How do I buy a portable windows OS?

W

Weiser_Cain

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
131
Pardon my ignorance but I seem to get run around in loops as to what windows' portable OS is and where I can buy it. Any help is much appreciated.
 
The only Windows portable OS is Windows Mobile and you don't buy it, it comes pre-installed on phones.

I'm confused...
 
Give some details as to what you plan to accomplish. Are you looking for something like a Live Linux CD, or are you asking about an OS for a portable system like a netbook?
 
You are likely thinking of the windows presinstall boot environment. It's a minimal install of windows you can use for troubleshooting and stuff that runs off of CD. It's not a complete environment. Check Bart PE. You don't buy a Win PE - you make it. It's not licensed for sale and I recall the licensing is somewhat restrictive.

Here is a technet article:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744537(WS.10).aspx

and wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Preinstallation_Environment

Apparently Windows 7 has caught up to Linux and allows you to make a live recovery cd.
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=23169

Also it may be possible to install Windows 7 to a USB stick directly.
You have to do some BIOS config but it might work.
 
He' s got to be thinking of Windows Mobile (or maybe embedded?).
 
nitrobass24 said:
http://www.gumstix.com/
Click to expand...

Gumstix is a Linux platform. They don't support or provide any information whatsoever on using WinCE/WinMo.

And I have to say, the Angstrom Linux that ships with these Gumstix boards is far, far, far, far, far more versatile and useful than WinCE 6... if all you want is an itty-bitty power sipping slow 'desktop' PC, buy a BeagleBoard and be done with it. Gumstix Overo is smaller, but basically the same hardware with less connectivity, and it costs more once you get the breakout board for video and etc.

Edit: Did a bit more poking around and it looks like you'd need to download the WinCE evalutation kit thing from MS here and then convince these guys to give you their BSP (or develop one yourself) so you can build an image. No idea how licensing works, Microsoft's desktop licensing is convoluted and confusing enough, I'm not even going to try to understand how it works for embedded, and I doubt anyone will talk to you about buying a single copy.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top