Using dotISO Files
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 CD/DVD. 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
- those not familiar with operating systems need to execise caution with the last two
Burning Bootable 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 - incorrect as explained at http://www.puppylinux.com/cd-puppy.htm
| Correct procedure is to use a special option in the burner software to "burn CD ISO image" or "burn DVD ISO image". Popular burner software Nero and Deepburner have this option. If in doubt, get the product ftp://terabyteunlimited.com/burncdcc.zip and install that. It makes the operation foolproof, because its only function is to burn ISO images to CD/DVD.
In Windows 7, 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. |
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.
Booting from CD/DVD
Booting from CD/DVD drives is disabled, by default, on many computers as a precaution against malware. On modern PC it can be temporarily selected by pressing a key (usually F11, but sometimes F12) at boot. Then select "CDROM" from the menu presented.
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