XP boot CD?

[RakeKiller]

Can anyone point me in the direction of how to create a bootdisk on a CD?
A friend wants to be able to boot to DOS, but has no FDD.
We have looked on bootdisk.com , but are a little confused by what is
offered there and how to implement it.
And more specific direction appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Bob Harris]

The simplest way to make a DOS-type bootable CD is to find a PC with a
floppy drive and use a program like Nero or Easy CD Creator, both which have
options to make bootable CDs from floppies.

Alternatively, download and burn to CD something like the free "ultimate
boot CD":

http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/

Besides the ability to boot into DOS (several versions), it has a many
useful tools. Just becareful not to use a tool that offers to do a format
or a low-level disk test, since things like that can destroy your files.

Note that what you download is an ISO-type file. These must by burned to CD
via a program that supports an option like "burn from image". XP does not
have this ability, but programs like Nero and Easy CD Creator do.

 

[Bob Harris]

I forgot to ask WHY your friend wants to boot to DOS.

If it is to play older games, I recommend instead trying a free DOS emulator
called DOSBOX, which runs under XP:

http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1

If it is to recover data, then be aware that "DOS" does not read NTFS
formatted disks (without some 3rd party software), nor does it support USB
not CD writing (again, without 3rd party software). For recovering data
from inside a PC to a USB drive, CD, etc a better option is a LINUX boot
disk. ISO images of these are widely available. See for example:

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

One of my favorites is KNOPPIX. It is a big download, but it is a
self-contained operating system, office suit, browser, etc, etc. all of
which runs from the CD (or a DVD). It has full support for NTFS partitions,
and also for external devices. Just connect the device to the PC before
booting into KNOPPIX.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Main_Page

 

[RakeKiller]

The simplest way to make a DOS-type bootable CD is to find a PC with a
floppy drive and use a program like Nero or Easy CD Creator, both which
have options to make bootable CDs from floppies.

Alternatively, download and burn to CD something like the free "ultimate
boot CD":

http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/

Besides the ability to boot into DOS (several versions), it has a many
useful tools. Just becareful not to use a tool that offers to do a format
or a low-level disk test, since things like that can destroy your files.

Perfect, infact he wants to do a low level format before reinstalling the
OS.( to answer your second post as well)

Note that what you download is an ISO-type file. These must by burned to
CD via a program that supports an option like "burn from image". XP does
not have this ability, but programs like Nero and Easy CD Creator do.

I will download it and burn it with nero.
Thank you much for the help.

 

[Gordon]

Perfect, infact he wants to do a low level format before reinstalling the
OS.( to answer your second post as well)

Then he doesn't need anything - the XP CD will allow a format as part of the
re-install process....

 

[Paul Knudsen]

Then he doesn't need anything - the XP CD will allow a format as part of the
re-install process....

Not a low-level format, though. I believe special equipment is needed
for that.