Important installation disks for your most frequently used programs can be lifesavers when you’re forced to reinstall application after a mishap. The problem is that many travelers either leave the disks at home to save space in their bags, or end up bringing a bunch of them in overloaded CD cases.
No matter which camp you happen to be in, you can save yourself the space and burden of remembering to bring that Windows XP install disk, by burning it directly to your hard drive as an .ISO file.
What Is An ISO File?
A .iso file, otherwise known as an image archive file or disk image, is a special type of file that acts (and is recognized by your computer) as a CD or DVD without the physical disk.
You need .iso files to run any installation disks from your hard drive – if you don’t believe me, copy a DVD’s folders to your hard drive and try installing anything with it. Over the last few years it has gotten extremely easy to create .iso files, which can also later be burned back to a physical disk if needed.
How To Burn ISO Files
The process is slightly different on Windows and Mac but fairly simple in both cases. The major difference is that Windows users need to download a bit of free software whereas Mac users can burn .iso files with Leopard or Snow Leopard. You’ll also need a CD or DVD drive (obviously) and the disk you’d like to burn.
Burning ISO Files On Windows
Start by downloading a copy of the free program ImgBurn (which also works on Linux). Once installed, all you need to do is insert a blank CD or DVD and click “Create image file from disk” as shown below.
Select a place to save the disk image and after a few minutes you’ll have your DVD burned to your hard drive. Now you can access the disk when you need to reinstall a program or simply add a few of the extra features you didn’t bother to the first time around.
Burning ISO Files On Mac OS X
While there is some scant software out there for Mac to burn ISO files but you won’t need it because Mac OS X already provides that functionality.
- Create a folder which will be used to store your disk image. Copy all of the CD/DVD files from the disk itself into this folder.
- Using Spotlight, do a search for the Disk Utility application built into Leopard and Snow Leopard.
- Select the “New Disk Image” icon at the top and make sure you choose the “CD/DVD Master” format when asked.
From there a click OK and you’re on your way to having a working version of that DVD in your drive on your local machine.
What ISOs Aren’t Plus A Few Reminders
Burning .iso files won’t work to store your DVD movies on your hard drive, that’s a slightly different process which actually isn’t much more difficult. Be aware of the amount of disk space you’re using when burning .iso files to your hard drive as it can add up quickly.
Prioritize the applications you’re most likely to need the installation disks of like your operating system and anything Microsoft before you leave home. Finally, make sure to keep a spreadsheet or text file of the product keys handy as well, otherwise your ISOs might be useless a thousand miles from home.
[photos by: drocksays (CD collection), Mark (DVD drive)]
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Great advice Anil, especially the operating system disk, in the event of a monumental failure.
Particularly for Windows users, the operating system seems to need *everything* from the install disk. đ
“Windows users have their pick of many apps to create the same kinds of virtual disc drives, including Daemon Tools Lite, Elby’s CloneDrive ISO mounter, and, for those with a whole bunch of disc images to work through, Gizmo Drive.”
The above taken from Lifehacker site: http://lifehacker.com/5652185/diy-laptop-repairs-and-upgrades-fixing-or-improving-hard-drives-and-cddvd-drives
There are many ways to create ISO disks, very true. This is just one method of doing it.
I didn’t mean to imply there was anything wrong with the method or program you described; I only wanted to point people to another potentially useful resource…
I appreciate it! Didn’t mean to give any other impression.
Your apple Mac instructions are very Puzzling,
“…1. Create a folder which will be used to store your disk image. Copy all of the CD/DVD files from the disk itself into this folder.
2. Using Spotlight, do a search for the Disk Utility application built into Leopard and Snow Leopard.
#Select the âNew Disk Imageâ icon at the top and make sure you choose the âCD/DVD Masterâ format when asked.
”
And then what we guess the rest some of us are very new to the apple mac machines.
‘From the above to in between this statement surely it is not cut and dried I feel there are a few more things to do before anything has been achieved.’
“…From there a click OK and youâre on your way to having a working version of that DVD in your drive on your local machine.”
What do you need help with in the process? Let me know and I’ll do my best to outline the process more clearly.
Hey Anil P.
My scenario is I have a “WD Elements Play” which is suppose to let me store movies etc onto it and play onto my TV.
What I have learnt over the last couple of days to do this I need to create an iso file which in turn I can place onto the WD Elements Play and then I am suppose to be able to watch them.
This is where I get stuck as there is a data iso and there is also DVD iso, I am also using a mac.
Hoping you can help me in my dilemna.
I am very new to the iso so I would appreciate if you could explain to me in very simple terms.
Your assistance is very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance and also for your quick response.
Are you certain the file format the program requires is ISO? ISO images are uncompressed closed files systems – mainly used for backup and bootable disk image purposes. Double check the exact file format required and let me know.