copying OS disk to HD

[blade2]

im thinking of copying my Windows XP Pro installation disk onto my hard disk incase the installation CD becomes over scratched or whatever, will just copy/pasting onto my HD work-whenever Windows wants the CD i just browse it to the copied folder of the CD-this will work yesno?

 

[Doh!]

Create an image of the XP cd, save it to the HD, then you can use it like a real cd with any of the cd-emulating software (i.e., Daemon Tools, CD Space, Virtual CD, Fantom CD).

You can use any of burning software (i.e., nero, Easy CD) or Winiso to create a CD image.

 

[Woodie]

Either technique will work. I haven't used the ISO image technique, I just browse to the appropriate OS folder on my server.

 

[KGB]

If you are trying to avoid the OS nagging you for the CD during driver changes, network protocol stuff, etc. do this:

Copy the i386 directory from the CD to somewhere on your HD (I prefer a partition other than C:\).
Edit the registry as follows: "HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\current version\setup" and change the "source path" to where you copied the i386.
You will never be bothered for the CD again unless you want to add stuff not included in the i386 folder.

I prefer a partition other than C:\ because if you have to format and re-install, the folder is unaffected when you only format C:\.

This also works with win9x but you need the win98/winme directory instead of the i386.

 

[blade2]

hey thanks for all your help, i dont have any of the programmes u listed Doh! but will try KGBMANS method, just wanted to check incase id messup my comp or something!