Pre-installation Environments provides a base for a number of useful
tools and abilities. It can assist hardware troubleshooting and problem
isolation by allowing you to boot a clean and an almost fully
operational OS and testing most hardware/software from a clean/stable
environment.
- You can test things that you otherwise would not test on the
Living OS of the machine. You can use registry editing tools to
troubleshoot problems with the startup keys. You can backup/retrieve
information safely to other storage mediums in case the primary native
OS of the machine is corrupted and no longer boots.
- You can ghost images to/from the machine. You can web browse
safely without fear of corrupting the primary machine’s OS.
- You can reset user passwords/create administrators.
- You can run memory tests/wipe disks and perform many other
diagnostics.
- You can use System Restore to go back to working restore points.
b. Prerequisites
This guide assumes a few things; that the reader is comfortable with:
- using computers
- using/installing Windows operating systems
- using general file/explorer tools (particularly file path
management)
- installing other software programs.
- editing text/script files.
Also that:
- there is a stable internet connection.
- there is an available Windows XP Pro or Vista
Business/Enterprise/Ultimate OS media to build from.
Note: There are rules for PE as
defined by Microsoft. This guide assumes the user is following them. In
particular, in no way are PE’s designed or intended or allowed to
be run as the main primary OS. They are to be limited to a 72-hour
run-time. (it self reboots automatically)