Bootable OS on CD.

[bsilvey]

Hey all.

I'm trying to build a recovery tool to simplify some work I'm doing.
Basically, if a user's OS install is hashed up too badly to even boot
to Safe Mode and start the Admin profile, my immediate choices are to
either remove the drive and put it in another computer (impractical if
I am working remotely and there is only one PC onsite) or install a new
copy of the OS and work from there (more practical but still not
perfect).

What I would like to do is create a minimal install of either Windows
XP or 2000 that I can burn to a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM and boot, and then
use a removable hard drive (in an external case, connected either via
USB or Firewire) to store the user's data, then "nuke-and-pave".

I know how to make a bootable CD; my question is can I build an
installation of XP - or Win2k, I have both - that is so small as to
allow me to burn said install to a CD or DVD and go from there?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Hey all.

I'm trying to build a recovery tool to simplify some work I'm doing.
Basically, if a user's OS install is hashed up too badly to even boot
to Safe Mode and start the Admin profile, my immediate choices are to
either remove the drive and put it in another computer (impractical if
I am working remotely and there is only one PC onsite) or install a
new copy of the OS and work from there (more practical but still not
perfect).

What I would like to do is create a minimal install of either Windows
XP or 2000 that I can burn to a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM and boot, and then
use a removable hard drive (in an external case, connected either via
USB or Firewire) to store the user's data, then "nuke-and-pave".

I know how to make a bootable CD; my question is can I build an
installation of XP - or Win2k, I have both - that is so small as to
allow me to burn said install to a CD or DVD and go from there?

Slightly OT, but I'd suggest you look into Acronis True Image (I personally
like it a lot better than Ghost). You can make a bootable CD that will allow
you to do a bare-metal restore from wherever you saved the image (i.e., a
file server, an external USB hard drive, whatever you like).

 

[Walter Clayton]

http://www.nu2.nu - has network support, allows remote regedit, etc. It's a
standard part of my toolkit. You can also add your own assortment of stuff
to allow in-situ salvage rather than the hassle of a flat-line do-over (keep
in mind there are over 70M of updates post XP SP1, SP2 is over 200M and
there are patches for SP2 although not sure what the aggregate size is; but
all need be installed before leaving things in the hands of the client. And
if they're on dial-up you're going to be there a *llloooonnnngggg* time).

 

[WoofWoof]

Take a look at this, it might be what you're
looking for. certainly I've found it very helpful:

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Use care with Acronis mount archive procedure. Every time you
dismount an image Acronis leaves the old generic volume as an unused
hidden device. Do it enough times and you get one heck of a removal
project!

Hmmm - thanks for the tip. I haven't run into that yet....

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

Slightly OT, but I'd suggest you look into Acronis True Image (I
personally like it a lot better than Ghost). You can make a bootable
CD that will allow you to do a bare-metal restore from wherever you
saved the image (i.e., a file server, an external USB hard drive,
whatever you like).