bjoernvold.com

I have often felt the need to have several of those brilliant System tools on on CD. One tool might do a good job where another tool does not - and all might not even work on all systems.

So I made myself a tiny version that fits on a CD that contains

Windows password changing and reg editor - (should also work on Win 8.1)
Rescatux (contains gparted + grub stuff + terminal +++)
Redo (Perfect for bare metal backup - it clones your PC with both Linux and Windows on it - super easy to use ).
Memtest For testing your memory


The MD5 checksum is:


To check the file; go to the directory where your downloaded file is and type:

The result should match the checksum(s) given here - if not you must download the file again.


Download


To keep it small and since preferences vary I have made a version where I have replaced Rescatux with SystemrescueCD
This version has the following MD5 checksum:
Check it like described above:



Download v2

Our Windows using friends can use winmd5 , hashtab or FCIV to verify the file - (you really should use it ).

The Lawyer stuff:
This software comes with the MIT licence (as in covering our but )
Winpass and reg editor: No licence just a disclaimer
SystemrescueCD is GPL-2 license
Rescatux: GPLv3
REDO is GPLv3

Hey v60... that Redo thing sounds pretty cool, is it basically an image-based backup system? And does it allow you to backup to a USB connected drive?
S.

Yes Redo will backup your entire harddisk to an USB attached Drive I have done it both ways. Baking up and restoring - it works every time - no surprises.
I have installed OS'es that completely ruined my computer Linux and Windows - and this baby simply put my good old computer back.

It is like Ghost only better.

Oh man, I just saw a comment on the SF site that it can't restore to a smaller disk... that might be a deal breaker that'll keep me on Clonezilla.

Sure, those tools all have different strengths. That is why I decided to put a couple of them on a multi CD I could have put Clonezilla in there too.
Clonezilla seems to have the problem that you need one version for Legacy BIOS and one for Uefi secure boot and then yet another one for network cloning...

In fact do give me tips about what tools a "rescue CD" should contain - and I'll gather them on one CD.

The limit is 750 MB!

I have made myself a DVD with lots of more tools - but I feel that the CD is the right media to use because it will work all over the place.

Also this defaults to US keyboard - even if you can set your local keyboard in the "Apps" provided. If there should be an outcry from German or Greek (or any Language) users I can make one that defaults to their locale.

What we have here is Gparted (in Rescatux) and Supergrub2 (in Rescatux); tools that have helped me a lot.
We have REDO which will make a blueprint of your hardware and put it back in exactly the state you backed it up.
We have a tool for helping Windows users who have forgot their password and for editing the Registry.

Pretty much what you need when you come to a PC and need to fix it. But it could have been Clonezilla, Knopix and SystemrescueCD in adittion to those tools (on a DVD).
I had Trinity Rescue kit on it but it had a nasty "Not finding CD bug" so I dropped it this time.

Download and Burn it and tell me what you think - it will fit on a cheap CD...
In fact I have made a version where I have replaced Rescatux with SystemrecueCD - I'll edit it above

viking60 wrote:Clonezilla seems to have the problem that you need one version for Legacy BIOS and one for Uefi secure boot and then yet another one for network cloning...

UEFI? Not in this house! LAWL
Okay, some day it'll happen, but not today. :-)

viking60 wrote:What we have here is Gparted (in Rescatux) and Supergrub2 (in Rescatux); tools that have helped me a lot.

These two are an absolute must on a supermagicawesomeberserk disc.


Does SystemrescueCD do sector reading? If not, something that does might be cool.

... and as mentioned I wouldn't bitch if Clonezilla were added. :-)

Oh, and does it have the ability to mount VDI/VDMK/whatever disks?

S.

I have made a torrent for Version two (the SystemrescueCD version) .
Md5sum:


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/126 ... so.torrent

Please use it and tell me if it works!

If it does: I can make several versions and also larger DVD's with all the tools anyone may need in front of a computer (including Clonezilla).
(I cannot upload all possible variations)
And you can help me seed them

If it works would you guys be willing to seed this one? It is 1,1 GB:


I just changed my root password on Arch with Rescatux - it worked just fine.

Well it finished, and I am seeding... I'll see if I can give it a shot this afternoon. :-)
S.

Great thanks! That must mean that it works. It will be faster and faster as more people seed it.

Using the tools:
To get you started quickly I'll give you som small hints here that are not in any way made to replace the extensive documentation on the various software sites.
SystemrecueCD. (only on v2)
Will start with a SYSTEM-RESCUE-CD menu:
.

If you do not pick a keyboard layout it will default to US. Most keyboard should be present and you choose them by entering the number in front of the wanted layout; so to choose Norwegian you need to type 27

To get a GUI you need to type startx
From the GUI you can also alter various settings if they need changing.
You can also pick option 7 on the SYSTEM-RESCUE menu to start the GUI directly.
SystemrecueCD contains Partimage:


Rescatux (only v1)
It has this confusing Rescapp documentation where you are not sure if you are working with the documentation or the actual function.
The function is actually there hidden under those buttons ie to change the Linux password click:
password (+)
This will bring you to a new window where you click:
Change Gnu/Linux Password
This will again bring you to a new window and here you click:
Change Gnu/Linux Password!!!
By now we are slowly getting there and the external distro on the HD will be auto picked:

Press OK and pick root or your user (or whatever) to change the password for.
Now you will be prompted for the new password - so just enter one.
You will receive an OK message and your password is changed when you log in to your system again.

Once you are there you should change your password with to get the right encryption on it again.

REDO (both versions)
Is so easy to use that I will only point out that there is a menu to the bottom left where you can install it to an USB thumb or customize it.
It is always an uncertainty if tools like this actually do the job - and a disaster if they do not.
I have broken my Computer big-time with some experimental installs - and restored it by starting REDO and hit the Restore button.
It asks you to pick the source drive from the list (that REDO finds) and from there it is a no-brainer.

The Backup works and restores the computer back to exactly the state it was in - I have done it several times.
REDO uses Partclone - like Clonezilla.
Edit: REDO may not work with Btrfs filesystems
You will not be able to use the other tools (files related) on encrypted disks - but Redo will make a working blueprint of it.

Sorry man... I migrated my old torrent machine recently, and forgot to add this torrent back in. Back up now though. :-)

S.

I should also mention that I was screwing around with the SystemRescueCD and I really like the SpaceFM file manager!


I might see if I can "unetbootin" the BerzerkCD to a USB drive for use on other machines.

S.