This brief introduction is to be seen as Quick Start Guide to basically get a host up and running using BOINCpe (download). It is pretty easy to achieve this, following only a few simple steps. However, the machine will still need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse in order to be able to manually configure the BOINC settings after booting the machine. Please note that your temporary data will be lost on reboot using this simple configuration unless you do not manually perform a backup (applies to BOINC Work Unit data, BOINC configuration, etc.).

Step #1: Check network settings

Check/Edit file .\plugin\penetcfg\penetcfg.ini (not penetcfg.inf)

BOINCpe is configured to discover an IP address via DHCP by default. If you do not have a DHCP server in your network, you might have to manually configure the settings (including gateway and DNS server) manually in section [NetAdapter1].

Step #2: Burn your bootable BOINCpe-CD

Start Bart’s pebuilder.exe and set the directories accordingly. As Source you will have to set a path to Windows® XP™ or 2003 installation files (XP™ Home Edition is sufficient). You will need to own a proper Microsoft Windows® licence for your version of BOINCpe - just as for a standalone installation.
Please find additional information on these steps on Bart’s Homepage: Getting started with BartPE.

If your BOINCpe host-to-be has a fancy dual core, quad core, or even multiple processors, please enable the plugin “multi processor - SetValue TXTSETUP.SIF” (see screenshot).

We recommend to use a rewritable disc (CD-RW) because it usually takes some tries until all settings are properly configured for BOINCpe to operate smoothly.

Important: When building the image you can add your own BartPE plugins. But please do not disable any of the plugins enabled by default.

Step #3: Boot up BOINCpe

All should be fine by now. After BOINCpe was started, you should see the windows for boinc.exe (console) as well as the BOINC Manager. You can configure the client the usual way.

If you want to use BOINCpe for a cluster, farm or similar you might want to have a look at the Advanced Configuration.

On further issues, please have a look at the BOINCpe FAQ or leave a comment.