Question about installing an OS

[Arcadio]

When I do a clean install of an operating system using the original CD, what is slowest link in the chain of hardware involved: the cd drive, the hard drive, or any other component. I ask because I was thinking of using a DVD instead of a CD to reinstall an OS, since I think that the cd-drive is the slowest link, and by using a DVD (with higher read rates than CD's) the installation of the OS will be faster.

Am I right?

 

[JustaGeek]

XP came on the CD, Vista on the DVD disc.

If you have the original Microsoft media, you don't really have a choice.

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
XP came on the CD, Vista on the DVD disc.

If you have the original Microsoft media, you don't really have a choice.

I can copy the original CD on a DVD, can't I?

Besides, the OS is not the question. It's the question about whether it is faster to install software from a CD or a DVD.

 

[JustaGeek]

I do not believe that you will see any significant difference.

Set up of all the files on the Hard Drive is the most time consuming process, not reading from the media.

But theoretically yes, you might be able to reduce it by a few minutes - that you'll probably spend on making a copy of the CD 😉.

But it is a good idea to have a back-up copy anyway.

 

[WildHorse]

Another way to speed installation is to use nLite to cull out the Windows bloatware you don't want to let be installed. Simulataneously slipstream the Windows updates into it.

That's what I do, works great.