I want to create a "rescue" harddrive

[zicoz]

Hi, I'm currently looking to build myself a harddrive that I can use for running some tools (AV, imaging etc) and perhaps also install OSs. Is there a way to do this?

What I'm thinking is the following.

One external USB drive with three partitions.

- Rescue disk
- Drivers and programs I often install
- Images of freshly installed harddrives.

The last two partitions are nothing special they only contain data.

But the first partition I don't really know how to get going. I see two options, one is to install a complete version of an OS on the drive, but I think that could lead to problems with drivers since it's going to be connected to a wide range of computers with different harddrive.

So I'm thinking some sort of a menu that can launch the various tools. At the moment I only want the following:

- Acronis True Image
- Some Anti virus and spyware tools
- Test tools for testing hardware

And if possible I also want to be able to install operating systems from this harddrive. Perhaps by creating isos that can be launched from the menu? I don't know if this is even possible.

But are there any tools that can help me build this partition? I've taken a look at BartPE that as far as I can see creates a liveCD with Windows XP, but I'm not sure if this can work from a harddrive or only from a CD since it creates an ISO.

 

[lxskllr]

I think your best bet is to use Ultimate Boot CD For Windows on a CD for booting, then use the HD to hold your more advanced tools and O/Ss.

 

[RebateMonger]

Is this for personal use (for a home or office with computers that belong to you), or for a business that repairs computers?

 

[zicoz]

I have been using UBCD before, but I'm looking to minimize the amount of storage items I need to know where I have, and it's easier to just have a usb drive then both a usb-drive and a cd, on top of that not all computers have a cd/dvd-rom these days.

And most important is that I get to choose what tools to use.

It's for personal use. That is computers in the home, and friends if they need help.

 

[lxskllr]

My way of thinking is older computers are more likely to be able to boot from CD than USB. If you don't deal with old machines, that isn't so much of an issue. On UBCD4Win's forums they have instructions for setting it up on a thumb drive. I haven't really looked at that, but you may be able to do that with an HD also. Trying different things in a VM might be a good way to see what works, and what doesn't.