Bootable Image Question.

[MaMister]

I am using this harddisk imaging software that allows to create a bootable cd just in case of any harddisk failure.

The cd is empty, just with the necessary booting files needed... which is abt 4MB.

The question is, I am trying to extract the boot files but can't...!

When I use winiso software to create a iso. file...it is 4MB. But the when use save boot info function, the boot info is only 2kb. ???

I just can't get it out, even isobuster can't help.

Any idea ?

[RayH]

I am unfamiliar with the software you are using. I use Drive Image 2002, which if images are written directly to CD, will make the create the booting files from its own programs.

Drive Image 2002 actually runs from DOS. So I actually create images on the hard drive (on a separate partition). I sometimes burn those files to CD. But those CDs don't boot. I boot from floppy and run the CDs to restore. I find this method both faster and easier than writing directly to CD.

[G]

Yeah Ray DI 2002 is a nice imaging program but it does have its limitations. For example, I do not think it will create and restore to NTFS (the latest version of Ghost 2003 does). I prefer the GUI of DI over Ghost, but what is important is that images are sound and robust.

I would recommend using DI V7 on a multitasking OS such as W2K+ (FAT32-NTSF FS), DI 2002 (W2K but on FAT32 FS only if no DV V7 or Ghost). For W2K+ I would recommend using DI V7 (FAT32-NTFS) or Ghost 2003.

To be on the safe side, if the information to be imaged is very important I would take an image using both DI V7 and Ghost 2003 on CD-R. In the event that the CD-R does not work (it does happen) I would recommend a separate internal HDD for images (or a partition) or removable HDD.

I have multiples of a single image on my active SCSI HDD, my storage SCSI HDD and external USB HDD, which I put together.

It is more labour intensive and time consuming, especially if one carries out this redundancy across many areas of computing. Nevertheless, if disaster strikes, then one will be glad of the extra effort and care taken.

G

[MaMister]

Thanks guys, anyway to extract or view hidden files like this ???

The bootable.iso is actually 4MB. But can't see the files....

[Swordfish]

what does isobuster do when u right click the "bootable cd" (in your first pic) and then extract the contents?

Winimage may show you the contents, try that.

otherwise if nothing helps, why not make a new bootable cd....

http://www.nu2.nu/bootcd/

:t

[RayH]

I think the Acronis software should be making the CDs bootable when it writes its files directly to CD. If he is tring to burn saved Acronis files on hard drive to a CD, those CDs don't need to be bootable. Acronis will boot from floppies.

As for Drive Image 2002, it does what I need it to do. Although Drive Image 7 seems to be more convienient, it would cost me money! Drive Image 2002 will write .pqi (image) files to NTFS. But those files can't be run directly from the hard drive. They can be burned to CD, though.

I run XP on NTFS. But the dedicated partition I have for Drive Image files is FAT 32. I usually run Drive Image restores from the hard drive. I have a couple of good images on CD. I can upright my computer from most disasters in twenty minutes-hour.

[rraehal]

I think it would be easier to take a different approach.

First I would get a copy of a Windows 98 bootdisk with fdisk and format (www.bootdisk.com) and next I would use my disk image software to make an image of the disk.

I would use roxio or nero software to make my bootable CD. In Roxio you just make a new bootable CD and the software will ask you to image a bootable floppy. It will add the necessary information. Next copy your drive image software and the image of the disk to the cd layout and burn the CD.

You can modify the bootdisk before imaging it to make it do what you want. If the image is too large, you can split the image in most new software like Ghost by limiting the size as it makes the files.