Dear members,
is there a possibility to include the free 'VMware converter standalone v5.5' to Win7PE ?
Link: https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/info/slug/infrastructure_operations_management/vmware_vcenter_converter_standalone/5_5

There seems to be a GENA plugin: http://gena.cwcodes.net/Projects/Gena-Sweets/Apps/Virtualization/VMWareConverter.script
but how is it usable for Win7PE?

Purpose: Booting Win7PE and cloning a physical machine to a virtual image for Oracle's VirtualBox without need of installing the 'VMware converter' to the physical machine.

Thx for help...

Hello,
short: OMG...

long: After taking a look to GENA plugin it seems to be not so easy to cover all needs for running VMware Converter 5.5 on Win7PE, I am a newbie on coding plugins  ...
Including a program with help of 'PC Packed' has been done for small tools (f.e.TotalCmd), but how to extract the needed registry entries and depedencies?
Thx...

Hi Lancelot,

i did try to install 'VMware vCenter Converter Standalone' v5.5 in Win7PE
- as USB stick installation
- ISO booted in VirtualBox

Both installations gave me same error. How to expand X: (boot)?

Ok, I did increase FBWF by adding a new option 1024 to Build\2-Shell&Config and choosing it.
After rebuilding Win7PE-32bit  X: shows correct and expected size for X: (boot).

BUT:
While adding files to X: the total size (!, not free size)  of X: decreases in same value so install operation of VMware-convertzer could not be finished.
After deleting this added files, total size increases to former value.

VMware installation freezes while 'Publishing product information'.

I am really sorry, but after further investigation I gave up; not enough background knowledge...
VMware converter seems to be not installable in Win7PE (for me  ). Installation stops every time after choosing drive  and directory, it reclaims not enough space, independend from available space. VMware Converter is such a nice tool, what a bummer!

How to Create Plugin for complex applications:

A) Shortway,
If such application setup works, and you have limited time,
 Use Utils\"PC Packed" to create plugin quickly that points setup executable (ex: setup.exe)

If shortway does not work for any reason (needs restart, not available space, etc..)
 time to work harder.


B) Normal (Long) Way
** An emulator (VirtualBox, VMWare) where a windows installed (for your case nt6x would fit better, probably Win7 )
Tip: Take a "Snapshot" of emulator before testing things. 

** What is done basically is,
Step 1) Gathering Things what software installer does. (mostly inside emulator)
Step 2) Create plugin that do same on build
( Things --> Registry + Files)

1st ) You will need & learn tools like
+ Procmon (to catch all changes and everything on the fly )
( Also Available at Apps\System Tools\Debug\"Sysinternals Process Monitor" )
+ RegShot2
( Also Available at Apps\System Tools\Registry\"RegShot2 Unicode" )
+ A file Shapshot software woud help to catch file changes, here are things I gather from internet to give idea:
InstallWatch Pro
SpyMe Tools
InCtrl5
Tiny Watcher
Watch 4 Folder
Directory Monitor
TheFolderSpy
Track Folder Changes
FolderChangesView
RegFromApp NirSoft
ProcessActivityView NirSoft

After you gather stuff,

Step 2) Create a plugin
+ Utils\"PC Packed" (Plugin Creator Packed)
As a start, you would pack all files into an archive (ex: .7z) an use "PC Packed"

+ Utils\"RegCPE" (Reg Convert PE)
This will help to convert .reg files to plugin format.

Step 2b)
If some files missing (dependencies) application would not work,
 Procmon would help you to figure out missing files
  Require_FileQ http://theoven.org/index.php?topic=43.0 will be used on plugin to add files



ps: Also check FAQ about related things http://TheOven.org/index.php?topic=834


Once practiced (start practice with a simple software  )
 It is fun ( and time) to create plugins for such softwares , + experience learning about many stuff how windows works.



See You