View source for Using dotISO Files

== For General Users ==
===Purpose===
Files having the extension *.ISO may be new to some readers.  These files are essentially an image of a CD, DVD (or BlueRay ?) optical media and usually images of bootable media.  dotISO files may be downloaded, saved, copied to other disks/volumes/folders etc, exactly like any other file.  However, they require special processing to achieve their usual purpose of producing a '''bootable''' media
*originally dotISO were intended for CD/DVD media
*the same files may now be made into '''bootable''' USB/SD media
**this requires a '''different''' program to write the media

The bootable media are typically used for one of:
* a "live" demonstration system - often based on Linux
* running software for backing up systems and/or data
* installing operating systems
* "rescue" systems
{|border="1" align="center" style="text-align:center;"
|<span style="color:#c93800; background:#d0c9cc">'''those not familiar with operating systems need to execise caution with the last two'''</span>
|}

===Burning Bootable CD/DVD===

#this will be the simpest and most reliable approach for beginners
#*virtually any computer now in use can boot CD/DVD
#*most OS have suitable software for burning CD/DVD
#a common mistake made by novices is to use their favourite burner software to '''copy''' a *.ISO file to a blank CD/DVD - <span style="color:#c93800;;background:#d0c9cc">'''incorrect'''</span> as explained at  http://www.puppylinux.com/cd-puppy.htm

{|border="1" align="center" style="text-align:center;"
|<span style="color:#004700; background:#d0c9cc">'''Correct procedure is to use a special option in the burner software to "burn CD ISO image" or "burn DVD ISO image".
</span>#*other users see  
|}
#*other users see  
==== Windows 7 ====
#via Windows Explorer is the simplest procedure for beginners
#*locate the ISO file in Windows Explorer and right-click it. You will get various options
#*click on 'Open with' then choose 'Windows Disc Image Burner' to produce a bootable CD/DVD
#*to be prudent, tick the 'Verify disc after burning' box'''
#popular burner software Nero has a similar option.   Detailed  procedure is  available at the following site: http://partedmagic.com/doku.php?id=creating_the_livecd_with_nero
#*simply select your dotISO  file in  lieu of partedmagic.iso
#if none of the above options are available get the product ftp://terabyteunlimited.com/burncdcc.zip and install that

{|border="1" align="center" style="text-align:center;"�
|<span style="color:#004700; background:#d0c9cc">'''It makes the operation foolproof, because its ''only'' function is to burn ISO images to CD/DVD'''
|}
==== Other OS ====
#most Linux  will  include CD/DVD burning software  such as k3b, XFreeBurn etc, which  include the  function to "burn CD ISO image"


==== Choice of Optical Media ====
#dotISO disks must be "bit-perfect"
#*avoid using cheap media blanks that are sold  primarily for audio/video use
#*setting a slower burn speed might produce more reliable results when using untested  burner/media combination
#dotISO images that are smaller than 700 MB may be burnt to DVD media
#*most burner software will cope with this
#*doing so is likely to result in the media reading somewhat faster than would be the case with CD media and this can be advantageous for the uses described above.
#dotISO images >700 MB but << a full DVD of 4.3 GB will  often be encountered
#*these must be burned to DVD media
#dotISO images > a full DVD size of 4.3 GB are occassionally encountered
#*these can be burned  only to '''dual-layer'''  DVD media
#*such media is relatively expensive and
#*not all releases of burner software handle it reliably
#avoid  burning dotISO to 80 mm diameter mini-CD/DVD
#*from which the read process would be relatively slow
#*not all releases of burner software handle it reliably

=== Writing Bootable USB/SD ===
==== Writing ISO Files ====
#this method is relatively safe for Linux & Windows users 
#*it should suceed with all dotISO files, provided that those are bootable images
#obtain and install a suitable program
#*unetbootin is now deprecated
#*Linux users install instead packge Imagewriter
#*Windows users obtain instead SUSE Studio Imagewriter https://github.com/downloads/openSUSE/kiwi/ImageWriter.exe
#ensure that the USB/SD media to be used is formatted '''FAT 32''' 
#as a precaution, disconnect all other USB devices from the computer
#*including scanners, mobile broadband sticks, modems etc
#launch Imagewriter
#*locate the downloaded dotISO file on hard disk
#*select the USB/SD media to be written
#*click ''' OK'''

== Getting Technical ==
'''non Windows users''' README
=== Writing Bootable USB/SD ===
{|border="1" align="center" style="text-align:center;"
|<span style="color:red; background:#d0c9cc">'''Linux users need to execise great caution with the this procedure -  an error in selecting the USB/SD device could result in hard disk partition being overwritten'''</span>
|}

Cross-check which removable device is to be written by examining the manufacturer  ID, partition size, filesystem type (FAT 32) reported by the Operating System
==== Writing ISO Files ====
#this procedure can be  achieved  via GUI tools
#*it shoulc suceed with all dotISO files, provided that those are bootable images
#obtain and install a suitable program
#*unetbootin is one of the better known
#ensure that the USB/SD media to be used is formatted '''FAT 32''' 
#as a precaution, disconnect all other USB devices from the computer
#*including scanners, mobile broadband sticks, modems etc
#launch unetbootin
#*locate the downloaded dotISO file on hard disk
#*select the USB/SD media to be written
#*click ''' OK'''
== Strictly for Geeks ==
=== Using/Creating ISOhybrid Files ===
This task is for intermediate/advanced users

==== Overview ====
Some dotISO files are now being provided  as "ISOhybrids"
*which have the main advantage of  typically booting much faster from USB/SD devices
**because most OS use conservative settings to boot USB/SD devices, in order to cope with older/buggy BIOS
*boot speed is also highly dependent on the "Class" of SD media and (probably) unstated/indeterminate grade of USB "thumbdrive"

ISOhybrids may also be burnt to conventional CD/DVD/Bluray optical media, or written to USB/SD media, as in general/intermediate procedures above
*hence the "hybrid" descriptor
*but require the alternative procedure below to achieve faster performance from USB/SD devices 

==== Hybridisation ====
#this procedure may be skipped, if the ISO is known to already be hybridised
#dotISO of unknown type may safely be converted to hybridISO via the program "isohybrid"
#*the conversion adds a few tens of kB, if the ISO is not already hybridised
#**which may push the ISO beyond the maximum capacity of optical media
#**alhough these ISOhybrids could still be written to USB/SD media, as in intermediate procedures above, or advanced precedures following.
#*it makes no perceptable difference if the ISO is already hybridised


{|border="1" align="center" style="text-align:center;"
|<span style="color:red; background:#d0c9cc">'''execise great caution with the following procedure -  an error in selecting the USB/SD device could result in hard disk partition being overwritten'''</span>
|}

==== Writing ISOhybrids ====
#as a precaution, disconnect all other USB devices from the computer
#*including printers, scanners, mobile broadband sticks, modems etc
#**any of which could include "storage"
#verify the drive letter/number of the USB/SD media
#*in Windows use "Computer" menu and open the drive
#*in other OS use "My Computer", hdparm, fdisk etc 
#*check by manufacturer ID, size, partitioning etc
#the partitioning/format of the USB/SD media to be used is probably immaterial
#*if in doubt, format the single/first partition as '''FAT 32''' 
#launch a program for direct writing disk images of storage media eg
#*in Windows use http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/Data-CD-DVD-Burning/Win32-Disk-Imager.shtml or "rawwrite"
#*in other OS use "dd" (or preferably "ddrescue")
#**in this procedure "dd" operates on an '''unmounted''' device
#more detailed  instructions  are at:
http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Live_USB_stick#Bootable_USB_from_DVD_or_Net-install

{|border="1" align="center" style="text-align:center;"
|<span style="color:red; background:#d0c9cc">'''execise great caution with the above programs -  an error in selecting the USB/SD device could result in hard disk partition being overwritten'''</span>
|}


==Booting from Media==
[[Booting from Removable Media]]


--[[User:Rpeters|Rpeters]] 12:09, 24 August 2012 (EST)
--[[Category:Technical Info]]