Multiple-boot — CDShell

Introduction

CD Shell one of the most remarkable programs for the organization of loading of several operational systems from one disk. CD Shell have own very advanced language for script development and allow create very advanced and beautiful menus, both text, and graphic. CD Shell can load any operational systems and to use all advantages of other boot managers (for example BCDW, IsoLinux and memdisk), also is provided possibility independently to create modules and to add the necessary functionality.

Documentations of the built in language and examples of scripts can be found on page of the developer, in this page you can read manual and recommendation for my own script (see screenshots on this page). Download a script it is possible here

The given script distributed under GPL 2 license, the licence for CDShell can be found on a site of the developer.

Scripts

For script work you need 2 files: cdshell.ini - the basic script with all options and functions; exec.ini - here it is described what commands requested for starting operational systems..

Configuration

All options are stored in a file cdshell.ini, it can be divided into 4 parts: the heading (Main Configuration) - here is adjusted colors, position and title for all windows; a functional part - all actions made by a script during this or that moment of time here are described; graphic - here there are templates of all windows; menu options (Menu Configuration) - ontain name and description for all operational systems.

The basic menu consists of 6 buttons - it's groups for operational systems, direct performance of commands is not provided. The name is adjusted in variables MainMenuPos1 - MainMenuPos6, comments in MainMenu1Comment - MainMenu6Comment. The maximum length of the name of the menu of 26 symbols.

Auxiliary submenu consist of 6 buttons each of which directly starts the necessary operational system. Names of buttons in the first submenu are adjusted in submenu1lang, last submenu in submenu6lang. The maximum length of the name of the menu of 26 symbols. If the button is not used it is necessary to make an inscription of zero length (simply ""). All variables is strongly necessary, at their removal a script will cease to work.

Launching programs

Parameters of start of all operational systems are described in a file exec.ini. The first button of the first submenu there corresponds section main1submenu1, the fourth button of the fifth submenu there corresponds section main5submenu4, all the others by analogy. At errors of start the script of 10 seconds expects pressing of any key, then comes back in the basic menu.

Navigation

Vertical navigation under the menu is carried out by arrows upwards and downwards. By arrow pressing in the right, buttons enter or a blank there is an exit in the submenu, for an exit it is possible to use an arrow in left or a key esc. Start of operational systems is carried out by key pressing enter. Also mouse complete support is provided.

Key F2 allows will be loaded from the first HDD, key F4 reboots also key F10 leaves in standard CDShell console.