Bootable CD

[airbornflght]

Ok, I downloaded Windows XP SP2 (legally) from oklahoma state's software service. At any rate, it appears to be a complete install cd. I burned it to disc, but how do you make a disc bootable? I use nero and couldn't find and settings or switches.

This is a full install cd, not a upgrade, so I don't see why they just didn't download it as an iso or something. They sent me a self extracting zip file. If it wasn't coming from my university I'd think it was illegal. They have it set up so that it is an unattended install, which I had to change some switches.:bigggrin: Is this just a vlk or what? Unless they have their server set up to change the unattended.txt file for each person with their own license key. I doubt it though.

[bschie]

My university did that too. It was self extracting so it looked really iffy. But it just self extracted an iso. They did it for all of their MS stuff to give the students with certain majors.

[kryyst]

Ok, I downloaded Windows XP SP2 (legally) from oklahoma state's software service. At any rate, it appears to be a complete install cd. I burned it to disc, but how do you make a disc bootable? I use nero and couldn't find and settings or switches.

This is a full install cd, not a upgrade, so I don't see why they just didn't download it as an iso or something. They sent me a self extracting zip file. If it wasn't coming from my university I'd think it was illegal. They have it set up so that it is an unattended install, which I had to change some switches.:bigggrin: Is this just a vlk or what? Unless they have their server set up to change the unattended.txt file for each person with their own license key. I doubt it though.

You don't have to do anything to make a disk image bootable. If it's an ISO image of a bootable disk it'll boot. If it's not it won't. You do however need to go into the bios of your computer and make sure that CD-ROM is set to be a boot device before your harddrive.

Typical boot order should be
Floppy
CD-ROM
HD Primary Master
Network

[stoopid]

Right click the iso file and "open with" nero or whatever burning software you have. Burn the image using the burning software. The image should already be bootable, which is why they chose to distribute it as an iso file (which retains the boot sector when it's burned, so you don't have to deal with that). Make sure to finalize the disc if the burning software has that option.

Then, as kryyst explained, set the boot order in your bios or select the F## key at startup for the boot menu and boot from the CD ROM.

[bschie]

I may be wrong but it appears from his first message that it isn't an iso.

[IndigoRed]

I just downloaded sp2 from m$. It was a self extracting file that loaded sp2 directly. Burned it to disk, put it on the new machine, dbl clicked on it and it installed sp2.

ps, it's the one that m$ says is for network admins... it's ok, it works, and installs in a flash compared to the dl.

[bschie]

He wants a bootable windows disk. Not just an upgrade from within a previously installed version.

[IndigoRed]

My bad... rented eyes. :bigggrin:

[airbornflght]

nvm, I figured it out. I found someone else who had the same prob. Showed how to set the boot loader image and all that crap. Now I have it set to go and saved.