How to create a cd boot disc?

[steverama]

I know this is the hardware forum, but the software & OS forums don't get as much traffic. I'm trying to create a boot disc on a CD and also include WinME on the same CD. I tried copying one last night, but it doesn't work on bootup. I've selected the ''boot from CDRom first'' option in the BIOS, but I get a message saying it is an invalid system disc. Any ideas on how to make one of these discs?

 

[jimmygates]

I'm not certain but I remember awhile ago I read you have have copy onto the CD bootstrip.bin (sp?) or a file similar to it to get it to boot. Search your Windows ME/NT CD for that file.



-jimbo

 

[andrey]

Please let me know which CDR software you're using and I'll tell you how to do that. I really don't feel like typing instructions for all of them

 

[damien6]

In some burning softwares has the Boot CD option when creating/copying a CD/image and there's a small program that does that also but I don't remember it off hand.

 

[steverama]

I've got Adaptec CD recording software that came bundled with my SONY CDRW.

 

[andrey]

what version of Adaptec, 3.5 or 4.0 ?

 

[steverama]

Version 4.02

 

[andrey]

Data CD: File >> New CD Layout >> Bootable CD

 

[steverama]

OK, I selected the items as you said, then the program prompts me for a bootable diskette to copy files from. So I inserted the diskette, gave me an error. Afterwards, I selected the same items (DATA CD, File, Bootable CD), and the program asked if I wanted to use the boot files from my hard drive. These files are : BOOTCAT.BIN & BOOTIMG.BIN . I thought that all files from a WIN Me boot diskette would be required. !?!

 

[andrey]

Ok, sorry for not clarifying that. First of all you need to make a bootable disk in WinME (Start >> Settings >> Control Panel >> Add/Remove Programs >> Startup Disk >> Create Disk). Once you have this disk created, insert that disk in your floppy drive when Adaptec asks you for "bootable floppy to copy files from". I hope this helps,

 

[cockeyed]

Check the Help file, the bootable CD instructions are there.

 

[Radboy]

This might help.

 

[steverama]

Andrey,
I made another boot disk, reselected each item as stated in your last post. Sure enough, it found the same 2 BOOT files as on the hard drive. I copied the WinME startup disk files, added them for CD copying, as well as the entire WinME CD contents. Copied the disk in about 5-6 minutes. Re-booted on CDRom and it worked! No more floppy for setting up Windows anymore!!! Thanks very much foryour help, and thanks to all the others as well for your replies.

 

[andrey]

Glad I could help

 

[Nastimus]

This will work with win2k also correct?

 

[andrey]

kind of
Boot files for Win2K are a little different, but if you're looking to make a bootable CD for the purpose of installing Windows 2000, all original WinNT and Win2000 CDs are already bootable

 

[GreenGrinch]

Will this work for Win98? If so, this would be really cool. Please let me know. Thanks!

GGrinch

 

[andrey]

Yes, this works for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows Millenium

 

[GreenGrinch]

Thanks Andrey!