Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2 (December 14, 2005)

Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity

mikefos [msft] (Moderator):
Welcome to today’s private MVP chat. Our chat today covers the topic of Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2! We are pleased to welcome our Experts for today’s chat. I will have them introduce themselves now.

Introduction:

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Hi! I'm Lynda Allen- Test Engineer on XP Embedded. I focus mostly on component integration.

Andy_MS (Expert):
I'm Andy Allred, Test Manager for the Windows Embedded team.

mikehall_ms (Moderator):
Hi, I'm Mike Hall, a technical product manager in the Mobile and Embedded devices group - focusing on Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded.

Nick_MSFT (Expert):
Hola - I'm Nick Nehrhood, a Test Engineer on the Windows XPe team. My primary focus has been Componentization for Windows XP Embedded.

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Hello everyone. I'm Matt Kellner, a Software Test Engineer for the Embedded Team. I specialize mainly in EEFs, including El Torito and EWF implementations.

mikefos [msft] (Moderator):
Let’s begin the chat!

Start of chat:

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Is there any way to have the Administrator account be named something else via Target Designer ?
A: You can add a user account that has administrator privileges and name it whatever you would like. You set the privileges through the Advanced properties of the User Account

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Is there any plan to fix EWF-RAM-REG "commitanddisable live" problem ?
A: Which issue are you referring to with "live"?

Andy_MS (Expert):
Q: I'd like to know when the CMI Explorer tool will be supported. I need to automate my component import and image builds for our Software Configuration Management team and I've got problems with the tool. I've had to change the script and now am having a problem where it hangs the Windows XP Pro GUI so hard that I have to power off and reboot my system.
A: Hi Larry, the goal is to expand cmi explorer and officially support it in the XPe feature pack. I'm curious about the issues you're having with it though and how this tool compares to TD on the same machine with same configuration.

mikehall_ms (Moderator):
Q: Why do I get the flashlight icon every time I click on My Computer it take forever to show my files.
A: Is this a Windows XP Embedded question, or a desktop question ?

Andy_MS (Expert):
Q: Why do I get the flashlight icon every time I click on My Computer it take forever to show my files.
A: It may be a missing dependency in the configuration, did you disable any Shell related components in your config?

mikehall_ms (Moderator):
Q: Desktop.
A: This is a Windows XP Embedded chat - can I ask that you ask this question over on the Windows XP Desktop newsgroups/forums.

mikefos [msft] (Moderator):
Q: Desktop.
A: This might help also: Windows ExpertZone: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/default.mspx

Nick_MSFT (Expert):
Q: I have two gigabyte 6600 gt pro-sli video cards and I want to know how to make two LCD monitors work at the same time.
A: Both video cards should work like normal; however, both monitors *ARE NOT* configurable from Target Designer. More over - You'll need to componentize the latest nVidia video drivers to enable SLi as the drivers provided by Microsoft do not have an awareness of SLi. (Since it's a newer technology). As a recommendation - I would check out https://www.xpefiles.com to see if someone already has componentized a driver set which will enable your scenario. (to help save you time)

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: I have been unable to install the 12/13 critical updates.
A: Is this on XP Embedded? We haven't yet released any updates for XPE - they're in the pipeline right now. If this regarding testing the updates on an XPE runtime, can you tell us what the error is? If this is on an XP Pro or Home workstation, we're not the people who can help.

Andy_MS (Expert):
Q: Until I spent quite a bit of time and got a change to the script it wouldn't import if registry files already existed; this is unlike the GUI tool which does.
A: Larry, this issue with the "registry files", I'm not sure I understand. If this is a different bug, can you send us that in a report as well for investigation? Thank you!

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: When I log in to my target locally as Administrator and look at the Documents and Settings folder, there are two entries: Administrator and All Users. If I log off locally and log back in over Remote Desktop as Administrator, there are now MORE COMING. three entries: Administrator, All Users and Default User. Now I log off, and log back in locally as Administrator and see three entries under Documents and Settings: Administrator, Administrator. ComputerName, and All Users. Desktop changes too (no Clock)
A: Are you logging in under a domain, or verifying credentials in a domain? The symptoms you describe are in line with a machine that has been part of a workgroup, then changed to a domain member - local user names are decorated with the computer name, sometimes domain user names are decorated with the domain name.

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Is there a way to monitor CPU utilization for various threads running in the system? Can I use Task Manager? What component should I include for this? My image is built with command shell.
A: There is a Task Manager component.

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: I have been trying to keep up with the list of QFE's installed in my Component Database. Is there an easy way to generate a list of all QFE's that have been installed to check against the current list of outstanding QFE's?
A: You can see the list of installed QFEs through Component Database Manager - examine the Packages list for all items that begin with "SP1 QFE" or "Security Update" (all SP2 updates should be labeled "Security Update").

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: More on Q[15] - no, I'm not on a domain with the "two Administrators" issue I reported.
A: Hmmm... This can also show up on a Pro system when you reinstall over the top of an existing install. This can indicate that something hasn't finished in FBA, or something is i the Run or RunOnce list and not being removed or acting properly. Are there any FBA errors?

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: More on Q[10] - if I create another user with Admin privileges as you suggested, can I delete the Administrator account ?
A: No. The Administrator account is a built-in account and cannot safely be removed from the system.

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: Many issues regarding microsoft update failures and the fix ranges from cryptologic to remove T.V. - Seems like we need a fix that will analyze it
A: Can you fill in a little backstory on this? Microsoft Update does not support XPE runtimes, so errors will be normal and not anything we can resolve.

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Is there a way to monitor CPU utilization for various threads running in the system? Can I use Task Manager? What component should I include for this? My image is built with command shell.
A: There is also the tasklist.exe utility that is included in the Server Command Line Toold component.

Andy_MS (Expert):
Q: Sorry, I meant CMI problem with 'repository' files :-)
A: OK, gotcha. Believe it or not, we're getting much more feedback from you on this utility than everyone else combined *grin* . I'm targeting to release updates to the tool outside of the feature pack rollups so that we can get it into your hands sooner.

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Does XPe SP2 support boot from USB devices? If so, which ones?
A: SP2 does provide support for USB 2.0. Your BIOS would also have to support booting from USB. THere are a number of partners, like M-Sytems, who have developed bootable USB keys.

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: The EWF "commitanddisable live" can take a long time. I opened a support case about it - SRX051114606222. It was also mentioned on an experts chat in Dec. 04 ( https://msdn.microsoft.com/chats/transcripts/mobileembedded/embedded_120104.aspx).
A: The bug that was opened for this support case was updated today. It is on our radar for fixing for the next XPe product release, but I do not have a timeframe on when that will be.

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: Sorry. Hi all, Are there any plans to better block access to windows update. I understand that it is not supported and why. Since this is the case it should absolutely not be possible to get to windows update at all...
A: I can't speak for future plans, but since WSUS uses the same mechanism for delivering updates, disabling it probably won't be possible.

Andy_MS (Expert):
Q: Also, are there any plans to fix issues with the post-reseal fba phases, which do not apparently work...
A: Can you send us specific bug reports on the issues you're concerned with so we can prioritize appropriately? https://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/community/community/feedback/feedxp

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: More on Q[10] and Q[28] - so if I only want one Admin account and I don't want it named Administrator, my only option is to rename it manually after FBA and before resealing ?
A: That's right - the Administrator account is required as part of the OS, but I believe it is possible to rename it. Do a search on MSDN for more information on renaming the Administrator account.

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: More on Q[15] and Q[26] - no FBA errors that I'm aware of
A: Well, then, you've exhausted my knowledge on the subject. Is this 100% repeatable? How often do you see this on your runtimes?

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: Do we need to sign a license agreement to purchase XPe toolkit or is the agreement required when we are ready with our product and need to acquire the runtime licenses?
A: The toolset has it's own EULA, similar to any other MS development or productivity piece of software. To distribute runtimes, there is a separate EULA, as well as one you will craft for your end-users.

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: More on Q[15,26,32] - it's 100% repeatable. the thing that originally got my attention was the Clock disappearing from the system tray and Control Panel no longer expanding. sorry, I forgot to click Ask the Experts the first time.
A: Hi JMP. Let's take this offline - I'd like to see if I can repro your issue.

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Is a PXE server available for Windows XPE. I would like to have a single computer without a harddrive boot off the other PC, with a hardrive and PXE server.
A: Yes. This functionality is provided by the Remote Boot Server, which supports PXE boot scenarios. The Remote Boot Server is an optional component provided in the XPE Toolkit.

Jon_MS (Expert):
Q: the "remote boot server", is only for debugging and building. I want a PXE server to be a permanent product part of the XPE image.
A: XP Embedded is not a server OS, and therefore cannot be used to serve PXE images. Remote Boot requires a separate server to host the XPE image files, and provide PXE, TFTP, and DHCP services.

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: So how do I share the harddrive, without a remote server, which has PXE, TFTP, and DHCP services.
A: I believe you would need to find a third-party solution for this at this point. If your boot scenario requires that you serve a network boot from an XPe runtime, this scenario is not supported.

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Question 38. I'm only sharing the between 2 systems. I'm not sharing to a whole network. I have 2 systems with one shared harddrive.
A: I understand. But there is basically no way to share two computers across one single hard drive without doing a network boot scenario, or another scenario in which the computers are connected via a network. The computer that boots from the hard drive would have exclusive control of that drive and would then be responsible for sharing its data to the secondary system. That second system needs an independent boot method. You can do this by booting from USB or CD (via El Torito), or via Network boot.

Nick_MSFT (Expert):
Q: R: Building: "Enhanced Write Filter [Version 5.1.2600.2180, R2890]"... R: Error 1004: Invalid resource: "Desktop Shortcut - Services": (Error 5 (0x5) in "Microsoft VBScript runtime error": Invalid procedure call or argument) any idea on this ?
A: It appears that the component in your configuration named "Desktop Shortcut - Services" has a VBScript bug within AND/OR a configurable item (or other) was missed before you built your configuration. This component was not created by Microsoft so you'd have to see if you can locate the component and export/debug the VBS inside of it *OR* you could try to locate the component author and ask him/her about the issue. Either way - I'd double check that there isn't a step missed and if there isn't - then proceed with either debugging the script or trying to query the component author about the issue.

mikehall_ms (Moderator):
Q: Is the OEM agreement with Microsoft (which would require involving our legal folks - a somewhat time consuming process) required to purchase the XPe toolkit or is it needed to acquire the runtime licenses?
A: There are two parts to the process - there's a "click and accept" End User License Agreement (EULA) that you accept when installing the Windows XP Embedded development tools (full version, or evaluation version) - there's also the license agreement for shipping devices - your distributor can can help you with the later.

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: I noticed in the thread about Windows Update that it's not supported for XPe. I was actually able to build an XPe image that ran Windows Update successfully (other than the fact that my image size mushroomed !). Just an experiment of course.
A: Although, as you discovered, it is technically possible to access Windows Update XPe does not support applying updates to the runtime using this method, as the updates could potentially break the XPe image.

Andy_MS (Expert):
Q: Are there any dates for upcoming feature releases?
A: Sorry, no dates yet for the XPe feature packs. We'll post to the blog when we have some details: https://blogs.msdn.com/embedded/

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Question 40. So with XPE there is not way to share the harddrive to a separate system, without a third party solution, which would provide a PXE server, and bootp server.
A: If you want both systems to have the same hard drive image, this is basically a Network Boot scenario. We do not support the scenario you're describing, where one XPe runtime hosts a PXE server for another XPe system. Remote Boot Server requires that it be run from Windows 2000, XP Pro, Windows Server, etc.

Mattkell_MSFT (Expert):
Q: Question 44. You say the Remote Boot Server, must be run on 2000, XP-Pro, Server. or from those OS's. And if it can be run on XP-Pro, then why not XPE.
A: I believe this is due to licensing restrictions or technical reasons. I would suggest contacting your distributor for more information.

lyallen_MSFT (Expert):
Q: When I want to set something in the registry via TD (e.g. timezone) should my component reference HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet or do I need to use HKLM\System\ControlSet001, ControlSet002 etc. ?
A: Generally you would make the changes to CurrentControlSet before the image is deployed (ie in TD). For certain registry keys you may need to make changes to more than one location, so you should use Regmon to make monitor all the reg keys you may need to tweak for a certain action.

Nick_MSFT (Expert):
Q: What is best/fastest way to place new version of OS on the XPE harddrive. Possibly place on separate partition with ? DOS ? and have this boot and prepare the harddrive with the NEW OS version. Currently I'm using WinPE, but this takes 6-8 minutes to boot.
A: The three most common scenarios I've used are as follows. (they are not in any particular order)

• Boot to DOS. Create new partition, run bootprep on the partition, copy over image VIA any means you have available.
• Install the target HDD into a machine with XP Pro or some other ‘Safe’ OS installed, and following in Diskpart (Assuming *TWO* HDDs with the second HDD having ONE partition and the first HDD having one partition)
o While in Diskpart
§ Select disk 1
§ Create partition primary
§ Assign letter=e (Your temporary drive letter while in Safe OS)
§ Active
o Copy image to the newly created E: drive
o Go back to diskpart and do the rest
§ Select volume e
§ Remove
§ Select disk 0
§ Select part 1
§ Active (to setup your Safe OS to boot again)
• Do what you’re doing already VIA WinPE

Andy_MS (Expert):
Q: I've made this suggestion many times, and Microsoft certainly knows about it, but I'll sing the tune again. How about support for the standard Windows Server watchdog timer device in XPe? Every modern PC board has the device. Server 2003 has the driver.
A: i agree, watchdog timer would be cool. I've already added it to the proposed list of features we consider for the next Feature Pack.

mikefos [msft] (Moderator):
Thank you for joining us today for our Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2 chat today!

A special thank you to the product group members for coming out. We’ll see you again for another chat next month, please check http:/msdn.microsoft.com/chats> for the list of upcoming chats.

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