Making bootable CD

[BryanM]

I would like to know how to make a bootable CD from an exe file. example, window's XP

[GJGJR12]

HEY UNACCEPTABLE!

BRYAN you need a bootable windows XP cd with all the info, u just can't make the ones we use bootable! they are only upgrades, they don't have the other core files~!

[slam]

Do you mean bootable ie from powerup? or just autorunning an exe when the cd is put in the drive and closed?

if latter james greene informatics has a solution (for sale however)

[BryanM]

bootable on powerup, still in bios/dos where ever it is

[TARP2]

Norton Ghost can help you make a bootable cd.

[rraehal]

You must first set up the contents of the CD. Whatever software you want. Next make a bootable flopy disk configured the way you want. Use Roxio or Nero to make a bootable data CD. Roxio or Nero will image the floppy disk and put it on the CD layout. You can then put the rest of the contents on a burn the CD. It will be bootable.

For XP or 2000 installs with integrated service packs you may need to take a few additional step to get a boot image because they are 4 floppies minimum. (I have never seen the set of disks but www.bootdisk.com talks about them.)

[rangeral]

That would be slipstreaming

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/default.asp?url=/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/prork/prbd_std_tgzp.asp

[BryanM]

so instead of putting win 98 on, then updating it to xp pro, i will be able to go straight to xp? for say i can get my hands on an xp CD?

[TARP2]

Oh, I was making the assumption that you owned a copy of XP.:rolleyes:

[BryanM]

i do, the update, i need to get the full thing

[cbh]

Did you lose your original CD? Or are you trying to duplicate the bootable CD? You should know that what you're doing is ALMOST piracy. If you're doing it for personal use, you've to ensure that it's not handed to another person for usage.

:)

[rraehal]

In this case you must Install Windows 98 first and Upgrade to XP. This keeps you legal by conforming to the EULA. I would FDISK, Format and reinstall Windows 98. Don't configure anything just install it. After you finish rebooting install your XP upgrade. Configure your drivers, SP1 or SP1a, Activate XP, etc...

Purchase a copy of Symantec/Norton Ghost 7 (So it can do XP versions of NTFS) Set up a DOS boot disk with the ghost program on it. - TEST THE DISK!!! - Read about sysprep and complete that process - when the PC shuts down leave it off. Put in your floppy disk and boot the PC. Run ghost and image the drive to CD or second hard disk. (I am not sure if there is an option in ghost to image your boot floppy) When ghost completes remove your floppy and reboot. Windows will reinstall itself. You now have an image of XP that will take only a few minutes to load. As clean as it gets with an upgrade.

You other choice is to shell out the 300.00 to buy a full copy of XP.