Why won't bootable CDs work?
 

I wonder why is it that I could never make a backup on WinXP Pro?
Its not protected, but no matter what software I used - it won't let me boot from the CD.

I know HOW to make it work - use Nero, and from there adjust the boot sector thingy, but then - why can't Alcohol 120% of BlindWrite copy the boot sector stuffy 1:1 and allow the CD to be bootable? :o :mad:

First things first :o

Can U boot from the ORIGINAL CD ?

Yes I can

Just use Alcohol or Clone CD or any cd copying program to copy from the original disk
Use Normal CD profile in Alcohol or similar in Clone CD, or copy cd mode in Nero. There shouldn't be any problems - no need to fuss around with silly Nero booting options etc. just do a direct copy.

CDRWin has no problems making copies of my bootable cds.

My guess is, the data that makes a CD bootable is at its beginning.

Therefore, the problem is probably due to the fact that the software used to make the dump does not handle reading of the CD's lead-in (which comprises pregap). Which explains why neither Nero, nor Alcohol, nor even BW can pull it off. CloneCD will most likely fail too.

This I suggest: make a full dump (inc. all subchannels) using Discdump. I've heard that this little FREEWARE jewel can read pregap, provided the reader can handle it (which is the case for your Litey 52246S). Then burn the image in RAW-DAO96 mode using any writing program.

well, if none of the above suggestion work.....give this a try....

http://www.nu2.nu/bootcd/

believe me..this WORKS!!!

OK, thanks for help, I know how to make it boot.

I was rather talking of the concept that the almighty BlindWrite, Alcohol 120%, etc CANNOT even make a PROPER 1:1 image of a bootable CD :rolleyes: .

Well, wot wuz the solution ?

Were U able to make 1:1 backup using other software (ie. Ddump) ? :confused:

The solution is to use NERO and adjust boot sectors manually, and some other stuff...
Kills me...

Discdump rulez
 

I wuz too curious about this boot stuff.

So I just "fireburnt" onto CD-RW an image of the original WinXP pro CD created using Discdump - and the backup IS bootable!

[color=dark-blue]Discdump rulez!!![/color]

Ice: try using Alcohol or Clone (or even Nero copy disk function) to confirm that this works fine as well.

Ghost: got the msg.

Can't attend 2 it 4 now - have started 2 huge file downloads through P2P (eDonkey, to be more precise), and these files have few sources, so I dare not disconnect and reboot right now (to test CD backup bootability), lest I fail to recover my current - and above normal - download rate upon reconnection.. :( Downloads should last at least half a day though.

However I'll check it out with CloneCD as soon as possible and will advise everyone of the test results.

Ah, yo guys, gh0st and Ice....
See, just because you can START the CD, and start installing Windows - it does NOT make it bootable.
Right before the acctual installation (aft eru copy the needed files, etc, etc, when the pretty screen comes up) - you will get a i386 ERROR and installation will abort...

The only way to make a working copy is to use NERO and manuall adjust all that stuff...

I don't think so!
 

Yet the CD is still BOOTABLE (the booting part takes a very short time, like a few seconds, until setup begins) - you're mixing up boot and installation, man. If U get such an "i386" error or something, this means that the SETUP has aborted, not the boot, therefore the main CD data, ie. the Windows files (not the boot part) on the backup CD, is corrupt - simple as that! And makes sense, too.. ;)


Semper idem, sed aliter

Yep scratched original again...I am not leaving cds at your house.

OK, lets get the facts straight.

1. I have an original WindowsXP Pro CD. It works. It boots, and lets me install WindowsXP Pro on a formated hard drive :D .

2. Windows does not use any CD protection (or so we think), besides a CD-KEY.

3. When I make a copy of my ORIGINAL WindowsXP Pro CD with either Alcohol 120% or BlindWrite - I can BOOT into Windows Installation process, BUT I get an i386 error. This happens ALL THE TIME with a copied CD, and NEVER happens with the original CD.

4. If am to use NERO and manually adjust all the settings (such boot sector) and make a copy of the original CD - it works JUST AS GOOD as the original CD, WITHOUT any errors.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Machina - one more detail, but 'tis EXTREMELY important :o . U stated:

BUT: when using the BW or Alcohol, have U tested the backup on a formated drive as well ?

Yes, and I was pissed, because I had to reformat since it copied all the needed files to start installation, but the installation itself got screwed up!

Flash news, m8s


It seems that Windows XP CD might have some sort of copy-protection after all.

It is well known that Windows XP uses a key-activation system to prevent different machines from running WinXP with the same key.

HOWEVER there was very little I could get on the Web concerning copy-protection of the CD itself. Hints and smatterings of users who had sought advice after failing to make direct 1:1 backups and who had found other ways of bypassing the "protection" (using modifed Nero ISO images, etc...) was all I found.

Still can't test with CloneCd, nor even my Discdump-made backup 4 now, since this will call not only for rebooting system but also making a Norton Ghost backup of my current Win2000 installation, formating HDD and fully installing WinXP to see if it really works. :mad:

Machina - when U tested Alcohol or BW backups, were they inserted in the burner or did U try them in a CD/DVD reader (NOT burner) as well?

Furthermore, though I doubt M$ would have used hardware CD protection for WinXP, U could always try running BWAbuilder on the original CD (choose 8x speed), just to make sure...

Ah, whatever, I am not bothered...:D