1.

Install PEBuilder
2.Copy your gi386 directory from your Windows XP Pro SP2 CD to a folder in the PE B
uilder directory called gBartPE h
3.Extract the PEtoUSB files to the PEBuilder folder
4.Run the PE to USB program and select gEnable Disk Format h, gQuick Format h, and gEna
ble File Copy h. For gSource Path h select the gBartPE h folder
5.REBOOT with USB flash drive and you will have a running Windows environment on
a stick! (enable usb boot in bios if needed)

This post of part of The Smorgasbord Tech Reviews series!

With all the people downgrading from Windows Vista to XP, I felt this was a pret
ty timely post. You can ft boot Windows XP from a floppy disc, but you can from a
CD Rom if you need to reinstall or make a repair. Burning CD fs is so passe anymor
e ? can ft you just boot Windows XP from a USB flash memory stick drive? Of course
you can ? if you know how!
What fs more ? you can use applications you fve installed on the flash drive as well
to fix any PC problems you may have.
First ? you fre going to need a program called PEBuilder ? download it here. The
PEBuilder Home page is here. PE Builder is gPre-Installed Environment Builder h ? b
asically think of it as a freeware way to build a gWindows h LiveCD (like Linux).
As the home page states it will give you:
?A complete Win32 environment with network support
?A GUI or graphical user interface (800 ~600)
?FAT/NTFS filesystem support
?You get the ability to:
?Do burn in testing with no installed OS
?Rescue files or boot a dead PC
?Perform Virus scan, remove trojans, fix problems, etc.
Microsoft already has a PE or Pre-Installed Environment utility ? BUT, it fs only
availble to big enterprise and OEM companies, AND it fs only command line (no GUI
). Ok, now that you have to tool to build a PE, you need to get another tool to
install that PE to a usb flash drive. So you need download PE to USB, a program
that was specifically designed to use PEBuilder and install that PE to a flash d
rive.
Now I fm going to show you how to get this done in 5 easy steps:
1.Install PEBuilder
2.Copy your gi386 directory from your Windows XP Pro SP2 CD to a folder in the PE B
uilder directory called gBartPE h
3.Extract the PEtoUSB files to the PEBuilder folder
4.Run the PE to USB program and select gEnable Disk Format h, gQuick Format h, and gEna
ble File Copy h. For gSource Path h select the gBartPE h folder
5.REBOOT with USB flash drive and you will have a running Windows environment on
a stick! (enable usb boot in bios if needed)
If you have something to add or a suggestion about building a Windows booting Fl
ash drive ? please, comment now!
Oh ? and if by some chance you need a geeky new USB flash drive ? then I can tel
l you some of the best deals are on eBay! Here are some usb flash memory drive a
uctions on eBay right now!