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General discussion

Creating Bootable DVDs

by kummah Sep 15, 2007 5:41PM PDT

I have 6 CDs (~3.6GB) for recovery of my IBM Laptop which I would like to convert to a sinle Bootable DVD. I first tried copying all the contents to the DVD but that did not boot! After some reading on the net, I realized that the boot sectors have to be properly addressed for the DVD to boot.

I would like to know how or what software (preferable a shareware) I should use to create that? I have a 4M-SONY DVD RW DRU-830A Drive and use Nero 7.1 Essentials (OEM).

I have a WinXP SP2 OS with a P4 2.8G Processor!

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Slipstreaming
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Sep 15, 2007 7:56PM PDT
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Creating Bootable HDD Images
by kummah Sep 16, 2007 11:29PM PDT

Thanks! I managed to create a bootable disc!

I have another extended Query. After I install WinXp and associated programs that I use, can i then create a image of some kind which can be run on a blank HDD to install the entire OS and programs?

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Isn't that what you just did?
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Sep 17, 2007 2:34AM PDT

I'm not sure I understand. With that slipstreamed disk you can now re-install Windows if ever you need to, eg if your current Windows installation fails for some reason.

I believe you are now talking about a full backup of everything on your system. For that you would need specialized software like Acronis True Image or Norton's Ghost. They can create backups of the whole OS including your own programs and other software and store the backup files on external media, like an external drive.

But generally it is sufficient to have the slipstreamed disk and then to backup your own files to CD/DVD or external disk so you can re-install them separately if you have to. What I do is backup my important documents, photos, music and videos, and also I save all the installation .exe files I download and back them up as well. Then if my OS crashes, I re-install from the OS CD and then re-install applications like browsers, utilities etc from those saved installation files.

Backing up is a continuous process as your library of personal files grows.

Mark

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Thanks!
by kummah Sep 17, 2007 3:12AM PDT

Thank you Mark! I got my answer! I will try Norton Ghost & Acronis True Image to see if I can make a full back up of OS & Other programs!

I currently do what you have mentioned i.e. Back up Data including the .exe files and re-load OS & other programs. But it is a time consuming process. I was considering a simpler way!

Can I also update IE7, Windows installer and other windows software using slipstreaming?

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I'm not sure about IE7
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Sep 17, 2007 4:37AM PDT

Once IE7 is installed it is integrated with the operating system, so I would bet if you have IE7 already and have now slipstreamed, it is now on that CD/DVD.

The same with Windows Installer and any other Windows software components.

Mark

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Slipstreaming Advanced!
by kummah Sep 24, 2007 1:11PM PDT
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Yes it looks like a very good source
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Sep 24, 2007 7:20PM PDT

Not only for beginners, but intermediate and advanced users as well.

Thank you very much I have noted it for future reference.

Mark

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