 digit number, just insert the second number and add 1 to the first:

9_(9+9)_9

(9+1)_8_9

10_8_9

1089 - It works every time.

2. Quick Square

If you need to square a 2 digit number ending in 5, you can do so very easily with this trick. Mulitply the first digit by itself + 1, and put 25 on the end. That is all!

252 = (2x(2+1)) & 25

2 x 3 = 6

625

3. Multiply by 5

Most people memorize the 5 times tables very easily, but when you get in to larger numbers it gets more complex - or does it? This trick is super easy.

Take any number, then divide it by 2 (in other words, halve the number). If the result is whole, add a 0 at the end. If it is not, ignore the remainder and add a 5 at the end. It works everytime:

2682 x 5 = (2682 / 2) & 5 or 0

2682 / 2 = 1341 (whole number so add 0)

13410

Let’s try another:

5887 x 5

2943.5 (fractional number (ignore remainder, add 5)

29435

4. Multiply by 9

This one is simple - to multiple any number between 1 and 9 by 9 hold both hands in front of your face - drop the finger that corresponds to the number you are multiplying (for example 9×3 - drop your third finger)

- count the fingers before the dropped finger (in the case of 9×3 it is 2) then count the numbers after (in this case 7) - the answer is 27.

5. Multiply by 4

This is a very simple trick which may appear obvious to some, but to others it is not. The trick is to simply multiply by two, then multiply by two again:

58 x 4 = (58 x 2) + (58 x 2) = (116) + (116) = 232

6. Calculate a Tip

If you need to leave a 15% tip, here is the easy way to do it. Work out 10% (divide the number by 10) - then add that number to half its value and you have your answer:

15% of $25 = (10% of 25) + ((10% of 25) / 2)

$2.50 + $1.25 = $3.75

7. Tough Multiplication

If you have a large number to multiply and one of the numbers is even, you can easily subdivide to get to the answer:

   32 x 125, is the same as:
   16 x 250 is the same as:
   8 x 500 is the same as:
   4 x 1000 = 4,000

8. Dividing by 5

Dividing a large number by five is actually very simple. All you do is multiply by 2 and move the decimal point:

195 / 5

Step1: 195 * 2 = 390
Step2: Move the decimal: 39.0 or just 39

2978 / 5

Step 1: 2978 * 2 = 5956
Step2: 595.6

9. Subtracting from 1,000

To subtract a large number from 1,000 you can use this basic rule: subtract all but the last number from 9, then subtract the last number from 10:

1000
-648

   Step1: subtract 6 from 9 = 3
   Step2: subtract 4 from 9 = 5
   Step3: subtract 8 from 10 = 2

answer: 352

10. Assorted Multiplication Rules

     Multiply by 5: Multiply by 10 and divide by 2.
     Multiply by 6: Sometimes multiplying by 3 and then 2 is easy.
     Multiply by 9: Multiply by 10 and subtract the original number.
     Multiply by 12: Multiply by 10 and add twice the original number.
     Multiply by 13: Multiply by 3 and add 10 times original number.
     Multiply by 14: Multiply by 7 and then multiply by 2
     Multiply by 15: Multiply by 10 and add 5 times the original number, as above.
     Multiply by 16: You can double four times, if you want to. Or you can multiply by 8 and then by 2.
     Multiply by 17: Multiply by 7 and add 10 times original number.
     Multiply by 18: Multiply by 20 and subtract twice the original number (which is obvious from the first step).
     Multiply by 19: Multiply by 20 and subtract the original number.
     Multiply by 24: Multiply by 8 and then multiply by 3.
     Multiply by 27: Multiply by 30 and subtract 3 times the original number (which is obvious from the first step).
     Multiply by 45: Multiply by 50 and subtract 5 times the original number (which is obvious from the first step).
     Multiply by 90: Multiply by 9 (as above) and put a zero on the right.
     Multiply by 98: Multiply by 100 and subtract twice the original number.
     Multiply by 99: Multiply by 100 and subtract the original number.

Bonus: Percentages

Find 7 % of 300. Sound Difficult?

Percents: First of all you need to understand the word “Percent.” The first part is PER , as in 10 tricks per listverse page. PER = FOR EACH.

The second part of the word is CENT, as in 100. Like Century = 100 years. 100 CENTS in 1 dollar… etc. Ok… so PERCENT = For Each 100.

    So, it follows that 7 PERCENT of 100, is 7. (7 for each hundred, of only 1 hundred).
    8 % of 100 = 8. 35.73% of 100 = 35.73
    But how is that useful??

Back to the 7% of 300 question. 7% of the first hundred is 7. 7% of 2nd hundred is also 7, and yep, 7% of the 3rd hundred is also 7. So 7+7+7 = 21.

If 8 % of 100 is 8, it follows that 8% of 50 is half of 8 , or 4.

Break down every number that’s asked into questions of 100, if the number is less then 100, then move the decimal point accordingly.

    EXAMPLES:
    8%200 = ? 8 + 8 = 16.
    8%250 = ? 8 + 8 + 4 = 20.
    8%25 = 2.0 (Moving the decimal back).
    15%300 = 15+15+15 =45.
    15%350 = 15+15+15+7.5 = 52.5

Also it’s usefull to know that you can always flip percents, like 3% of 100 is the same as 100% of 3.

35% of 8 is the same as 8% of 35

Posted by | Filed Under Algorithms

Run OSX on a VM

September 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Ever wanted to try out the famous Mac OS X operating system for yourself without getting a mac? Now you can, by using the x86 emulation software VMware Workstation

and to make it better, on a PC running Windows!

Ever since Apple made the move to Intel processors, hackers have been trying hard to modify the x86 version of OS X to run on a PC. And, of course, they have indeed succeded in doing it. Various hackers have released hacked ISO torrents that can be installed on PCs. However, this violates the Apple EULA agreement and there are legal issues with using the ISOs. The legal ways to obtain a copy would be:

1) Become an Apple Developer

2) Buy a real mac, deactivate the copy of OS X and install it on a PC (this way would be pointless because the whole point is to run OS X without getting a mac). This way also somewhat violates the EULA because the agreement says that you can’t run OS X on non-Apple hardware.

Its best to get a legal copy of the ISO because then you can install the software without worry about malicious software or about the software phoning home.

With that said, lets begin.

System Requirements:

Processor supporting SSE2 or SSE3 instructions (Use CPU-Z for Windows to check)
Windows 2000 or higher/Linux (Mandrake, SUSE, or Red Hat)
512MB of RAM (strongly recommended)
6GB minimum hard drive space
8MB of VRAM
DVD-RW drive if you are burning the ISO

Software Requirements:

VMware Server (Free) or VMware Workstation 5 (commercial, recommended) or higher. VMware 6 is recommended.

Note: VMware ACE Editions apparently do not work with networking in Mac OS X.
Mac OS x86 ISO in this guide the “JaS Mac OS X 10.4.8 Intel/AMD SSE2 SSE3 PPF1+PPF2″ ISO will be used. Mac specific DVDs cannot be used.
Burning software to burn the ISO to DVD (optional, recommended)
Blank 4.7GB DVD+R/DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW disc (if you are burning)
Daemon Tools or Virtual Clone Drive (if you are not burning the ISO)

Step 1: Install software

Install all the software that is required. VMware is mandatory. If you are going to burn the ISO file to a DVD (recommended), you will need burning software such as NTI CD/DVD Maker or Nero Burning ROM. If you aren’t going to burn the disc, then you will need drive emulation software such as Daemon Tools or Virtual Clone Drive.

Step 2a: Burn the ISO (if you are burning)

Use your favourite burning software to burn the ISO image to DVD. Insert the bruned DVD into your optical drive.

Step 2b: Mount the image (if you are not burning)

Mount the OS x86 DVD ISO file in Daemon Tools or Virtual Clone Drive (You can use Alcohol 120% if you want). You cannot mount the ISO directly in VMware because VMware cannot properly read HFS+ images (thats the format the Mac OS ISO is in)

Step 3: Configure VMware

Note: In this guide, VMware Workstation 6 will be used. VMware Server or Workstation 5 can be used, but Workstation 6 is strongly recommended.

Launch VMware
On the home page, click “Create new virtual machine” to bring up the dialog below:

Click “Next”

Make sure “Typical” is chosen and click Next

Choose Other as the Guest OS and choose Other for the version. Click Next
Note: There are several Guest OSes that you can choose for Mac OS X. The best are:

- Other , Other

- Linux , Other Linux

- Other , FreeBSD

Give the machine a name. Click Next
Speed-up tip: Store the virtual machine in a partition or hard disk that is separate from the current partition/hard disk that you are currently using. This will make the virtual machine somewhat faster.

Click “Use network address translation (NAT)” if you are using a official legal copy of OS x86 or “Use host-only networking” if you are using a hacked ISO image (for test purposes, of course :) to prevent Mac OS X from registering itself during installation

Choose a disk size (6GB is minimum). If you choose 6GB, you will have 1.5GB of space left after installation for your own programs. Any size is OK as long as you have the hard drive space. Check the “Allocate all disk space now” checkbox (not necessary, but it improves speed). Choose “Split disk into 2GB files” if you are putting the virtual machine on a FAT32 partition. Click Finish and wait till the virtual disk is created.

Click VM >> Settings

Click on “Floppy” and click Remove (You don’t need floppies for OS X)
Click on “Memory” and on the right, adjust the memory amount to about half your actual system memory.

Click “CD-ROM (IDE 1…” and on the right, select your virtual image drive/physical drive from the drop-down menu. Click OK to return back to Home. Close VMware Workstation or Server.
If you wish, you can click “Add” to add a USB Controller (not tested)

Step 4: Edit VMware config file

Navigate to the folder where you placed your virtual machine
Open the “VMware Configuration File” with Notepad
Add the line: paevm=”TRUE” to the end of the file
Note: For networking in 10.4.8, add the line ethernet0.virtualDev=”e1000″ to the file
Note: Sometimes, the line scsi0.present=TRUE won’t work. Change it to scsi0.present=”FALSE”. However, on the test machine, this was not required.
Speed-up tip: set the guestOS line to guestOS =”darwin”
Save the file. The end result should look somewhat like this:

Note: If you make any changes to the virtual machine in the VMware interface after editing the file, all changes will be lost

Step 5: Configure VM BIOS

This is not exactly necessary, but it will make the VM a lot faster

Go back into VMware and click the green triangle to start your machine
Quickly click inside the VM window (this lets you control the VM)
Quickly tap F2 to enter the BIOS

Use the keyboard and Disable “Legacy Diskette A:”
Go into the Advanced tab >> I/O Device Configuration

Disable all Serial ports, Parallel ports, and Floppy Disk controllers
Press F10 to save and exit. The machine will reboot.

Step 6: Partition/Format the hard drive

If you have mounted the ISO/inserted the DVD, the machine should boot to the DVD. It prompts you to press any key to continue Mac OS X installation. Click inside the screen and press a key to start the installer
Note: If you are using a JaS 10.4.8 image without PPF1, the image will not boot in VMware.
After a long log/script of commands, the friendly installer screen will come up telling you to choose a language. Choose a language and click the Arrow to Continue
The DVD will prepare the installer and the main screen will come up
In the Utilities menu, choose Disk Utility
In Disk Utility, choose your VMware hard drive from the left. In the main area, click the Partition tab
Set the “Volume Scheme” to one partition
Give the partition a name
Make sure the format is set to “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)”
Make sure all the hard drive space is used
Click Partition, Partition

Once the process is done, click the red X button to close Disk Utility and relaunch the installer
Note: If you are using a JaS 10.4.8 image that is not patched with PPF2, the new partition will not be usable. Get a new image OR use a previous version image (10.4.7, etc.) to partition.
At the main installer screen, click ‘Continue’
Choose your newly formatted virtual HD and click Continue again

This part is a bit tricky:
The Printer Drivers and the Hardware support are useless. You can install the Language Translations and Additional Fonts if you use a language other than English. You can install X11 if you want to (It lets you run Linux packages). Finally, choose the patch that is right for your CPU (AMD or Intel). Choose everything you need and click Install
Wait for the installation to complete
At the end, the virtual machine will restart
Note: If you get a Kernel stack error in VMware after installation, ignore it and click OK
After the machine restarts, if all goes well, Mac OS X should boot!
Here’s a screenshot to prove it:

Speed-up tip - After installation, go to System\Library\Extensions and delete AppleTPMACPI.kext if it exists\
Speed-up tip - Disable Dock Magnification

END OF INSTRUCTIONS

Notes:

Press Ctrl + Alt to toggle between host and guest OS
VMware Tools is currently not available for OS X so you cannot run the VM at high resolutions. Some hackers are working on a way to use the Linux VMware Tools image to install it on OS X
The processor speed is equivalent to that of a low end G3
The VM is usable, and more responsive than PearPC

Posted by | Filed Under Hacks

Upgrading firmware of your router

September 15, 2007 | Leave a Comment

If you are using a router in your home network it is very important to keep your firmware updated. Firmware is software which is embedded into your router’s hardware. Since a majority of people own Linksys wired or wireless routers, I will show the steps on Linksys WRT54GS. Depending upon the brand of router you own the steps will vary but the process is basically the same.

Before proceeding your going to want to determine what version of firmware you are running and then go to the manufacturers website and download the latest version available. Store the new firmware update in an easy to access location on your hard drive.

First you need to log into your router. Open a web browser and type in 192.168.1.1 and hit enter. You will need to enter in your user name and password. Which brings up another great point, change the default password on your router otherwise a hacker will have a field day with your network.

Now that you are in your Linksys Router you will be able to see which Firmware Version you are running. Choose the Administration tab. In the Administration section you can change the password for your router. You can also see the Firmware Upgrade sub menu. Click on this for the firmware upgrade.

In this window just browse to the location where you stored the new version of the firmware then click the Upgrade button.

That’s it! Your done! Upgrading the firmware adds additional stability, features and security to the router.

Posted by | Filed Under Networking, Troubleshooting

Bootable USB Flash drive using PEBuilder

Easy arithmetic tricks

Run OSX on a VM

Upgrading firmware of your router

Recently Written

Categories

Archives

My Geeky wishlist!

Blogroll

Things you may need